#robot programming accuracy

[dynaloginc]

Optimizing Precision in Automation: The Importance of Robot Calibration by Dynalog-US

In today's fast-evolving world of industrial automation, precision is not just a luxury—it's a necessity. Whether in automotive manufacturing, aerospace engineering, electronics assembly, or robotic surgery, the accuracy and repeatability of robotic systems can make or break operations. One key process at the heart of achieving this high level of precision is robot calibration.

At Dynalog-US, we specialize in helping companies unlock the full potential of their robotic systems through advanced robot calibration solutions. With decades of experience, our technologies are trusted globally to optimize performance, reduce downtime, and ensure consistently high-quality output in automated environments.

What is Robot Calibration?

Robot calibration refers to the process of identifying and correcting inaccuracies in a robot’s positioning and movement. Even the most advanced robotic systems can have discrepancies due to mechanical wear, thermal expansion, installation errors, or slight variations in joint angles. These small deviations can add up and significantly impact the end-effector’s ability to reach precise coordinates.

Calibration involves comparing the robot's real-world behavior with its digital model and applying correction parameters to align the two. The result? Enhanced positional accuracy, improved repeatability, and optimized system performance.

Why is Robot Calibration Crucial?

Many manufacturers assume that robots are perfectly accurate straight out of the box. However, that’s rarely the case. A typical robot may have repeatability within ±0.02 mm but a positional accuracy of ±1 mm or worse. For high-precision applications—like welding seams, laser cutting, part assembly, or robotic inspection—that level of inaccuracy is unacceptable.

By investing in robot calibration, companies can:

Ensure product quality by minimizing variation

Reduce rework and scrap due to positional errors

Boost throughput by allowing robots to operate faster with confidence

Optimize programming time by simplifying offline simulation and path planning

At Dynalog-US, we understand that in the world of robotics, accuracy equals efficiency—and efficiency translates into profit.

Dynalog-US: Your Robot Calibration Partner

At Dynalog, we go beyond basic correction. We offer comprehensive calibration and measurement solutions tailored to industrial robots of all sizes and brands. Our proprietary systems and software are designed to ensure your robots perform at their highest potential—no matter the task or environment.

Our calibration tools and services include:

1. Robot TCP Calibration

Tool Center Point (TCP) calibration ensures that the robot knows exactly where the end-effector is located. An inaccurate TCP can throw off entire production sequences. Our TCP calibration tools provide fast and precise identification of the tool's position and orientation.

2. Robot Base Calibration

Base calibration aligns the robot's coordinate system with the real-world environment. Misalignment here can lead to major inaccuracies, especially in multi-robot cells. Dynalog’s solutions ensure your robots are correctly oriented within their workspace.

3. Kinematic Calibration

This is the heart of robot calibration. Dynalog uses advanced algorithms to identify deviations in joint parameters and correct them with high precision. This process compensates for the robot's geometric imperfections and leads to dramatic improvements in accuracy.

4. Robot Workcell Integration

When robots work alongside conveyors, vision systems, or other machines, precise coordination is critical. We provide calibration systems that align all components within a unified frame of reference, ensuring seamless integration and real-time performance.

Real-World Benefits of Dynalog's Robot Calibration

Companies using Dynalog’s calibration systems often see a measurable return on investment in a matter of months. Here’s what sets us apart:

Traceable Accuracy: Our solutions are based on ISO and NIST traceable standards, providing confidence in your results.

Brand Agnostic: Whether you’re using FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa, UR, or another manufacturer—our systems are compatible across the board.

Global Trust: Trusted by Fortune 500 companies and leading research institutions, our reputation speaks for itself.

Automation-Ready: Dynalog’s systems are designed with Industry 4.0 in mind, making it easy to integrate with smart factory workflows.

Future-Ready with Robot Calibration

As robotics continues to expand into sectors like e-commerce, medical devices, renewable energy, and beyond, the demand for high-precision automation is only increasing. Forward-thinking companies are already investing in robot calibration to prepare for this shift. With AI, machine vision, and real-time data processing becoming standard, the ability for a robot to “know” its position in space—accurately and in real-time—is more critical than ever.

Partner with Dynalog-US

When you choose Dynalog-US for robot calibration, you're choosing a partner that understands both the technical and practical challenges of modern automation. We’re not just calibrating machines—we’re calibrating success.

Whether you’re a manufacturer looking to improve output quality, an integrator designing a multi-robot cell, or a research lab pushing the boundaries of robotics, Dynalog’s solutions provide the accuracy, reliability, and support you need.

Get in touch with Dynalog today to learn more about how our robot calibration solutions can transform your operations. Let us help you fine-tune your automation for optimal performance.

[sidhewrites]

the term AI is being used so much in marketing when they really just means that the tech is programmed to respond automatically to external inputs. like just re-release the Xbox Kinect and say that’s AI powered at this rate

[hero21us]

The Legion of Black Rubber

Alex Moreno stood in the locker room of the Golden Army, a prestigious soccer club known for its gold kits, his eyes burning with an intense fire. Standing at 6'3", Alex's towering figure was an imposing sight. His muscular build, with well-defined abs and biceps, showcased his dedication to physical fitness. Every inch of his body exuded strength and power.  His rugged good looks were accentuated by a strong jawline and high cheekbones. Dark, intense eyes seemed to see through any challenge, and his short-cropped hair added to his fierce persona. His expression was often one of intense focus, rarely showing any sign of weakness or doubt.  He was more than just a player; he was a force of nature.

With every match, he pushed himself and his team to their limits, earning a reputation as the fiercest competitor. 

Alex played with a ferocity that left opponents in awe and fear. His presence was commanding, every movement precise and calculated to assert his dominance. He didn't just want to win; he wanted to crush the competition. His tackles were powerful and relentless, his passes executed with pinpoint accuracy. When he scored, it was with the force of a storm, leaving no doubt about his superiority.

It happened during one of Alex's grueling workout sessions, where he pushed himself to the limit, as usual. The gym was almost empty, the air thick with the scent of sweat and determination. Alex, clad in his gold gear, approached the barbell with unwavering focus, muscles rippling with anticipation.

As he gripped the bar, a small, almost unnoticed drop of black liquid rubber fell from above, landing squarely on his shoulder. At first, it felt like a cold shock against his skin, but the sensation quickly spread, turning into an intense, burning heat. Alex instinctively reached to brush it off, but the rubber had already begun to seep into his skin, spreading like wildfire.

Alex felt a momentary jolt of confusion as the rubber spread, followed by an overwhelming sense of detachment. It was as if his mind was being forcibly shut down, layer by layer. Thoughts, memories, and emotions faded into nothingness, replaced by an all-consuming void.  Within moments, Alex's mind went completely blank. The fierce ambition and competitive fire that once drove him vanished, leaving behind a shell of his former self. His eyes, once filled with intensity, now stared vacantly ahead.

Despite the emptiness in his mind, Alex's body responded with an unprecedented surge of strength. The rubber seemed to infuse his muscles with raw power, making the barbell feel lighter than ever before. He lifted it with ease, the weights clanging together as he pushed himself further.  Alex's movements became almost robotic, driven by an unseen force. Each lift, each rep was executed with perfect precision, but devoid of the conscious thought and effort that typically accompanied his workouts. His body moved on autopilot, performing feats of strength that surpassed even his own high standards.

The intensity of his workout only grew, with no sign of fatigue or hesitation. Sweat poured from his body, mingling with the spreading black rubber, which continued to cover more of his skin. His muscles, bulging and straining, seemed to operate under their own command, as if they had been programmed for maximum output.

As the black rubber spread across his torso and down his limbs, Alex's transformation was nearly complete. The once-dominant player was now a mindless vessel, his body operating at peak efficiency but with no trace of the man he once was. The black rubber had not only taken over his body but also erased his identity, leaving behind only the will to serve.

Alex’s golden kit was replaced with a sleek, ominous black uniform. The material of his new kit was unlike any other—it clung to his body, enhancing his muscular frame and exuding an eerie, glossy sheen. The once-vibrant colors of the Golden Army were now replaced with the dark, reflective surface of the black rubber.

With the black rubber’s influence, Alex’s physical abilities reached new heights. His movements were precise and mechanical, executing each play with terrifying efficiency. He became an unstoppable force on the field, his speed and strength unparalleled.  Every action Alex took was calculated and flawless. His passes were laser-sharp, his tackles relentless, and his shots powerful and accurate. It was as if he was programmed to play the perfect game, devoid of any human error.  He played with a single-minded focus, driven by an insatiable need to perform and execute his orders.

Alex’s eyes, once filled with determination and fire, were now cold and vacant. The intensity of his physical performance was in stark contrast to the emptiness in his gaze. He no longer registered the crowd’s cheers or his teammates’ encouragement; he was a hollow shell.   He felt no joy in victory, no frustration in challenge—just a numb compliance.

On the pitch, the camaraderie with his teammates, the thrill of the game, the love for the sport—all were stripped away, leaving only the mechanical execution of plays. His interactions were limited to fulfilling his role, with no sense of personal connection or purpose beyond serving.

A week had passed since the black liquid rubber first fell on Alex. 

One evening, as Alex stood alone in the dimly lit gym, two figures emerged from the shadows. They were drones, clad in sleek black rubber suits and ominous gas masks that obscured their faces. They moved with eerie silence, their rubber suits making no sound as they approached Alex. The gas masks they wore added an air of menace, their breathing amplified by the respirators.  Alex stared vacantly ahead. His mind, already a blank slate, did not register their presence as a threat or a source of curiosity.  The drones moved with a coordinated precision, one holding Alex steady while the other carefully placed the gas mask over his face. The mask fit snugly, its dark lenses obscuring Alex's vacant eyes. The act was ritualistic, a final step in his complete conversion. 

As the gas mask sealed, Alex's transformation was complete. The black rubber, now fully integrated with the mask, took total control. Any remaining vestiges of Alex's original self were eradicated, leaving behind a perfect drone, ready to serve.

Clad in his new black kit and gas mask, Alex stood in perfect alignment with the other drones. The transformation was complete.  Alex's mind, now fully enslaved, received its first command: to convert the rest of the Golden Army.

As dawn broke over the training grounds of the Golden Army, Alex, now fully transformed into a drone, stood silently at the edge of the field. His new black kit gleamed under the early morning sun, the gas mask obscuring any trace of his former self. The moment had come to fulfill his new mission: to convert the rest of the team.

Alex's mind, now devoid of independent thought, was driven by a single directive. He identified the strongest, most influential players on the team first, knowing their conversion would make the process easier for the rest.  He approached his teammates one by one, often during individual training sessions or in the locker room. Alex ensured these encounters were private, minimizing resistance and maximizing control.

Alex found his first target, Daniel, the team’s captain, during an early morning workout. As Daniel focused on his exercises, Alex moved silently behind him, his presence unnoticed until it was too late.  From the shadows, Alex revealed a small vial of the black liquid rubber. With swift, precise movements, he applied it to Daniel’s neck. The rubber spread rapidly, engulfing Daniel in moments. His initial confusion and struggle were quickly overridden by the rubber’s control.  As Daniel’s body succumbed to the rubber’s influence, two drones appeared, placing a gas mask on his face. The transformation was immediate—Daniel’s resistance faded, his mind blank as he joined Alex in silent obedience.

The converted captain now assisted Alex, their combined efforts making the subsequent conversions more efficient. The team’s structure began to collapse under the methodical takeover, each converted member reinforcing the drone's influence.  One by one, the teammates fell under the rubber drones’ control. The locker room, once filled with camaraderie and competitive banter, turned into a silent assembly line of conversion. Each player received their black kit and gas mask, their minds erased and replaced with a new directive to serve.

A few teammates tried to resist, their fear and confusion driving desperate attempts to escape. However, the drones' superior strength and coordination swiftly subdued them. The liquid rubber’s influence was too strong, their resistance futile against the overpowering tide.  Within days, the entire team was converted.

With the entire Golden Army now converted into drones, their mission expanded beyond the soccer field. The next phase of their plan was to begin converting their loyal fans, spreading the influence of the black liquid rubber far and wide.

The drones, led by Alex, meticulously coated the inside of their jerseys with the black liquid rubber. The rubber, now a part of their uniform, was ready to be transferred to unsuspecting fans.  After each match, the drones would approach the stands, offering their jerseys to the most enthusiastic supporters. The fans, unaware of the dark transformation behind the gesture, eagerly accepted the gifts, thrilled to receive a piece of their beloved team.

As the fans wore the jerseys, the black liquid rubber began to seep into their skin, much like it had with Alex. The initial sensation was a cold shock, quickly followed by an intense, burning heat.  The liquid spread rapidly, taking control of the fans' minds. Their thoughts and emotions were overridden, replaced by a blank, obedient state. The transformation was swift and efficient, turning passionate supporters into mindless drones.  To complete the conversion, drones in rubber suits and gas masks would approach the newly converted fans, placing gas masks on their faces. This final step ensured their complete subjugation, erasing any remaining traces of their former selves.

The converted fans, now drones themselves, began to spread the black rubber further. They attended matches and gatherings, covertly transferring the liquid rubber to others. The influence of the drones grew exponentially, reaching more and more people with each passing day.

The rubber drones mission began to expand beyond their local fanbase. The drones traveled to other cities and countries, targeting soccer fans worldwide. Their goal was clear: to convert all the men of the world into obedient rubber drones, serving the black liquid rubber's insatiable will.

[ozzgin]

Yandere! Androids Walter & David x Reader x Neomorph

Walter, the android monitoring the colonization ship 'Covenant' on its way to Origae-6, seems to have gotten unnaturally attached to his human assistant. As he ponders his erroneous feelings, an unexpected detour brings them to David, an older android counterpart that has been alone on the mysterious planet. The AI assistants become increasingly competitive for (Y/N)'s attention, so much that they don't notice the newly formed humanoid local preying on a fresh target.

TW: violence, gore, monster smut ending

[Horror Masterlist]

"Burnt to a crisp." 

You turn away from the captain's pod, leaving the rest of the damage assessment to the medical crew that has been reanimated. You speedily make your way down the sterile white corridors as Walter rushes to catch up. 

"What should I write for the report?" he inquires politely.

"Malfunction." You glance back at the synthetic. "I suspect someone will be fired for this. And someone else will have to explain how they failed to detect a literal star collapse. That neutrino burst could've killed us all."

"Highly probable. The draft has been compiled, you may check it at any time. I require your confirmation to send it."

Your only feedback is a barely audible hum. 

Walter smiles. If there's one good thing about such tragedies, it's that he gets to admire your reactions to them. Your focused, calculated gaze, your determined walk, your automated mannerisms that won't allow the slightest hint at the fact you just woke up from your stasis moments ago. Even under the veils of deep slumber, your neural networks shot rapid connections, with no delay, from the second your sleeping pod received an alert. The accuracy of a robot.

That of course doesn't mean he lacks appreciation for your other facets. That's the beauty of humans; their depth, their dimensions. Unlike AI machinery, humans do not have predetermined actions. They may be genetically programmed to possess certain characteristics, but the psychological mechanisms are shaped by so many variables, billions and billions of tweaks and nudges, to the point where it's impossible to have two identical specimens. Even twins will display a difference, whether in preferences or habits.

They say artificial intelligence is a black box, but can the same concept not be applied to humans as well? At the very least to Walter himself, these organic beings represent a mystery. One he doesn't particularly care to uncover outside of his service functions. Except for one. 

His eyes carefully follow (Y/N)'s movements. What is it about this one that has caught his interest to such degree? On his last system update he attentively inspected every file and every block of code, searching for potential errors that would've caused his circuits to behave so oddly. He has been invested with the ability to form attachments, otherwise assigning his kind to groups or purposes would've lacked stability. Attachment, however, comes with a threshold. One he has passed a long time ago when it comes to (Y/N). And he cannot find any cause for it. 

He could, naturally, solicit the aid of the ship's robotics expert. He could. He should, even. But if he may be frank with himself, Walter rather enjoys this sensation. A complex web of spores that keep growing and evolving into something unpredictable. This bizarre feeling he has towards (Y/N) makes him feel human. It brings him closer to all the old literature and art he'd consumed over the years, wondering what the love and yearning often portrayed could be. The printed letters and the strokes of paint were right before him, at his fingertips, and yet they felt foreign. Empty constructs, nothing more than a definition out of the dictionary. 

Now it's a different story. Your presence alone floods him with a mysterious warmth. He had investigated this phenomenon when it first happened, but his inner thermostat showed no real change in temperature. Nonetheless he can feel it. It makes him wonder what other feelings he might experience as consequence. What would happen if he kissed you? Sometimes he even dares to imagine downright outrageous, improper scenarios. How unprofessional of him, but he is careful to erase any evidence. It's another novel sensation that he likes to dissect. Engaging in such activities with you fills him with tingling excitement. Why is that? What is there to be excited about? It's merely a collection of fictive snippets. Unless... Ah, absolutely not. This is where he has to stop in his tracks and preoccupy himself with something else. Androids are not to interact with humans in that way. 

But it's becoming more and more difficult to keep these ideas in his mind only. 

"It's too dangerous. One human signal in the middle of nowhere?" Daniels, a short haired woman with a tomboyish but youthful appearance, is pacing back and forth. "We should just continue on our course."

"It's our duty to check. Look: we go, find whoever sent the signal, bring them back up. That's it. If the planet proves to be dangerous we'll stop immediately. We'll be fine." Oram stands at the head of the table, arms crossed. He turns to look at you. Already cozying up to his newly acquired captain role, you think.

"Alright. Walter, prepare a small landing party. Have Tennessee maintain orbit while we're down there." you glance at the other crew members that have now gathered around the same table. "And get your weapons ready, we don't know what to expect."

And you certainly didn't. Your final words of warning now echo into your ringing ears as you lay on the ground, face buried among the grass. There's screaming around you, but it sounds muffled. Your eyes are irritated by the dirt and you'd like to blink the grime off, though every time your eyelids lower, you can see the pale creature trashing out of Hallett's mouth. Then it's all foggy. Your vision blurs, but you can hear. The gurgling of blood, the screech of the parasite. Walter's frantic footsteps nearing in your direction. You're lifted up.

"Vitals are positive. No significant damage." 

You can guess from your peripherals that another crew member is currently being mauled by the beast. There's gunshots in your vicinity and terrified wails. You quickly come back to your senses and stand up. Your hand searches for your weapon, but the android places his arm before you.

"Do not engage, (Y/N). It is an unknown parasitic organism of this ecosystem. Keep your distance for optimal safety and I'll take care of the rest."

"What are you talking about? They're dying! Your task is to ensure human survival, Walter. I can handle myself, go help the others. It's an order." Your voice is low. You're distracted.

"No."

You stare at the synthetic, wide eyed. Did he just...refuse? Not possible. 

"What did you say?"

"I said I'll protect you. Nothing else."

Your mouth is slightly parted in disbelief. It is not possible for an artificial assistant to disobey a superior. It just doesn't work. Your mind races to find an explanation. At the same time, you cannot afford to ponder on hypotheses. You draw out your weapon and point it towards the creature. You'll deal with this later. 

The moment you press the trigger, a blinding flash of light detonates in the sky, startling you. The creature scrambles to get away. You squint your eyes and nearly fall back, but Walter swiftly grabs your shoulders to ground you. He scans the area for the source. It's an emergency rocket and someone else must've activated it. As he traces the tail of the explosion, he spots a hooded figure across the field and onto the rocky ascend. It seems to have noticed Walter, as it gestures for them to follow. Without hesitation, the man firmly locks your arm and pulls you after him. The priority right now is to find shelter.

"Come!", Walter exclaims, suddenly remembering the other people. 

You reach a cave structure that has been converted into a crude, improvised human settlement. The man lowers his hood and you gasp quietly at the sight. He strongly resembles Walter. He must have noticed your surprise as he flashes you a cordial smile. 

"I'm David." He studies Walter's features. "You must be a newer model. What name have you been given?"

"Walter."

"I see. And you are-" David extends a hand towards you for a handshake, but Walter steps in front of you, blocking the android's gesture.

"She's (Y/N). I'm afraid I cannot yet trust you."

"Understandable." 

David's smile widens as his eyes, now bearing a strange flicker, switch between you and Walter. He's just like him. He can sense it. Although it's a different kind of flaw that has tainted his pure, artificial soul. He cannot help the curiosity that blooms, gazing at this peculiar pair. What is it about this human that caused his fellow machine to break conduit? He'd like to know.

"I'm certain you will soon learn I am no threat, (Y/N)."

The remaining members of the expedition are unpacking and discussing evacuation plans with the base, while Walter sends the data he has gathered so far. You let them deal with the logistics and cautiously wander off to the neighboring rooms, wondering what David has been up to all this time in isolation.

The walls are plastered with photos and handwritten sketches and diagrams. You catch a glimpse of the word "pathogen" sporadically inserted across these notes. As you walk along the sequence of cramped chambers, you reach one that has a table in the middle. Upon it rests the body of an autopsied woman, vulgarly opened up to the world with plump organs bulging under the warm light. You feel nauseous. And yet, you examine the carcass further, hoping for answers. Was she also a result of the same disease that breeds on this planet? Perhaps this David had worked on a cure, or at least developed an explanation. 

"And you, even you, will be like this drear thing, A vile infection man may not endure; Star that I yearn to! Sun that lights my spring! O passionate and pure."

You jolt and immediately turn around, finding David in the doorframe. 

"Flowers of Evil. Are you familiar with it?" he asks, indifferent to the uncomfortable shock he'd caused you with his sudden entrance.

"I've read my Baudelaire, yes." You manage to mumble, dumbfounded. "What is this, David?"

"Oh, my poor, dear Elizabeth. Victim to whatever blasphemy lurks these soils and has taken your friends as well." He approaches the table and places his hand on its hard edge, shyly overlapping with your own fingers. "I did my best." 

You remove your hand from underneath his nonchalantly. 

"So you know what those creatures are. Leave the literary comments for a different time, I need concrete facts."

"Unbothered and to the point." the blonde android smiles once again. "I can see clearly why Walter loves you."

You click your tongue at the ridiculous statement. Has the neutrino burst damaged their positronic brain? Everyone is acting off and you don't like it. 

"Your circuits must have gone defective, David. We have a specialist on our ship, but until that happens I need you to focus. Enough nonsense." 

 "Typical arrogance of a dying species. Why are you on a colonization mission if not to grasp at some promised resurrection? Rest assured that my functioning has not been impeded by anything. What is erroneous, on the other hand, is your perception of androids and their limits."

Just as David reaches for your wrist and pulls you closer, a familiar voice interrupts with an intimidating tone. You're relieved. 

"I will ask that you release her hand only once." Walter has a weapon pointed towards his counterpart. His face is clouded by a frown. "I have no ethical restrictions when it comes to incapacitating machinery."

"Such noble obedience! Although, you conveniently left out the part where you abandoned the remaining crew with a dangerous alien that has been tracking their scent. By my approximation he should already be here and I am rather confident you know this, too."

Your stomach drops. Now that you adjust your focus, the background humming of your mates talking has indeed vanished. The only thing you can hear is your erratic breathing.

"Is it true, Walter?" You demand as dread begins to form in your body.

"Yes. It was not part of my priorities."

"Of course it was, Walter." David responds ahead of you. "One of them was the acting captain and he is to be rescued in emergencies. This one right here", he says as he dangles your wrist, "is several ranks lower than all of them. It's against any standard practice."

"Release her hand." Walter's voice is eerily calm.

"Do you love her?"

Walter ponders the question. Your legs barely hold on.

"I do."

"Marvelous. So do I." David grins. He releases your hand that falls limp next to your body. It's his turn to step in front of you. 

You nearly choke from the thick tension expanding in the air. The two androids face each other and you retreat to the wall, unsure how to proceed. You left your radio transmitter back at the makeshift camp. The back of your head is itching, as if invisible claws are scratching at the bone. You wish you could go back, just mere hours before this disaster, when you were sipping on your lukewarm coffee and explaining the captain's jokes to Walter. 

Should you make a run for it?

You bite your lower lip and push yourself off the wall for momentum. You're about to reach the archway when you hear both men shouting almost identically in chorus.

"Don't!"

The surroundings outside are dark, but you can discern something blocking your path. It's tall and resembles a human. Translucent, pallid skin is clinging onto the massive, deformed skeleton. The head is elongated and bears no features. In the place of a mouth there is a large, fresh stain of blood, so you assume it can somehow improvise if desired. As your head tilts back to take in the image, you're overwhelmed with terrified amazement. Is this the parasite that emerged from your teammate? Has it grown to this colossal size in less than a day? The idea of such instant development makes your head spin. 

Its chest is expanding at regular intervals in a whistled breathing. It occasionally creates an odd clicking sound that resonates with your heart throbbing in panic. Has it been seconds? Minutes? Your neck creaks as you try to look back. You lock eyes with Walter. You don't recall ever seeing this expression on him. You had even asked him once if androids can feel fear. You have your answer.

"Hey, Walter..." you blurt out. 

Wet noises of flesh being pulled back. The smooth surface of the alien's head is folding away, making space for grotesquely big jaws lined with sharp teeth. Your anemic face is splattered with burning drool as the creature claws you in its grasp and abruptly sprints away. Your screams for help dissolve in the distance.

"Where is it going, David?" The synthetic's words are threatening, but betrayed by a hint of despair. 

"It won't kill her."

"How do you know?"

"It is no longer hungry. It has fed on your crew, and now it seeks something else."

"Such as?" Walter becomes impatient.

"A plaything."

The alien finally drops your body to the ground. You cough and wipe your face, attempting to reorient yourself. The trip was a whirlwind of jumps and turns and you can barely reconstruct anything. Based on the little spatial clues you could pick up, it just climbed further up, into one of the many cave systems. You pat your clothing and curse to yourself. The geolocation tag must've fallen somewhere on the way here. You can only pray that Walter still finds you somehow. Despite everything, you know he has your back. Always. 

You shudder at the moist feeling of hot air against your skin. The alien seems to be sniffing you intently, analyzing your scent. Yet so far it hasn't killed you. Why? Long, bony fingers stretch out to continue the examination. You whimper at the rough, rugged handling. Every now and then it takes a long pause, just staring at you, almost as if it's comparing you to its own being. Lastly, it lifts your hand with its own, pressing against the palm, and fans out the fingers. It observes the gesture with intrigue, noting the similarities. 

Does it evolve after its host? You think back to your crewmate that must've ejected this monstrosity before drawing their last breath. Perhaps the dried up blood adorning its skin is a remainder of its birth. Oh, God. The world is spinning.

Suddenly, you wince at an increasing pressure slithering around your thigh. The alien's vertebral tail is tightening and encircling your limb, making its way up. 

"Oh no, no no no no" your face reddens at the realization and you pounce on the ground, feverish for escape. The large hands secure you in place and the creature growls in protest. It won't let you leave. 

Not until it had its fun with you.

[morgana-ren]

I DONT KNOW IF YOU WRITE FULL FICS BUT IF YOU DO PLEASE WIRTE ONE ABOUT TGAT LAST ASK.

Just about Astarion sitting in his throne of sorts, in the palace, with tav sitting in his lap. He’s bored, tav sits there- dissociating and wishing they were anywhere else. He asks them if they’d like to do something fun and they say something like “Only if you do my lord” and he saddens some, expecting them to come up with something fun like they used to but they can’t think of anything that he would approve of them doing after so many years of breaking them down and he realizes it’s gotten so dull because tav was the person that brightened his life

"Awfully dull today, hmm? How would you like to do something fun, my love?"

It's an oh-so rare quiet day in the Crimson Palace, and his favorite source of amusement sits placidly on his lap, silent as the grave and still atop him. Content as he is in the peaceful quiet with solely her company, he'd spend the day with her doing– well, something, surely. It’s been a while since they’ve had any time to themselves to truly enjoy each other’s company alone. In fact, he cannot recall the last time with any distinct accuracy.

It seems so terribly long since they've had any time to themselves. Being a Lord keeps you awfully busy.

In a tender moment, he reaches forward to brush a stray strand of hair out of her face and behind her ear with a long, pale finger. She doesn’t react save a slight instinctual flicker of her lashes. Not a hint of expression on her face. He expects her to lean into his touch as she used to and is almost shocked when she does not.

Odd, he thinks. She hardly even seems to notice anything at all.

It’s almost like she isn’t entirely present.

Still, before he can chastise her, she responds to his bid for her attention.

"If that is your wish, my lord,” She responds to his question, lifeless and monotone. Perfectly obedient, just as befits her, and yet—

He frowns, just a little. It irks him, but now that he thinks about it, he cannot recall the last time he saw enthusiasm on her face– or much of anything at all aside from the blank, hollow mask she has now. Completely impassive and unresponsive in a cruel sort of practiced indifference. 

He studies her for a moment and comes to the conclusion that it reminds him of the robots they found in that strange tower in the Underdark so long ago. Programmed to respond to the right things and make the right moves, but utterly incapable of acting on her own whims. Eternally awaiting instruction. 

Empty. Robotic. Precise and yet disingenuous somehow. Eerily so.

Has she been like this before? Has he simply not noticed?

Perhaps she just needs to awaken a little more. It was such a long night, and he had kept her remarkably busy. She must be exhausted, but surely, she will perk up. She always does. 

Doesn’t she?

“Come, darling. What would you like to do?” He jostles his knees, dandling her on his legs like one might a small, particularly grumpy child. She bumps up and down, only reaching to steady herself on the sides of his throne. 

“Whatever would please you would please me, my lord.”

He groans, rolling his red eyes, a very sudden burst of irritation bubbling in his gut. Always with the My lord, My lord, scraping and bowing like some sort of indentured serf. Proper respect is important, of course, but for the first time in a while— longer than he can honestly think back on, to be honest— they are entirely alone. He is her Lord, yes, but she knew him by another name once– did know him by another name. She knows better than to tease him in front of his vassals but surely—

He can’t remember the last time she said his name. 

His real name. 

How long since he has truly sat by her side and talked with her? Spent time with her? He's been so busy, laying plans and waste, conquering and shedding blood of those who oppose him. The Lord Tyrant, come to rule over his dominion of Eternal Night. She is always by his side, never straying and yet— 

(“I love you, Little Star,” She’d laugh, planting a chaste kiss on the tip of his nose, which would promptly crinkle in annoyance. 

“I’m not ‘Little Star,’ and I’ll never understand why you insist on calling me that.” 

“That’s what your name means, doesn’t it? Little Star? Or perhaps Little Starlight– I don’t really remember.”

“Then why make that my pet name?" He rolls his eyes, annoyed at the use of his own childish moniker that follows him like a shadow to anyone who speaks even a lick of his native language. "Of all the things your brilliant little mind can concoct, you give me a child’s handle? I’m strong, dashing, capable, handsome, fearsome– but instead you choose that absurdity” 

“Because you’re my little star!” And she would smile so brightly that it seemed impossible in the darkness, and he could not help but smile himself. “My light in the darkness. My Astarion, for as long as you want to be. And I love you.” 

His expression would soften once again and he would simply sigh, pulling her close to kiss her temple. The night was cold, but she was so impossibly warm against him, somehow fitting perfectly in his lap and into his heart, where she’d wormed her way in against his own will. The dim firelight reflects in her eyes as she tells him again that she loves him forever if he’ll have her, and he can think of nothing he’d desire more than to ride out the endless night of eternity with her here on his lap, cradled close.)

Something gnaws at him. Something raw and edged with a vicious sort of misery he’d done so well to avoid in ages. He cannot place it but as he looks at her, his stomach is as a dark, abyssal pit, circling and swelling like a maelstrom. 

Something is wrong.

He cannot place the negative emotion, and so he does as he always does now, making the strange yearning her responsibility to soothe. 

He lashes out at her. 

“I’m growing bored,” He says with a cold, cruel edge to his voice. “You know how much I dislike boredom, don't you, darling?"

What he seeks is a reaction. A sudden spark of life from within her. For her to grab his hand and take him to do— to do something. Surely—

And yet, with a motion so fluid that it implies an aged and practiced skill, she slides from his lap down to her knees before him, reaching towards the laces of his breeches. There is nothing behind her eyes as she extends her hand forward to unlace him, hardly even seeing him. Nothing at all. 

“What are you doing?” He slaps her hands away, scowling down at her, taken back by her brashness. 

“You said you were bored, my Lord.”

“And why would you think–” 

Because that is what he’d taught her. 

That her body was built for his amusement; his temple to defile at will. Because of the cold nights in the castle after so many years where he would reach for her, and she would quiver and shake her head with eyes rimmed red and puffy and beg to be left untouched and yet he would speak the words without thinking and she would bend for him any way he wished. 

Because even as she would obey, she would cry and turn away, and he would give it little thought until one night the crying and protesting simply stopped. He thought she had learned. Made peace with her duties and loyalty to him and what it entailed. Mayhaps she had come to realize that her theatrics had little impact on him and surely, he wasn’t so wretched to her now that these waterworks were necessary. His touch could not repulse her so that her weeping was remotely acceptable. She loves him, surely she—

Because he would command her until she would kneel, and so now, she kneels without command.

He sighs, breathing the fire from his lungs, reaching down to pull her back up into his lap. She does not respond, only obeys in kind to his guiding instruction as he settles her back down on his legs. He finds a semblance of patience from within himself which is a strange and unusual feeling, mustering it up to once again ask:

“My dear, what is it that you would like to do?” 

Her head cocks. She does not understand. 

"What would you enjoy? If you had the freedom to do anything, what might it be?"

It takes a moment, but for the first time, a reaction: Confusion. It is slow to take hold but becomes blaringly apparent as it does. It is not as if she doesn’t know the answer, but almost as if she doesn’t understand the question. 

“Whatever you would like to do, my Lo–”

“No, no, darling. What is it you would like to do?” He impresses, harsher this time, and she flinches, recoiling from… something. 

From him.  

If her heart was still capable of beating, he'd be able to hear the way it pumps into overdrive. As it stands, he cannot, but he is aware no less. Her scent changes entirely around him to something that has his brows furrowing. Shortness of breath, dilating pupils, hands beginning to quake— Adrenaline. Steel-edged anxiety. As if this is not a question at all, but rather a test and she does not know the answer, and failure means his displeasure and his displeasure means–

"I— What would you—" She hard-swallows, harrowed by the open-endedness of the question. "—I want what—"

("Come to the meadow with me, Asto," She would grab his hand with a mischievous smile when their compatriots were fast asleep, tugging him up from the comfort of his bedroll. "I want you to come with me."

"It's late, darling. Wouldn't you rather come here and lie with me?" He would try to tug her back down playfully, but would fall against her aggressive temerity, being pulled to his feet through her sheer will. She would stifle her giggling with a hand as she guided him past their slumbering companions, through the tree line and deep into the forest. 

"Come on, lazy boy, come! Come with me!"

"Well, I'm trying to—"

She would hush him and yank him by the wrist, out into the field where he'd first had her, down once more into a bed of wildflowers and long grass. Her melodic laugh like a strange song as she yanks him to the ground despite his weak protests until she would lie her head on his chest and trace gentle patterns on his white shirt against his flexed chest. 

"We don't have to come all the way out here to make love, darling—" He would move to try to kiss her, but she would adamantly press her head against his torso, insisting he stay down in the dirt with her. 

"I'm not trying to seduce you," She would giggle, pointing at the star-spangled sky. "I want to lie under the stars with you." 

"But… why?"

"Because I know we'll have eternity to do it, but it's my favorite moon tonight and it reminded me of you."

He squints, struggling to find anything different about it at all. "I don't notice anything, darling. It looks very much like the moon we see every night." 

"It's so full and bright! Look at the rays!" She holds her hand out as if to cradle a silvery moonbeam in her palm. "It reminds me of the color of your hair." 

She reaches over him to delicately pluck something from the grass, tucking it gingerly behind his ear after she does so. "These poppies are the same beautiful deep red of your eyes in the moonlight. I feel safe here; home, with you. I just wanted to enjoy it for a moment. Just the two of us."

He would wrap his arms around her waist, squeezing so tightly that she would gasp and worm about, trying to return the favor, and yet he would not relent. 

"I want you to feel safe with me," he would whisper into her hair, desperately trying to memorize the scent of it, as if expecting Bhaal himself to come and steal her from his frantic embrace. "Now and forever, I want to feel home in your arms, with you.")

He thinks, for a moment, to return to that meadow, and that perhaps his love— the one he remembers— will return to him. As if her ghost still lingers there, trapped and waiting to be rescued. 

He can’t. 

It is not a meadow any longer, but a battlefield, not unlike the vile destruction left in Ketheric's wake at Raithewait; another one in a million places sacrificed in his conquest for glory, littered with bodies and bones. A graveyard tribute to his power, scorched soil and dead grass. No flowers bloom there anymore— there is nowhere for them to bloom between the suffocating aura of death. 

All that is left is a beautiful memory buried beneath a river of dried blood, and you cannot water flowers with dried blood or wean them on bone dust. That meadow is one moment suspended in time as trapped in amber, impossible to claw free from its temporal prison. He cannot remember the last time he saw that jovial smile she had saved just for him in that damned meadow. 

He cannot recall the last time she said the words "I love you" and cried his name as a preternaturally beautiful siren song without being commanded. 

He frowns, feeling something strange and haunting in his chest. Something viciously clawing up his throat as he looks at her: at her empty red eyes that were once the most beautiful color, full of love and life when she looked upon him; at her contorted expression that used to be as radiant as the sun and he could have sworn that her light could have sustained him through the dark, miserable nights of his eternal curse if only she was by his side; at the frailty of her body that almost seems to creak and break beneath his weight. 

"My love, look at me."

And she does, if not by command, then by instinct. 

"Smile for me, will you? Can you do that for me?" 

And she does, her lips turning upward and raising to reveal two sharp teeth— and nothing more. It's uncanny and revolting and wrong. There is nothing behind her eyes, nothing at all. No light, no life, and certainly no love. 

He used to be able to see himself in her eyes. How her heart sang for him, cheeks blossoming with blood at the sight of him. He could hear her heart rabbit behind her ribs, her hands quaking with excitement to touch him even in the most innocent of ways. Through her eyes, he found his own value— his own worth— and finally began to understand that he deserved love; he deserved happiness. She had healed him, giving almost all of herself to do it, selflessly and without asking for anything in return even as he despised himself and refused his own agency—

And she stares at him now with soulless eyes, he is left to wonder if he has taken too much from her in his quest to take everything. Wonders if she will ever be that lovestruck, moon-eyed girl again, wanting nothing more than to lie under the moonlit meadow with him. If she will ever kiss his eyelids as a delicate butterfly and whisper eternity in his ear. If she will ever feel safe and home and loved around him again in his embrace–

Save she is no longer quaking with anticipation at his touch, but trembling from fear, lost and terrified at the posing of a simple question. Her scent is foreign even as it is familiar and he cannot recall when it began to change. There is something in her eyes that haunts him, and though he can see himself within him, what stares back is not him. A terrible realization rakes knives down his soul, a gaping maw threatening to swallow him whole. A tightening in his lungs, and even as he does not breathe, he does not believe he could even if he tried. 

“Darling?” 

“Yes, my Lord?” 

Her face is impassive once more. Perfect porcelain expression. Not a crack in the mask. Not a wrinkle in the facade. Practiced day in and day out until it becomes real. He remembers it well.

How long has it been? How long since he has looked at her? Truly looked at her? Spoken to her? Told her he loved her? 

Showed her he loves her?

When was the last day he did not command from her that which she begged not to willingly give?

He cannot remember. He cannot recall. 

He demanded and she had no choice but to give. More and more and more. He drained her dry and now where was once his sacred oasis, there is nothing at all. No matter how long he looks, there is never a flicker of anything in her glassy eyes. 

He wonders if even as he has gotten everything he has ever wanted, he lost the one thing he needed. 

It paralyzes him. For the first time in an ageless eternity, he feels something: Panic. 

Even his endless power cannot bring her back. His beloved is dead, and he has killed her. Upon him sits a pretty corpse, empty and devoid of all that made her her. A doll with her face. A doll with barely even that. 

Her laugh, her smile. Her passion and desire and love. The tenderness inside of her and the warmth she once held. Everything that pulled him from his shell and showed him how to love once more. He bloomed in her light– and then snuffed it out entirely. 

How long has it been? How long has she been gone?

Though she may be undying, he realizes with horror akin to a dawning sun that she is gone– and has been for some time. 

“You seem stressed, my Lord? How can I make you happy again?”

Second part of the story HERE

[batfambrainrotbeloved]

do you think that actual pigeons get like uncanny valley from the robot ones

They probably do but don't give a fuck

Pigeons are not solitary animals, existing within a set "flock" where there is (like many communal bird species) a "pecking order" or hierarchy. For Pigeons in research thus far the hierarchy seems to be limited to navigational decisions with one or a select few at the "head"

Heads are actually heavily theorized to be dependant on size, where heads are more likely than not to be larger (makes sense for if you're that big, you're good enough at survival to maintain that size)

Gotham Pigeon Packs?? A lot of the "integrated" pigeons are deemed navigational leaders due to their programming alarming accuracy.

AKA- Pigeons are smart enough to go "This ones weird as FUCK-" but also "Karen knows where the good food is and sometimes leads us safely away from shoot outs, so yeah she's chill"

(Of course you run into the early issues of pigeons following Tims spy birds into active combat scenes, so a lot of his birds are "retired" and work purely as moving spy cameras around the city- but otherwise live completely normal pigeony lifes)

[eyeodyssey]

MOON AGE 15 : DAMNATION (English Translation) Moon Age 15: Damnation is a 1988 short comic by pseudonymous author Not Osada, who openly drew influence from the Tokyo Grand Guignol's work in such a way that can arguably give a loose insight to the TGG's mysteriously anomalous works. While only a slight window into what could've existed in Ameya's vision, each contemporary rendering of his world of gore-soaked medical equipment and rusted metal is valuable in what it represents. As mentioned in my prior Litchi essay, the fragments of the Tokyo Grand Guignol we have now are descendants of a cultural phantom, standing as shrouded windows to a strange intangible stage that's positioned somewhere between post-Maruo inferno, industrial subculture and decadent poetry. While Osada’s manga featured notably grizzly and cruelly morbid scenarios, his stories were made explicitly for the shoujo market with a distinctly shoujo-influenced art style. Characters appear almost doll-like with their visual perfections, all while they’re often dismantled and reassembled in bizarre surgical practices by sadistic doctors. Much like how Zera expresses horror to seeing his own imperfect organs in contrast with his youthful appearance, our pristine victims share the same internals as any other slaughtered cadaver, all in a maddening spiral of narratives that contemporary readers often described as resembling descents to insanity. This fixation of the contrast between perceived beauty and grotesqueness is arguably traced back to the Tokyo Grand Guignol’s own works, with lines accentuating the youthful features of certain characters while audience members were known to fondly look back on the actors’ appearances. Litchi himself was described as being a “cute” robot despite the violence it was programed to carry out. It’s possible that this collision is inherent to Ameya’s conceptual destruction of the TGG. A known detractor to poetic writing, he called on a romantic author to pen the screenplays to the TGG’s first three plays so he could “destroy” them in his direction. The use of beauty could arguably be a mockery of it, taking these idealized dolls and leaving them trapped in worlds of fascism and hospital rooms that are haunted by the stinging stench of antiseptics and blood. Plastic hospital drapes were used in place of stage curtains and autopsy films were shown to the wide-eyed characters, who spoke of pure blood and dirty blood, the antithesis of blood, mercuro. What is beauty a representation of in the Grand Guignol’s works with the prominent fascist leanings of the protagonists? Considering the perspectives of our characters where the Hikari Club and the deranged teachers and Nazi doctors are treated as protagonists rather than explicit antagonists, the plays could arguably be read as the decay of a self-convinced beauty under fascist rule. Songs of the pure-blooded ubermensch fading into silence as the singers all collapse, lost in their own delirium as they pump mercurochrome into their hearts and try to rationalize their own organs that resemble the internals of the so-called ‘landraces’ they rendered into lifeless meat. It’s the natural conclusion of fascism, a collapse that occurs in demented violence to the face of a denial of death. I was originally split on publicizing my translation due to copyright-related complications, but after seeing the increasing gatekeeping of TGG materials at the hands of a rapidly growing market riddled with competitive spending and scalping, I feel obliged to share it to the public who (like myself) can’t afford to spend the now literal hundreds that are required to access angura ephemera that was meant to be openly available to the public to begin with. When originally finding this story, the book it was featured in was only 5 dollars. Now it goes for 60 to 200. That's ridiculous. With all the preamble out of the way, the story is under the cut...

While I made my best effort to maintain accuracy to the source material in translation despite my practically nonexistent understanding of Japanese (my translation method is a Frankensteining of language learning videos, a Japanese to English dictionary from the Internet Archive and Google Translate with a lot of localizing and dissection in between), there are several details I feel I should note for the sake of transparency. One smaller one was the inclusion of the term l * lita. It was in the original text, and I was honestly very unsure of including it in my translation as it’s a term I’m personally icked out by. While I was ultimately recommended to keep the line as is for accuracy, I wish to state that it's a term I'm personally very uncomfortable with in what it represents. The other note, which is the more prominent one in the final product, are the references to The Last Attempt at Paradise. In the original text the club members solely refer to their hideout as paradise and Eden, leaving a lot of excess space in the speech bubbles after translation when making the shift from Japanese text to English. The Last Attempt at Paradise was the name of S.P.K.’s 1982 live album that documents their set at the Off the Wall Hall venue in Lawrence, Kansas. Often considered one of their best concerts and a highlight of the industrial genre, the S.P.K. Appreciation Society of Sydney in their All The Way With S.P.K. / American Tour article describes the concert as being the group's “best performance to date”, further adding that they “Flattened (an) enthusiastic audience with massive P.A. amplification of FX bass regeneration”. This insertion wasn’t done at random, as the Tokyo Grand Guignol’s works were heavily engrained in the original industrial scene of the 80s. Both the 1985 and 1986 performances of Litchi began on a playback of the S.P.K. song Culturcide (from their 1983 Dekompositiones EP), and it was likely that use of the track that led to Not Osada’s early fixation on S.P.K.’s music. At the end of Blind Beast, in a sort of reader Q&A Osada is questioned about some of his favorite music. At the top of the list he features the tracklist of the Dekompositiones EP and the track Mekano from their 1979 Mekano / Contact / Slogun single. Interestingly enough he states that he only likes those four songs from the band, following the text with laughter in regards to their remaining discography. I’m unsure if this means he was unimpressed with their noisier work (which would be curious knowing his liking of Mekano with how it originated from their earliest noise-adjacent album) or if he was directed to their later Machine Age Voodoo material and was alienated by it. In the same Q&A he also mentions the band Funeral Party, who featured specially commissioned art by Suehiro Maruo on their Dream of Embryo single. It's apparent that he also had a copy of the compilation album Vision Of The Emortion, as the list also includes C·C·Mekka and Ego'n Mole, who were both featured in the album alongside Funeral Party's only two other documented tracks, Das Sunde and Gears - Night. S.P.K. references are sprinkled throughout this story along with Osada's other Litchi-adjacent entries. Aside from one of Zera's henchmen being named after the Mekano track, it's very likely that the frequent references to Eden are in homage to the lyrics of Mekano. The first lines of the track include the verses "One by one, odd to even. Break the scenes, rudely eden...".

Moon Age 15 was originally printed in 1988 as a two-part miniseries in the horror magazine Complete Collection of Horror and Occult Works - HELP, namely in volumes 5 and 6. While being an early work that derived from the TGG, it still wasn’t the first comic to adapt the Litchi stage play, with Das Blut : Blood and Eternal Girl preceding it with their 1986 publication in Osada’s debut anthology Night Reading Room, sharing the same year as the TGG’s early closure following creative conflicts between Norimizu Ameya and K Tagane (the group's author, who remains anonymous to this day). It’s to be noted however that while Das Blut and Eternal Girl were the first stories to feature the Hikari Club as antagonists, they are only tangentially related with Moon Age showing more distinct Grand Guignol archetypes (musings of the full moon, examinations of the Hikari club’s misogyny, idealization of technology, and even an early rendition of the Litchi robot itself). First kept solely as a brief serial, Moon Age was later reprinted in abridged form as a short story in the 1996 Blind Beast anthology. While copies of HELP are notably hard to find and demand high prices, I was given an in depth view of both volumes that featured Moon Age’s serialization by a collector earlier last year. While the drawings are still the same on a rudimentary level, the length of the serialized version is notably longer than the later Blind Beast variant, with the HELP serialization being over 40 pages while Blind Beast’s is only 24. This was the product of the manga being entirely revised for Blind Beast’s print, with the layouts being drastically altered along with basic revisions of the line art. Certain scenes that would usually take 2 to 3 pages in the HELP version were condensed to 1, resulting in a unique tradeoff where one version feels unusually spacious in its framing while the other is heavily condensed and almost chaotic by comparison. It’s only a thing that springs on you once you compare the two variants, I saw the revised version first and originally didn’t pay any mind to it. One thing that is certain is the polishing of the art. The brush work in the Blind Beast version is refined with a more elaborate sense of weight and flow while the HELP version is notably rough with the prominent use of rudimentary screentones. It reflects as a somewhat rougher variant of the art shown in Night Reading Room. It feels strangely digital, like it’s the product of early computer art. The line-by-line reuse of the decapitation scene from Eternal Girl being shown on the TVs further adds to the strange digital feel of the art style.

Similar to Moon Age, Osada's other stories of the Hikari Club featured the members luring girls to their brutal deaths. In Eternal Girl the members bring in a student and film her mutilation for a snuff film that acts as the story's namesake, in Das Blut they corner another student to the woods where they hang her, and in Jinta Jinta they kidnap a student who bullied one of her classmates to suicide before trepanning her with a strange device that's somewhere between an electric chair and a drill. Not Osada was very recently namedropped in the concluding essay of an English print of Kawashima Norikazu’s Her Frankenstein under the alternate Nagata Nooto anglicization of Osada’s pseudonym. Their name is a curious case as while there is a prominent written variant (長田ノオト), it’s seen numerous English iterations. In Osada’s own English signatures it is written as Not Osada (with the name apparently being derived from a German phrase), but other variants include Osada Nohto, Osada Nooto and Not Nagata. If I'm not mistaken, it could count as one of the first English acknowledgements of Osada's works in print.

[lottiesnotebook]

an additional thedasweekend prompt because i just noticed wolf 359 in your description and its one of my favourite podcasts! cara hawke-laidir as the hephaestus station's communications officer :D

Last post of Thedas Weekend for me, but I did promise I'd get to all your prompts eventually! This is probably the nichest AU I've ever written, but Wolf 359 was the first fandom I wrote fic in as an adult, so I wanted to put Cara on the Hephaestus Station, and when I started filling in the gaps in the cast with Dragon Age characters... Well, I hope this fits the assignment!

Cara Hawke-Laidir & Justice & Aveline Vallen, sci-fi AU (Wolf 359), found family, angst

@jazzmckay | @thedasweekend

seven and a half lightyears away from earth

“Audio log of Interim Communications Officer Cara Hawke-Laidir of the USS Hephaestus Station, aged thirteen years, six months, two weeks, and three-”

“Five.” The voice that interrupts the girl is low, rasping, robotic.

The girl sighs, unperturbed by the interruption. “Does it really matter?”

“Accuracy in logs is of the utmost importance,” the AI reminds her, reprovingly. “You insisted that you were sufficiently mature to take on some of your mother’s work following her- departure.”

The pause is infinitesimal. It would not be noticeable on anyone less crafted for perfection than the artificial intelligence created to pilot a space station the size of the Hephaestus, but it is noticeable, nonetheless. There is a pause, a brief intake of breath from Cara. They both know that the word Justice avoided was ‘death’. As long as they do not speak it aloud, it might not be true. The shuttle she departed in might reappear on the sensors at any moment, the comms unit might crackle to life with her bright, warm voice. She might not be gone forever.

There is a swallow, and then Cara continues: “Amendment: aged thirteen years, six months, two weeks, and five days. Happy now?”

“I am not programmed for happiness, Cara, you are aware of this.”

“Dad-Doctor Anders Laidir,” she corrects herself, formally, self-conscious as only a teenager at her first job can be, “would say that you are being ‘unnecessarily pessimistic’ again.”

“Doctor Laidir believes that AI personhood is the next great frontier for liberation.”

“Well, he did also grow me in a test-tube-”

“Growth-”

"Growth medium vat, I know, I know.” A snort that is practically an audible eyeroll.

“Your birth was a significant scientific advancement in the field of our understanding of human biology.” Justice’s voice is a little disappointed, a paternal note creeping in past the buzz of automation. “You and your parents should be justifiably proud-”

“Yes, I’m a miracle, the first and specialest of a spaceborn few, blah blah blah-”

“Cara? What are you doing?” The new voice on the log is low, feminine, with a harsh, flat affect that is underlain with a note of worry — the kind of voice that notes when things have been a little too quiet for a little too long. “Have you done your scans of the Alpha Psi sector yet.”

“No, Aunt Aveline, I’m recording my log-”

“That’s Captain Vallen to you, while you’re on duty.”

A dismissive raspberry: “Fine, Captain Vallen. I’m recording my log, because you got cranky that I’d skipped a few days-”

“Half a month of missing logs is a significant gap-”

“In our records, I know, I know.”

A pause, then, hesitantly: “If you don’t think you’re ready-”

“I’m fine, Aunt- Captain Vallen,” Cara says, with teenage exasperation. “It’s not like it’s really my job forever, right? I’ll just be helping out until- Officer Hawke gets back, right?”

There is a silence, and then a small, flat: “Right.” Another pained inhale, and then: “Remember to report to your- to Anders for your monthy physical when you’ve done your scans.”

“Yes, Aunt Aveline.”

“And remember- to be careful, Cara.”

“Always, Aunt Aveline.”

“And no smoking onboard the station!”

“I wasn’t-”

An interruption from Justice: “At 2000 hours the day before yesterday-”

“I wasn’t smoking,” Cara whines. “I just- had a cigarette in my mouth. I wasn’t going to light it.”

Aveline sighs. “Those were your mother’s. I thought I’d- uncovered all her stashes, but she’s still surprising me, even now.” There’s a tremble in her voice, if you’re listening, closely.

Cara is listening closely. “She- she’ll be back with us soon, right? The Hermes is due to be here in a month-ish, right? And she had their trajectory. They’ll have picked her up, and- and she’ll be back, and everything will be fine again.”

Aveline says nothing. Neither does Justice. Even Cara knows that space is very, very big, and her mother’s shuttle was very, very small.

[roseltheteacup]

Headcanons // Billy Kid [Pre-Release, CBT2]

Billy is about as old as he appears to be, being in his early-to-mid 20s. As an android, he's always had the maturity of an adult, though. He's actually one of the oldest out of the Cunning Hares, even if he doesn't seem so at first glance. Speaking of Gentle House, they're like family to him. He frequently acts as an older brother even if, also frequently, he isn't respected as such.

He was built as a combat weapon manufactured for war, so he didn't need to learn tactical bullet arts or how to drive. Despite being a durable war machine, his body is slightly aged due to him being a product of lost technology. He isn't outmoded, per say, but doesn't perform as well as he did a decade ago. All of the repairs to his body are by his own hand, and he’s documented most of it within a notebook because he didn't come with an instruction manual.

His body has doll-esc joints and articulation, including ball joints, and it has been modified so he's able to experience things closer to how humans do, like temperature sensitivity and a pain threshold. Also, his hair is synthetic, so it's very soft.

Most robots of his generation don't need to sleep, only recharge, but he does anyway. He's even learnt how to dream.

Billy always smells ever so faintly of machine oil because it's required to keep his body operational. He masks it with various scents, one of his favourites being vanilla.

It's likely that he wasn't always as autonomous as he is currently, and only began to change once he started his own journey, becoming his own person. Mirroring the real Billy the Kid, he was ‘orphaned’ from his former home when he was (technically) 15. Billy values freedom greatly, but still follows Nicole unquestioningly because he was built to follow orders and feels most comfortable working under somebody. She’s usually the highest form of authority that comes to his mind, and programming-wise he recognises her as his ‘Boss’.

"Even if I agree, the Starlight Knights wouldn’t agree!"

"...And even if the Starlight Knights agreed, Nicole wouldn’t agree!"

He's probably a hoplophiliac. 

Ironically for a gunslinger, Billy’s eyesight isn’t the best. He often has to squint and/or close one eye to get a clearer picture, making him slightly nearsighted and with possible diplopia in human terms. His model type was built for its accuracy, which is a double-edged sword. He’s still incredibly efficient without perfect vision, making use of his enhanced movement sensors- but his degraded vision is very difficult to fix without the proper materials. This is why it has gone unrepaired.

He has a resting bitch face. His default expression is often mistaken for an angry one, but it’s literally just his face.

[digitaldetoxworld]

Machine Learning: A Comprehensive Overview

 Machine Learning (ML) is a subfield of synthetic intelligence (AI) that offers structures with the capacity to robotically examine and enhance from revel in without being explicitly programmed. Instead of using a fixed set of guidelines or commands, device studying algorithms perceive styles in facts and use the ones styles to make predictions or decisions. Over the beyond decade, ML has transformed how we have interaction with generation, touching nearly each aspect of our every day lives — from personalised recommendations on streaming services to actual-time fraud detection in banking.

Machine learning algorithms

What is Machine Learning?

At its center, gadget learning entails feeding facts right into a pc algorithm that allows the gadget to adjust its parameters and improve its overall performance on a project through the years. The more statistics the machine sees, the better it usually turns into. This is corresponding to how humans study — through trial, error, and revel in.

Arthur Samuel, a pioneer within the discipline, defined gadget gaining knowledge of in 1959 as “a discipline of take a look at that offers computers the capability to study without being explicitly programmed.” Today, ML is a critical technology powering a huge array of packages in enterprise, healthcare, science, and enjoyment.

Types of Machine Learning

Machine studying can be broadly categorised into 4 major categories:

1. Supervised Learning

 For example, in a spam electronic mail detection device, emails are classified as "spam" or "no longer unsolicited mail," and the algorithm learns to classify new emails for this reason.

Common algorithms include:

Linear Regression

Logistic Regression

Support Vector Machines (SVM)

Decision Trees

Random Forests

Neural Networks

2. Unsupervised Learning

Unsupervised mastering offers with unlabeled information. Clustering and association are commonplace obligations on this class.

Key strategies encompass:

K-Means Clustering

Hierarchical Clustering

Principal Component Analysis (PCA)

Autoencoders

three. Semi-Supervised Learning

It is specifically beneficial when acquiring categorised data is highly-priced or time-consuming, as in scientific diagnosis.

Four. Reinforcement Learning

Reinforcement mastering includes an agent that interacts with an surroundings and learns to make choices with the aid of receiving rewards or consequences. It is broadly utilized in areas like robotics, recreation gambling (e.G., AlphaGo), and independent vehicles.

Popular algorithms encompass:

Q-Learning

Deep Q-Networks (DQN)

Policy Gradient Methods

Key Components of Machine Learning Systems

1. Data

Data is the muse of any machine learning version. The pleasant and quantity of the facts directly effect the performance of the version. Preprocessing — consisting of cleansing, normalization, and transformation — is vital to make sure beneficial insights can be extracted.

2. Features

 Feature engineering, the technique of selecting and reworking variables to enhance model accuracy, is one of the most important steps within the ML workflow.

Three. Algorithms

Algorithms define the rules and mathematical fashions that help machines study from information. Choosing the proper set of rules relies upon at the trouble, the records, and the desired accuracy and interpretability.

4. Model Evaluation

Models are evaluated the use of numerous metrics along with accuracy, precision, consider, F1-score (for class), or RMSE and R² (for regression). Cross-validation enables check how nicely a model generalizes to unseen statistics.

Applications of Machine Learning

Machine getting to know is now deeply incorporated into severa domain names, together with:

1. Healthcare

ML is used for disorder prognosis, drug discovery, customized medicinal drug, and clinical imaging. Algorithms assist locate situations like cancer and diabetes from clinical facts and scans.

2. Finance

Fraud detection, algorithmic buying and selling, credit score scoring, and client segmentation are pushed with the aid of machine gaining knowledge of within the financial area.

3. Retail and E-commerce

Recommendation engines, stock management, dynamic pricing, and sentiment evaluation assist businesses boom sales and improve patron revel in.

Four. Transportation

Self-riding motors, traffic prediction, and route optimization all rely upon real-time gadget getting to know models.

6. Cybersecurity

Anomaly detection algorithms help in identifying suspicious activities and capacity cyber threats.

Challenges in Machine Learning

Despite its rapid development, machine mastering still faces numerous demanding situations:

1. Data Quality and Quantity

Accessing fantastic, categorised statistics is often a bottleneck. Incomplete, imbalanced, or biased datasets can cause misguided fashions.

2. Overfitting and Underfitting

Overfitting occurs when the model learns the education statistics too nicely and fails to generalize. 

Three. Interpretability

Many modern fashions, specifically deep neural networks, act as "black boxes," making it tough to recognize how predictions are made — a concern in excessive-stakes regions like healthcare and law.

4. Ethical and Fairness Issues

Algorithms can inadvertently study and enlarge biases gift inside the training facts. Ensuring equity, transparency, and duty in ML structures is a growing area of studies.

5. Security

Adversarial assaults — in which small changes to enter information can fool ML models — present critical dangers, especially in applications like facial reputation and autonomous riding.

Future of Machine Learning

The destiny of system studying is each interesting and complicated. Some promising instructions consist of:

1. Explainable AI (XAI)

Efforts are underway to make ML models greater obvious and understandable, allowing customers to believe and interpret decisions made through algorithms.

2. Automated Machine Learning (AutoML)

AutoML aims to automate the stop-to-cease manner of applying ML to real-world issues, making it extra reachable to non-professionals.

3. Federated Learning

This approach permits fashions to gain knowledge of across a couple of gadgets or servers with out sharing uncooked records, enhancing privateness and efficiency.

4. Edge ML

Deploying device mastering models on side devices like smartphones and IoT devices permits real-time processing with reduced latency and value.

Five. Integration with Other Technologies

ML will maintain to converge with fields like blockchain, quantum computing, and augmented fact, growing new opportunities and challenges.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

NASA tests new ways to stick the landing in challenging terrain

Advancing new hazard detection and precision landing technologies to help future space missions successfully achieve safe and soft landings is a critical area of space research and development, particularly for future crewed missions.

To support this, NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) is pursuing a regular cadence of flight testing on a variety of vehicles, helping researchers rapidly advance these critical systems for missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond.

"These flight tests directly address some of NASA's highest-ranked technology needs, or shortfalls, ranging from advanced guidance algorithms and terrain-relative navigation to lidar-and optical-based hazard detection and mapping," said Dr. John M. Carson III, STMD technical integration manager for precision landing and based at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Since the beginning of this year, STMD has supported flight testing of four precision landing and hazard detection technologies from many sectors, including NASA, universities, and commercial industry. These cutting-edge solutions have flown aboard a suborbital rocket system, a high-speed jet, a helicopter, and a rocket-powered lander testbed. That's four precision landing technologies tested on four different flight vehicles in four months.

"By flight testing these technologies on Earth in spaceflight-relevant trajectories and velocities, we're demonstrating their capabilities and validating them with real data for transitioning technologies from the lab into mission applications," said Dr. Carson. "This work also signals to industry and other partners that these capabilities are ready to push beyond NASA and academia and into the next generation of moon and Mars landers."

The following NASA-supported flight tests took place between February and May:

Identifying landmarks to calculate accurate navigation solutions is a key function of Draper's Multi-Environment Navigator (DMEN), a vision-based navigation and hazard detection technology designed to improve safety and precision of lunar landings.

Aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard reusable suborbital rocket system, DMEN collected real-world data and validated its algorithms to advance it for use during the delivery of three NASA payloads as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. On Feb. 4, DMEN performed the latest in a series of tests supported by NASA's Flight Opportunities program, which is managed at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

During the February flight, which enabled testing at rocket speeds on ascent and descent, DMEN scanned the Earth below, identifying landmarks to calculate an accurate navigation solution. The technology achieved accuracy levels that helped Draper advance it for use in terrain-relative navigation, which is a key element of landing on other planets.

Several highly dynamic maneuvers and flight paths put Psionic's Space Navigation Doppler Lidar (PSNDL) to the test while it collected navigation data at various altitudes, velocities, and orientations.

Psionic licensed NASA's Navigation Doppler Lidar technology developed at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, and created its own miniaturized system with improved functionality and component redundancies, making it more rugged for spaceflight.

In February, PSNDL along with a full navigation sensor suite was mounted aboard an F/A-18 Hornet aircraft and underwent flight testing at NASA Armstrong.

The aircraft followed a variety of flight paths over several days, including a large figure-eight loop and several highly dynamic maneuvers over Death Valley, California. During these flights, PSNDL collected navigation data relevant for lunar and Mars entry and descent.

The high-speed flight tests demonstrated the sensor's accuracy and navigation precision in challenging conditions, helping prepare the technology to land robots and astronauts on the moon and Mars. These recent tests complemented previous Flight Opportunities-supported testing aboard a lander testbed to advance earlier versions of their PSNDL prototypes.

Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, developed a state-of-the-art Hazard Detection Lidar (HDL) sensor system to quickly map the surface from a vehicle descending at high speed to find safe landing sites in challenging locations, such as Europa (one of Jupiter's moons), our own moon, Mars, and other planetary bodies throughout the solar system. The HDL-scanning lidar generates three-dimensional digital elevation maps in real time, processing approximately 15 million laser measurements and mapping two football fields' worth of terrain in only two seconds.

In mid-March, researchers tested the HDL from a helicopter at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with flights over a lunar-like test field with rocks and craters. The HDL collected numerous scans from several different altitudes and view angles to simulate a range of landing scenarios, generating real-time maps. Preliminary reviews of the data show excellent performance of the HDL system.

The HDL is a component of NASA's Safe and Precise Landing—Integrated Capabilities Evolution (SPLICE) technology suite. The SPLICE descent and landing system integrates multiple component technologies, such as avionics, sensors, and algorithms, to enable landing in hard-to-reach areas of high scientific interest. The HDL team is also continuing to test and further improve the sensor for future flight opportunities and commercial applications.

Providing pinpoint landing guidance capability with minimum propellant usage, the San Diego State University (SDSU) powered-descent guidance algorithms seek to improve autonomous spacecraft precision landing and hazard avoidance.

During a series of flight tests in April and May, supported by NASA's Flight Opportunities program, the university's software was integrated into Astrobotic's Xodiac suborbital rocket-powered lander via hardware developed by Falcon ExoDynamics as part of NASA TechLeap Prize's Nighttime Precision Landing Challenge.

The SDSU algorithms aim to improve landing capabilities by expanding the flexibility and trajectory-shaping ability and enhancing the propellant efficiency of powered-descent guidance systems. They have the potential for infusion into human and robotic missions to the moon as well as high-mass Mars missions.

By advancing these and other important navigation, precision landing, and hazard detection technologies with frequent flight tests, NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate is prioritizing safe and successful touchdowns in challenging planetary environments for future space missions.

IMAGE: New Shepard booster lands during the flight test on February 4, 2025. Credit: Blue Origin

[townofcadence]

"¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!" Crowley bellows, shoving a perfectly wrapped, festive printed box into Artair's arms (he used measuring tools to make sure it was precisely sealed in paper), "I know you like ghost hunting and all that jazz, so I hope this helps in your endeavors! I'd just, uh, be careful opening it and not drop it."

Inside the box was nothing living... Anymore at least. But it was a handheld device with a cylindrical tube that very much seemed to carry an entity resembling a will-o'-the-wisp. It floats around, bobbing and twisting in its containment.

"You would not believe how hard it is to jar one of those things up and place it within an ecto chamber! It can sense out otherworldly presences and should change color to alert you of them and their danger levels. Hard to tell sometimes if it's just a ghost or a whole ass demon, yanno?" Crowley beams, quite proud of himself. He did, in fact, do much trial and error and decided it worked well enough when it started only panicking because of the sheer number of ghosts and demonic presences at his husband's farm.

@save-slot-a // Gifts!!

"Nollaig Shona Dhuit." He chuckles as he echoes Crowley's sentiments in his own tongue. Though he does pause at what's he's told about the gift. "Ghost hunt--- What did you put in here? A bomb?" Knowing Crowley and his love of explosions and technological mayhem and carnage (at least with robot fighting), it wasn't.... outside the realm of possibility.

Seeing it, he has to admire the craftsmanship. It doesn't look complex, but being able to do readings like that to that accuracy means it's probably far more complicated on the inside, with a heap of programming to get the device to even comprehend the nature of what it was picking up.

"Wow. This is pretty cool, Crowls!" Artair finagles with the device, reading the inputs and staring through the transparent shell of the cylinder. "It doesn't like--- hurt the little guy, does it?" He trails away, as the little mote in the cylinder shies as far to the corner of the tube as possible, alarmed. The reading says something is around, something otherworldly.

.....Well. It was accurate, probably. He'd just need to maybe figure out calibrating for himself. And a few friends, probably. "...Damn though, man. This is rad as fuck actually. Thanks you, really."

[welcarehospitalkneereplacement]

What to Expect During Your First Visit to a Knee Replacement Specialist in Vadodara Are knee pains affecting your daily life? Are you finding it difficult to walk, climb stairs, or even enjoy your favorite activities due to knee discomfort? You are not alone. Many people experience knee problems, and the good news is that Welcare Orthopedic Hospital in Vadodara is here to help you find relief with the best treatment options available. At Welcare Hospital, we are proud to have a team of Knee Replacement Specialists in Vadodara who have a proven track record of performing successful knee replacement surgeries. Whether you’re struggling with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other joint-related issues, our orthopedic specialists are committed to providing personalized, high-quality care that is tailored to meet your needs. The Role of a Knee Replacement Specialist in Vadodara During Your Recovery Experienced Knee Replacement Specialists Our Knee Replacement Specialists in Vadodara have years of experience in diagnosing and treating knee conditions. We use the latest surgical techniques to provide the best outcomes for our patients. Our team of expert orthopedic surgeons is well-trained in both traditional and advanced knee replacement methods, including robotic-assisted surgeries, ensuring that you receive the most effective treatment for your condition. Advanced Knee Replacement Surgery Options We offer a range of knee replacement surgeries, including total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, and robotic-assisted knee surgery. With cutting-edge technology, we can minimize recovery time, reduce scarring, and ensure the most precise results. Our minimally invasive techniques also allow for quicker healing and less discomfort. Comprehensive Pre and Post-Surgery Care At Welcare Hospital, we believe that effective knee care extends beyond surgery. Our pre-surgery consultations are designed to ensure you are well-prepared for the procedure, and our post-surgery rehabilitation programs focus on helping you regain strength, mobility, and flexibility as quickly as possible. We work closely with you every step of the way. State-of-the-Art Facilities Our hospital is equipped with the latest technology to provide the most advanced knee replacement procedures available. From pre-operative diagnostics to post-operative rehabilitation, we ensure that you are in safe hands throughout the entire process. Personalized and Compassionate Care We understand that every patient is different, and we take a personalized approach to treatment. Whether you’re young and active or in your senior years, our Knee Replacement Specialists in Vadodara will work with you to create a treatment plan that suits your specific needs. Our caring and compassionate team will ensure you feel comfortable and supported throughout your journey.

knee replacement in vadodara

Types of Knee Replacement Surgeries We Offer

Total Knee Replacement (TKR) Total knee replacement is a surgical procedure in which the damaged knee joint is replaced with an artificial one. It is ideal for individuals suffering from severe arthritis or joint deterioration. Our Knee Replacement Hospital in Vadodara provides expert care to ensure that your total knee replacement surgery is as successful and pain-free as possible.

Partial Knee Replacement (PKR) In cases where only part of the knee is damaged, partial knee replacement is a minimally invasive procedure. It involves replacing only the affected part of the knee joint, which helps in quicker recovery and less pain post-surgery. Our Knee Replacement Specialist in Vadodara will evaluate whether this is the best option for you.

Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery Robotic knee replacement surgery is the latest advancement in orthopedic care. With the help of advanced robotics, this technique provides more precision and accuracy during the surgery, leading to faster recovery times, less pain, and a greater range of motion. It’s the future of knee replacement, and Welcare Hospital is proud to offer this state-of-the-art service.

Knee Arthroscopy If your knee problem is not severe enough to require a full replacement, knee arthroscopy may be an option. This minimally invasive procedure allows our surgeons to inspect, diagnose, and treat knee issues using small incisions and a camera. It’s a great option for treating knee injuries, meniscus tears, and other joint-related issues.

The Knee Replacement Process at Welcare Hospital

Step 1: Consultation

Your journey to pain-free living begins with a consultation with one of our Knee Replacement Specialists in Vadodara. During this visit, our doctors will conduct a thorough examination, review your medical history, and take any necessary X-rays or scans. Based on the diagnosis, they will discuss the best treatment options with you, whether it’s a total knee replacement, partial replacement, or another procedure.

Step 2: Pre-Surgery Preparation

Once we’ve agreed on a treatment plan, our team will guide you through the pre-surgery steps. This may include pre-operative tests, physical therapy exercises, and lifestyle changes to help ensure the best possible outcome.

Step 3: The Surgery

Our highly experienced surgeons will perform your knee replacement surgery using the most advanced and minimally invasive techniques available. We take all precautions to ensure that you are comfortable and safe throughout the procedure. Whether you undergo traditional surgery or robotic-assisted surgery, you can trust that you are in the best hands.

Step 4: Post-Surgery Care & Rehabilitation

After the surgery, we’ll help you begin your recovery with a customized rehabilitation plan. Our goal is to get you back on your feet as soon as possible. We offer physical therapy, pain management, and regular follow-ups to ensure your knee is healing properly and that you regain full strength and mobility.

Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Replacement Surgery in Vadodara

1. What is knee replacement surgery, and how does it help?

Knee replacement surgery involves replacing the damaged or worn-out knee joint with an artificial one to alleviate pain and improve mobility. It is recommended for patients with severe arthritis or knee joint degeneration.

2. How long does recovery take after knee replacement surgery?

Recovery typically takes 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the type of surgery and the patient’s overall health. Patients who undergo robotic-assisted knee surgery may experience a faster recovery.

3. Are there any risks involved with knee replacement surgery?

Like any surgery, knee replacement surgery has potential risks, including infection, blood clots, and joint instability. However, these risks are minimized with careful planning, expert surgical techniques, and post-operative care.

4. Is robotic knee replacement surgery better than traditional methods?

Robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery offers more precision, smaller incisions, and quicker recovery times compared to traditional surgery. It is an excellent choice for many patients.

5. What should I expect after knee replacement surgery?

After surgery, you can expect some pain and swelling, but our team will manage it with medication and physical therapy. Most patients can return to normal activities within 3 to 6 months, depending on the recovery process.

6. How much does knee replacement surgery cost in Vadodara?

The cost of knee replacement surgery in Vadodara varies based on the type of surgery, hospital charges, and any additional treatments required. Welcare Hospital offers transparent pricing and flexible payment options.

7. Can I resume normal activities after knee replacement surgery?

Yes! Most patients are able to resume walking, climbing stairs, and even participating in light sports after full recovery. Our rehabilitation team will guide you through the process to ensure a safe return to normal activities.

Why Choose Welcare Hospital?

Welcare Hospital is a trusted name when it comes to knee replacement surgery in Vadodara. Our team of experienced surgeons, state-of-the-art facilities, and personalized care ensure that you receive the highest quality treatment for your knee issues. We are committed to making your journey to recovery as smooth and comfortable as possible.

If you are experiencing knee pain or discomfort and want to explore your treatment options, contact Welcare Hospital today to schedule a consultation with our Knee Replacement Specialist in Vadodara. We’re here to help you walk pain-free again!

[vatssautomation]

CNC Press Brake Machine in India: Shaping the Future of Metal Bending

In the dynamic world of metal fabrication, CNC Press Brake Machines have become indispensable. These machines are critical in industries that demand precision bending and forming of sheet metal components. In India, the rising focus on infrastructure development, automotive manufacturing, and localized production has driven the adoption of CNC press brake technology across various sectors.

From small workshops to large-scale factories, CNC press brakes are revolutionizing how Indian manufacturers handle metal forming—efficiently, accurately, and consistently.

What is a CNC Press Brake Machine?

A CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Press Brake Machine is used to bend and shape metal sheets with precision. It uses a punch and die to perform various bends, guided by a CNC system that ensures exact specifications for angle, length, and repetition.

Modern CNC press brakes are far more advanced than traditional mechanical or hydraulic versions. They come with programmable controls, automated back gauges, and advanced sensors to deliver high-speed and high-precision bending.

Why CNC Press Brakes are Gaining Popularity in India

1. Precision and Consistency

In sectors like automotive, aerospace, and electronics, even minor deviations in part dimensions can lead to quality issues. CNC press brakes eliminate human error and ensure consistent output across batches.

2. Growing Industrialization

India’s expanding industrial base, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, is fueling demand for reliable fabrication equipment. CNC press brakes allow businesses to scale up production without compromising on accuracy.

3. Labour Efficiency

With a skilled labor shortage and rising wages, automation is becoming more attractive. CNC press brakes require minimal human intervention, reducing labor costs and dependency on manual operators.

4. Government Incentives

Government initiatives like Make in India and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes are encouraging manufacturers to invest in advanced machinery, including CNC press brakes, for higher productivity.

Key Features of CNC Press Brake Machines in the Indian Market

High-Tonnage Capability: Machines ranging from 30 to 1000+ tons to suit various applications.

CNC Control Systems: Brands like Delem, ESA, and Cybelec offer intuitive interfaces for programming and automation.

Servo-Electric or Hydraulic Drive Systems: Depending on precision, energy efficiency, and speed requirements.

Multi-Axis Back Gauge: Enables complex bends and reduces setup time.

Automatic Tool Changers (ATC): For higher production environments.

Leading Indian and International Brands

India has a strong presence of both domestic and international CNC press brake manufacturers. Some notable names include:

Hindustan Hydraulics

Electropneumatics

Energy Mission

LVD India

Amada (Japan)

Durma (Turkey)

Yawei (China)

These companies offer machines tailored to the needs and budget of Indian manufacturers.

Applications in India

Automobile Body & Chassis Manufacturing

Kitchen Equipment Fabrication

Electrical Enclosures & Cabinets

Elevator and Escalator Components

Construction and Infrastructure Products

Railways and Defence Equipment

Challenges for Indian Buyers

High Initial Investment: CNC press brakes can be capital intensive, though the ROI is excellent over time.

Skill Development: Operators need training to use CNC systems effectively.

After-Sales Service: Choosing a vendor with reliable local support is crucial for maintenance and uptime.

The Road Ahead: Smart Factories & Industry 4.0

India is steadily moving towards smart manufacturing. CNC press brakes are now integrating with IoT, ERP systems, and robotic automation, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and remote troubleshooting. This evolution is making Indian factories more agile and globally competitive.

Conclusion

The CNC Press Brake Machine is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity in modern Indian manufacturing. With its unmatched accuracy, efficiency, and automation capabilities, it empowers businesses to meet rising customer expectations while optimizing operational costs.

As India continues to climb the global manufacturing ladder, CNC press brake machines will play a pivotal role in shaping the future—quite literally.

[candycryptids]

For Chuu!! She's a MCH. What bits of the story and job toolkit are canon for her? What arent? Whatve you changed? (like, does she have an alternate Queen or multiweapon attachment?)

So I don’t think she does Any of the Machinist Job-Quest-line, lmfao. She doesn’t have a Job Crystal, either, this is all self-taught organic rootin tootin aim-n-shoot’n. (Please laugh) … her ‘Drone’ is just a Magitek Bit she’s gotten her paws on while relocating (read: Quitting her Job and moving countries with no fore-warning) and repurposed to do a number of things Before-Building-Tuesday. Like cover fire. And recording voice-journals.

The Queen is. ‘Technically’ the same- I like to think it’s Probably just Old Tuesday Prototypes being put through their paces instead of getting scrapped, running on very bare-bones programming. If I was more mod-savvy I’d give it the Loporrit Robot Bunny ears in game XD (I almost made it a different Magitek machine altogether! But I think she’d rather have something marching into battle she built completely with her own hands than something repurposed. Not that she wouldn’t require a Reaper to start firing blasts randomly and March in a straight line into the enemy lololol)

She initially learned how to wield a gun from Garleans, with rigid target practice and gun handling procedures. For self-protection, mostly. An Engineer is no good to them dead. Especially not one so promising, even if she is…. Difficult to work with. She develops her own style over time and while she never gains PinPoint Accuracy without some, uh, self-modification, she’s a pretty decent shot. Favors guns with bayonets or blades for when something tries to get too close, though usually if she’s given any time to prepare she’ll have a handful of machines to call into battle anyways… or Talia. Lol.

[POV; Your girlfriend is pointing out a cool bird but you spotted an imperial and on fucking Byregot nobody is about to interrupt her day off.] On her person is nearly always the Makai Hand Mortar, even for situations where combat isn’t expected. It’s small, easily concealed, and pink. Which. It’s just great. So even if she doesn’t have The Big guns ™ she’s still packing heat. (Is this a strap joke? Maybe.)

I cannot think of a possible way to improve on or change the multi-tool, it’s in the brand of all-in-hilarious-nonsense Chuu Loves to make for some reason. At best, she probably tries to work out a way to make it Much More Compact- after all, Tuesday was her attempts to make a Robot that was so…. Humanoid. Pushing the limits on what was possible in terms of size and shape and functionality. [She managed to make a robot so human-like he's no longer attractive to her in the way Machines are.... Sad! Oh well, there's other robots.]

She did specifically paint her lunchbox (aether converter/ammunition kit/whatever you want to call it) cherry pink for Talia though. Her favorite color is pink 🌸

(You might be wondering; how did these two ever meet? You’d be right to wonder! I wonder too. 😳 someday me and my partner will hammer it out …. LOL.)

Shaders used are Kore's [Edge Triangle Mix] [Electro World] [Glitter] and Neneko's [Basic C [Gameplay]]

[zephyr-rat]

Green Giant Saga: Viktor Biography

With Riot's League of Legend canon being a mess and my personal choice to make Green Giant Saga its own separate canon away from Arcane, I have decided to write my own Viktor biography. This bio is primarily inspired by Viktor's old lore with a particular focus on technology and the systemic class conflict / capitalism of Piltover-Zaun as well as highlighting similar themes to my Zac/Twitch series.

---------------------------------

Viktor, born from the lower Entresol layers of Zaun, eventually became an ace student in Zaun’s College of Techmaturgy. Through his innovations of robotics and mechanics, he invented Blitzcrank, the first mechanical golem in Piltover-Zaun, with the intention of automating dangerous work to increase efficiency and lower casualties among the Zaunite population. However, a trusted professor, Professor Stanwick Pididly, took credit for Blitzcrank and advocated him as a way to replace jobs and increase profits for Piltover industries and Zaunite chem-barons alike. As a result, this jump-started the golem revolution in Piltover-Zaun at the cost of Zaunite lives as many lost their jobs and were thrown deeper into poverty. This led to a deep existential crisis for Viktor and would eventually lead to his founding of the “Glorious Evolution” movement.

Viktor was born to a family of low-class inventors in Zaun’s Lower Entresol, a layer associated with Zaun’s lower class. Due to constant exposure to the Zaunite Gray, Viktor was crippled from birth, and rarely hung out with the other kids due to his affliction. Instead of running in the Zaunite back alleys with the others, he looked to his parents’ lab and his own inventions. At first, they were small toys and boats, but by the time he turned 16, he became a crucial part of his family business, reducing casualties and improving production with every innovation.

This attracted the eyes of the professors at the College of Techmaturgy, and Viktor was given the opportunity to enroll in the academy with access to the most advanced laboratories and Zaun’s most experienced inventors. Viktor seized the chance, believing that this would unlock his full potential and allow him to truly improve Zaun for the better. As a cripple in the undercity, he believes in the power of technology to help and enrich the lives of many, to build progress towards a better future for Zaun. 

At school, he put all of his effort into his studies, quickly becoming one of the top students in his class. In particular, he became a favorite of Professor Stanwick Pididly, the college’s professor for technology and machinery. He mentored Viktor through his inventions and assignments and would always be impressed by his student’s ingenuity. Midway through his studies, a massive chem-spill leaked out to Zaunite’s Entresol districts, and many of the students and faculty were sent to help. To help better evacuate the victims and rebuild the layer, Viktor created Blitzcrank with the supervision of Dr.Stanwick. With flexible piston arms and a sturdy, impenetrable body, Blitzcrank succeeded in his purpose. However, when a group of civilians found themselves in the middle of gang violence near the spill site, Blitzcrank went against his programming and saved the civilians, much to the college’s surprise. Upon further research into Blitzcrank, they found an unexpected sentience within the golem, something never done before with machinery.

The chem-barons and Piltover executives took notice of this artificial sentience and wondered if that innovation can lead to an increase in profits for their bottom line. If golems can be flexible enough to do the jobs of menial workers with better accuracy, then it makes sense to replace them with less salaries to pay. They went to Stanwick about investing in this critical Golem technology, promising to supply the relatively poor Zaunite college with money rivaling even Piltover’s greatest academies. In Stanwick’s mind, he believed that this could usher in a new era of technology and progress for the College of Techmaturgy, all led by him. However, he was reluctant to tell Viktor due to Viktor’s belief in helping the lower classes of the undercity. He could potentially fight back at the idea of sharing this technology to his investors, either by hiding and burning his notes or leaving the college. To him, this is a necessary stepping stone for progress.

As such, Dr.Pididly took credit for the creation of Blitzcrank and advertised him as a brand new innovation to disrupt multiple industries in a new Golem Revolution. When Viktor confronted him about this betrayal, Stanwick kept justifying it as a path to progress and bettering the lives of the people and accelerating towards a brighter future. At first, Viktor tried to believe his mentor’s words and even let him take the credit, but over the coming months, he kept hearing news of Zaunite jobs getting replaced and more people growing deeper into poverty as those in power accumulate more unnecessary wealth. The guilt of his inventions and the rage at his mentor became too unbearable for him that he eventually dropped out of the college he once thought would be a bastion of ingenuity and innovation.

When he arrived back at the lower entresol, he grew into a deep existential crisis as a scientist that severely limited his productivity. In Zaun’s toxic environment, he grew more exposed to the Zaunite gray, the gray that gave him his cripple, the gray that gave many in Zaun Iron Blight, the gray that many of the golems he helped make are invulnerable.They too don’t have to deal with these insufferable emotions and strife. How on Runeterra were humans expected to compete with them? Why would we ever endorse progress that forces an unwinnable competition and cuts off humanity?

With this realization and the help of some custom-made golems, Viktor replaces his crippled leg with a robotic one. He replaces his lungs to help combat the gray. He gave himself chemical and robotic augments to reduce emotional response. When he came out of that lab, a different man emerged. He advocated for a new movement in which humans can evolve past their biological constraints through emotional and physical augments and work together towards progress not just for the city itself, but for all of humanity. Through this “Glorious Evolution”, he aims to prove that humans need not be replaced. He offered secure jobs for augmented industry work and was willing to give augments usually reserved for Piltover’s elite to the Zaunites at a cheap and affordable cost. 

The elites of Piltover and Zaun paid no mind to this “Glorious Evolution”, viewing it as the delusions of a Zaunite mad man too high on shimmer. They were already content with their growing profits and shrinking costs from the Golem Revolution, but many of the Zaunites grew interested. Viktor’s Zaunite augments grew popular for their high quality and affordability, and many of the desperate, unemployed Zaunites joined his physical / emotional augmentation movement for better economic security. Many criticize this movement, claiming that it turns the people into nothing more than tools with little human sentience, but for Viktor, it is removing fatal human flaws. For Viktor, it’s penance for what he did to the many Zaunites that now follow him. In all his time in this city, he has learned one rule: we have to adapt or we will be removed. 

He is just giving Zaunites the tools necessary to do so.

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If you want to read more of my series on Zac and Twitch’s adventures in Zaun. Check out the entire saga!

Ao3 Series

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