China unveils world’s first train that runs on virtual tracks
China has unveiled world’s first train that runs on a virtual track making use of sensor technology instead of metal rails, thereby adding another piece of public transport innovation to its growing list of achievements in the area.
Sixteen year old Bengaluru girl to get planet named after her!!
Researching the specks of froth on our polluted lakes has led to a city girl getting her name etched in immortality on the night sky.
China unveils world’s first train that runs on virtual tracks
China has unveiled world’s first train that runs on a virtual track making use of sensor technology instead of metal rails, thereby adding another piece of public transport innovation to its growing list of achievements in the area. Following the spectacular failure last year of the “straddling bus,” China has now unveiled a new solution to its public transportation woes that’s half train, half bus!!
It may not look as cool as its crazy car straddling bus, but China has unveiled what is purported to be the world’s first train that operates on a virtual track using sensor technology instead of metal rails. China’s CRRC Corporation began developing the project back in 2013 as a way to ease hellish congestion in China’s crowded urban centers. It is being billed as a cheaper alternative to metros or trams, while also being more environmentally-friendly.
Salient Highlights:
The electric train, calledAutonomous Rail Transit (hereinafter ‘ART’), runs purely on electricity on virtual tracks. It is also non-polluting as they are battery powered. The train is capable of reaching a top speed of 70 kmph and can travel a distance of 25 km by just charging for 10 minutes. The train which isonly about 32 metres longcancarry up to 307 passengers. The new trains are fitted with sensors which are capable of detecting the dimensions of the road permitting it to follow the routes without the need for metal rails. So, it can run without the presence of tracks. The new trains will make use ofrubber wheels on a plastic core and can be automatically guided without rails.This new technology has beencopyrighted by the Chinese rail corporation. The train will be rolled out for public use in 2018. It will be launched in the Chinese city ofZhuzhou in a bid to help to deal with traffic in the area. The new train is expected to have a lifespan of around 25 years. The cost of the new train is only a fifth of the price of a traditional subway system[1]
[1] http://currentaffairs.gktoday.in/china-unveils-worlds-train-runs-virtual-tracks-06201745805.html
Sixteen year old Bengaluru girl to get planet named after her!!
Researching the specks of froth on our polluted lakes has led to a city girl getting her name etched in immortality on the night sky.
Sahithi Pingali, a twelfth grader from Bengaluru will get a minor planet in Milky Way named after her as a reward for developing an integrated mobile phone app and lake monitoring kitto monitor pollution in water bodies.
Sahithi is the eldest among three sisters. Her father is a distinguished engineer at IBM Global. At Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (hereinafter ‘ISEF’), she was competing against 1,700 other participants from around the world and bagged three awards out of the 21 awards won by the Indian contingent. Currently, she is pursuing a summer internship at the University of Michigan’s Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Center.
Sahithi Pingalihad presented her paper titled“An Innovative Crowdsourcing Approach to Monitoring Freshwater Bodies” at the ISEF. For her paper, she got second position and was presented three special awards in the Earth and Environment Sciences category. In addition,she hasalso won a gold medal at the International Sustainable World Engineering Energy Environment Project (hereinafter ‘ISWEEEP’) for her research work on Varthur Lake. ISEFis considered as thelargest pre-college scientific research event in the world.ISEF has partnered with the Ceres Connection program of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratorywhich will identify a minor planet. The planets are named after the budding scientists in order tomotivate them by giving a name in space.[1]
[1] https://currentaffairs.gktoday.in/indian-girl-sahithi-pingali-planet-named-06201745390.html