MIT engineers recently developed a method to grow artificial muscle tissue that twitches and flexes in multiple coordinated directions.  Artificial Muscle Flexes in Multiple Directions MIT engineers recently developed a method to grow artificial muscle tissue that twitches and flexes in multiple coordinated directions. Edited by EE Staff Mini Story Dec 2, 2025 In recent years, scientists and engineers have looked to muscles as potential actuators for “biohybrid” robots that could squirm and wiggle through spaces where traditional machines cannot. For the most part, however, researchers have only been able to fabricate artificial muscle that pulls in one direction, limiting any robot’s range of motion. MIT engineers recently developed a method to grow artificial muscle tissue that twitches and flexes in multiple coordinated directions. MIT researchers fabricated an artificial iris using a new “stamping” approach they developed. First, they 3D-printed a small, handheld stamp patterned with microscopic grooves, each as small as a single cell. Then they pressed the stamp into a soft hydrogel and seeded the resulting grooves with real muscle cells. The cells grew along these grooves within the hydrogel, forming fibers. When the researchers stimulated the fibers, the muscle contracted in multiple directions, following the fibers’ orientation. “With the iris design, we believe we have demonstrated the first skeletal muscle-powered robot that generates force in more than one direction,” said Ritu Raman, the Eugene Bell Career Development Professor of Tissue Engineering in MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. Get all the details in this fascinating article written by Jennifer Chu for MIT News. You can find the entire piece here. *Image courtesy of the researchers. Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

The next generation of animatronics is face technology that is capable of providing realistic facial movements to make characters truly come to life. Let's Face It: Disney's Next Gen Animatronic Technology is Changing the Game The next generation of animatronics is face technology that is capable of providing realistic facial movements to make characters truly come to life. Edited by EE Staff Theme Parks Jan 27, 2026 Cool Stuff In exploring different technologies to use in animatronics, Disney Imagineering has provided a closer look at its Next Gen Animatronic face technology, which shows how real-time projection and calibration tools are reshaping character performance in the parks. In a new video episode of “We Call It Imagineering,” you’ll see highlights of how R&D teams are experimenting with front-projection techniques and custom software to create more expressive, lifelike characters. Start with a static shell A surprising detail in the video is how the team incorporated a completely static facial shell with absolutely no internal mechatronics for motion. Yet, the face is fully capable of showing micro-expressions through a projection system alone. Real-time front projection actually maps over the molded face shell. Skin textures and fine details are rendered through shading, which allows for transformations like scars or surface damage to be applied digitally and on-the-fly. This approach allows Imagineers to create subtle emotion and texture that traditional mechanically designed faces can't achieve. The team demonstrates how they can shift a character's look instantly—for example, by adding a cut or weathering across the face—without needing physical rework. Matching Physical and Digital Worlds In a later part of the video, the imagineering team highlights the tools used to calibrate the system. A crown fitted with AR markers sits on the figure's head. Cameras track those markers and translate their positions into the digital projection space. The calibration software was developed in-house at Walt Disney Imagineering to provide precision registration between the projection and the physical head. The goal is perfect alignment, so the character's projected expressions always sit exactly where they belong. Even small misalignments can break the illusion, so the crown helps the team fine-tune accuracy before performance testing. This is the same system used for cockpit media alignment in the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction. The purpose behind this new Next Gen Animatronic face technology is simple: better emotional storytelling. By combining projected expression with physical structure, R&D teams can explore a broader emotional range and more nuanced facial movements. Although this work is still happening inside Imagineering’s mock-up spaces, it shows the direction Disney is moving—toward characters that feel more responsive, more detailed, and better at pulling you into the story. *Lead image courtesy of Walt Disney Imagineering. For more information: Disney Research Read more about animatronics >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

The Large Hadron Collider is the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator. Experiments use various mixtures of gasses, which requires pumps that are clean, gas-tight, and reliable. Keeping CERN's Large Hadron Collider Clean The Large Hadron Collider is the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator. Experiments use various mixtures of gasses, which requires pumps that are clean, gas-tight, and reliable. Edited by EE Staff Cool Stuff Aug 4, 2026 Aerospace Some of the most amazing discoveries concerning the composition of the universe have come from particle detectors at CERN. What is the universe made of? That’s the primary question that scientists are trying to answer. CERN is a world-leading research facility that helps scientists with this search by probing the fundamental structure of particles that make up everything around us. Buried deep underground, partly in Switzerland, partly in France, various circular and linear particle accelerators are used for experiments that have already brought several groundbreaking achievements, such as the discovery of the Higgs boson and the isolation of antimatter in the form of antihydrogen. Images courtesy of KNF. Cancelling Out Environmental Impacts To remove as many environmental impacts as possible, such as radiation, the largest particle accelerator at CERN (the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)) is located 100 meters (328 feet) underground. Its tunnel is 3.8 meters (12.5 feet) wide and nearly 27 kilometers (16.8 miles) long. In this space, particles are accelerated to just under the speed of light and collided with one another. A series of highly precise detectors record phenomena occurring during these collisions. When charged high-energy particles crash past noble-gas molecules, they leave a trail of ionization in their wake. These tiny signals can be amplified using electric fields and then measured electronically to reveal particle tracks with a high level of precision. From the results of these experiments, CERN scientists gain deeper insights into the structure of matter. The pumps that circulate specific gas mixtures through these particle detectors must be highly reliable and safeguard the gases from contamination. For this reason, CERN relies on KNF diaphragm pumps to meet these strict requirements. Images courtesy of KNF. CERN is fitted with close to 30 gas systems used to deliver just the right gas mixture to the corresponding detectors for the LHC experiments. The detector gas mixture is a sensitive medium. In it, a charge multiplication produces a signal that is then recorded and analyzed. This means that a correct and stable gas mixture composition is key to the reliable operation of each and every experiment. Gas mixtures for these particle detectors are composed of noble gases such as argon, xenon, helium, and other gases like tetrafluoromethane, tetrafluoroethane, sulfur hexafluoride, isobutane, and carbonic dioxide. The four main particle detectors at CERN are known as A Large Ion Collider Experiment (ALICE), ATLAS, Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS), and Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb). The CMS detector, where KNF diaphragm pumps are used to purify and circulate the specific gas mixtures, is 21 meters (68.9 feet) long, 15 meters (49.2 feet) wide, 15 meters (49.2 feet) high, and weighs 14,000 metric tons. Constructed in 15 sections, it is located in a hall 100 meters (328 feet) underground near Cessy, France. The CMS experiments are primarily aimed at advancing research into the Higgs boson, which was detected at CERN in July 2012. Gas Recirculation and Recuperation Environmentally harmful chlorofluorocarbons, called freons, play an important role in detector gas mixtures. They help in achieving the detector performance required at the LHC experiments (high-rate capability, containment of charge multiplication, detector stability at long term, etc.). To deal with this issue, physicists at the LHC are conducting research into eco-gases for the next generation of detectors. CERN’s EP-DT Gas Team is developing gas recuperation systems for the large experiment in addition to the already used gas recirculation systems. They are also developing a compact and flexible gas recirculation system for laboratory applications to eliminate any gaseous emissions from the detector activities. Recirculating and recuperating the gas mixtures also reduces CERN’s operating costs. Images courtesy of KNF. Custom Diaphragm Pumps Two KNF pumps were chosen to purify and circulate the gas mixtures in the CMS particle detector. A third pump serves as a backup in case of failure during an experiment. Since detector gas mixtures must be free of contamination and have unimpaired circulation, KNF process pumps have proven to be the ideal solution due to their cleanliness, gas-tightness, and reliability. The pumps in current use at CERN are the result of close collaboration and high level of customization. Based on a KNF N 0150, the pumps are equipped with the pump head geometry of a KNF N 1200. Further customization included combining a working diaphragm with an additional safety diaphragm — which prevents gas from escaping in the unlikely event of a fracture. Despite the high level of customization, this process only took 18 months of development, including rigorous factory testing. According to Roberto Guido, Project Leader, EP-DT Gas Team, “Particle detectors are extremely sensitive to the presence of impurities in concentrations even below the ppm level. KNF pumps were tested, and they ensure this requirement is met.” For information: KNF Find Your Pump CERN LHC Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Bionic Pets works closely with Raise3D to improve the transformation process from digital design to compliant end-products—building a stable and efficient medical-grade prosthetic for animals of all types. How Custom 3D Printed Prosthetics for Animals Are Made Bionic Pets works closely with Raise3D to improve the transformation process from digital design to compliant end-products—building a stable and efficient medical-grade prosthetic for animals of all types. Edited by EE Staff Cool Stuff Jul 28, 2026 Medical To help injured animals regain mobility and improve their quality of life, Bionic Pets LLC provides custom-made veterinary prosthetics and orthotics. The company works closely with pet owners and veterinarians to deliver tailored solutions ranging from full to partial prosthetic limbs to protective helmets, addressing a wide range of congenital and acquired conditions. As a trusted partner in veterinary care, the company focuses on helping animals regain their independence, restore confidence in their movement, and support long-term well-being. Bionic Pets operates a fully in-house, on-demand manufacturing workflow tailored to each animal’s specific goals and needs. Production is driven by immediate patient needs, requiring customized prosthetic designs tailored to each individual’s size, weight, and activity level. Specializing in professional grade veterinary orthotics and prosthetics, Bionic Pets operates completely within the veterinary medical device segment to serve animal owners and veterinarians globally. Prosthetics are fully customized and tailored to each animal’s unique anatomy, weight, and activity level. Devices are designed to meet the functional and mobility needs of the individual animal, ensuring comfort and durability for day-to-day life. Bionic Pets required a custom system that enabled highly customized prosthetic feet, specifically adjusting to thickness and stiffness based on each animal’s lifestyle. The company needed to produce soft, flexible component that could be produced on demand for fast turnaround times. In addition, they needed to reduce overall production time. Having relied on Raise3D E2 IDEX 3D printers for dependable dual-extrusion of parts, the demand for faster turnaround times for customized TPU 3D printing led the team to upgrade to the Raise3D E3 IDEX 3D printer. The new printer was designed for faster printing of flexible materials. Paired with the company’s Flexible Filament Auxiliary Feeder the system is capable of producing TPU prints of up to 200 mm/s and better print consistency. This allows Bionic Pets to print multiple iterations and colors within a single job—typically producing two parts per print cycle. Depending on the size and stiffness requirements of each prosthetic foot, print times were reduced to as quick as 1 hour, enabling flexible and responsive production scheduling. Using Kexcelled’s TPU 95A filament, Bionic Pets was able to produce durable prosthetic components that adapt to different surfaces while providing shock absorption, comfort, and enhanced mobility for animals. Combined with Raise3D Filament Dry Boxes and Flexible Filament Auxiliary Feeder, this optimized workflow has led to improved print quality, higher material yield, and more efficient production of customized veterinary prosthetics. Following the upgrade to the Raise3D E3 paired with the Flexible Filament Auxiliary Feeder and Filament Dry Boxes, Bionic Pets achieved measurable improvements in production efficiency, product quality, and manufacturing flexibility. Some of the key results included streamlined design iterations, on-demand manufacturing with shorter turnaround times to better meet individual patient needs. The company also got improved print performance, quality, and consistency with fewer gaps, holes, and stringing issues. They were also able to increase material efficiency and filament spool utilization. Through the adoption of the Raise3D IDEX 3D printing solution, Bionic Pets successfully optimized its production workflow of custom veterinary prosthetics and orthotics. The transition to the E3 enabled more efficient manufacturing, improved part quality, and greater design flexibility, allowing the company to provide highly customized prosthetics and orthotics solutions that help more animals regain their mobility and independence. *Images courtesy of Raise3D. For information: Raise3D Bionic Pets Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Reykjavik City Theatre recently underwent a major intercom system upgrade — with minimal disruption — to deliver flexibility within a unified production network infrastructure. How Iceland's Renowned Theatre Seamlessly Upgraded Its Intercom System Reykjavik City Theatre recently underwent a major intercom system upgrade — with minimal disruption — to deliver flexibility within a unified production network infrastructure. Edited by EE Staff Stage Events Feb 24, 2026 Since opening in 1989, the Reykjavik City Theatre (RCT) has been a cultural hub for Iceland’s theatre community, hosting a diverse range of productions in its three performance spaces which share foyer and backstage dressing rooms. During its operations, RCT has gone through multiple intercom system upgrades to meet growing demands. Most recently, RCT transitioned to a unified production network infrastructure. With this high-speed architecture in place, the move to the Arcadia Central Station proved ideal, seamlessly leveraging the new network to launch the theatre into a modern era of communication—ready for immediate needs as well as long-term expansion. Images courtesy of Clear-Com. “This project demonstrates how existing customers can take a stepwise approach to upgrades without replacing entire systems,” said Gunnar Gunnarsson, General Manager at Atendia, Clear-Com’s distributor in Iceland. “Arcadia delivers scalability, performance, and effortless live configuration while minimizing disruption, a perfect solution for a busy theatre like RCT.” The Arcadia upgrade included FreeSpeak® high-capacity IP transceivers and 24 FreeSpeak II wireless beltpacks, alongside HelixNet® networked partyline speaker stations to ensure comprehensive coverage throughout all shared performance spaces. By making extensive use of Clear-Com’s virtual Role configuration, the team effectively deploys this shared inventory across different venues and tasks. Additionally, Dante® connectivity was added to the production audio network and paging system. This allows any audio input or output to be assigned within the intercom system while still retaining existing V-Series® keypanels, FreeSpeak beltpacks and analog partyline system components, now powered by Arcadia. Images courtesy of Clear-Com. According to Steinar Snæbjörnsson, Technical Director at RCT, “Clear-Com’s Arcadia system proved to be the perfect fit for our new production network infrastructure. Its flexibility and ease of use transformed our communication workflow, providing the clarity and control that made a real difference during this season’s major productions such as Moulin Rouge .” Flexible, Full-Scale Capabilities The upgraded system provides RCT’s teams with the mobility, capacity, and ease of use needed to adapt effortlessly to dynamic production demands. Some of the new capabilities include venue-wide coverage of intercom support across multiple performance spaces, featuring wireless coverage that leverages the facility’s production network. Here are five additional benefits of the new system: Flexible Role Configuration — Efficient management of shared equipment inventory using agile Roles, allowing for task-, persona-, or location-centric setups. Dante® Integration — Integration with the venue’s audio infrastructure where any microphone or monitoring output can be routed to the intercom, while providing a flexible paging interface for front-of-house and back-of-house operations. Efficient Intercom — High-density V-Series keypanels that provide efficient access to channels, direct point-to-point communication, program audio, and paging. Live Management — Effortless Central Configuration Management (CCM) accessible from any web browser, facilitating live Role and label changes to adapt to user needs instantly, while providing real-time monitoring of transceiver loads to optimize system deployment. Unified Control — Custom API control integration with the Q-SYS back-of-house audio system. This upgrade is a model example of how modern intercom solutions can enhance efficiency, performance quality, and creative collaboration in live theatre environments. For more information: Clear-Com Arcadia Central Station FreeSpeak II Wireless HelixNet Partyline V-Series Keypanels Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

The aquarium is partnering with ReBokeh to enable low vision visitors to explore the aquarium using their own eyesight. Georgia Aquarium Uses Technology to Give Low Vision Visitors an Enhanced Experience The aquarium is partnering with ReBokeh to enable low vision visitors to explore the aquarium using their own eyesight. EE Staff Theme Parks Sep 17, 2025 Museums, Cool Stuff Georgia Aquarium is partnering with ReBokeh Vision Technologies to offer free access to ReBokeh’s assistive technology software for people with low vision. The partnership provides Aquarium guests and staff with access to ReBokeh’s app-based software intended to help people with low vision to adjust the appearance of the world around them. Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, with more than five-hundred species. This partnership will allow “the 90% of low vision individuals who retain functional vision to experience the wide range of animals and exhibits using their own vision, rather than defaulting to tactile or audio descriptions,” according to a press release. The app-based technology behind it ReBokeh’s technology works through the live camera feed from their mobile devices with overlayed, customized filters that adjust aspects like contrast, color hue, zoom, and lighting to meet the needs of low vision users. An AI feature also offers the interactions with ReBokeh’s AI tool with which guests can ask questions about what’s around them and what they’re seeing. It also works in multiple languages so it can work as a translation tool for signage, information, and visual surroundings. Watch to see how the app's general technology works “Our key mission is to unlock the ocean for all; that includes providing features and opportunities like ReBokeh’s technology for guests so they can experience our larger-than-life animals and the wonder they invoke. This partnership with ReBokeh is integral to our continued commitment to accessibility for all,” said Sam Herman, Director of Guest Programs at Georgia Aquarium. “A day at the Aquarium is an opportunity to see the magic of our oceans and the incredible variety of wildlife that call the sea home,” said Rebecca Rosenberg, the low vision founder of ReBokeh. “Being able to see and interact with each exhibit using your own eyesight can be an incredibly powerful experience for people with low vision. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Georgia Aquarium to make them the first aquarium on the planet to create these new and immersive experiences for the low vision community.” ReBokeh is extending this partnership opportunity to other museums, zoos, and public spaces. Source: https://www.rebokeh.com/ Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

A system-level platform spanning humanoid robotic arms, integrated joint modules, global remote operations, and open-sourced real-world data was exhibited at CES 2026. The Core Innovations Behind the Industrialization of Intelligent Robotics A system-level platform spanning humanoid robotic arms, integrated joint modules, global remote operations, and open-sourced real-world data was exhibited at CES 2026. Edited by EE Staff Cool Stuff Feb 2, 2026 RealMan Robotics, a system-level infrastructure platform company for the era of embodied intelligence, unveiled its latest advancements at CES 2026, showcasing a comprehensive technology stack spanning hardware, data, and remote operations. Three core innovations were displayed, including a fully integrated joint module, ultra-lightweight humanoid robotic arms, and the Global Labor Network (GLN) that is powered by RealBOT wheel-foldable robots and the Humanoid Robot Data Training Center. These offerings demonstrate RealMan’s holistic approach to embodied AI, bridging physical intelligence, real-world data, and distributed human-robot collaboration. RealMan’s ultra-lightweight humanoid robotic arms are engineered to closely replicate the length, thickness, flexibility, and load characteristics of an adult male arm. Each arm supports a rated payload of 5 kg, a peak load of 9 kg, and achieves a TCP speed of up to 1.8 m/s, enabling seamless integration into human-centric work and living environments. Images courtesy of RealMan. The 7-degree-of-freedom RX series, featuring a highly anthropomorphic wrist design, was created for dexterous manipulation in confined spaces. Certified to CR L3, the robotic arms achieve an average MTBF of 50,000 hours, supporting stable execution of real-world tasks such as opening refrigerator and washing machine doors, capabilities critical for large-scale, high-quality data collection. In addition, RealMan’s integrated joint modules have obtained RoHS and REACH certification, following rigorous compliance testing conducted by TÜV SÜD Germany. A major highlight at CES 2026 was RealMan’s live demonstration of cross-border, real-time teleoperation from Beijing to Las Vegas. Embodied trainers at RealMan’s Humanoid Robot Data Training Center in Beijing remotely controlled a RealBOT wheel-foldable robot on the CES show floor, performing tasks such as item delivery and fruit handover in real-world environments. Images courtesy of RealMan. This remote operations network transforms human skills into scalable infrastructure, making operational capabilities schedulable, quality-assured, and billable. Through an immersive teleoperation interface, operators can precisely command robots in real time, executing tasks ranging from towel folding and box handling to complex operations such as pipeline inspection and power system management. Beyond hardware, this capability enables efficient global distribution of labor resources across time and space, while continuously generating high-quality, real-world data to drive the next breakthroughs in embodied intelligence. RealMan’s Humanoid Robot Data Training Center operates 108 embodied robotic bodies across ten real-world application scenarios, accumulating data from thousands of tasks and millions of trajectory segments. The center has developed the world’s first high-quality, multimodal real-world dataset, which has been open-sourced to address critical data bottlenecks in robotic learning. By providing critical data support to both academia and industry, RealMan accelerates the development of advanced algorithms and the industrialization of intelligent robotics. For more information: RealMan Robotics Robot Integrated Actuators Read more about innovative robotics >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

High performance tooling proves essential in motorcycle design and rider experience. Precision Tooling Solutions Meets Creative Motorcycle Innovation High performance tooling proves essential in motorcycle design and rider experience. Kennametal Sports Aug 21, 2025 Cool Stuff When you strive for innovation, you can’t get much more advanced or even cooler than the partnership between Kennametal and Kraus Motor. High-performance tooling and sleek surface finishes make the perfect combination for unequaled craftsmanship. Kraus Motor is a custom CNC shop that designs and manufactures ergonomics, suspensions, and braking systems for motorcycles. Their focus is on consumer products based in an industry that is all about aesthetics and quality of finish. And that is super important to them because each product is front and center for the customer to see. All photos courtesy of Kennametal and Kraus Motor Co. When Kennametal learned that Kraus Motor had been fighting with different tooling for their aluminum and stainless steel products to obtain the right finish quality they needed, our representatives stepped in and presented solutions to solve their machining challenges. According to Satya Kraus, Owner of Kraus Motor Co., “The quality of the tooling has been great. Being able to speak with people who know what you're talking about—and are machinists and have done machining makes a big difference when you have a technical question. There's somebody there who understands what you're talking about and has some experience with it. I've found we get that with Kennametal.” Kraus Motor runs a ton of tooling through their shop and is making a big push to transform a majority of their drilling and milling solutions to Kennametal. Satya highlights that his machinists and programmers appreciate the Kennametal systems, tooling, and catalogs. A key benefit is the ability to load tooling models into their CAM systems directly. As a leader in their industry, Kraus Motor designs and fabricates their products using lathes, 5-axis machines and horizontal and vertical machines. Some of their complex tooling includes the use of 3D machining for their ball-end finishes. With so many machines and the need for several types of tools including Beyond™ Evolution cut-off inserts, Kennametal provides innovative options at every stage of product development. “You want to work with companies that are continuing to develop,” Satya said. As the industry continues to shift toward performance, ergonomics has become Kraus Motor's primary focus. Their research and development team, composed of experienced riders, understands what customers seek to experience. “Ergonomics is the first thing we attack. We set that bike up for the individual. If they are comfortable on that bike, they are confident on that bike. Then they are going to be able to use the OEM performance to its extent before they start adding some really high-grade suspension and braking technologies,” Satya explains. Kraus Motor is dedicated to producing products that require multiple operations and have features that must be precisely aligned with each other. With Kennametal’s precision tooling solutions and Kraus Motor’s dedication to creating a new functional experience for the rider, their partnership is set to push the boundaries of motorcycle design and manufacturing. For more information: Kennametal Kraus Motor Beyond Evolution Cut-Off Insert Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

An insightful dialogue about what goes into designing something new and how it relates to other projects. WATCH: One-on-One with Chris Porter of igus An insightful dialogue about what goes into designing something new and how it relates to other projects. Videos Aug 11, 2025 Theme Parks In a casual conversation with the Industry Manager for Stage & Amusement in Central Florida for igus, Inc., Entertainment Engineering explores how closely designers get to their projects, how they start the process of designing something new, and how they are always working on several projects in several different industries at the same time. In this video, we show how creativity and inspiration can come from anywhere and how easily it can reshape a solution to fit a specific application. Whether working with off-the-shelf components or thinking up a completely off-the-charts custom approach, it’s all about brining your experience as well as an open mind to the table. Note to our audience: Technology Transfer DIY Stories Entertainment Engineering Magazine is looking for stories about your home projects where you take the technological experience you have at work and apply it to your home projects. I know engineers in aerospace who have rebuilt their lawn mowers, engineers in medical devices who built their own toy rocket. The spark of inspiration can come from anywhere. And once that spark is enflamed the design can morph and adapt along the way. We’re interested in your non-work-related projects. What are you designing at home, for yourself or a neighbor or relative? Is it a Halloween project? A Christmas project? Or just a backyard thing you’re working on? Here’s what we’d like to see: 1) What got you thinking about the project in the first place? 2) What is your background and why you thought you could tackle the project? 3) What technologies did you use (electrical, electronics, mechanical, fluid power, materials, etc.)? 4) How does the end product work and how did it do what you needed it to? 5) Answer those four questions in less than 800 words (and focus on the tech), then send us your story, some photos, and even a video if you have one. We can’t publish every story, but we can choose a few a month to publish. If you want to read an example, check this out: You can reach us at: Contact@EntertainmentEngineeringMagazine.com Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

The latest in a series of ocean-observing radar altimetry missions. Ocean and Atmospheric Data Improves Hurricane Forecasts The latest in a series of ocean-observing radar altimetry missions. EE Staff Mini Story Jan 19, 2026 NASA and its partners launch a US-European satellite to monitor Earth’s oceans. The project is meant to provide ocean and atmospheric data for a number of purposes. According to Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, “Understanding tidal patterns down to the inch is critical in protecting how we use our oceans every day on Earth.” Two satellites make up the Copernicus Sentinel-6/Jason-CS (Continuity of Service) mission, which is the latest in a series of ocean-observing radar altimetry missions that have monitored Earth’s changing seas since the early 1990s. Key information includes wind speeds, wave heights, atmospheric temperature, and humidity. Get more informative details from the full article here . *Artist’s concept courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Stunning immersive content for the new Let’s Go Fly! app for Apple Vision Pro was created and processed using high-tech cameras and software ideal for the job. Creating Immersive VR Flight Content for Personal Aviation Stunning immersive content for the new Let’s Go Fly! app for Apple Vision Pro was created and processed using high-tech cameras and software ideal for the job. Edited by EE Staff Cool Stuff Aug 24, 2026 Aerospace Imagine soaring above incredible sights of the Arizona desert. Cirrus, known for their inclusion in the Personal Aviation space, has created immersive flight demos for its SR22T aircraft to allow such a feeling. The content they’ve created is being used to demonstrate its newest innovations to prospective and current customers—regardless of their location—through the use of their new “Let’s Go Fly!” app for Apple Vision Pro. Images courtesy of Blackmagic Design and Cirrus. Cirrus collaborated with Rogue Labs, an immersive media and spatial app development studio, to produce the content, along with XBrand—who helped produce all of the aerials for Top Gun Maverick and numerous other movies—to capture the aerial cinematography. The shoot started in Page, AZ and followed the aircraft to Sedona, AZ, capturing breathtaking views of Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon along the way. Cirrus and Rogue Labs used Blackmagic Design’s URSA Cine Immersive digital film cameras and DaVinci Resolve Studio editing, color grading, visual effects (VFX), and audio post-production software in the development of the content. The Experience of Flight To showcase different angles and the experience of flying the aircraft, URSA Cine Immersives were used to capture footage on the runway, in the cockpit, and were even rigged in aerial gimbals on the nose and rear of a twin prop aircraft that filmed air-to-air footage of the Cirrus SR22T in flight. The cameras were housed in two custom built rigs from Immortal Camera so they could be flown at high speeds on the fixed wing camera ship, allowing the team to capture never before filmed immersive footage of the aircraft in flight. Images courtesy of Blackmagic Design and Cirrus. Cirrus’ Director of Media Anthony Bottini noted, “We wanted to capture iconic desert Southwest landscapes. The region’s dramatic geological formations, deep canyons and vast open spaces were ideal for demonstrating the freedom and visibility that define the Cirrus flying experience. Shooting in these environments required careful attention to horizon stability, cockpit spatial layout, and the viewer’s perceived immersion, especially when portraying altitude, aircraft motion and the thrill of flying your own personal airplane.” In order to place viewers directly in the pilot’s seat for a first-person sense of flight, Cirrus used a Technocrane for the ramp intro—to create a smooth, cinematic transition into the aircraft. Inside the cockpit, a custom rig was built to position a camera in a natural pilot’s eye position without disrupting aircraft operation. For air-to-air sequences, a camera was mounted on a fixed wing aerial platform, which allowed for the capture of dynamic, close formation visuals that translated exceptionally well in an immersive format. According to John “JR” Racine of Rogue Labs, “All of these setups helped to create the incredible scenery and movement that will pull the audience into the story. Getting the air-to-air footage from outside the airplane was amazing; the footage is absolutely incredible, and we couldn’t have pulled it off with a different setup.” Images courtesy of Blackmagic Design and Cirrus. Bottini explained, “Beyond the URSA Cine Immersive itself, our kit was intentionally streamlined. The camera’s integrated design meant we didn’t need a complex set of peripherals to achieve high quality immersive capture, which made it easier to move quickly between environments and mounting configurations.” The goal was to create an immersive flight experience for Apple Vision Pro that highlighted the accessibility, capability, and beauty of the Cirrus SR Series aircraft so that viewers could understand how Personal Aviation opens up the world. They were able to capture the beauty and joy of being an owner of a Cirrus aircraft; having the ability to fly wherever you want, whenever you want. The URSA Cine Immersive was chosen for its incredible fidelity and quality of the footage, as well as its ease of use. Plus, the camera’s seamless workflow integration with DaVinci Resolve Studio made post-production far more efficient, allowing the team to focus on the creative side while maintaining the technical precision that Apple Immersive Video demands. Images courtesy of Blackmagic Design and Cirrus. “Being able to capture true immersive 8K 90 fps imagery with a workflow designed specifically for spatial formats was a game changer,” Bottini noted. “While many cameras can approximate immersive footage, the URSA Cine Immersive is purpose built for it, allowing us to maintain consistency between cockpit, Technocrane, and aerial platform shots. Its integration with DaVinci Resolve simplified the ingest and editorial process, reducing technical friction and letting our team focus more on creative decisions.” The team is proud to be the first aviation OEM to produce an immersive film in this format. Air-to-air sequences allow viewers to experience the sense of flight in a way that feels far more authentic and emotionally engaging than traditional video. For information: Blackmagic Design URSA Cine Immersive DaVinci Resolve Studio Cirrus Aircraft Rogue Labs X-Brand Read more aerospace content >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Nineteen specially designed and molded parts helps these 5G-capable security UAVs operate under a wide variety of applications from theme parks to industrial sites. Drones Created for Security Applications at Zoos, Theme Parks, and More Nineteen specially designed and molded parts helps these 5G-capable security UAVs operate under a wide variety of applications from theme parks to industrial sites. Edited by EE Staff Cool Stuff Aug 24, 2026 Whether you are on set at a movie location, monitoring theme park or zoo audiences, or protecting an industrial location, Nokia Enterprise Solutions has created a platform-based, wireless Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with a focus on superior 5G connectivity. It uses Nokia Drone Networks (NDN)—powered by the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud. An end-to-end solution comprising private and secure mobile broadband cloud connectivity. The solution enables a fleet of drones to fly on automated individual missions steered from the NDN ground control station. For maximum versatility, the payload of the drone can be changed, and the Nokia drones can be equipped or enhanced in many ways. The Nokia dual camera gimbal has mounted HD video capability and thermal video cameras. The UAV can also carry equipment such as loudspeakers, search lights, and customizable sensors to detect smoke, motion, and radiation. In this way, the drones can meet a very wide range of business and industrial applications, from collecting data for perimeter security purposes to facilitating public safety operations in mission critical situations. The deployment of Nokia Drone Networks for public safety use has garnered a lot of attention. Meeting 5G Communications and Aviation Requirements It’s imperative that unmanned aviation products meet all the certification requirements demanded by the relevant aviation authorities as well as those expected by customers in the marketplace. The stringent aviation certification constraints, combined with a need for the highest spec 5G connectivity performance presented a considerable engineering challenge. Nokia asked Protolabs to support it in the development of a CE/CB-certified 5G industrial-use UAV solution. Successful manufacturing was achieved through the advice of Protolabs’ team of application engineers and the rapid injection molding of parts; pressed, packed, and shipped to Nokia for assembly. In aviation, all components must be as lightweight as possible. However, safety is an issue when designing unmanned aviation products such as drones because of the high-capacity battery used to power the device. The compact, but powerful battery can be flammable under certain circumstances, challenging strict aviation regulations. So, it’s vital that materials used within a UAV meet all flammability standards. Another consideration is that materials must stand up to the robust requirements of outdoor use, such as exposure to fluctuating temperatures, precipitation, and ultraviolet radiation. Does the material become brittle in sunlight? Each of these must be verified. Images courtesy of Protolabs and Nokia. A few weeks into the venture, even though tooling had already begun, Nokia had to abandon its first choice of material because it didn’t meet both the certification standards and their precise needs of the application. The Nokia and Protolabs teams went back to the drawing board to find the right material that could satisfy all requirements. After a painstaking search, they eventually found a solution. They ended up with a two-phase selection process. In the first phase, because there are no qualifying materials within UAV design, the teams looked at materials typically used in the automotive sector that also met aviation standards . Then in the second phase, they matched the material with Protolabs’ machining capabilities. A range of machining capabilities gave Nokia options that ultimately yielded the right material: Emerge 8030-15 (Black PC). Polycarbonates are lightweight, easy-to-mold thermoplastics that are extremely durable and highly resistant to impact and fracture. They are also fire resistant and have insulating properties. The injection molding team adapted the tooling created for the previously abandoned material, saving valuable time and cost to Nokia. The companies were against a unique manufacturing challenge as the material not only needed to meet stringent aviation safety and outdoor use certification, the material had to allow the drone to perform as a 5G device with connectivity. Many drone manufacturers and other similar manufacturers within the aviation sector include small metal parts inside the device that require connectivity, so the casing and structural parts had to be made of something that wouldn’t interfere with the signal. “If you use a material that has an EMC shielding, but then have an integrated antenna within the shielded enclosure, this will potentially inhibit connectivity,” said Corpuz. “These drones are basically 5G-connected robots, so the materials used needed to be very carefully selected to work within incredibly tight certification and connectivity parameters.” And of course, there was the issue of vibrations, shocks, a challenging environment, and the need for lightweight materials. Keeping the drone light meant designing thin walls, which can make it tough to find the correct pressure that will allow for complete resin flow, but not damage the mold. “Protolabs did an outstanding job guiding us through the intricacies of the mold design process, especially considering the new more difficult material. The constant support we received while evaluating different materials was outstanding,” said Jaakko Vuorio, principal hardware engineer, Nokia Enterprise Solutions. According to Thomas Eder, Head of Embedded Wireless Solutions at Nokia Enterprise Solutions, “It was an extraordinary engineering challenge that was met by extraordinary service from Protolabs. Their efficiency, expertise, attention to detail, and design speed was something that not many other manufacturers could have achieved. Once we had the material locked in, Protolabes molded the parts and shipped them out to use extremely swiftly.” The collaboration with Protolabs required no less than 19 different part designs, for both casing and structural aspects of the device, as well as one gasket. The components not only protected the elements inside the drone and provided the necessary aerodynamics required for a high-performance UAV, but they were also intrinsic to the framework of the drone, ultimately holding the device together. For information: Protolabs Nokia Read more case studies about drones >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next