While it’s true that technological progress occurs nonstop across the globe, a few pockets of the world are especially active with cutting edge innovations and developments. One of these places is Akademgorodok.
Known as Silicon Taiga (Forest in Russian), the town is a major research and development center located near the Siberian city of Novosibirsk. The following are 11 amazing technologies developed in Akademgorodok you should know about in 2016.
11. World’s First Tilt-Rotor Hybrid UAV
Optiplane’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) possess advanced new features such as tilt-rotors and hybrid design that makes them capable of vertical takeoffs/landings and horizontal flying, like an airplane. Additionally, they can fly distances of up to 100 km in all weather conditions—which makes them ideal for delivering drugs and goods to remote areas, replenishing forest monitoring facilities and municipal services, and performing special industrial applications.
10. Hemovisor
The hemovisor is a hematology analyzer that uses computer vision technologies to recognize, enumerate, differentiate and count blood cells. The device automatically performs analysis of a captured digital image, creates a report file and sends it to a printer.
9. Automatic Road Surface Crack Detection
This Akademgorodok-developed software uses pattern recognition to automatically detect cracks in a road’s surface. U.S.-based Pathway Services currently owns and integrates the technology into its products.
8. DNA Analysis for Better Diets
MyGenetics develops DNA testing solutions for nutrition and dieting use cases. The solution uses DNA analysis to create individualized diet plans and guides based on a person’s genetic makeup.
7. Extreme Weather Military Boots
Scientists at Akademgorodok’ Academpark and the Novosibirsk Institute of Technology have developed industrial-grade boots for weathering ultra-extreme conditions. The boots’ special properties come from the EVA material and nanotubes used in their construction, allowing users feet to withstand temperatures down to minus 70 degrees.
6. Self-climbing Window Washing Robots
This resident company of Academgorodok’s Business Incubator Technopark has developed a robot for cleaning the facades of buildings. The units are able to descend from rooves, move vertical surfaces, and more or less work independently.
5. Magic Air
Tion Company’s automatic air conditioning device is another innovation originating from Akademgorodok. Magic Air’s smart microclimate control system features a compact designed—for perfect for households and small offices—and offers various functions: breezer, air conditioner, air purifier, humidifier, and more.
4. In-space Photography Simulator
Akademgorodok-based Logeeks helped create the prototype for this virtual reality-based simulator and training unit. Designed for SoftLab-NSK, the unit trains astronauts for stand-simulator visual and instrumental observations.
3. Low-Cost Robotic Prosthetic Arm
This polymer-based robot arm was designed by participants in Akadempark’s renowned “Summer School” program. The units are 3 times cheaper to produce than a similar German model and 7 times cheaper than a comparable British counterpart.
2. Bendable iPhone
OSSiAL is reportedly developing thin-walled carbon nanotubes for a forthcoming flexible iPhone. Though news regarding the project is widespread, the company’s president neither denies nor confirms that his company is working with Apple.
1. Aortic Valve Implant
Developed in Akadempark, this endovascular (installed without cuts) aortic heart implant will drastically improve the results of patients with severe heart disease who must undergo heart surgery. Its maker Angiolayn is currently wrapping up clinical trials for a 2017 launch.
In short, Novosibirsk’s Akademgorodok may not be a household name, but its technological developments are helping to advance a myriad of industries: biotechnology, medicine, home automation, and more. These 11 technologies are just a few of the many innovations coming out of Silicon Taiga every year.
Source(s):
- http://optiplane.ru/
- http://www.hemovisor.com/
- http://www.pathwayservices.com/
- http://mygenetics.ru/
- https://life.ru/t/life54/898599/uchionyie_novosibirska_sozdali_armieiskiie_nanosapoghi_dlia_sluzhby_v_arktikie
- http://www.academpark.com/press_center/media_on_akademparke/22573/
- https://tion.ru/
- http://www.logeeks.ru/projects/space
- http://www.academpark.com/press_center/media_on_akademparke/21969/
- http://www.academpark.com/press_center/media_on_akademparke/22693/
- http://tass.ru/obschestvo/2553777
- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rta.smartparking
