3-D-printing Damaged Heritage Sites; Scaling Mount Everest in VR

Posted January 7th, 2016 at 11:58 am (UTC-4)
Leave a comment

Today’s Tech Sightings:

A May 17, 2015 file photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows a general view of the ancient Roman city of Palmyra, northeast of Damascus. Syrian activists say Islamic State militants have destroyed a nearly 2,000-year-old arch in Palmyra, the latest victim in the group's campaign to destroy historic sites across the territory it controls in Iraq and Syria. (AP)

A May 17, 2015, file photo released by Syrian official news agency SANA shows a general view of the ancient Roman city of Palmyra, northeast of Damascus. Syrian activists say Islamic State militants have destroyed a nearly 2,000-year-old arch in Palmyra, the latest victim in the group’s campaign to ruin historic sites across the territory it controls in Iraq and Syria. (AP)

How 3-D Printers Can Help Preserve Heritage Sites

Historical heritage sites have paid a heavy toll for the exploits of Islamic State fanatics in the Middle East. But a joint venture between the Institute for Digital Archaeology, Harvard University, the University of Oxford and the Museum of the Future in Dubai is fighting back with a 3-D-printed replica of the Arch of Palmyra. CyArk, a non-profit that is creating a 3-D library of endangered cultural heritage sites, has also been engaged in preserving some of these monuments.

Beacon Tech for Grain Harvesters Helps Protect Crops

A German company that makes farming equipment has come up with the Fliegl Tracker, a Bluetooth transmitter that can be attached to harvesting and grain transport vehicles. The beacon sends constant messages to mobile devices on the location and weight of shipments. The tracking can help farmers reduce loss and give buyers confidence about the source of the shipment.

The Balancing Act of Scaling Mount Everest – in Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality (VR) can immerse people wearing special VR gear into alternative – and sometimes hair-raising – realities. PC World writer Brad Chacos got a firsthand experience when he checked out the Everest demo at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Did I mention he’s afraid of heights?

More:

Aida Akl
Aida Akl is a journalist working on VOA's English Webdesk. She has written on a wide range of topics, although her more recent contributions have focused on technology. She has covered both domestic and international events since the mid-1980s as a VOA reporter and international broadcaster.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *