Dive into the exciting concept of underwater habitats where humans could live and work for extended periods. Explore the Vanguard Project, which is pioneering these innovative designs and facing technical challenges like buoyancy. Learn about futuristic technologies such as artificial gills and vertical farming for sustainable living. Meanwhile, discover the uncertain future of TikTok for content creators amidst potential bans, and see how virtual gaming expos are reshaping the way developers present their games.
A company is innovating underwater habitats to enhance human exploration and habitation beneath the ocean, leveraging tech like 3D printing.
The shift towards virtual expos in gaming offers a cost-effective and engaging alternative to traditional in-person events for attendees.
Deep dives
Underwater Habitats for Human Life
A company is developing habitats designed for humans to live and work underwater for extended periods, addressing the challenges of ocean exploration. These habitats aim to provide an environment similar to a mobile home, ensuring comfort and familiarity without excessive luxury. The construction of these habitats faces significant technical hurdles, particularly in managing buoyancy, which requires substantial materials to maintain neutral buoyancy at depths of 50 to 200 meters. The company envisions these habitats being used by researchers, businesses, and governments to unlock the ocean's potential for discovery and coexistence.
Innovative Technology in Habitat Construction
The use of advanced technology, including 3D printing, plays a crucial role in constructing the underwater habitats. A series of robots performing wire arc additive manufacturing allows for the creation of large, intricate parts, which contributes to efficient construction processes. The project involves significant investment, with reports suggesting costs exceeding 100 million pounds, funded by a collective of ocean enthusiasts rather than a single investor. This technological approach aims to enhance the autonomy of habitats, integrating features like artificial gills for oxygen extraction and vertical farming for food production.
The Future of Gaming Expos in a Virtual Space
The rise of virtual expos, such as the Nova Game Expo, presents an innovative solution to the high costs and logistical challenges faced by traditional gaming exhibitions. Attendees can navigate a 3D virtual hall as avatars and interact with game developers, creating an accessible experience that eliminates the need for physical attendance. Utilizing web technologies, games can be played directly within web browsers, streamlining access while maintaining engagement with the gaming community. The incorporation of AI allows for real-time interactions with developers, enhancing the visitor experience during these immersive online events.
Planet Earth's oceans remain relatively unexplored. Now one company has a bold plan to build habitats for humans to live and work underwater for long spells of time. We hear about the tech challenges of life on the seabed.
Also on Tech Life, we speak to a Californian TikTok content creator, and a company benefiting from being on TikTok, as the future of the video-sharing platform in the United States remains uncertain. And who needs big crowds and long queues ? Is the future of gaming expos virtual ?
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Presenter: Chris Vallance
Producer: Tom Quinn
Editor: Monica Soriano
(Image: An illustration of an underwater human habitat known as a Sentinel. Credit: Deep.)
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