Technology

Now Available: Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) Kit – Beta, the Premier Introduction to Robotics and STEM

Published

1 year ago

July 6, 2023

XRP is a comprehensive, open-robotics platform designed to be accessible for everyone; it comprises a coding environment, hardware kit, and engaging online modules

BOULDER, Colo., July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — A consortium of leading educators and technology companies have announced the release of the XRP Kit – Beta, an entry-level open-source robotics ecosystem intended to expand global participation in robotics, inspire future engineers, and serve as a springboard for STEM education for grades 8-12, electronics beginners, and robotics enthusiasts of any age. As of today, anyone can preorder the XRP Kit through SparkFun® or DigiKe y®.

Based on three years of pilots, the platform includes everything needed to build and program a robot to perform beginning through advanced tasks progressing from fundamental robotics to driving, line following, using sensors, using a robotic arm, and integrating robotic autonomy. The platform comprises:

Easy-to-assemble hardware kit (no tools or soldering) includes the XRP Controller Board from SparkFun, an ultrasonic rangefinder, line follower, two motors with encoders, servo motor, Qwiic® cables, chassis, two wheels, two casters, and battery holderXRP Controller board includes an on-board Raspberry Pi® Pico W featuring the RP2040® microcontroller, low-power accelerometer + gyroscope 6-DoF IMU from STMicroelectronics®, Qwiic connector for easy sensor integration, two dual-channel motor drivers, two servo headers, a momentary button switch, and moreEngaging online instructional modules developed by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute ® (WPI) through its OpenSTEM platform, tested with hundreds of usersCoding environment includes Blockly tools/libraries, Python, and the FIRST® Robotics coding development tool, WPILib; the board is also Arduino ® compatible

The XRP is supported by a consortium, including founding visionaries DEKA and WPI, as well as SparkFun, Raspberry Pi Ltd., STMicroelectronics, DigiKey, and Dagurobot. This group has ensured a pricing structure that offers educators a 43% discount to significantly increase accessibility.

“The solutions to our most intractable problems are not coming through incremental improvements of existing technologies, but from new discoveries made by our kids. But without deep intuition for the first principles of science and technology – there will be no discoveries. What are we doing to cultivate this intuition? When you give kids apps and they stare at a screen – they are experiencing a level of abstraction that makes understanding impossible. It might as well be magic. They need to go deeper, and the XRP is a way to bring this experience to every student in the world,” said Dean Kamen, Founder, FIRST and DEKA.

“The XRP has the power to expand access to STEM education opportunities across the globe and make sure diverse populations of teachers and students are included,” said Grace J. Wang, PhD, President of WPI. “This hands-on platform, combined with the WPI OpenSTEM curriculum, educational resources, and online community support, will help educators inspire future innovators and technology leaders.”

“It is vital for the future of the technology industry that young people have opportunities to develop their enthusiasm for computer programming and electronics, ahead of their entry into the workforce. XRP, powered by Raspberry Pi silicon, will bring these opportunities to many more young people around the world,” said Eben Upton, CEO Raspberry Pi.

“At FIRST, we provide life-changing robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world. We believe the XRP serves as an excellent bridge to our programs and have not only helped pilot the technology, but also have plans to provide it to rookie teams as a jumping off point for building and programming their robots,” said Chris Rake, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at FIRST.

In addition to the FIRST Rookie kits, early adoption of XRP include kits for every middle/high school classroom in New Hampshire; pilots in Engineering for Us All (e4usa) sites; and support through the National Science Foundation (NSF).

About Contributing Partners:

DEKA Research and Development Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) WPI OpenSTEM SparkFun Electronics Raspberry Pi Ltd. STMicroelectronics DigiKey Dagu Robotics

Related Links:
https://experientialrobotics.org/

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SOURCE SparkFun Electronics

Technology

Siemon Introduces Bundled Fiber Trunks for Faster, More Efficient Network Deployments

Published

54 minutes ago

November 23, 2024

The Siemon Company, a global leader in network infrastructure solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its new Bundled Fiber Trunks. Designed to streamline fiber optic network installations and reduce deployment time, Siemon Bundled Fiber Trunks offer a cost-effective and reliable option for a variety of projects.

WATERTOWN, Conn., Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Siemon Company, a global leader in network infrastructure solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its new Bundled Fiber Trunks. Designed to streamline fiber optic network installations and reduce deployment time, Siemon Bundled Fiber Trunks offer a cost-effective and reliable option for a variety of projects.

Siemon Bundled Fiber Trunks are a game-changer for network installations. By simplifying the process and reducing installation time, we’re empowering our customers to achieve their project goals more efficiently and effectively.

Siemon Bundled Fiber Trunks combine high-performance fiber cables into a single, easy-to-manage bundle, optimizing pathway fill and significantly accelerating installation. With up to a 50% faster deployment rate, this innovative solution helps businesses and organizations reduce project costs and time-to-market.

“Siemon Bundled Fiber Trunks are a game-changer for network installations,” said Tony Walker, Siemon Fiber Product Marketing Manager. “By simplifying the process and reducing installation time, we’re empowering our customers to achieve their project goals more efficiently and effectively.”

Key features of Siemon Bundled Fiber Trunks include:

Streamlined installation: Reduced pathway fill and faster deploymentExceptional performance: Equivalent to single-jacket fiberDurability: Robust construction for reliable performanceVersatility: Available in a wide range of configurations

For more information about Siemon Bundled Fiber Trunks and other Siemon products, please visit www.siemon.com.

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon is an industry leader specializing in the design and manufacture of high-quality, high-performance IT infrastructure solutions and services for Data Centers, LANs, and Intelligent Buildings. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, with global sales, technical, and logistics expertise spanning 150 countries, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suites of copper and optical fiber cabling systems, racks, cable management, and Intelligent Infrastructure Management solutions. With more than 400 patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and the development of Industry Standards, underlining the company’s long-standing commitment to its customers and the industry. Through an ongoing commitment to waste and energy reduction, Siemon’s environmental sustainability benchmarks are unparalleled in the industry.

Contact Information

Brian Baum

brian_baum@siemon.com

Media Contact

Brian Baum, Siemon, 1 8609454200, brian_baum@siemon.com

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SOURCE Siemon

Technology

Oberon Securities Advises Keens Steakhouse in Sale Transaction

Published

4 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Oberon Securities acted as exclusive advisor to Keens Steakhouse in the sale transaction.

NEW YORK, Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Oberon Securities, a New York-based middle market investment banking firm, acted as exclusive advisor to Keens Steakhouse in the sale transaction announced yesterday.

With more than 70 senior bankers serving businesses across the country and around the world, Oberon is one of the fastest growing New York City based middle-market investment banking firms. Its clients benefit from the market credibility associated with the firm’s longstanding relationships with many of the nation’s largest and most prestigious institutional investors. Oberon’s approach has generated numerous long-term, multi-transaction client engagements and attracted investment bankers who have spent their careers working with middle-market companies.

Media Contact

Steven Alschuler, Oberon Securities, 1 917-647-2151, steve@alschulerpr.com, https://oberonsecurities.com/

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SOURCE Oberon Securities; Oberon Securities

Technology

Specified Technologies Inc. Unveils Firestop Clash Management and Locator Updates

Published

7 hours ago

November 23, 2024

SOMERVILLE, N.J., Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Specified Technologies Inc. has announced their latest Firestop Clash Management (FCM) and Firestop Locator (FSL) releases. FCM automates the process of locating and assigning firestop solutions to conditions within Autodesk® Revit®, enabling firestop novices to find firestop solutions like a firestop expert. In this latest release, STI has further expanded the capabilities of FCM by integrating it with their firestop documentation and compliance tool, Firestop Locator (FSL). FSL enables contractors and facilities’ teams to document the status, location, and products used for any and all fire life safety services across a building.

In the latest update for FSL, teams can now create custom items to track any service on their project beyond the base six (Penetration, Joint, Extinguisher, Door, Damper, and Barrier). Teams can also modify the base six items to include project specific inspection and maintenance requirements and any other details that they would like to be tracked.

With this new integration, decisions made during the design phase of a building using FCM are seamlessly passed into FSL during the construction phase, giving implementation teams a jump start on work to be done. This integration also improves data integrity and eliminates the guesswork in the field of determining what firestop systems and products are to be used where.

“We’re proud of the latest releases of FCM and FSL and look forward to continuing to support the fire life safety community,” says Justin Pine, Sr. Manager of Software & Services.

Specified Technologies Inc. promotes life and building safety by developing innovative fire protection systems and accompanying digital tools that help stop the spread of fire, smoke, and hot gases. Our SpecSeal® and EZ Path® product lines are engineered for easy installation and deliver powerful performance, often resulting in lower installed costs. Since firestopping is our only business, we concentrate all our resources on providing the highest quality, fully tested, innovative firestopping solutions.

Contact: Jess Bern; jbern@stifirestop.com

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SOURCE Specified Technologies, Inc.