Fast Fish Tracking Using the Cloud

The fastest way to track a fish is to use the cloud. A new acoustic receiver developed by researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) sends near-real-time fish tracking data to the digital cloud, providing timely information to dam operators and decision-makers about when, where, and how many fish are expected to pass through dams. Instead of relying on seasonal estimates of fish migration from previous years, these data from tagged fish support more informed decisions about dam operations that affect fish passage.

This receiver provides up-to-the-hour data to dam operators to assist in making informed day-to-day decisions in support of fish passage, like adjusting water flow when it’s clear that a large group of juvenile fish are approaching the dam. Hydropower dams are an important source of dependable renewable energy, generating about six percent of total electricity in the United States. Helping fish navigate them safely is a key part of reducing dams’ environmental impact. The new receiver is a critical piece of the puzzle in the ongoing endeavor to improve fish passage.

More information:

https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/faster-fish-tracking-through-cloud

AR Headlights by Ford

American car manufacturer Ford recently unveiled new high-resolution headlights capable of projecting vital information directly onto the road as you drive using augmented reality (AR) technology. This includes everything from turn-by-turn navigation and real-time weather conditions to important street signs. The AR-enabled headlights can be used in a variety of unique scenarios. One example shows how the technology can be used to keep the driver up to date on changing weather conditions by displaying images on the road, such as a snowflake.

The system can also be used to guide drivers to their desired location and show how much room a driver has between other drivers or cyclists. What makes this system so unique from the other AR heads-up displays we’ve covered in the past is its ability to translate information not only to the driver, but to pedestrians and other motorists as well. Everyone can see the projections on the road, resulting in an overall safer driving experience. Other possibilities include showing a path for the driver to follow to ensure cyclists are passed at a safe distance.

More information:

https://vrscout.com/news/fords-ar-headlights-display-directions-on-the-road/

AI Dates Archaeological Remains

By analyzing DNA with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), an international research team led by Lund University in Sweden has developed a method that can accurately date up to ten-thousand year-old human remains. The standard dating method since the 1950s has been radiocarbon dating however, the technology is not always completely reliable in terms of accuracy.

The method is called Temporal Population Structure (TPS) and can be used to date genomes that are up to 10,000 years old. In the study, the research team analyzed approximately 5,000 human remains – from the Late Mesolithic period (10,000–8,000 BC) to modern times. All the studied samples could be dated with a rarely seen accuracy.

More information:

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/researchers-develop-first-ai-based-method-dating-archeological-remains