Bird-Like Robot Flies at Chinese Robot Exhibition

Billboard illustrating humanoid robots at 2018 China International Robot Show in Shanghai. Reuters
Billboard illustrating humanoid robots at 2018 China International Robot Show in Shanghai. Reuters
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Bird-Like Robot Flies at Chinese Robot Exhibition

Billboard illustrating humanoid robots at 2018 China International Robot Show in Shanghai. Reuters
Billboard illustrating humanoid robots at 2018 China International Robot Show in Shanghai. Reuters

During an international robot conference in China, many tech companies have showcased their newest creations including a bird-like robot that can actually fly.

The robotic flying bird, inspired by a herring gull and created by German automation firm Festo, is able to take off, fly and land using its own power. It also uses GPS navigation and a remote camera to achieve semi-autonomous flight.

The lightweight robot is made of material weighing around 400 grams. Another eye-catching exhibit was a service robot with two legs capable of both walking and wheeling, reported Reuters.

Chief Marketing Officer Zhao Botao said they named the robot "Nezha", a popular character in traditional Chinese folklore who is able to fly around using his wind fire wheels.

It was the first time this robot was shown to the public and Zhao believed that it could drive further development of service robots' legs in the future to boost safety and efficiency.

Visitors were also fascinated by robotic arms that can be used for picking and placing different objects, as well as robot that can draw portraits for people in no more than five minutes. China is one of the largest markets for service and industrial robots with a growing demand for various kinds of products.



Apple Challenges ‘Unreasonable’ EU Order to Open Up to Rivals

The Apple logo is seen on the Apple store at the Marche Saint Germain in Paris, France July 15, 2020. (Reuters)
The Apple logo is seen on the Apple store at the Marche Saint Germain in Paris, France July 15, 2020. (Reuters)
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Apple Challenges ‘Unreasonable’ EU Order to Open Up to Rivals

The Apple logo is seen on the Apple store at the Marche Saint Germain in Paris, France July 15, 2020. (Reuters)
The Apple logo is seen on the Apple store at the Marche Saint Germain in Paris, France July 15, 2020. (Reuters)

Apple has submitted a legal challenge to an EU order to open up its closed ecosystem to rivals such as Meta and Alphabet's Google, saying the demands are unreasonable and hamper innovation.

The European Commission had in March detailed how Apple must comply with the Digital Markets Act, which aims to rein in the power of Big Tech.

Apple said the EU's interoperability requirements create "a process that is unreasonable, costly, and stifles innovation".

"These requirements will also hand data-hungry companies sensitive information, which poses massive privacy and security risks to our EU users," it said in a statement.

"These deeply flawed rules that only target Apple and no other company will severely limit our ability to deliver innovative products and features to Europe, leading to an inferior user experience for our European customers."

Meta, Google, Spotify and Garmin are among companies that have requested access to Apple users' data.

The legal fight will likely take years to play out in court. Until then, Apple will have to comply with the EU order.

The Commission ordered Apple to give rival makers of smartphones, headphones and virtual reality headsets access to its technology and mobile operating system so they can connect with Apple's iPhones and iPad tablets.

It also set out a detailed process and timeline for Apple to respond to interoperability requests from app developers.