All posts filed under “futurism”

November 15, 2013

13 weird Soviet robots

Робот Орион. Фото: А. Соломонов/РИА Новости
All photos: RIA Novosti.

In the Soviet Union, robots were an important part of ideology. In the bright future of communism it would have been their duty to work hard while Soviet people were to take advantage of self-development and prepare the colonization of Mars. In every Young Pioneers Palace and House of Young Technicians schoolchildren were creating their own, very exotic at times, robots. Grown-up engineers were also not falling behind. metkere.com presents 13 weird Soviet robots – from the secretary with the tray to synthesizing diamonds moustache robot. Read More

July 10, 2009

Floating Nuclear Plants in Russia

Floating Nuclear

World’s first floating nuclear power plant [will go into operation](http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/russians-plan-floating-nuclear-plants/) on Russia’s eastern coast by the end of 2012.

A Russian manufacture O.P.K. is building the plant in the shape of a ship 144 meters (472 feet) in length and 30 meters (98 feet) wide to accommodate two 35-megawatt reactors. Construction of the plant, called KLT-40C, began in February this year.

The advantages of floating nuclear plants include maneuverability of the machines so that they can be serviced, as well as the ability to be towed near remote settlements or sites of energy-intensive industries — like water desalination — where need is greatest for electricity.

July 6, 2008

New Birth of the Zeppelines

Новое рождение дирижаблей

Photo: Achim Mende.

It has been more than 70 years since the giant Hindenburg zeppelin exploded, killing 36 crew members and passengers, abruptly ending an earlier age of airships. But because of new materials and sophisticated means of propulsion, entrepreneurs are [taking another look](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/05/business/worldbusiness/05dirigible.html?_r=1&oref=slogin) at the behemoths of the air.