Month: October 2016

Australian lifeguard Kye Adams is using an old-school piece of aviation technology to spy on sharks from above. As reported by the Illawarra Mercury, project AIRSHIP (Aerial Inflatable Remote Shark Human Interaction Prevention) consists of a camera-equipped blimp used to spot sharks lurking offshore before they can do harm to swimmers.

The 16.4-foot craft took flight for the first time on Friday, October 7 above the waters of Surf Beach in Kiama, Australia. Using onboard survey cameras, the blimp relays real-time coverage of the ocean surface to a lifeguard-monitored laptop on land. If any shark-shaped shadows are seen swimming in the water, lifeguards can evacuate the beach before any unwanted shark-human interactions occur.

Kiama beachgoers are familiar with the threat posed by sharks: In March, a surfer sustained serious injuries when he was attacked roughly 300 feet offshore. On the other side of the continent, beaches in Western Australia are about to launch a three-month trial of a shark-spotting drone that will work similarly to Kye’s AIRSHIP. The major difference is cost: while $88,000 is being invested in the drone’s trial run, the blimp only costs $5000 plus $500 to $1000 a month for helium.

The shark-scanning blimp’s official test run is set to take place from late December though February, coinciding with Australia’s summer vacation season.

@KiamaCouncil is involved in a shark spotting program using this blimp – keep an eye out for it @nswdpi #Sharks pic.twitter.com/pWVuTGGOHX

— Nick McLaren (@nickpmclaren) September 29, 2016

[h/t Illawarra Mercury]

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As of today, the Tokyo Sky Tree in Japan stands as the world’s tallest tower structure. The 2080-foot-tall construct, which opened in 2012, is said to be able to withstand 8.0 magnitude earthquakes, thanks to a shinbashira, or a central pendulum that acts as a counterbalance to the natural sway of the tower. If Dubai-based Emaar Properties and Dubai Holding have their way, that record won’t stand for long.

According to Business Insider, construction is set to begin on the Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour, an adjunct to a nearby residential area. Although no dimensions have been announced yet, Dubai said the structure is expected to surpass the Sky Tree to become the world’s tallest tower.

As defined by Guinness World Records, a tower differs from a skyscraper when it comes to usable floor space: a tower typically has 50 percent or less of its total height allocated for occupation. The largest skyscraper, the 2722-foot-tall Burj Kalifa, is also in Dubai, although UAE officials said the new tower will be even larger.

The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour is expected to open in 2020.

[h/t Business Insider]