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The robotics experts at ETH Zurich have developed an autonomous excavator that uses advanced AI to help it complete high-skill tasks without a human operator.

Dry stone wall construction typically involves huge amounts of operator labor. Doing it right requires not just hours of labor, but hours of skilled, experienced labor. At least, it used to. If the crew at ETH is successful, building stone retaining walls will soon become a set it and forget it task for robots to complete. Robots like their HEAP excavator.

HEAP (Hydraulic Excavator for an Autonomous Purpose) is a customized Menzi Muck M545 developed for autonomous operation that uses electrically-driven hydraulics to operate an advanced boom arm equipped with draw wire encoders, LiDAR, Leica iCON site-mapping, and a Rototilt wrist on the end that makes it look more like a high-precision robotic arm than a traditional heavy equipment asset.

Which makes sense. After all: the ETH guys are roboticists, not skilled heavy equipment operators. So, how does their robot do against skilled operators?

We are currently outperformed by human excavator operators in placement speed, ETH researchers wroteinScience Robotics. Such operators, however, typically require string and paint references with which to register their construction and often a second or third person outside the machine to provide guidance and to insert small supporting stones, gravel, and soil by hand and shovel. In contrast, our process can build complex nonplanar global surface geometries without physical reference markers, does not require a skilled driver or small supporting stones, and provides a full digital twin of the built structure for better accountability and future reuse.

Translation: the robot is slower, but it gets the job done.

You can watch the ETH HEAP put all its onboard tech to work building a 215 foot long, 20 foot high retaining wall all on its own in the video, below.

The completed project can be seen atCircularity Parkin Oberglatt, Switzerland, and illustrates the potential for autonomous equipment to build with irregularly-shaped materials. And with skilled operators in short supply everywhere, the potential to free up operators so they can go where theyre really needed.

ETH Zrichs robot excavator has been in development for years, with numerous white papers exploring its potential uses in construction and agriculture published on the companys site. Its quite a rabbit hole, as internet deep-dives go, and I highly recommend it.

That said, the electrically driven hydraulics and high-precision Rototilt wrist on the end of the boom arms claw alone make this futuristic excavator worth some attention. As more and more manufacturers switch to full electric or even just electric drive, research into better solutions for existing hydraulic equipment and expertise could lead to big market wins.

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Watch this autonomous excavator build a retaining wall - Electrek

Researchers at RTH Zurich have trained a modified excavator to build a 215-foot-long stone retaining wall in Switzerland.

The 12-ton Menzi Muck M545, known as HEAP, or "hydraulic excavator for an autonomous purpose," was equipped with satellite navigation, inertial measurement, joint angle sensors and multiple cabin- and arm-mounted LiDAR sensors and cameras to map the site and scan the building materials.

(To watch the M545 in action, check out the video at the end of this story.)

Each stone was individually picked up, laser-scanned by the excavators grapple, placed back on the ground for storage and saved in the excavators inventory to later match to a spot on the wall. As the stones were placed on the wall, the excavator rescanned them and updated its geometric planner.

Researchers say this process was repeated each time after all scanned stones were placed or after the planner was no longer able to find solutions with the available inventory. The final wall consisted of 938 unique elements, with a mixture of reclaimed concrete, mixed erratics and gneiss boulders.

Because the test took place on an active construction site, a human operator remained in the cab to provide oversight and avoid accidents. The scanning, picking and placing were performed autonomously while the operator assisted with driving between operations.

When combining the scanning and placing tasks, each stone placement took the excavator 21 minutes to complete. That time dropped to 12.2 minutes per stone when excluding the preparatory scanning time. Field observers noted that a skilled human excavator operator averaged 11 minutes per stone placement.

We are currently outperformed by human excavator operators in placement speed. Such operators, however, typically require string and paint references with which to register their construction and often a second or third person outside the machine to provide guidance and to insert small supporting stones, gravel, and soil by hand and shovel, researchers wrotein Science Robotics. In contrast, our process can build complex nonplanar global surface geometries without physical reference markers, does not require a skilled driver or small supporting stones, and provides a full digital twin of the built structure for better accountability and future reuse.

The completed project which can be seen atCircularity Park in Oberglatt, Switzerland illustrates the potential for autonomous equipment to build with irregularly-shaped materials.

Our use of local and reclaimed materials for the robotic assembly of dry-stacked structures has been applied toward the construction of freestanding and retaining walls, but the process could also be adapted to the development of coastal defenses, transportation, agricultural, or extraterrestrial infrastructure and as an alternative building method in sustainable disaster recovery, researchers said.

Check out a video about the project from ETH Zurich below:

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Autonomous excavator constructs stone retaining wall (Video) - Equipment World

Referencing the kitchen makeover the couple completed in Season 5, Episode 6 of "Fixer to Fabulous" on her blog, Jenny explains that the layout wasn't working for the way the family wanted to use the space. She says, "Their original kitchen, while spacious, had low-hanging cabinets, small appliances, and an oddly placed island. We gutted the area and used the space more efficiently to give them a beautiful chef's kitchen."

Jenny always advocates that a home should work for a family in the season that they're in, which could mean making a kitchen more family-friendly, better suited for entertaining or creating more space for meal prep. Knocking down walls, moving windows, and re-jigging the layout of a home can be a lot of work, but it's hands-down going to make the biggest impact on any kitchen, especially if your current space isn't working for you. If the thought of getting busy with a sledgehammer sends you running for the hills, alter your kitchen layout by reconfiguring the cabinet floorplan, and consider the addition of an island or peninsula for more storage and countertop space. Freestanding islands like this one from Wayfair are a stylish and functional choice if a full kitchen renovation isn't on the cards.

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The Best Kitchen Renovation Tips From The Fixer To Fabulous Team - House Digest

1 Hack My Home

Hack My Home is all about maximizing functionality within a house's footprint. The Emmy-nominated show stars Mikel Welch, who handles the design; Brooks Atwood, who is in charge of innovation; Ati Williams, who focuses on construction; and Jessica Banks, who leads engineering. Together, the expert team turns overcrowded and underused spaces into hard-working interiors.

Where to watch: Netflix

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This docuseries stars Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent (Queer Eye's new cast member) as the designers and married dads of two renovate family homes in and around New York City. They help clients choose what items in their home to keep, repurpose, donate, or toss. Then, they renovate the home and reincorporate those items into it. The resulting design portrays the familys style more thoughtfully.

Where to watch: Max, HGTV

Millions of viewers tuned into ABCs Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with host Ty Pennington for more than a decade. Although the final episode aired in 2012, the shows nine-season run cemented it as an iconic home makeover production. In the series, entire houses are renovated by designers and experts in just seven days.

Where to watch: Netflix (30 episodes), Hulu (seasons 35)

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Tiny home living has only increased in popularity over the past decade, and Van Go puts a design spin on the nomadic lifestyle. Host Brett Lewis renovates sprinter vans to bring all the comforts of home along, no matter where you're parked.

Where to watch: Max

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Celebrity interior designer Leanne Ford is joined by her husband, Erik Allen Ford, in this show that brings Leanne's signature effortless style to historic homes in rural Pennsylvania.

Where to watch: HGTV, Max

Following her success as the cohost of Flip or Flop, Christina Hall is back and bringing her signature SoCal style to the homes she renovates and designs as part of her docuseries. Binge the current seasons to prepare for 2024's new episodes. If you like what you see, consider also watching her Tennessee-based show Christina in the Country.

Where to watch: HGTV, Max

Hosted by Erin and Ben Napier, Home Town follows the couple as they spread their shared love of Southern culture and revitalize historic properties in their actual hometown of Laurel, Mississippi.

Where to watch: HGTV, Max

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It's a familiar tropethe wife runs the designing, the husband manages the constructionbut no one does it better than Chip and Joanna Gaines. The couple helps families choose a fixer-upper home, then fix it up in Joanna's signature farmhouse style. Would we even know the term shiplap if Jo hadn't taught us? Since the Gaines started Magnolia Network, they've also done a few Fixer Upper spinoffs. Most notably, they starred in Fixer Upper: The Hotel. (And if you want to know what the hotel is like IRL, we have everything you need to know about it here.)

Where to watch: HGTV, Max

Twin brothers Drew (the real estate expert) and Jonathan (the contractor) Scott help families find and renovate homes that are need in of a little TLC on this massively successful show. Part of the success lies in watching their 3D visions come to life; the other part is all in the rapport of these siblings.

Where to watch: HGTV, Max

Love It or List It has been on the air in Canada and the U.S. for more than a decade, and it's easy to see why. Hosted by Hilary Farr and David Visentin, it consists of every single one of the features that make other renovation shows great: couples with unrealistic expectations, plenty of torn-down walls, and questions about whether homeowners should stay in their flipped homes. While Farr announced her exit from the show in 2023, you can still enjoy the 19 seasons she's in.

Where to watch: HGTV, Max

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In The Bachelorette alum and general contractor Tyler Cameron's home renovation show, the reality star follows his dreams as he starts his own construction company in his hometown of Jupiter, Florida. With house-flipping expert Robb Ritch and Miami-based interior designer Jessica Quintero, he renovates homes in the area and tackles other exciting projects like vacation rental properties.

Where to watch: Prime Video

If you're looking for a home improvement show that's easy to watch and has a single season, look no further than Designing Miami. The show follows Miami-based designers Eilyn Jimenez, founder and creative director of Sire Design, and Raymond Jimenez, founder and creative director of RAYMOND NICOLAS design house. Yes, that means the husband-and-wife duo operates competing businesses in the design world.

Where to watch: Netflix

Marie Kondo is not tearing down walls with a sledgehammer on this showunless you count emotional walls. The best-selling author's smash Netflix hit series follows her as she helps people organize and pare down their possessions, a surprisingly poignant experience for everyone involved (including viewers).

Where to watch: Netflix

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Launched in fall 2020, Dream Home Makeover follows the projects of Studio McGee's Shea and Sid McGee. Expect cozy textures, chic color palettes, and Shea's signature, timeless styling across the show's four seasons.

Where to watch: Netflix

Unlike many other shows on this list, where the goal is to rip apart old houses to make them look modern, Rehab Addict is all about restoring old homes to preserve their special architecture. Host Nicole Curtis sticks with just a few houses in the midwest per season so viewers can really appreciate the journey and effort that go into each project.

Where to watch: Netflix

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21 Best Home Improvement Shows to Watch in 2024 - House Beautiful

It's no secret that building or

Kori Thompson, also known as her Instagram handle @thompsonscottage, posted a reel showing the sleek "after" shot of her madeover kitchen. In the caption, she wrote that while she would still love to have a Wolf range some day, the $22,000 one she had her eye on simply was not in her budget at the moment. Instead, she bought two Caf ranges and set them side-by-side to create the look of a 60" oven.

Thompsons kitchen.

This apparently controversial solve wasn't even Thompson's first option. She writes in her caption that she took an Internet deep dive into researching other brands that could give her the range size she desired at a slightly lesser price, but the options she found were not worth the still-exorbitant price tags. In the end, she decided to do what was right for her budget and her family and go with this double appliance option.

However, this was such a divisive idea that Thompson had to turn her account to private due to the backlash she received in the comment section for her reel. Thompson's comments were filled with a variety of responses, some more positive than others. Several people empathized with her, with one writing, "Love that you did this. Wish I would have saved the money I spent on my 60" Thermador range. It's been broken four times in the last 5 years. Thermador has replaced every part." Another commenter added, "Looks like you smartly chose the option that actually leaves you money to [buy] food to put on/in it."

More negative takes did pop up here and there, mostly revolving around the idea that a Wolf range simply would've looked betterat least in the eye of the Instagram beholder. "It works and fits your needs for sure. But it's no comparison to a 60" Wolfe range and you know it. " one person wrote.

Thompson never said her kitchen fix looked better than the Wolfshe simply wanted to spend less on her renovation, and she made sure the negative Nellies knew that before setting her account private. She added in the comments: "For everyone who thinks I should've just gotten the wolf and spent the extra money- go ahead and donate through Venmo! I will happily take all donations since you feel so strongly I made the wrong choice!" Well said! And it sounds to us like she had 15,000 reasons to make the decision she did!

Excerpt from:
Save Thousands of Dollars With This Kitchen Renovation Tip - House Beautiful

ABOUT THIS BEFORE & AFTER

HOME TYPE: Historic Home

PROJECT TYPE: Kitchen

STYLE: Mid-Century Modern, Minimal, Modern

SKILL LEVEL: DIY

RENTAL FRIENDLY: No

When Joel and Sarah Blumer initially moved into their colorful now-mid-century modern Pittsburgh home, the pair knew the space needed work to fit their growing familys tastes and lifestyle. One of the rooms that desperately needed a makeover most was the kitchen.

This might be controversial, but to be completely honest, there was not a single thing that I liked about the late 80s farmhouse kitchen flip that the previous owners had done, Sarah says. Where some will see the before photos and say it looked charming, I thought it was dated and aggressively not our style at all.

Intending to cook more homemade dinners and ditch their go-to frozen Trader Joes meals, the couple agreed that the kitchen would need to be entirely reimagined. Here are some ways Sarah described the original room: Lighting: horrible; tile floors: hideous and uncomfortable; the island: small and awkward; the tile countertops: loathsome. Clearly, it was time for a change.

Sarah and Joel set their budget at $50,000 and decided to tackle the project themselves. One of the more challenging parts was the demolition they wanted to donate their kitchen cabinets, so they had to be gentle when removing them. During the renovation, Sarah took their kids to Texas to stay with family, but on the morning that she left, they first had to carry a 300-pound ceramic sink outside.

Once the kitchen was a blank canvas, Joel assembled the kitchen cabinets himself. Im pretty sure my puzzle-loving engineer husband thoroughly enjoyed putting all the pieces together before installing them, Sarah said. Leveling the cabinets for the island was one of the most difficult but rewarding tasks.

It was a labor of love, but the kitchen was finally ready to enjoy. Luckily, Sarah loves every single thing included in the new space, which includes modern aesthetics and colors like black, walnut, and Carrara quartz countertops. They noted their culinary skills have gotten better since the renovation, too!

Ive learned to make focaccia, and Joel is now an expert at serving up delicious smash burgers with Parmesan truffle fries, Sarah says. Everybody wins! Im regularly pinching myself when I see this total dream kitchen in my own home.

If youre intrigued by the kitchen renovation, youll likely be excited to hear that its not the only transformed room in their home. To explore more of their gorgeous home, visit the full house tour on Apartment Therapy.

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: Before & After: Bold Black Cabinets Make This Dated 80s Kitchen Totally Sleek

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A Dated "'80s Farmhouse Kitchen Flip" Gets a Sleek MCM-Style Makeover - Yahoo Life

At the recent Miller Research Potato Pest Management Meeting, new information was presented for battling the persistent pests and diseases plaguing potato crops. This annual event, hosted by Miller Research, featured four key presentations that each brought forward new ideas and solutions critically needed by the agricultural community.

The first presentation, titled Bacterial Bad Guys, led by Dr. Jeff Miller, focused on the growing concerns around bacterial diseases in potatoes, such as blackleg and soft rot. He provided a summary of field research aimed at evaluating foliar pesticide applications for reducing aerial stem rot in the field and bacterial soft rot in storage.

Research done with Drs. Nora Olsen and Mike Thornton at the University of Idaho evaluated the risk of soft rot development at different locations in fresh pack potato sheds. Once potatoes are washed, the risk of soft rot development increases exponentially.

In the second session, Fighting Foliar Foes with Fungicides, agronomist Trent Taysom presented recent successes in the development and application of fungicides to combat foliar diseases such as early blight and white mold. His presentation covered the efficacy of new fungicidal compounds and the importance of application timing and techniques to maximize crop protection.

Taysom stressed the significance of resistance management, advocating for a balanced approach that includes crop rotation and alternative fungicides. Its not just about killing the pathogen; its about sustaining our crop production without compromising future yields through resistance buildup, he explained.

Name that Disease! presented by pathologist Dr. Jeff Miller introduced an innovative, interactive approach to educating farmers and agronomists on identifying potato diseases more effectively. Using a quiz format, Dr. Miller engaged the audience with real-life scenarios to diagnose various potato diseases, emphasizing the importance of accurate identification in effective disease management.

The presentation was particularly well-received, with attendees appreciating the hands-on learning experience.

The final presentation, Can I Chemigate? by chemical engineer Trent Taysom tackled the topic of chemigation the practice of applying pesticides and other chemicals through irrigation systems. Taysom outlined the benefits and potential risks associated with this method, as well as best practices for implementation.

Highlighting recent technological advancements, Taysom discussed how precision application can reduce environmental impact and improve efficacy. Chemigation can be done effectively, reducing the cost of fungicide application and providing similar efficacy to aerial or ground application, he summarized.

The 2024 Miller Research Potato Pest Management Meeting not only highlighted the persistent challenges facing potato cultivation but also showcased a vibrant array of solutions and innovations. As the industry continues to face pressures from pests and diseases, the insights from this meeting underscore the importance of continued research and collaboration in overcoming these hurdles.

This event promises to have a lasting impact on how growers and agronomists approach pest and disease management, driving forward the potato industrys sustainability and productivity goals.

Source: Dr. Jeff Miller. Online news story here Contact: Please get in touch with Jeff Miller at jeff@millerresearch.com Cover image: Credit Dr. Jeff Miller, Miller Research

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Cutting-edge strategies in potato pest and disease defense: Insights from the 2024 Miller Research Potato Pest ... - Potato News Today

Become a homeowner they said.

You'll LOVE it they said.

But why didn't they ever talk about all the weird, expensive, and gross things you have to deal with when you have a home...like these horrific, giant antenna toting, really disgusting bugs.

A Camel Cricket foraging in a Cave

It's time to talk cave crickets.

They're special enough to go by several names aside from cave cricket - spider cricket, camel cricket, even heard them go as greenhouse cricket. If you're lucky enough to have never come face to face with one of these monsters, consider yourself lucky.

Me...not so lucky.

Unfortunately these disgusting creatures are attracted to my unfinished basement, and have made their triumphant return to Wappingers Falls for the 2024 season.

You may remember my first encounter with the cave cricket back in 2021, when I went to check for water in my basement and instead found an infestation of these horrific bugs. I had the basement professionally treated, eventually rented a dumpster and got rid of 75% of the stuff down there, installed not one, but two dehumidifiers, and we've been golden for nearly two years....until now.

This particular bug tends to thrive off dark, damp areas, and apparently like cardboard, so at one time my very own basement was a breeding ground for the cave cricket population.

But wait, there's more, this particular type of bug doesn't see very well, so they jump AT you as a defense mechanism to avoid predators - perfect!

Last week I ran downstairs to turn on my outdoor water supply, and when I looked up into a corner of the basement, was met with a small cluster of small (ish) cave crickets. Naturally, I freaked out, ran up the stairs, out of the house, and immediately called the exterminator that treated the basement the last time to get them out here to spray.

From my distant inspection safely at the top of the stairs, I was able to see a few more of these disgusting things, long gross antennas and all, and so it's been more than a week since I have even opened the basement door, never mind gone downstairs or emptied the dehumidifiers.Though without the dehumidifiers running, all i'mdoing is creating the perfect climate to attract more of these things to join the cricket-clan in my basement.

My new best friends at Waverly Pest Control came this morning to treat the basement and said that they only saw like five of them, but sprayed and also put down sticky traps...i'm pretty sure the rest of the gang heard me on the phone confirming the pest control appointment and decided to take cover.

attachment-5

Now that the treatment is done though, my next question is who wants to volunteer to go check those sticky traps and empty the dehumidifiers for me? I promise I pay well...

Am I dramatic? Yes. Do I want to have any further encounters with cave (spider, camel, greenhouse) crickets? Big no.

Here is a list of 9 bugs that even scientists agree should be killed if you see them around your property.

Gallery Credit: Billy Jenkins

Every year the pest control gurus at Orkin put together a list of the Top 50 Bed Bug Destinations in the United States. Which areas do you travel to that you should take extra care to watch out for these blood-sucking insects? Let's countdown to the most bed-bug-riddled city in the United States.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

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Cave Crickets Return to Hudson Valley Basements - wpdh.com

UPDATE The day after this article was published, Ocean Club at Halii Kai was issued a green pass placard and allowed to reopen, following an inspection from the health department.

(BIVN) The Ocean Club at Halii Kai in the Waikoloa resort area has been shut down due to an active rodent infestation, contaminated food products and unsanitary conditions within the facility, state health officials say.

On April 19th, the Hawaii Department of Health Food Safety Branch issued a red Closed placard to the Ocean Club, closing down the establishment located at 69-1029 Nawahine Place in Waikoloa. The DOH says the Ocean Club at Halii Kai is operated by Castle Resorts & Hotels Inc.

A public complaint made on April 18 prompted the state health inspection. The DOH says the following was noted:

A follow-up inspection is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, to re-assess the establishments progress. The following corrective actions were required:

From the Hawaii DOH:

The Department of Health Food Safety Branch protects and promotes the health of Hawaii residents and visitors through education of food industry workers and regulation of food establishments statewide. The branch conducts routine health inspections of food establishments where food products are prepared, manufactured, distributed, or sold.

The branch also investigates sources of food-borne illnesses and potential adulteration. It is also responsible for mitigating the effects of these incidents to prevent any future occurrences. The Department of Healths food safety specialists strive to work with business owners, food service workers, and the food industry to ensure safe food preparation practices and sanitary conditions.

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Health Department Closes Waikoloa Club Due To Rodent Infestation - Big Island Video News

It's that time of year when area residents should make a call to Con's Weed Control Service, Sidney, in order to guarantee having a top-notch lawn.

Con Donvan, owner, has run the business since 1990. He said his crews cover about a 70-mile radius including all of Richland County, some of McKenzie County and the eastern side of Roosevelt County.

It's a family business with Con's wife, Lynn, and their grown children Michael, Matthew and Kerri all playing roles in the company's success. Valuable employees include John Reynolds, Kylee Lambert, Jerry Wznick, Bill Nankivel and Ben Wenzel.

"We need two or three more seasonal helpers," Con said.

The company's lawn service includes fertilization and weed control with each spray application. Timely applications are available to keep your lawn thick, green and healthy.

The business is licensed in ornamental and turf, special utility, right of way, school integrated pest management and structural pest control.

Donvan noted that core aeration has many benefits including reducing soil compaction, improving fertilizer and water uptake, enhancing seeding results, reducing water runoff and standing water, improving air exchange between soil and atmosphere and encouraging stronger turf grass root development.

He said that germination blankets for new lawns are the less expensive alternative to sod. The blankets increase seed germination, increase rate of growth by keeping seedlings moist, reduce run off and work great on hilly terrain.

Tree care provided by Con's includes tree and shrub sprayings, disease control, tree and shrub fertilization, tree consultation and deep root treatment.

To arrange an appointment or for more information, call 406-488-7422.

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Con's Weed Control Provides Quality Services In Area - The Roundup