One in-thing within the world of robotics over the last couple of years is something called origami robots — shape-shifting machines that can fold itself from flat panels into walking, climbing and swimming bots.
Aside from looking super cool, these flexible droids hold potential in life-saving applications, like search-and-rescue operations in disaster-struck environments and conducting delicate operations within the human body. Being lightweight in nature, these accordion-like bots can be pretty fragile. But researchers from the National University of Singapore might have came up with a solution for that pickle.
In a press release published today (Nov 25), NUS announced that its researchers have created a new metallic material that’s specifically made for flexible soft robots — a durable, fire-resistant material that’s half as light as paper while maintaining the same flexibility to stretch and fold.
Singapore, also known as the food nation, offers an extensive range of food options which would not disappoint any foodies in the Lion City.
First Thai — situated in the swanky Purvis Street — would just happen to be one of them, with its walls covered in Thai memorabilia. Which is always a good sign for any Thai food joint.
PHOTO: Facebook/May Wong
Recently, a portrait of a young Keanu Reeves had been brought to light by Redditor @–justin- in a Reddit post today (Nov 25) — a portrait that was hanging at that very restaurant.
Advancement in technology has made transferring money easier.
It has, unfortunately, also made transferring money to the wrong person just as effortless.
Just ask Facebook user Geraldinep Phoa, who made the mistake of transferring $500 to an unintended party, with the incident descending into a case of “he said, she said”, and reports being filed by both camps.
In a note and series of screengrabs posted on Saturday (Nov 23), the woman recounted how she had accidentally transferred $500 meant for a friend to a stranger by the name of Koh Yeow Nguang.
PHOTO: Facebook/Geraldinep Phoa
Although she tried to contact him in hopes that he would respond, Phoa alleged that Koh ignored multiple calls from both her and her husband and failed to reply to any of her messages.
SINGAPORE: The public will be able to use facilities like food and beverage outlets, a childcare centre and fitness area at the upcoming NS Hub in Bukit Gombak.
“These include F&B outlets, an e-Mart, a childcare centre and an outdoor community area equipped with fitness equipment, a running track and a football field,” the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said in a news release on Monday (Nov 25).
The NS Hub is expected to be ready in 2023 and occupy an area the size of nine football fields. It will be located opposite Cashew MRT Station near the current MINDEF headquarters.
Facilities in the NS Hub will be open to public. (Illustration: MINDEF)
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen first announced plans for the NS Hub in his Committee of Supply debate speech in March.
“We will also open the doors of NS Hub to the public, because it is a public place where we want them to gather for leisure, to learn more about NS and to consider a career with MINDEF/SAF,” Dr Ng said on Monday at a groundbreaking ceremony in Gombak Camp.
“And like our SAFRA Clubhouses, NS Hub will also be a good place to congregate and relax with family and friends.”
The NS Hub will bring NS services, from the pre-enlistment medical to the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) for operationally-ready national servicemen (NSmen), under one roof.
MINDEF said the NS Hub’s fitness conditioning centre, where servicemen can attempt their IPPT or Remedial Training, will be the first purpose-built, all-weather facility for the Singapore Armed Forces.
Fitness facilities at the NS Hub include exercise studios and a sheltered running track. (Illustration: MINDEF)
“The NS Hub will be a one-stop service centre that brings greater ease and convenience, and better serves the needs of the NS community,” the ministry said, adding that the centre will use smart technology and data analytics to improve visitor experience.
“Smart technologies will enable visitors to carry out transactions more efficiently through e-services available across various facilities in the NS Hub.”
SHORTER WAITING TIME FOR MEDICAL SCREENINGS
For instance, pre-enlistees can expect 30 per cent shorter waiting times for medical screenings with the use of facial recognition and other “intelligent features”, MINDEF said.
Visitors can also perform digital transactions through the NS Hub visitor mobile app and receive personalised responses when booking appointments or getting updates.
“Data on various frontline services such as queue and transaction durations, combined with data from smart sensors, will be collected and analysed to generate insights to better improve services for the NS community,” MINDEF added.
The NS Hub will feature smart technology to improve efficiency. (Illustration: MINDEF)
The NS Hub will be as environmentally friendly as it technologically advanced.
MINDEF said the centre will use renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions, such as shading devices and solar panels, to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint. The aim is for it to be among the top 10 per cent of energy-efficient buildings in Singapore.
“Through these initiatives, MINDEF aims to save more than S$700,000 on utilities annually,” it said, adding that it will plant about 600 new trees in the centre. This is four times the existing number of trees in the area.
“Fifty per cent of the felled trees will also be made into useable features such as seats in the NS Hub.”
The NS Hub will have an environmentally sustainable design. (Illustration: MINDEF)
Dr Ng said the NS Hub will represent more than just a building where servicemen come to enlist, go for medicals and take the IPPT.
“I believe that the NS Hub is the physical embodiment of Singapore’s unique NS commitment and culture,” he added.
“It is my hope that NS Hub will become a national icon for future generations of NSmen, and one that represents this nation’s commitment to a strong defence for Singapore.”
Food review page Damn Worth It recently posted a video of Shirli Ling introducing her 8889 Chicken Hot Pot stall at Block 133 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3.
In the video posted on Nov 19, the mother of five affably shares what inspired her to start her business, how she came up with her recipe and what you can find on the menu.
She also said that her recipe “comes with lots of love” from her and that maybe customers love it very much because “it’s made by a chiobu”.
The video, titled ‘Ang Mo Kio’s Chiobu Chicken Pot’, has garnered more than 382,000 views and 3,600 shares to date.
SINGAPORE – The driver of a Mercedes-Benz that barrelled down the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) against the flow of traffic nearly three years ago, leaving one dead and four injured, was sentenced to a year’s jail on Monday (Nov 25).
Businessman Lim Chai Heng, 56, who was expressionless on hearing the sentence, was also banned from driving for 12 years.
The prosecution sought a stay on his sentence, pending a decision on whether it would be appealing against the sentence.
Lim pleaded guilty last month to a charge of causing death by a rash act, which carries a maximum sentence of five years’ jail and a fine.
Another four charges – three for causing grievous hurt and one for causing hurt – were considered in sentencing.
Lim was originally charged with causing death by dangerous driving. The charge was upgraded to culpable homicide before it was amended to the current charge.
On the morning of Dec 19, 2016, Lim was driving his son from their Hougang home to his new workplace in Depot Road.
Local ginmakers Brass Lion Distillery opened up its Gin School earlier this year, and we were beyond excited. If you’re looking for a novel experience this week, these folks bring a whole new meaning to the term ‘School Spirit’ when it comes to juniper juice.
Managing Director Jamie Koh launched Brass Lion Distillery, Singapore’s first micro-distillery, back in 2018.
Their famous Brass Lion Singapore Dry Gin is a floral spirit chock-full of Southeast Asian botanicals (22, to be exact). A trailblazer through and through, she then introduced the nation’s first ever Gin School soon after.
It’s not every day you get this up close and personal with a distillery. For the most part, tours are a show-and-tell kind of ordeal – they’ll let you crush a few berries and sniff a few leaves, but that’s about it. Everyone knows the real fun begins when there’s room for a little creativity.
Class takes place on the distillery’s second floor. Seating an intimate ten students at a time, you’re first reminded that this school isn’t for kids – with a welcome G&T and a flight of three signature pours.
Ah, Singapore Social. Where does one even begin? When Netflix dropped the trailer for a reality show revolving around the country’s D-tier celebrities socialites (or socialite-adjacent), the backlash it garnered crushed all hope that it would be any good.
And I completely see why it got as much disapproval as it did — Netflix marketed it as a look into the challenges that “young Singaporeans” face. Which technically ain’t wrong, but when the “young Singaporeans” in subject are well-off, well-connected and are sitting comfortably in the higher rungs of the social ladder, it’s probably hard to feel anything close to sympathy for their apparently-not-scripted predicaments. I don’t know, maybe it’s because my parents can’t afford to fly me over to New York just to shop around for schools to study in.
She was raped by an acquaintance three years ago. And when she saw the new anti-molestation posters on the MRT, she felt disturbed.
“The phrase ‘It’s not worth it’ just doesn’t make sense to me because no crime is worth it, be it a sexual offence or other offences like theft,” the 27-year-old meditation teacher told The New Paper.
On Nov 14, the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) had expressed concerns about the two posters, which were produced in collaboration with the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and Singapore Polytechnic’s Media, Arts and Design School.
Both posters depicted a man about to molest a woman with a tag on his wrist with the words “2 years’ imprisonment. It’s not worth it.”
The phrase “Don’t do it” was also on the poster.
Aware said on its Facebook that the posters put a price on sexual violence and neglected to mention the harm suffered by victims.
A debate has lit up over the festive lights in Orchard Road, with some shoppers and merrymakers saying they seem to be less bright than before, while others are quite happy with them.
The number of lights is the same as last year’s – but they have been stretched over a larger area as new roads have been added to the Christmas light-up. On Nov 16, this year’s lights were switched on, and they will remain till Jan 1.
Some shoppers also miss the lights that usually arch over Singapore’s main shopping belt.
Mr Wilmer Tay, a 27-year-old digital designer, was among those disappointed this year.
“I expected a lot more lights. Over the past few years, they extended the lights across the street and that was quite nice for people driving through,” he told The Straits Times.
“Last year’s (light-up) was more special and memorable with the Disney theme; this year’s feels quite generic.”
After last year’s theme was criticised by some for drawing the focus away from the holiday’s meaning, the Orchard Road Business Association (Orba) said this year’s decorations would include staples such as Christmas trees and presents.
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