Go-anywhere hybrid drone quickly switches from flight to ground travel and back

Staircases, tight gaps, vertical walls, rubble – conventional robots might traverse one or two of these, but struggle with the others. A new hybrid quadcopter and driving robot can tackle all of them, according to its creators. Developed at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, the FStar flying sprawl-tuned autonomous robot is designed to overcome a wide range of obstacles to complete a variety of potential applications. An online video shows a quick transition between conventional four-rotor drone flight and driving on the ground. The rotors and wheels use the same brushless motors to turn, with the propellers appearing to continue spinning during ground travel. Using an integral gearbox and differential steering the device can drive at almost 10km/h or fly at 54km/h. It can reportedly carry a payload of 400g.

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Comfort Systems USA Announces Acquisition

Business Wire | February 01, 2024

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. today announced that it has closed its previously announced transaction to acquire Summit Industrial Construction, LLC (“Summit”) headquartered in Houston, Texas. As previously disclosed, Summit is a specialty industrial mechanical contractor offering engineering, design-assist and turnkey, direct hire construction services of modular systems serving the advanced technology, power, and industrial sectors. Summit’s capabilities encompass a wide range of modular and site-based construction, including process piping, equipment setting, large pipe rack trestles, and related steel erection and specialty concrete work. Summit is a trusted supplier to some of the world’s largest advanced technology, power and industrial companies and is currently deployed on several major chip fabrication projects. Initially, Summit is expected to contribute annualized revenues of approximately $375 million to $400 million, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of $35 million to $40 million. In light of the amortization expense, Summit is expected to make a neutral to slightly accretive contribution to earnings per share in 2024 and 2025. Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are delighted to announce the closing of our agreement to acquire Summit, an extremely capable provider of modular and other complex mechanical services. Summit brings a stellar reputation as a modular technology leader in growing end markets, including multiple ongoing and large semiconductor projects. We are happy to welcome Summit’s wonderful leadership team and excellent production and craft workers across many states, and we are confident Summit will continue to innovate and grow as a part of our network of world-class contracting companies. We are grateful that Summit has chosen to become part of Comfort Systems USA.”

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