Robotic Compatriots

Official photographic portrait of US President Barack Obama (born 4 August 1961; assumed office 20 January 2009) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Next Wave of Factory Robots

Ever since General Motors first put “Unimate” on an assembly line in 1961, most manufacturing robots have worked in isolation, caged off from human workers. Now a new breed of more flexible robot is being developed to work more closely with people.

Human beings were never supposed to be alone. Robots were always supposed to work alongside them.

If robots are cheaper than the cheapest humans, and if they are to work alongside the expensive humans in America, then there is perhaps hope for manufacturing in America. Or so my man Obama thinks.

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Microgrid

Solar Panel - Labatts Plant in Background (Photo credit: chucka_nc)

Microgrid Keeps the Power Local, Cheap, and Reliable

ties together power from fuel cells, solar panels, wind turbines, and diesel generators ..... to form a microgrid that can operate independently of large, centralized power plants. ..... an emerging smart-grid technology that's providing a cleaner, more reliable, and, in some parts of the country, significantly cheaper alternative to the conventional grid. ..... special software and power electronics to integrate multiple sources of power and energy storage to provide electricity around the clock, even when the sun isn't shining or regulations limit the use of diesel generators ..... If the utility experiences a large spike in demand, the microgrid can respond by selling excess power to the utility. .... The first customers for microgrids are businesses and organizations that can't afford even short power outages—such as jails, hospitals, data centers, and military bases—or remote areas that don't have access to the grid.

This philosophy has to be applied to the growth and consumption of food. Not all of it. But at least some parts of it. People should have the option.

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