To build a better robot , engineers and scientists increasingly are looking to nature, making robots that move and interact socially with cockroaches, slither like a salamander and even learn and make decisions like humans.

High-performance computing (HPC) is a crucial tool for all levels of automotive design and manufacturing. It is used for computer-aided engineering (CAE) from the component level to full vehicle analyses: crash simulations, structural integrity, thermal management, engineering, climate control, engine modeling, exhaust, acoustics, and more.

While it seems we've come a long way from the days of hand drafting plans, slide rules, and even basic CAD, just how far have we come? With that question looming, the editors of CE News set out to determine "the state of practice" of civil engineering technology, specifically exploring the use of 3-D models for civil engineering, GPS machine control, GIS for civil engineering, and 3-D laser scanning

Engineers who are serious about 3D design and need to get good visualisation will be taking a long hard look !!

 I can still remember when Matrox represented the pinnacle of PC graphics. There was a time when any PC without a Matrox Millennium graphics card was considered substandard, and pretty much every other graphics manufacturer struggled to keep up.

All part of the development and evolution process

Some very important engineering design goes into these vessels and the fact that I would much prefer to be on deck right now,  is purely coincidental

The Volvo Ocean Race has marked the one-year countdown to the start of 2008-09 event in Alicante, Spain, with the launch of a new free online TV channel www.VolvoOceanRace.tv allowing race enthusiasts to enjoy the drama and history of the great event on their home computers.

 What a terrific little car - the sort of thing you'd like to carry as a spare

TOKYO (AP) -- Nissan's ball-shaped electric vehicle can squeeze into tight spots without backing up because its wheels turn 90 degrees and the cabin part of the car can rotate in a complete circle.

This may go to the "bottom" of the list !!! - but the ramifications could be exiting - if you are involved in this area of manufactiring - you may want to "sit" on it for a while tho'

News reached The Engineer this week of a project that could spell a more comfortable ride for saddle-sore motorcyclists.

 No one is standing still in the CAD world and the niche players are being eaten up - munch , munch

Joining in its competitors' push to make sophisticated finite element analysis (FEA) capabilities part of the 3D CAD equation, Autodesk Inc. has acquired a small simulation software firm and plans to integrate its technology into its Inventor platform. 

 seeing is believing and the better the presentation the better the chance of success - whatever works for you !!!

CONCORD, Mass., Oct. 1, 2007  — Vivid Retail is using SolidWorks® 3D CAD software to compete in a global economy where the battle for retail display projects is won or lost based on time to market, cost, and creativity. The U.K. consultancy uses SolidWorks to develop more creative approaches faster for brands such as Virgin®, Cadbury® chocolates, and The National Lottery®.
 

 the more design ,  visualisation and simulation which can be done upfront - the quicker the project and the tools which can do this are key

 lots to chose from - you make your choice and pay your money - make a wise choice

 Progesoft is releasing the Progesoft Version of Intellicad, and Progecad 2008 Professional enables users to open, read and edit drawings created with all versions of Autocad.

 a fast game is a good game and so with cad - speed to market

 all those good little features which make your life just that bit easier

 CONCORD, Mass. --(Business Wire)-- SolidWorks Corporation today unveiled PDMWorks(R) Enterprise 2008, a new version of its product data management system with new features for managing bills of material, replication of data across sites, foreign language support, data connectivity, platform support, and overall performance.