Trucking Technology Report - May 23
 |  |
Both the online report and e-mail are sponsored by @Track Communications, a supplier of wireless communications and dispatch services.
Today's Technology Headlines:
- Report Fails to Rule Out Dangers From Cellphones
- WERC Convention Examines the Future
- Size of Handhelds Poses Problem
- Mexico's Midicel Loses Wireless License
Report Fails to Rule Out Dangers From Cellphones
According to congressional investigators, research up to this point cannot be certain that cell phone use does not put consumers' health at risk. The General Accounting Office, Congress' investigative division, released a report that said current research does not suggest that radio waves from cell phones pose a threat to health.However, it is too soon to determine that there is no danger, according to the report. The report added that no solid conclusion could be made because the bulk of research on radio-frequency energy concentrated on short-term exposure of the entire body. No long-term research is being conducted, but it will probably be years before a definite conclusion may be reached on whether cell phone emissions are harmful. Wall Street Journal (05/23/01) P. B8
A NAME="story2">
WERC Convention Examines the Future
Participants at the Warehousing Education and Research Council's (WERC's) annual convention, held in New Orleans from April 22 to 25, discussed past and future trends in the warehousing industry. Bill Foltz, director of logistics at Foster Farms and former president of WERC, noted, "Nowadays there's more of an opportunity for the warehouse to create a sustainable advantage for your company." Foltz pointed out that the warehouse's role now include value-added services such as pre-pricing, and specialized packaging.One report presented at the meeting focused on private warehousing trends. According to the study, 30 percent of the private warehouses surveyed said they plan to add onto their warehouse network, while 44% reported spending capital on material handling and automation equipment. Approximately one-quarter of the respondents said they spend capital on warehouse management systems. Warehousing Management (05/01) Vol. 8, No. 4, P. 14
Size of Handhelds Poses Problem
Tech companies are trying to find answers to the problems of handheld computers being too small, too slow, and too awkward. E Ink and Xerox spinoff Gyricon Media see pocket-sized foldable screens, although a few years away, as one way to improve screen size and resolution. For InViso, Sony, and Olympus, mounting magnifying lenses in monocular units or goggles is the answer.Another strategy, which has gained the attention of Motorola, Eastman Kodak, eMagin, IBM, Uniax, and Cambridge Display Technology, is to use organic light-emitting diodes, which emit their own light when charged by electrodes, to improve the resolution of handheld computers. Microvision plans to junk screens altogether and take an approach that is similar to cathode-ray projection in television to project an image directly onto the retina of users. As for typing on the small devices, Targus, Electro-Textiles, and other firms are investing in folding keyboards, while Motorola, Nokia, Conversay, and Microsoft are involved in voice-recognition technology.
However, there are serious doubts among experts whether there will ever be sophisticated voice recognition. Some experts say the ultimate interface will not come until there is complete integration of human and machines, using chips and sensors planted under the skin. Technology Review (06/01) Vol. 104, No. 5, P. 64; Sherman, Erik
A NAME="story4">
Mexico's Midicel Loses Wireless License
Mexico's Transport and Communications Ministry reported Monday that telecom firm Midicel had its wireless license revoked after missing several payments. Midicel was among the top bidders during a series of wireless auctions held in Mexico during the 1990's. The company invested roughly $1 billion to acquire license rights to both fixed and digital wireless spectrum.Midicel began missing payments on the now revoked license two years ago. Midicel had trouble meeting its financial commitments after partner Korea Telecom backed out of an agreement to provide $500 million for the venture. Wall Street Journal (05/23/01) P. A21
Previous Trucking Technology Report
© copyright 2001 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service
| ||||
7310
