3MTB Newsletter (China special) - World's largest human migration, World's largest Radio Telescope, Rise of mini-programs, and more
"...designed by clowns who in turn are supervised by monkeys".
-- A Boeing internal comment about the development of 737 MAX.
World’s first lung regeneration therapy! First quantum satellite! A 100% unhackable network! First to land on the far side of the moon! Who would have thought that these innovations were from China?
World’s copycat? That was once upon a time ago. Now, China is the big elephant in the room when you talk about Science and Technology. This week’s Bytes are all about China.
Once upon a time, Buddha called all animals for a race. Only 12 animals responded and Buddha named each year after them. That’s the folktale behind each Chinese year named after an animal.
Some Bits first before munching Chinese Bytes.
Indian legal system now considers access to Internet is a basic right. The Supreme Court has asked the J&K administration to review the curbs laid during the scrapping of Article 370.
OYO to layoff 1,200 of its approx 10,000 Indian staff in an apparent pressure from Softbank to boost profitability and cut expenses.
NASA introduced its 11 Space ‘graduates’ who will be ready for missions to Moon and Mars. If you know a kid who has ambitions to be an astronaut, do recommend him/her to take Science or Engineering as a major.
1. World’s largest human migration begins
Its Chinese New year, Year of the Rat and time for family reunion. It is estimated that the Chinese travelers will make nearly 3 billion trips this year putting an enormous strain on the country's road, train and air infrastructure.
With the help of technology such as Facial Recognition to cut queues, mobile payment for tolls, new technology to land and takeoff flights in low visbility conditions, new train lines that cut across hills and with tons of automated technologies, this 40 day migration is supposed to be smooth and efficient.
2. China’s new 350 kmph Driverless train.
In preparation for its 2022 Winter Olympics, China has launched a new ‘Driverless’ 350 kmph bullet train. It comes loaded with tons of sensors to monitor real time performance, 5G & smart lighting and covers 108 miles in just 45 minutes.
To assist with paperless check in, direction and luggage handling, each of its 10 railway stations will be equipped with Robots and Facial recognition technologies.
China is now home to nearly 60% of the world’s High Speed Train network and this ruthlessly efficient network carried 2.2 billion rides in 2019.
3. First death reported due to a new SARS-like illness
A new viral pneumonia has started to create mild panic among the Chinese travelers. This may possibly be a new type of infection that might have emerged from the wild markets of Wuhan.
Chinese experts have likely identified the virus and have mapped its genome. Though it is milder than SARS or MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), global experts worry as it is in a class of global epidemic causing pathogens and the growing abilities of virus to migrate from animals to humans
4. China’s SkyEye Telescope, world’s largest single dish telescope, is now operational.
China’s FAST (500 m Aperture Spherical Telescope), nicknamed SkyEye, is now fully functional. Constructed in a natural depression and spanning approximately 500 m, this is the world's largest single dish radio telescope, and the most sensitive one.
The telescope will hunt for signs for extra-terrestrial life.
5. Users spent $115b in WeChat mini-programs
The Chinese instant messaging ecosystem is nothing like that of the global counterparts. The predominant, or the only player is WeChat. The popularity of WeChat is solely because of mini-programs, that live within the platform and load within seconds, and the user doesn’t have to download a bulky app.
An user can buy ticket, order food, play games, and even get astro advice using these mini-programs within the messaging app. WeChat reported that users spent $115 billion within the WeChat ecosystem last year.
India almost has the same population as that of China. But we are always ‘consumers’ of technology, but not ‘creators’. Why? Do let me know your thoughts either in the comments below or via email.
Best,
-SK