(Source: unctad.org) The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on May 12 announced that it will bring together experts in the meeting of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) from 17-21. /5 to find out how science, technology and innovation (STI) contributes to a resilient and sustainable recovery after the pandemic COVID-19 . Shamika N. Sirimanne , Director of Technology and Logistics of UNCTAD and who also heads the CSTD Secretariat, said the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to prioritize STIs for policymaking, resource allocation and international cooperation. However, governments also need to ensure that the developmental benefits of STIs are translated directly into the daily lives of people around the world. It is important for all countries to have equal access to the benefits of life-saving treatments, not only for pandemics but also for diseases related to poverty, future medical emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks, Ms. Sirimanne added. Experts will look at the opportunities offered by technologies some of which are being used to respond to the pandemic, such as artificial intelligence, big data and robotics. While these technologies may enable developing countries to stay ahead of previous technology models and transform economies and societies, these countries – especially the least developed – often not ready to adopt them due to resource and capacity constraints. According to Sirimanne, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many manifestations of deep digital inequality within and across countries. She said proactive policy interventions, mobilization of all stakeholders and international cooperation are needed to guide STI advances towards a resilient and sustainable recovery from the pandemic. In an increasingly digitalized economy and society, the security and accountability of data transactions are critical to building trust and creating disruptive innovations in the technical world. number. In this respect, blockchain technology can be a game-changer, with the potential to revolutionize processes from finance to the pharmaceutical industry, from government public services to humanitarian and humanitarian work. development aid. Blockchain serves as the underlying technology for cryptocurrencies, enabling open (peer-to-peer), secure and fast transactions. The application of blockchain has expanded to include various financial transactions such as online payments and exchange platforms, as well as the Internet of Things (IoT), healthcare systems, and supply chains. “While we have seen a few examples of blockchain’s potential to address sustainability challenges, it is important to avoid hype and ensure that we understand the potential blockchain can have,” said Ms. transformed into an effective answer to the needs of developing countries.” Digital technology has played an important role in addressing the pandemic and enabling resilience in many ways. These include the use of big data and artificial intelligence for public health interventions and the use of digital services to accelerate infection surveillance and testing. Other trends include the use of the Internet and video conferencing platforms for work and education as well as expanding use of e-commerce and online entertainment platforms. “But on the other hand, those who lack affordable connectivity have been severely disadvantaged during this pandemic,” added Ms. Sirimanne. “Other challenges have emerged including misinformation. propagation, privacy and data protection, and network security. CSTD is a subsidiary of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is the United Nations’ focal point for STIs to develop, in analyzing how STIs, including information technology and media, acting as a driving force behind the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Germany will focus on developing the first quantum computer and related technologies. Illustration: Reuters The German Science Ministry will spend 1.1 billion euros until 2025 to support research and development of quantum computers, while the Economy Ministry will spend 878 million euros to support practical applications. The German Aerospace Center will receive about 740 million euros to work with industrial companies, medium-sized enterprises and start-ups to create two business complexes. According to Economy Minister Peter Altmaier, quantum computers have the potential to revolutionize key industrial sectors of the economy. He pointed out that applications are in areas such as improving the quality of energy supply and demand management, improving traffic control and promoting the testing of new active ingredients. Mr. Altmaier said Germany’s goal is to become one of the leading countries in the development and application of quantum computers. Meanwhile, Science Minister Anja Karliczek said the government’s goal is to develop a competitive quantum computer within five years and create a network of companies in the field to develop. outstanding applications.

Motorola partnered with Guru to develop remote wireless charging technology. Photo: Motorola GuRu powers devices at watts-over-meters, Guru’s proprietary technology has revolutionized the consumer experience and eliminates power as an everyday concern. . GuRu’s patented, miniature modules will allow devices to be powered at long distances by precise power delivery. Motorola and GuRu, will work together to meet Motorola’s stringent requirements for quality, power efficiency, and safety. Florian Bohn, CEO and Co-Founder of GuRu, said the partnership with Motorola will help Guru access the ecosystem of smart devices and solutions with the goal of improving the consumer experience. use. Guru will introduce true mobility to mobile smart devices and IoT sensors. GuRu’s technology enables safe, efficient, and customizable transmission of electricity through the air using integrated millimeter wave (mmWave) circuits, modules, and proprietary Smart RF Lensing technology. A miniature power transmission system that efficiently and accurately delivers power over long distances like never before. GuRu’s proprietary technology enables safe, accurate transmission and recovery of micro-watt to multi-watt-level wireless power over long distances. Photo: Guru GuRu’s wireless solution can be used as a charging hub or power source in a variety of settings that require access to a power source. It’s easy to set up, secure, and sophisticated enough to find and adjust different power levels to match the needs of any device. Even during use, it continuously charges devices and as a safety measure, reroutes power as needed. Motorola and Guru have not provided much information about this partnership and when phones using remote wireless charging technology will be available to consumers, but the two will work together to meet the requirements. strict requirements on quality, efficiency of electricity use and safety. Earlier this year, Motorola showed off a demo of a device allegedly called the Motorola One Hyper that charges two Moto Edge phones remotely, but didn’t say if it would work with Guru on the project. Remote wireless charging technology has also been researched by many companies since 2015, such as Energous company researched and claimed to be able to charge phones from about 4 meters away. This year, Xiaomi also introduced Mi Air Charging Technology, which in the future can remotely charge multiple devices at the same time.

Amazon introduces automatic payment technology into large-scale supermarkets Features of Amazon’s automatic checkout technology, called “Just Walk Out”, appear in the planning document for a store under construction in a suburban mall in Brookfield, Connecticut. This technology allows customers to bypass checkout items by tracking any items they pick up and bill when they leave. Shoppers simply swipe their smartphone at the store entrance, where shoppers will likely scan apps or credit cards when they arrive. Inside, cargo is monitored by cameras, software algorithms and shelf sensors. Ceiling-mounted cameras are capable of tracking items that buyers pick up in the store. Amazon seems to have tackled a significant technical challenge, creating a take-and-go system that can handle shoppers’ scores at the same time and cover major supermarkets without too much cost to construction and operation. This breakthrough will push Amazon ahead of competitors, which are experimenting with similar camera-based technology developed by various startups. The executives of these companies have admitted that they may not be able to install cashier systems in large supermarkets in a year or two. The widespread adoption of automatic payments is likely to lead to criticism from labor unions that accuse Amazon of seeking to eliminate cashiers. Because this is one of the most popular jobs in America. The goal of the Just Walk Out program, the company says, is convenience for shoppers, not cutting labor or costs. Amazon has created thousands of grocery jobs since the launch of its first Fresh store last year. Planning brochure for a shop under construction in Brookfield, Connecticut. Photo: Brookfield Public Records. Industry’s miracle? Since the launch of the Fresh chain in southern California, Amazon has opened 12 stores, with 37 more under development across the US. But beyond testing at a Fresh suburban Chicago store, the new chain doesn’t feature Go-style automated payments, surprising industry followers with a less traditional approach. Instead, Amazon developed the Dash smart cart, which has sensors and cameras that help replenish purchases as shoppers move through the aisles. The shopping cart stops in a seamless shopping experience. They only hold a few bags of food and shoppers are unable to take them out, forcing them to move the bags into a low-tech trolley or transport their food to the parking lot. Keeping track of dozens of people in a large store is a technical challenge. Along with that, cost also slows down the adoption of non-cashier technology. Equipping a camera for a 2,000 square meter convenience store can be done with several dozen devices. However, the coverage of a full-service supermarket is much bigger. With the trend of large area supermarkets in the US, the requirement for more cameras and servers has to be exponentially larger for video processing and storage. That could quickly erase the benefits of hiring fewer cashiers or attracting more people into the store with the promise of seamless payments. Amazon has worked for years to streamline its Just Walk Out system, making it more cost-effective for its own stores and attracting other companies that might license the technology. this. Even as Amazon exclusively opened small convenience stores, the company’s engineers were asked to build a version of the technology that would be available in stores larger than 2787 square meters or more. Smart Shopping Cart Dash. Photo: Amazon. If Amazon completes rolling out the cashier-free payments technology in its Fresh stores, it represents an industry feat. Startups like Standard Cognition, AiFi, and Grabango have all developed autonomous systems for retailers, but widespread adoption of the technology is still costly and challenging to implement in large store format.

Loitering munition (LM) or suicide drones (suicide / kamikaze drones) are weapons systems that hover around to find a target and attack when the target is located. . LM has the advantages of tactical and tactical features, simplicity in production and operation, increasing survivability in combat as well as the ability to destroy targets. It also allows for more selective targeting and actual strike missions can be canceled, revolutionizing the way war is waged in volatile regions of the world. Lancet is equipped with an electric motor with a propeller in the tail and optoelectronic unit in the nose; Source: topwar.ru The LM can be as simple as a drone (UAV) and can even be built from commercial drones, with weapons attached, sent on a suicide mission. in the air for a long period of time before an attack, which simplifies reconnaissance and assault. It allows to promptly attack hidden targets in a short time without having to use expensive weapons (such as rockets, self-propelled guns using smart bullets …). Low cost creates another characteristic advantage that simplifies the organization of large-scale raids aimed at overwhelming enemy air defenses. LMs are made more complex in terms of flight and control capabilities, warhead size and design, body sensors … Some LMs may return and be recalled by the operator if they are not. used in the attack and has enough fuel left. LM first appeared in the 1980s, was used as the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) against surface-to-air missiles (SAM), and was used by the military in several countries. Entering service in the 1990s. Starting in the 2000s, the LM has been developed and has a construction suitable for wearing in a backpack for additional missions, from long range attacks and fire support. power to short-range, tactical battlefield systems. Lancet – a formidable Russian mobile suicide weapon In fact, the British were the first to come to terms with the LM weapon, but today Russia, Israel and the US are leading the way. Not long ago, the Zala Aero company of Kalashnikov Group (Russia) presented the first suicide weapon “Lancet” (“Ланцет”) – an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of reconnaissance and attack. Assigned public target, capable of completely changing combat operations in the near future. The company’s new product Zala Aero was demonstrated for the first time at the Army-Technical Forum-2019. Each combination includes a control panel providing the ability to receive and process data, as well as transmit commands to the suicide weapon. The Lancet is fabricated in a longitudinal scheme with two X-shaped wing combinations used to reduce the size of the bearing plane while maintaining the required lift; at the same time, it is possible to increase the stiffness of the structure and increase the flight speed. As a rule, Israel’s most famous LM systems built according to the classic airplane scheme have one fundamental drawback: LMs maneuver well along one axis and not maneuver along the other – which reduces the effect of an attack on a moving target. The X-shaped wing map adheres to aerodynamic surfaces, which are characteristic of missiles, overcoming this weakness. Lancet is designed with the optoelectronic unit in the nose and the electric motor connected to the propeller propeller at the tail; Widely used plastic and synthetic materials. Unlike foreign models, Lancet uses two X-shaped wings combinations; Source: topwar.ru The optical device unit has a channel that transmits the signal to the operator console, does not lose video communication with the operator until it is in direct contact with the target. This UAV is also equipped with its own navigation system capable of identifying coordinates from a variety of sources and objects. Flight and targeting can be performed under the control of the operator and independently, or a combination of the two. Experts will track it from the ground through the Russian GLONASS satellite navigation system or its own command-control system. The “Lancet-1” and “Lancet-3” models agreed on the body frame and internal system components, catapulted, capable of reaching speeds of 80-130 km / h. According to the manufacturer, they do not need additional operating facilities on the ground but can locate, communicate, attack targets within a radius of 40 km. When the UAV flies to an altitude of 5 km, it can turn off the main engine but continue to hover, mimicking the behavior of the birds, doing the mission for an additional 3 km at lower altitudes. After that, the UAV restarted the engine and flew again to a height of 5 km. With those unique features, the UAV’s field of view is increased to 1,000 km, far exceeding its counterparts. Lancet-1 has a takeoff weight of 5 kg, is equipped with a 1 kg fragmentation warhead, Lancet-3 weighs 12 kg, carries a 3 kg warhead, and both uses a contact detonator. In terms of power, the warheads of these two LMs are equivalent to medium-sized artillery shells. If the previous generation of Lancet – “Kub” (“Куб”) attacks the target according to specific coordinates, like most foreign UAVs, Lancet does not need any satellite positioning and the accuracy of astonishing hit. What makes this special is that in the event of a loss of contact with the control center, Lancet will switch to automatic target and attack mode. So, even with interference by the enemy, Lancet can still complete the mission. LM can be launched into the air both from the ground and from aircraft carriers at sea, and ships. Lancet chief architect Alexander Zakharov calls these UAVs “aerators” (“воздушноe минированиe”) as the world’s first system designed to defend against UAVs, capable of “drafting” in the air. medium for tens of hours and capable of shooting down UAVs moving at speeds below 300 km / h. Lancet’s design gives it many features and advantages over foreign models; Source: topwar.ru According to the Chief Architect, this “gas” system is being tested, to test the accuracy and combatability of Lancet in real combat conditions against static and dynamic targets; at the moment, it has already killed 100% of its target. According to Zvezda TV, from 2020 until now, both the Russian and Syrian troops have used Lancet to conduct dozens of high-precision attacks on terrorist groups in northeastern Syria. The main feature the designers are working on to improve on is stealth, including “acoustical stealth”, and here thanks to the use of electric motors, the Lancet is unmatched. In addition, the electric motor is more reliable, lighter, more compact, and cheaper. It is believed that laser air defense systems that can burn materials will be highly effective in the fight against drones. Zala Aero has developed new methods of protecting Lancet against such threats – integrating anti-laser protection, but without disclosing details. In the past few years, in the field of reconnaissance and attack, UAVs have made great progress, and a major and important modernization of drones of the Russian armed forces is expected. waiting to take place in the near future. Promising LM models will allow Air Force – Space forces and other structures to acquire fundamentally new capabilities and increase their potential, which will be able to close the gap with major powers. other. However, it takes time, effort and money./.