Time to read: 3 min
The Fictiv team is back with another monthly edition of our hardware roundup! Read through for the latest on autonomous vehicle technology, major trends in automotive and telecomm production, and a look at NASA’s groundbreaking InSight landing.
Don’t forget to take a look at upcoming community events and job opportunities! We hope you have a chance to attend an event that sparks your interest.
Want to share an interesting article, job posting, or event in Hardware Roundup? Submit your link here, and we’ll try our best to include any in one of our upcoming issues, with credit to you!
Industry News
- Google is shuttering their bipedal robot program and may be planning to focus on more practical robotic applications in manufacturing. + Motus Labs is aiming to disrupt the industrial robotic industry with its gearless drive design for articulated robots.
- Although Waymo suffered some setbacks and brought back safety drivers, it just launched its robo-taxi service in Phoenix. Ford is following suit by working to launch a commercial self-driving taxi service by 2021. Although not autonomous, Audi is bringing an electric “flying taxi” concept to the sky. To handle slowing sales, General Motors is planning huge budget cuts by closing 5 factories and focusing on production of larger sport utility vehicles.
- Although U.S. manufacturers experienced a surge in orders and solid growth in November, all of Apple’s new iPhones are facing slashes in production. This is causing frustration for Foxconn and its China-based supply chain. + How UPS uses AI to meet holiday delivery deadlines during stormy weather.
- Recent market data compiled by Morgan Stanley predicts that key space technology milestones could make 2019 the year for space. NASA’s InSight landing on Mars is one of those major events, with InSight being used to collect crucial geophysics data. Researchers are experimenting with options to 3D print hardware using Moon dust to support building a future lunar base.
- In underground news, the Boring Company used its burrowing machinery to complete its first tunnel in Los Angeles. At the same time, they’ve abandoned further development of their test tunnel.
Hardware Knowledge
- How the hardware controls and design behind the click wheel are the pinnacle of iPod design.
- Hardware updates to the latest version of the Hover self-flying drone.
- NASA’s InSight lander was designed to perform a perfectly synchronized landing routine that can go from 12,000 to 0 mph in just 6.5 minutes. + Consider thrust, velocity, and fuel mass to try landing InSight on Mars without exploding.
- Remake medieval history and create your own working copper still.
- How a wartime material became the consumer-friendly Teflon.
- Everything but this motorcycle’s electrical components were 3D printed. Researchers have been able to 3D print a working lithium-ion battery.
- Watch this video that takes you inside Tesla’s Gigafactory, where Tesla will soon make 60% of the world’s lithium-ion batteries.
- For that holiday maker spirit, check out 8 spirited wrapping techniques.
Events + Community
Jobs
- Quip has a number of roles open, in both engineering and product management and design.
- Samsara also has open product and hardware engineering positions.
- The Prepared’s engineering and manufacturing job board is always a great resource.
Events
- Check out the next SF Hardware Startup Meetup next week! This meetup will be hosted at the Target Open House’s interactive space.
- The next Design Driven NYC event will be hosted at Buzzfeed HQ on Dec 11.
For the Love of Engineering
“The Quantum Garden” is an interactive exhibit at Aalto University. The exhibit uses data from visitors touching the springs to visually simulate the results of a quantum physics problem. Each touch contributes to solving a real open scientific research problem!
See you next month!
The Fictiv Team
