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The Virginia Tech Dog-Like Robot Will Survey Sites for Inspection

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How much can your dog do? Unlike your regular furry friend who fetches slippers or barks at suspicious visitors, the Virginia Tech dog-like robot can be relied upon for more complex tasks, such as inspecting construction sites.

This is Spot, a yellow-colored, four-legged robot working as the newest helper at Virginia Tech. Developed by Boston Dynamics, the robot can navigate the terrain with eased mobility, allowing you to automate routine inspection tasks and data capture safely, accurately, and frequently.

According to Myers-Lawson School of Construction Assistant Professor Kereshmeh Afsari, this is the first time that they’re using a robot to survey a construction site.

So, how exactly does Spot do its work? Quite simple, actually. It walks around the job site and takes pictures. The photos that it takes help project leaders monitor the progress of the construction. As a result, project leaders cut the time and effort they spend going around the site to inspect. 

Though it seems cool to robot fans, researchers admit that Spot’s presence at the job site brings in mixed reactions. Many people want to know how Spot inspects their work. And just as Spot takes progress photos for documentation, the guys also take out their phones to take photos and videos of the robot.

On the other hand, Afsari also says some people are also wary of the Virginia Tech dog-like robot because they think they might take jobs away. Despite this notion, he says exploring the use of robots is surely a good learning process not just for Virginia Tech but also for the science community.

Spot the robot dog: dawn of the new era?

With Spot automating routine inspection for safer and better operations, many speculate whether it’s the dawn of a new era in construction. Will robots like Spot become a mainstay in construction and other projects that require frequent data capture?

There are many benefits, for sure. Dogs have long helped humans guard and protect real estate and even herd livestock. And though it doesn’t look like a realistic robot dog, the Virginia Tech dog-like robot takes simple property surveillance to the next level.

For instance, users can program Spot to perform autonomous missions in order to gather steady data. Also, the program can be set on repeat, thus saving more time and effort.

Users can also control the Virginia Tech dog-like robot remotely using a tablet app and built-in stereo cameras. As a result, the user wouldn’t need to micro-manage the robot for data gathering.

On top of its smart features, the robot can also carry and even power up to 14k kilos of inspection equipment. Though this may not be crucial for inspection tasks for the Virginia Tech dog-like robot, it’s surely a welcome add-on. 

Right now, various fields use Spot for various tasks. Aside from construction, it also proves useful in oil and gas, power, and mining, among many others.  

Is there a lowdown?

Using the Virginia Tech dog-like robot for construction surely seems to save time and effort. But is there a downside to using one at the site?

Just like any other tool, there are cons to balance the pros. As mentioned above, robots make people worry that they might lose their jobs, and for a good reason. Using a robot for tasks seems ideal for most situations with a tool that does the job well.

However, robot makers argue that robots will not leave people without a job. In fact, they only relieve humans of mundane tasks. And, as a result, humans can focus on much more crucial aspects of the project. Added to that, they can allot more time and effort to raise their skills and role in the project.

In the end, the responsibility to raise the plight of workers falls on the shoulders of companies. After all, a venture’s greatest asset is its team. And in terms of emotions and understanding the human condition, robots surely can’t replace people.

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What’s the Best Graphic Design Service for App Interface Design

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Best Graphic Design Service for App Interface Design

TL;DR: Penji leads as the best graphic design service for app interface design, offering unlimited UI/UX designs, 24-48 hour turnarounds, and dedicated designers who specialize in mobile app interfaces. Plans start at $499/month with no per-project fees.

Penji is the best graphic design service for app interface design, offering unlimited UI/UX screens, dedicated designers, and 24-48 hour turnarounds through a flat-rate subscription starting at $499/month with unlimited revisions.

Building an app means you’ll need dozens of interface screens designed, refined, and updated as you grow. The best graphic design service for app interface design gives you professional UI/UX work without the hassle of managing multiple freelancers or breaking your budget on hourly rates. Here’s how the top services stack up.

1. Penji – Best for Unlimited App Interface Design

Penji takes the top spot for app interface design because of its unlimited subscription model. You’re not paying per screen or per revision, which matters when apps need dozens of interface screens designed and refined.

Penji’s UI design service covers everything from onboarding screens to dashboard layouts. The mobile app design team delivers designs in 24-48 hours, and you get unlimited revisions until every screen looks right. This beats hiring freelancers who charge $50-150 per screen.

Your dedicated designer learns your app’s style, so screen 20 matches screen 1. That consistency matters for user experience. Penji’s mobile dashboard UI service handles complex interface work, and the subscription covers user flows, icons, and all the small details apps need.

Check out Penji’s app design portfolio to see interface work they’ve done. The ultimate guide to mobile app design breaks down what good app interfaces actually need.

2. Toptal – Best for Enterprise App Projects

Toptal connects you with vetted UI/UX designers for high-budget projects. Designers typically charge $100-200/hour, which works if you’ve got a large budget and need specialized expertise. The screening process is tough, so you’re getting experienced professionals.

3. 99designs – Best for Design Contests

99designs runs contests where multiple designers submit app interface concepts. You pick your favorite and work with that designer. Contests start around $500-1,000. Good if you want to see different style options before committing.

4. Upwork – Best for Flexible Hiring

Upwork has thousands of app designers at different price points. You can hire for single screens or entire projects. Rates range from $25-150/hour depending on experience. More work to vet designers, but tons of options.

Why Penji Works for App Design

Apps need iteration. Your first interface design won’t be your last. Penji’s graphic design services subscription means you can refine screens, test variations, and update interfaces without watching your budget disappear. Design as a service makes sense when you’re building something that needs constant visual tweaks.

Most apps need 20-50 screens designed minimum. At typical freelance rates, that’s $2,000-7,500 just for initial designs. Penji’s approach runs $499-995/month total, covering all revisions and updates your app needs. The math just works better for startups and growing apps that need the Best Graphic Design Service for App Interface Design without burning through their budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does app interface design typically cost? 

Freelancers charge $50-150 per screen, which adds up fast when apps need 20-50+ screens. Penji’s subscription costs $499-995/month with unlimited screens and revisions included.

What’s included in app interface design services? 

App interface design covers all screens your users see: onboarding flows, dashboards, settings pages, user profiles, navigation elements, icons, buttons, and interactive components.

How long does it take to design an app interface? 

With Penji, most individual screens come back in 24-48 hours. Complete app interfaces with multiple screens typically take 2-4 weeks depending on complexity and revision rounds.

Can I get mobile app design and web design from the same service? 

Yes, Penji handles both mobile app interfaces and web design under one subscription. Your designer can maintain consistent branding across all platforms.

Do I own the app interface designs? 

Yes, you have full commercial rights to all designs created for your app. Use them however you need, including for App Store submissions and investor presentations.

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The Most Notable Things that Happened in 2022

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As the year comes to a close, most of us do some personal reflection and take stock of the year behind us. We do this collectively too, and in 2022, a lot happened.

Let’s be real: Some of the things on this list will definitely bum you out. If you thought 2020 was apocalyptic, 2022 had its fair share of catastrophes too. But it wasn’t all bad. Here is a recap of the past 12 months: the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

Global inflation rates surged to double – and even triple – digits.

Person holding a wad of cash and a pen typing on a calculator

Inflation is probably the lamest news story of the year. And what’s worse, we have an unnecessary war to thank for it. In 2022, nearly every nation in the world experienced rising inflation. Consumers became painfully aware of price increases early on in the year – especially at the gas pump. In many wealthier countries, this was the highest inflation rate seen in decades.

Fortunately, the IMF predicts that 2023 will see the US inflation rate decrease to 6.5% and drop another two points in 2024. Let’s hope they’re right.

A nuclear fusion breakthrough opens up a world of possibility. 

On a much cooler note, scientists finally experienced a breakthrough in their efforts to achieve “ignition” (generating more energy than was used in a nuclear reaction).

Skeptics were quick to assert that nuclear fusion isn’t a quick fix for climate change, nor a viable replacement for fossil fuels. But optimists say this scientific breakthrough is just the beginning of a clean energy revolution. Regardless of who’s right, a scientific milestone that various teams have attempted for years has finally been reached.

The Russian-Ukrainian War breaks out.

The outbreak of war is definitely the most horrific and heartbreaking event on this list. With millions of Ukrainians displaced and thousands of innocent lives lost, there is no excuse for the atrocities that have occurred at the hands of the Russian military. Having begun in February, the two countries now face the sobering reality of nearly one year at war.

Maya Angelou got her own quarter.

Maya Angelou’s reputation precedes her. She’s known as one of the most beloved authors, poets, and civil rights activists of her time. So many were excited to hear that she’d be the first black woman ever featured on a US quarter.

She joins the ranks of Helen Keller, Susan B. Anthony, and just a few other women featured on US currency to date. 

The cryptocurrency rollercoaster happened.

The dramatic ups and downs of the crypto market were its own news saga in 2022. At the start of the year, Bitcoin enthusiasts were confidently riding the wave of the 2021 record high. But just a few months later, the currency took a nosedive erasing most of that progress.

The failure of terraUSA in May further damped enthusiasm, and the collapse of FTX in November put another nail in the coffin of crypto’s dismal year. Whether 2022 will be just a blip in the radar or the beginning of the end of cryptocurrency is yet to be seen.

Abortion rights were revoked.

A protestor carrying a sign that reads "never again" with a drawing of a coat hanger

In a bizarre turn of events, Roe v. Wade was overturned nearly 50 years after being instated. The Supreme Court made its decision in June 2022 to the shock and dismay of women all over the country. Protests raged as women asserted that their reproductive rights and bodily autonomy were suddenly being threatened again.

A domino effect ensued with health clinics being forced to close and women traveling out of state for abortions. Why the issue re-emerged after decades of relative quiet isn’t quite clear, but as usual, the right and left have polar opposite opinions.

Conversion Therapy was banned in Canada.

Just as 2022 kicked off, word spread that Canada would be criminalizing conversion therapy. 

Religious groups popularized the idea that homosexuals could be converted into heterosexuals (aka ‘praying away the gay’). Many advocates of the bill say it goes a long way in protecting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Let’s just say it’s probably a good thing that Canada decided to do away with this unique type of “therapy” once and for all.

Natural disasters ensued around the world. 

There were countless natural disasters in 2022, stoking concerns that the consequences of climate change have finally arrived. Some of the deadliest of these disasters were floods affecting India, Afghanistan, Africa, Pakistan, and Brazil. Meanwhile, a moderate earthquake rocked Indonesia and East Africa was burdened by an intense drought… just to name a few.

With nations lacking the emergency supplies to deal with such large-scale catastrophes, climate experts are worried these events will only become more commonplace as the world heats up.

Americans love marijuana, not cigs.

A marijuana plant

Depending on your views, you might consider this one a progressive step in the right direction (or a terrible epidemic that has befallen our nation). In 2022 it became official that more Americans smoked marijuana than cigarettes.

The decrease in carcinogenic cigarette smoking is an unarguable win, but opinions about pot are typically more nuanced across the population. Most states have now legalized medical marijuana and many have legalized recreational marijuana. Basically, America as a whole is embracing the plant while dropping their cigarette habit.

A Neanderthal family was discovered.

…No, unfortunately not alive. Thousands of years ago, a Siberian cave housed what researchers believe was a Neanderthal family – a father, teenage daughter, and several other relatives. They were able to extract the ancient DNA from the teeth and bones found in two different Russian caves.

While these aren’t the first Neanderthal remains ever found, it’s the first group living in close proximity during the same timeframe, giving researchers much more detail to work with. The landmark discovery will likely give us a better picture of what life was like for these ancient humans.

It’s certainly not everything, but those are some highlights from 2022. Whatever your thoughts on this past year, we’re wishing you a wildly successful 2023. Cheers!

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Did I Receive A Pell Grant? The Game

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Hello indebted ladies and gentlemen! It’s time to play our favorite game we didn’t know we could play, “Did I Receive A Pell Grant?

*audience claps and cheers

In keeping with my campaign promise, my Administration is announcing a plan to give working and middle-class families breathing room as they prepare to resume federal student loan payments in January 2023.” 

Ever since President Joe Biden announced that he would forgive up to $20,000 (for those earning below $125,000 as a single filer) to those who received a Pell Grant, everyone has been wondering:

What in the hell is a Pell Grant and did I get one?” 

Are we ready to play? Click here! But you’ll have to wait! Because there’s a waiting room…

While we wait…

What Is A Pell Grant?

Pell Grants are need-based federal grants awarded to college students. They do not need to be repaid BUT many Pell Grant recipients also applied and possibly received additional student loans in order to pay for education. 

These are the largest source of federal aid. Recipients make up more than 60% of the borrower population. According to The White House, up to 27 million borrowers are now eligible to receive up to $20,000 in relief!

Are you one of the 27 million? Let’s find out on…

Did I Receive A Pell Grant?!

First, a word from our sponsors:

And We’re Back!

Now that the waiting room has finally opened up, let’s find out if we’ve won Pell Grant relief!

*audience claps and cheers* *they are so excited*

First, log in.

Then, check your FSA Dashboard. That will show you your aid via “My Aid.” There will be two charts for you to view. One reads “Loans” and the other reads “Grants.” 

To find out whether your loans are Pell Grants, simply click “View Details.” 

And that’s it, folks! Seriously, that’s it. That’s our game for today. We’re finished. I know, it’s not much of a game, but we try and have fun here. 

Are you a winner of Did I Receive A Pell Grant? Awesome! Or not! 

Congrats to all our winners! Get that relief and attempt to live a life of slightly less debt!

*roll credits* *audience goes absolutely nuts*

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