Tag Archives: communication

What is the next step for improvement of our online connection?

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A man on a small red sofa talking with a TV screen with a floating face inside

In 2019, the whole world changed and was forced to move everything online, as we were heading to 2021, recovering from difficult months of lockdowns, people have felt the urge to go out and to meet others in person, while those others could prefer to stay at home. It was difficult to make some to go, for instance to the offices, so the solution was found – hybrid mode. It was considered to the helping hand and solution for people to be connected but staying at their comfortable space.

Now, we are at the beginning of 2023, and the new issue has been identified, the lack of feeling of being connected, some people can turn off their cameras, others can simply not answer. Logitech – a Swiss company that is concentrated on developing innovation products in the tech industry, recently they have announced a Telepresence Video Booth, which was called ‘Project Ghost’.

Life-size, eye-to-eye conversations are ensured by new mechanism of using a mirror to project the video chat. ‘Project Ghost’ – is a separated Video Booth, that assure people’s have ability to connect all over the world being secure and private during the call.

This novelty is a great step towards acquainting people closer to one another even for those that are not able to meet in person, it allows to have direct eye contact, which is impossible when it comes to Zoom, Skype or other similar platforms.

Sure, such inventions have drawbacks, in this case, the size and price. It is not possible to install a lot of such Video Booth even in big offices, as they require a lot of space. By putting them too close, we are taking some part of the privacy of the conversations, which was actually, one of the main advantages of the ‘Project Ghost’. What is more, the price can possible be not as huge as several hundred thousand, but more if instead of the mirror the glasses-free 3D part was used, which is taking some part of the quality of the video series.

So, there is a battle between practicality and neediness, connection, or convenience. The only thing left is to observe the changes, as we will eventually come to some better ways of connection rather than Zoom calls.

To read more about the ‘Project Ghost’: https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/31/23577918/logitech-steelcase-project-ghost-video-chat-booth-starline

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The new era in communication beetwen pilots and ATC controllers

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Since the beginning of aviation communication between pilots and ATC controllers takes place by an use of radio waves. Currently there are only 2280 frequencies of communication. However due to the constant increase in air traffic it’s not enough, they have become congested and cumbersome in communication.

But what has really changed?

Nowadays despite traditional way of voice communication pilots and controllers have an option of using system called CPDLC what stands for Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications. It is a two-way data-link system by which controllers can transmit non urgent but strategic messages such as: level change, speed assignments, vectoring and many other various requests of information. It is also dedicated for ground services to communicate about technical things. For instance pilot can ask ground control on the destination airport for an additional services during a stop on an airport tarmac. The Main purpose of that system is to reduce the workload of controllers by letting them execute frequent commands without occupying a frequency. In initial experiments it is believed that about 84% of voice communication has been reduced.

But how it actually works?

It involves the use of pre-formatted messages which allows both pilots and controllers to send messages. The use pre-formatted options increase the efficiency and also reduces the chance for an error. In addition to that there is also a free text option so that any other information’s or requests can be made.

Putting it simply, if the pilot wants to change altitude to a higher flight level he would need to ask it for on a radio earlier. Currently he just has to press a few buttons and then wait for a controller to allow or refuse him to do so.

The advantages of CPDLC

Each system is made for some purpose. The main idea of CPDLC is to help controllers manage the air traffic so that they workload will be reduced. The advantages that CPDLC provides are:

  • Increased ATC efficiency by reducing the workload
  • A reduction in possible misunderstandings due to language barriers
  • The possibility of a few communications at the same time thereby increasing speed of it
  • Sending the same command to multiple planes at the same time

Concerns about safety

Of course there are also some concerns about using this system such as giving for example two commands for one plane at the same time in separate messages which might cause that one of them won’t be seen by pilots. Also the use of CPDLC reduces pilot’s awareness, because they cannot follow other aircraft communication. Last but not least there is always an option to send wrong message to an aircraft or transmit it to the wrong one. However all of that problems are not really an issue if properly addressed.

If you want to learn something more feel free to ask any questions connected with aviation. I also recommend you watching this short video to get the better understanding about this system.

Sources:

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China’s futuristic elevated bus

Reading Time: 2 minutesActually, it is called Transit Elevated Bus (TEB) and its concept was presented at the 19th China Beijing International High-Tech Expo in May. At the time developers had only miniature model to show but claimed that they could build the bus till August. Surprisingly they did and showed working version of their TEB on August 2nd during its first test drive on 300 meters’ track.

TEB2TEB1

Testing in Qinhuangdao, China was about to evaluate its aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance, breaking system and power consumption. The tested compartment is 22 meters long, 7.8 meters wide, 4.8 meters high and can carry up to 300 passengers.

TEB is electrically driven elevated tram/bus hybrid allowing it to transport people over the cars(traffic).

TEB

The project seems to be successful as based on what developers say it will be finished in one year. Moreover, already several countries reached out to ask about the possibility of licensing their own versions. Among those countries were France, Brazil, India, and Indonesia.

What is your opinion on this project? Can you imagine it being used in European capitals or do you know about better alternatives to improve public transport and to overcome traffic jams?

 

Sources:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-08/02/c_135558764.htm

http://www.vox.com/2016/8/5/12371012/transit-elevated-bus-china

https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/02/china-has-actually-built-that-elevated-bus-that-travels-above-car-traffic/

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The results of 2015: Key Trends and hashtags on Twitter

Reading Time: 2 minutesMicroblogging service Twitter summed up the results of 2015, to name the most discussed events, major Tweets and trends. The results are posted on a special page.

The most popular tweet of the year turned out to be an expression of gratitude to the fans of One Direction band member Harry Styles. He has collected more than 700 thousand retweets.

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In the list of the most influential brands of the campaign were conducted on the platform under the hashtag #JeSuisCharlie and #PrayForParis – they belonged to the terrorist attacks, thundered in Paris in January and November 2015.

Wide coverage received tags #BlackLivesMatter, which marks the resonance of the campaign against the tyranny of light-skinned police officers with respect to African Americans and #LoveWins, which celebrated the legalization of gay marriage in the United States. The list for the year was the main tag and #RefugeesWelcome, dedicated to the Syrian refugees, as well as #PlutoFlyby, celebrating the success of NASA’s mission of sending a spacecraft to Pluto.

If something happens in the world, it happens on Twitter

As the trends noted on Twitter, the heated debate surrounding the blue-black or white-gold dress by tags #TheDress, #BlueandBlack and #WhiteandGold, and support under the tag #IStandWithAhmed, provided service users student who brought a class like a bomb clock.

On one of the tabs site contains a list of celebrities who have joined the Twitter community in 2015. Among them are actors Antonio Banderas and Adrien Brody, singer Diana Ross, the director Guillermo del Toro, and Luc Besson, President Barack Obama and former CIA agent Edward Snowden.

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The record year for the first speed dial million subscribers became the new account Caitlin Jenner – it took only 4 hours to reach the installed straps and thus beat the world record.

Also on Twitter compiled a list of the most popular Emoji. The main icon smile turned to tears of joy, previously become “word of the year” by the compilers of the Oxford dictionary.

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Compared to 2014, which became, according to the service, “the year of the self”, 2015 th declared the “year of Emoji.”

More info on YearOnTwitter

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