The Leica D-Lux 8 is premium compact camera with plenty of appeal, and unlike Fujifilm and Canon rivals, it's currently in stock.

I wanted to update you on my Yarbo robot mower experience. My Yarbo recently completed mowing my entire 5,700-square-foot yard with only a couple of minor hiccups. This isnt a comprehensive review yet consider it an enthusiastic progress report from someone putting this machine through its paces in a highly challenging environment.Designer: YarboMy yard presents a formidable challenge for any robotic mower. It features 32 massive oak trees that have stood for decades, predating even my 35-year-old house. These enormous, established oaks create dense canopies and extensive root systems throughout the property. When I first considered getting a robot mower, industry experts warned me that my yard might be too difficult because of these trees. Conventional wisdom has long held that heavily shaded yards remain incompatible with robotic mowing technology.Yarbos mapping system has adapted remarkably well to my yards unique shape. My property includes a complex layout with narrow corridors, open sections, and tree-dense areas. The yard is bordered by a street, creating a potential challenge for robotic mowing, as I initially worried Yarbo wouldnt be able to mow right up to the edge without veering off. However, the systems precision handling proved otherwise. Even when approaching the street boundary, Yarbo maintained stability and followed the mapped path without error. There were moments when I thought it might lose track and roll off, but its navigation remained controlled and accurate, keeping it within the designated mowing area.The planned mowing pattern efficiently manages obstacles, ensuring maximum coverage without unnecessary backtracking. The designated no-go zones, marked in red on the mapping interface, correspond to tree bases and other permanent features that Yarbo avoids during operation. The intelligent pathing system optimizes efficiency by dynamically adjusting navigation based on real-time environmental data collected as it moves.One issue I noticed was that, oddly enough, Yarbo would sometimes fail to detect some of my smaller trees. Despite having designated these areas as no-go zones, the mower occasionally ignored them and attempted to move through, only to get stuck. This resulted in an unsuccessful maneuver and left chunks of torn grass in its wake as the treads dug in. The problem seemed to stem from a mix of factorsperhaps the smaller trees lacked enough contrast for the stereo vision system to recognize them reliably, or the system interpreted them as passable terrain.This behavior was particularly noticeable in areas with smaller trees scattered between larger ones. While Yarbo seamlessly avoided the designated no-go zones for the bigger trees, it struggled with these lower-profile obstacles. The result was repeated attempts to push through, causing unnecessary wear on the grass and the mower. However, I saw some improvement after monitoring the behavior and adjusting the mapped no-go zones.After consulting with the Yarbo team about this issue, they explained that my mowing vision sensitivity was set to Moderate. In this mode, the machine distinguishes between green and yellow, treating non-green areas as obstacles. This caused hesitation when it detected obstacles all around. They recommended switching to the Gentle contact mode, which relies more on the physical bumper than vision for obstacle detection. This adjustment resolved the issue with the smaller trees.I discovered that selecting the right obstacle avoidance mode is crucial for optimal performance in my yards specific conditions. The Yarbo app offers three main options:Moderate bypass: This mode is recommended for complicated lawns with uneven grass. It bypasses obstacles lower than 20cm, such as weeds, stones, and toys. This mode balances missed work areas with safety.Sensitive bypass: Designed for relatively clean and well-maintained lawns with fewer obstacles to offer the safest mowing experience, though it may occasionally miss some work areas.Gentle contact mode is the most effective setting for taller grass over 20cm and areas with divided zones, minimizing missed sections. In my yard, with its mix of shaded areas and transitions between grass and walkways, this adjustment was crucial. Before making the change, Yarbo struggled to differentiate between grass and hardscaped edges, repeatedly misinterpreting transitions as obstacles. It would stop, back up, turn, and try again, only to detect the same obstacle, leaving unmowed patches behind. Fortunately, Yarbo support quickly identified the issue and recommended the setting change, which resolved the problem entirely.Traditional robot mowers rely on GPS signals to navigate around properties. This works in open spaces with clear sky views but fails under tree canopies. Trees block or weaken satellite connections that robot mowers need for accurate positioning. Under dense tree cover, typical mowers become disoriented without proper position data. This navigation limitation has frustrated many robot mower owners with wooded properties, often resulting in missed spots, erratic cutting patterns, or mowers that need manual rescue.The Yarbo utilizes a sophisticated, multi-layered navigation system that functions effectively when GPS signals deteriorate under tree canopies. At its core, Visual-Inertial Odometry technology combines camera data with motion sensor information to maintain precise positional awareness without GPS availability. The Yarbo creates an internal mapping system independent of external signals, allowing it to operate in environments where GPS coverage fluctuates or disappears entirely.Yarbos stereo vision technology provides depth perception through an advanced binocular camera system. This camera features a 130 viewing angle, a large F2.2 aperture, and ultra-high definition visuals with 6 million pixels. The wide-angle, high-definition visual system allows the mower to assess distances and spatial relationships within its environment accurately. Under my oak trees, where sunlight creates dappled patterns and shifting shadows throughout the day, the Yarbo navigates confidently. It distinguishes between harmless shadows and actual obstacles requiring avoidance. This visual intelligence enables operation in visually complex environments with variable lighting conditions.The Yarbos odometry capability tracks movement with remarkable precision. As it travels across my lawn, it continuously calculates the distance covered and directional changes. This running tally of position relative to starting points and yard boundaries ensures the mower always knows its location. Even after extensive operation under dense canopies with completely blocked GPS signals, the Yarbo navigates back to its charging station without confusion. My entire property receives complete coverage without any need for manual intervention in areas missed by the mower.Ultrasonic sensors surrounding the Yarbo provide environmental awareness in all lighting conditions. The mower features its primary binocular stereo camera and two additional side cameras that enhance peripheral awareness. Supporting this camera system are six ultrasonic radars providing 360-degree coverage. These sensors detect obstacles regardless of shadows or bright spots that might confuse purely visual systems. Ive observed the Yarbo navigate between tree trunks, avoid exposed roots, and maneuver around garden features with an awareness that anticipates potential problems before they occur. This robust detection system ensures consistent performance in sunny spots and deeply shaded areas from morning to evening.As a final failsafe, the Yarbo incorporates a three-stage collision bar that detects physical obstacles if an object somehow evades the primary sensing systems. This multi-layered approach to environmental awareness enables the mower to navigate confidently, even in complex environments with varying light conditions and numerous obstacles.The integration of these technologies creates a cohesive navigation approach. The system automatically adapts to changing conditions throughout my yard. In open areas, RTK GPS provides centimeter-level precision. Under tree canopies, vision and odometry take precedence. This seamless transition between navigation methods occurs without interruption or hesitation. The mower maintains consistent cutting patterns and complete coverage across my entire property, regardless of the obstacles encountered.Substantial onboard computing power powers Yarbos sophisticated navigation systems. The system utilizes up to 6 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second) of processing power to enable advanced functionalities like the stereo vision and obstacle avoidance systems. This significant computing resource allows the mower to process complex environmental data in real time, facilitating instant decision-making as it navigates under tree canopies.What impressed me most was that Yarbo still had 49% battery after completing its first run. This efficiency opens up more possibilities beyond mowing, allowing me to use Yarbo for additional yard maintenance. With the extra battery life, I can deploy Yarbo to blow leaves off the lawn, clear debris from the street, and manage outdoor upkeep with minimal effort. The extended runtime and versatile functionality make Yarbo a valuable tool for maintaining my yard year-round.The integration of artificial intelligence enhances the effectiveness of Yarbos navigation systems. The mowers AI-powered mapping assistant helps identify lawn edges during the initial mapping process, creating accurate boundary definitions even in areas where GPS precision might be compromised. This intelligent mapping capability ensures the mower maintains awareness of operational boundaries even when navigating solely through vision and odometry under tree canopies.After watching the Yarbo methodically work through my challenging yard, I recognize it as a significant advancement in autonomous lawn care. Its ability to effectively navigate under tree canopies solves a fundamental limitation that has plagued robotic mowing technology.For homeowners with heavily treed properties, the Yarbos sophisticated navigation systems, powerful computing, and intelligent technology create a genuinely valuable tool that maintains entire yards without constant supervision. Despite minor operational hiccups, its performance in my complex landscape impressed me considerably.Ill continue testing and provide more insights as I gain experience, but my initial results suggest that homeowners with extensive tree coverage finally have a practical robotic mowing option for their properties.The post My Yarbo Robot Mower Conquered My Tree-Filled Yard! first appeared on Yanko Design.

Parents worldwide face a common challenge: teaching young children about saving money when their minds naturally focus on immediate gratification. While many kids receive allowances or pocket money, few truly understand the concept of saving for future needs. This disconnect inspired the creation of SafuMuni, an innovative piggy bank concept that cleverly transforms financial education into an engaging game experience.Unlike traditional piggy banks that simply store coins until forgotten, SafuMuni takes a revolutionary approach by combining physical money handling with digital pet nurturing. The device resembles a colorful toy toaster, but instead of bread, a handheld gaming device sits prominently on top. This thoughtful design immediately signals to children that this isnt just another boring money container but is actually an exciting toy that rewards responsible financial behavior.Designer: Che-ming Chang, Sheng-Wu Li, Yu Ting SyuThe genius of SafuMuni lies in its seamless integration of tangible and digital elements. When children deposit coins through the designated slot, the system tracks each contribution and translates it into in-game currency. This immediate feedback creates a powerful connection between physical saving actions and digital rewards, helping young minds grasp abstract financial concepts through concrete experiences. The sliding compartment on the side provides practical access when its time to retrieve the saved money.The digital companion device brings saving to life through virtual pets similar to the beloved Tamagotchi toys that captivated previous generations. These digital creatures thrive and develop based on consistent saving habits, creating an emotional investment that motivates children to continue their financial journey. When saving becomes irregular, the virtual pets may show signs of distress, gently reinforcing the importance of consistency without causing anxiety or disappointment.Parents gain valuable tools through the companion mobile application, which offers much more than simple monitoring capabilities. The app transforms financial education into a collaborative experience where parents and children jointly establish meaningful saving goals. This shared approach helps children understand that money management isnt just about accumulation but about working toward specific objectives that bring genuine satisfaction when achieved.SafuMuni addresses a fundamental challenge in childhood financial education by harnessing the power of gamification. By incorporating game mechanics that children naturally respond to, the system keeps young savers interested and motivated during the critical early years when financial habits begin forming. The immediate gratification of watching digital pets flourish satisfies childrens desire for quick rewards while simultaneously teaching the value of patience and persistence.Beyond just teaching saving mechanics, SafuMuni introduces the crucial concept of delayed gratification in an age-appropriate manner. Children learn that small sacrifices today can lead to meaningful rewards tomorrow, a fundamental principle that extends far beyond financial matters. This holistic approach helps develop critical thinking skills that benefit children across all aspects of their development, from academics to social relationships.The post Interactive piggy bank concept helps kids save money through play first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple appears to be expanding its pool of partner companies supplying data for Apple Maps, as it has now released an app especially for firms to contribute updated information.Apple MapsJust as it did with the Apple Vision Pro Demo Fit app releasing it in the App Store but practically hiding it, Apple now has another new app. This one is called Surveyor, and while it is available in the US App Store, it does not appear to be intended for public use.Rather than the GPS tracking, multiple cameras and LiDAR scanning that Apple's fleet of Apple Maps cars use, Surveyor is intended to capture images of street signs. While members of the public can already send certain updates to Apple Maps, this appears to be more about getting the company extensive information without its own cars having to repeat routes. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

March 16: Remembrance Day of the Latvian LegionnairesCap badge of the Royal Welch Fusiliers934 Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period: Chinese general Meng Zhixiang proclaimed himself emperor and established Later Shu as a new state independent of Later Tang.1689 The Royal Welch Fusiliers (cap badge pictured), one of the oldest line-infantry regiments of the British Army, was founded.1819 The Bank for Savings in the City of New-York, the first savings bank in New York City, was incorporated.1984 William Buckley, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency station chief in Beirut, Lebanon, was kidnapped by Islamic fundamentalists.1988 Michael Stone, an Ulster loyalist, attacked the funeral of three Provisional IRA members, killing three attendees and injuring at least sixty others.Alaric Alexander Watts (b.1797)Don Blasingame (b.1932)Douglas Ahlstedt (b.1945)Virginia Randolph (d.1958)More anniversaries: March 15March 16March 17ArchiveBy emailList of days of the yearAbout

Virgin Atlantic announced a partnership with California-based Joby Aviation to launch an air taxi service in the UK, becoming the latest airline to bet on a new class of electric aircraft vying to become taxis in the sky.Jobys all-electric aircraft has six rotors and seats five, including the pilot. The vehicle can take off vertically, like a helicopter, and then shift into forward flight using tilt rotors. Joby says it can reach a top speed of 200mph, travel 150 miles on a single battery charge, and is 100 times quieter than a conventional aircraft.Under the partnership, customers will be able to book a seat in one of Jobys multi-rotor aircraft through the Virgin Atlantic website and app. The vehicles will be co-branded with Joby and Virgin Atlantic logos. But the UK service will need to wait until Joby has acquired type certification, which means the aircraft meets all the FAAs design and safety standards, and then launched its US-based service.Under the partnership, customers will be able to book a seat in one of Jobys multi-rotor aircraft through the Virgin Atlantic website and app.Air taxi operators face a number of hurdles before they become a reality, including safety regulations and airport designs. Britains Civil Aviation Authority has started looking into how airports would need to be reevaluated for air taxi flights, including charging and air space.Joby and Virgin Atlantic envision 15-minute flights from Manchester Airport to Leeds, or 8-minute journeys from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf. Joby is planning a network of landing locations around the UK, and expects to offer prices that are comparable with existing premium ground ridesharing options at launch.Virgin Atlantic isnt the first airline to team up with Joby. The startup scored a $200 million investment from Delta Air Lines in 2022. (Delta owns a 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic.) And last year, Toyota said it would dump $500 million into Joby. However, Virgin Atlantic is not investing in Joby as part of the partnership, the companies said.Image: JobyAir taxis, sometimes misidentified by the mainstream media as flying cars, are essentially helicopters without the noisy, polluting gas motors (though they certainly have their own unique noise profile). In addition to Joby, companies like Archer Aviation, Volocopter, and Beta Technologies have claimed they are on the cusp of launching services that will eventually scale up nationwide. But others have floundered; German company Lilium recently said that two of its subsidiaries were insolvent and could cease operations.Joby said recently it has made record progress in completing four of the five stages required for commercial passenger service in the US, and expects to carry its first passengers late this year or early next. The company has also recently delivered a second aircraft to the US Air Force as part of a testing partnership.Joby got a boost recently, when the Federal Aviation Administration published highly anticipated final regulations for eVTOL vehicles that it says will chart the path for the air travel of the future. But its unclear whether those rules will go into effect, after the FAA ordered a pause to allow the Trump administration to review them. A long review could stretch Jobys timeline out beyond the 2025 target date it set for a taxi service launch.See More:

Court documents filed Friday in an ongoing lawsuit against the US Treasury Department reveal that a 25-year-old staffer for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) violated Treasury policy by sending a spreadsheet that had personal information to two other members of the Trump administration, reports Bloomberg.The staffer, a former employee at Elon Musks X and SpaceX companies named Marko Elez, had been tasked with combing through the Treasurys payments system, but resigned in early February over racist social media posts that were linked to him. DOGE has since rehired him to work at the Social Security Administration.19 state attorneys general sued the Treasury Department in February over DOGEs access. Since then, the department has claimed that Elez was mistakenly given read and write access. DOGEs access to its systems has been limited by a court order that the government is trying to have modified, Bloomberg writes. According to the Treasurys Friday filing, the department analyzed Elezs laptop and email account, finding that he did not make any alterations or changes to Bureau payment systems, but did email a spreadsheet containing a name (a person or an entity), a transaction type, and an amount of money to two unnamed officials at the US General Services Administration. The Treasury writes that the document is low-risk, as it didnt contain sensitive identifiers like a social security number or birth date. However, it says Elez violated policy by not encrypting the document or getting proper approval to send it. In a separate court document from Friday, the states suing the Treasury said that the results of the analysis do nothing to allay any of the concerns expressed by the court in its opinion about the rushed and chaotic nature of the Treasury DOGE Team onboarding process.

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The Voice of America building, Monday, June 15, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) By NICHOLAS RICCARDI and DAVID BAUDERUpdated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Share President Donald Trumps administration on Saturday began making deep cuts to Voice of America and other government-run, pro-democracy programming, with the organizations director saying all VOA employees have been put on leave.On Friday night, shortly after Congress passed its latest funding bill, Trump directed his administration to reduce the functions of several agencies to the minimum required by law. That included the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which houses Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and Asia and Radio Marti, which beams Spanish-language news into Cuba.On Saturday morning, Kari Lake, the failed Arizona gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidate whom Trump named a senior adviser to the agency, posted on X that employees should check their email. That coincided with notices going out placing Voice of America staff on paid administrative leave. For the first time in 83 years, the storied Voice of America is being silenced, Michael Abramowitz, the organizations director, said in a statement. He added that virtually the entire 1300-person staff was placed on leave. VOA promotes freedom and democracy around the world by telling Americas story and by providing objective and balanced news and information, especially for those living under tyranny, Abramowitz said. RELATED COVERAGE One reporter, who spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press, said: We expected something like this to happen, and it just happened to be today.The press advocacy group Reporters Without Borders said it condemns this decision as a departure from the U.S.s historic role as a defender of free information and calls on the U.S. government to restore VOA and urges Congress and the international community to take action against this unprecedented move.The Agency for Global Media also sent notices terminating grants to Radio Free Asia and other programming run by the agency. Voice of America transmits United States domestic news into other countries, often translated into local languages. Radio Free Asia, Europe and Marti beam news into countries with authoritarian regimes in those regions like China, North Korea and Russia. The cancellation of Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys grant agreement would be a massive gift to Americas enemies, said the networks President and CEO, Stephen Capus, in a statement.Combined, the networks reach an estimated 427 million people. They date back to the Cold War and are part of a network of government-funded organizations trying to extend U.S. influence and combat authoritarianism that includes USAID, another agency targeted by Trump.The reduction is a dramatic blow at a staple of post-Cold War order that has long had bipartisan support. Voice of Americas directors have included Dick Carlson, the father of conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.Thomas Kent, former president and CEO of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, said that Trumps intentions for the agencies are still foggy. Without these news sources, it will be that much harder for the country to get its messages to the world, he said.Without the international broadcasting, the image of the United States and the Trump administration will be in the hands of others, including the administrations opponents, (and) countries and people who consider the United States an enemy, said Kent, an international consultant on media ethics.A video posted on X by Lake on Saturday talked about cost-cutting measures, not mentioning the employees and the mission of Voice of America. Her video was made at a building leased by VOA that Lake described as a waste of money. She said she would try to break the agencys 15-year lease on the building.Were doing everything we can to cancel contracts that can be cancelled, save more, downsize and make sure theres no misuse of your dollars, she said.The letter places employees on administrative leave and says staff would continue to receive pay and benefits until otherwise notified. It ordered employees not to use Agency for Global Media facilities and return equipment like phones and computers.The Trump administration has already made other steps to assert its authority over Voice of America, and this week canceled contracts that allowed VOA to use material from independent news organizations, such as The Associated Press.The administration has also banned the AP from press pools that cover the president and moved to take charge of what news organizations are members of the pools, and the FCC is investigating news organizations like CBS.Trumps order requiring reductions also includes several other, lesser-known government agencies such as the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, a nonpartisan think tank, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. ___Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.DAVID BAUDER Bauder is the APs national media writer, covering the intersection of news, politics and entertainment. He is based in New York.

Joby Aviation is partnering with Virgin Atlantic to launch electric air taxis in the U.K., marking the seventh country in which the startup hopes to one day commercialize.Joby, which went public in 2021 via special purpose acquisition merger, did not provide a timeline for when it plans to launch its partnership with Virgin in the U.K. A spokesperson for the company told TechCrunch it would come sometime after Joby launches in the UAE and the U.S.Joby hopes to begin market testing in Dubai late this year or early next after delivering its first eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft to the country. The startup had also planned to launch a commercial service in the U.S., either in New York or Los Angeles, in 2025, but that timeline may get pushed out as Joby works to get the necessary certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration.In October 2024, Joby said it was close to receiving type certification which signifies the approval of the vehicles design but a spokesperson today couldnt provide an updated timeline.Joby will need to get its own certifications from the U.K. before it launches there, as well. The company applied to have its aircraft validated for use by the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority in July 2022.Jobys tie-up with Virgin comes nearly seven months after TechCrunch first reported that the two companies had plans to work together news we came by via one of our little birds.Per the deal, Joby will be Virgins exclusive airline distribution partner in the U.K. The California-based company also has a mutually exclusive deal with one other airline, Delta, in the U.S. and U.K., but the Virgin partnership falls under that existing deal because Delta owns roughly half of Virgin.Jobys deal with Delta promises to allow customers to access a premium service that shuttles them from local vertiports directly to the airport. (Vertiports are infrastructure where eVTOLs takeoff, land, and charge.) The Virgin partnership promises a similar network of landing sites across the U.K., but it will start by connecting passengers from the airlines hubs at Londons Heathrow and Manchester Airport.According to the companies, Virgin customers will be able to reserve a seat on Jobys aircraft in the future through the Virgin Atlantic app and website.Partnering with airlines is one of the main ways eVTOL companies are planning to go-to-market. Jobys main rival, Archer Aviation, has made similar deals with United and Southwest.Many of those deals have included investment from the airlines. Delta, for example, has invested $60 million into Joby already, with the option to invest up to $200 million more if Joby delivers on its promises. An investment is not part of Jobys deal with Virgin, according to a Joby spokesperson.In a statement, Virgin said it would support Jobys go-to-market efforts in the U.K. by marketing the service to customers, working with regulators, and helping to build support for the development of landing infrastructure at key airports.Jobys eVTOL is designed to carry a pilot, four passengers, and some luggage. It promises to fly at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, making a flight from Leeds to Manchester a 15-minute journey.The startup is a long way from large scale deployments, but Joby has stated its intentions to launch an air taxi service in the U.S., the U.K., the UAE, South Korea, Japan, India, and Australia.