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5 challenges for robotic development

People have long dreamed of self-driving cars and humanoid robots, but the revolution has been slow. Why is that? Founder of robotic therapy equipment start-up RoboSculptor, Dennis Ledenkof talks about factors that hinder the development of robotics.

Read more: 5 challenges for robotic development












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Do we need a European DARPA to cope with technological challenges in Europe?


The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is often held as a model for driving technology advances. For decades, it has contributed to military and economic dominance by bridging the gap between military and civilian applications. European policymakers frequently reference DARPA in discussions, as outlined in the 2024 Draghi Report, but an EU equivalent has yet to materialise. To create such an agency, the governance and management of European innovation programmes would need drastic changes. DARPA supports disruptive innovation Founded in 1958, DARPA operates under the US Department of Defense (DoD) with a straightforward mission: to fund high-risk technological…

This story continues at The Next Web




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Atlas Answers the Call for Our Veterans at Camp Liberty

Scheduled to be completed by 2016, the full vision of Briggs and his friend, Allan Lutes, to build a stronger veteran’s community at Camp Liberty is within reach.




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Case Study: California Self Storage Gets Desired Aesthetic with McElroy Metal's Metal Roofing, Wall Panels

Using McElroy Metal roofing and wall panels, this storage facility became the brand's "flagship self-storage facility" thanks to its aesthetics.




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Case Study: Parallel Products Recycling Facility

Parallel Products is a leader in the sustainability industry naturally turned to upgrading its operations with solar roofing to reduce energy consumption.




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Avoiding Common Roofing Contractor Pitfalls

If you take the right steps, these seven common roofing contractor pitfalls can be avoided and your business can thrive.




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Roofing Alliance President Greg Bloom Holds Court

Greg Bloom, president of the Roofing Alliance for 2023-24, discusses what it means to be invested in the greater good.




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Oklahoma to Offer Grants Encouraging Storm-Resistant Roof Installs

Oklahoma's State Insurance Department initiates a grant program in 2025 to incentivize fortified roof installations, offering 10-15% offsets.




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All-In on Spray Foam Roofing

Luxury Vegas homebuilder goes all in on spray foam roofing.




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Roofing Alliance Releases Heat Stress Research

The Roofing Alliance, through a new training course and report titled “Heat Stress for Roofers,” addresses heat effects on workers in the roofing industry, offering insights and prevention strategies.




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Young Gun Ian Wallick: Stepping Up When it Counts

When the family succession plan changed, the youngest Wallick met the challenge head-on.




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PHOTO GALLERY: The 2023 Best of Success Conference

Check out some of the images we captured during the 2023 Best of Success conference, held Dec. 4-6 in Frisco, Texas.




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Where Have All the Workers Gone?

As cases of COVID dwindle, workers are still reluctant to return to work, and the reasons why are varied and complex.




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Employee Relations in Challenging Times

In these uncertain times, maintaining frequent communications with employees is as crucial as maintaining and growing your business.




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SnapNrack and CertainTeed Partner, Help Installers and Homeowners ‘Go Solar’

SnapNrack and CertainTeed join forces to offer seamless warranties for solar installations on residential roofs, ensuring peace of mind for homeowners and installers.




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Project Profile: Allina Health Mercy Hospital

Four different roof plans were created for the project and took Central Roofing Company nearly three years to complete the roofing work.




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Project Profile: Medallion-Lok Protects New Elementary School in Growing Missouri District

Learn why contractors chose to install 82,000 square feet of McElroy Metal’s 24-gauge Medallion-Lok 16-inch standing seam metal roofing for a school district's eighth prototype building.




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Project Profile: New Jersey School District Enters Net-Zero Revolution with SolarEdge PV Rooftop Installation

The SolarEdge DC-optimized systems are forecast to reduce carbon emissions by the equivalent of 1,500 tons of coal burned, or 171 homes’ electricity use per year.




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Contractor ‘Willfully’ Exposed His Children to Fall Hazard

The Department of Labor cited S&L Roofing, Gutters and Siding LLC for endangering the owner’s 12- and 14-year-old sons after it was discovered the minors were working on roofs without fall protection, leading to $64,759 in penalties.




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Teen Roofer Fatally Electrocuted on the Job, Federal Probe Launched

A 16-year-old tragically died after an aerial boom bucket he was in brushed a high-voltage line while working on a roof in Great Bend, Kan. The incident raises serious questions about child labor law enforcement and safety.




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Contractor Hit with $287K in Fines for Repeated Fall Hazard Exposure

Federal inspectors fined a Chrystal Lake, Ill. Construction company $287K for exposing workers to fall hazards on three occasions in the same neighborhood, issuing eight citations for violations dating to May 2024.




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Morgan Stanley Capital Partners Acquires Allstar Services

Morgan Stanley Capital Partners bets big on roofing as it acquires Allstar Services of Minneapolis, Minn., and plans to scale the residential roofing concern into a national player. 




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Seattle Start-Up Challenges Case-Shiller Index ‘Supremacy’

Seattle-based real estate AI tech firm, Quantarium, is challenging the standard two-month lag used by the Case-Shiller Index to determine changes in home prices with its TerraIndex HPI; the company says its index provides real-time estimates made available on the second Wednesday of the following month.




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Roofing Industry Q&A: Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA)

The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) anticipates changes in policy and products in the near future. Is the roofing industry ready?




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Contractor Pro Tip: Leave Installing and Disconnecting Lightning Protection to Specialists

Roofers face enough challenges; the importance of involving specialists for lightning protection systems to meet strict standards — and avoid potential issues with dissimilar metals and corrosion — is crucial for compliance.




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PHOTO GALLERY: Day 1 at the 2024 International Roofing Expo

View some of the images Roofing Contractor captured on Day 1 of this year's International Roofing Expo. Did you make it into this year's gallery?




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U-F Gators Chomp for 'Pole Position' at 2024 Roofing Alliance Student Competition

The 2024 Roofing Alliance Student Competition in Las Vegas, marking its 10th year as part of the International Roofing Expo, saw five teams competing to win the bid for roofing the paddock building at Grand Prix Plaza in downtown Las Vegas.  




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VIDEO: Trent Cotney Inducted into WSRCA Hall of Fame

See who's the latest to receive the Western States Roofing Contractors Association's highest honor for their commitment to the organization and roofing industry as a whole.




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Meijer Announces Open Call for New Construction Contractors and Suppliers

Michigan-based Meijer, a retailer with 500-plus locations, has invited suppliers and contractors who want to be included on bids for its 2025-26 construction season. 




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California Roofing CEO, Best of Success Speaker Participating in Nonprofit Challenge

Antis Roofing & Waterproofing Founder and CEO Charles Antis won’t be in the office Friday, but it’s not because he’s going on vacation.




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Best of Success Conference Returns to The Star in Dallas

Roofing Contractor’s signature annual event designed to help roofer’s improve their business is back with a dynamic slate of presenters Sept. 19-21.




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BOS 2021 Speaker Catch-Up with Gregg Wallick

Gregg Wallick of Best Roofing, the 2018 Commercial Contractor of the Year, gives a sneak peek of his upcoming BOS presentation.