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無人飛機促成網路普及化
臉書發展無人飛機,為偏遠地區傳遞網路 2014/3/30 臉書(Facebook)公布網路(Internet.org)計畫,目標是將網路帶給世界上尚未被連結的2/3人口,臉書執行長祖克伯(Mark Zuckerberg)於個人動態時報分享,最新的Internet.org計畫現在瞄準到了天空。 臉書的連接實驗室(Connectivity Lab)團隊計畫利用無人駕駛飛機、人造衛星和雷射,為偏遠地區傳遞網路,並傳遞有關連接世界的夢想給大家。祖克伯(Zuckerberg)表示,「Internet.org」的目標是提供負擔得起的基本的網路服務給世界上每個人,到目前為止已經有相當好的進展。 在過去的1年,臉書與電信商在菲律賓及巴拉圭的合作,讓使用手機上網的使用者成長了2倍,並讓300萬新用戶連上網路。在繼續與合作夥伴建立關係的同時,連結全世界也需要開發新技術,這是連接實驗室(Connectivity Lab)的重點,且將推出更多有趣的計畫。 團隊中,有來自各國太空學與通訊領域的頂尖專家,例如:NASA的噴射推進實驗(Jet Propulsion Lab)與艾姆斯研究中心(Ames Research Center)。今天將與來自Ascenta的重點成員合作,Ascenta是一個位於英國的小公司,其創始人創建早期版本的Zephyr,並成為世界上能飛行最長的太陽能無人飛機,他們將加入我們的團隊並協助開發連網飛機器。 |
無人飛機促成網路普及化
臉書遭奪愛,Google買無人機製造商 競逐空中網路傳輸,臉書轉購併Ascenta Apple Daily 于倩若╱綜合外電報導 2014年04月16日 競爭激烈 -- Google (谷歌)宣布買下太陽能無人飛機製造商泰坦航太公司 (Titan Aerospace),但未公布交易金額及相關細節,僅知已在周一完成交易。這意味Google在最新購併行動中搶贏臉書(Facebook),後者因不敵Google競購,轉而買下英國太陽能無人飛機製造商Ascenta。 臉書和Google在購併行動上的競爭越發明顯。之前傳出Google一度欲以高價阻止臉書收購WhatsApp,這回終於成功搶走臉書相中標的。原先傳出有意以6000萬美元(18.08億台幣)收購泰坦的臉書,已在上月底轉為以2000萬美元(6.05億台幣)買下Ascenta。 Google和臉書都致力於網路普及化,盼把觸角延伸至世上各角落爭取新用戶擴大影響力。 |
Facebook’s Drone Strategy: Delivering Internet access from the air?
2014-3-4 It seems like every Internet company needs a drone strategy these days. Just a few months after Amazon announced it was working on using unmanned aircraft for package delivery, word surfaced on Tuesday that Facebook is in talks to buy drone-maker Titan Aerospace. But if true, it sounds like Facebook’s drone initiative more closely resembles a “moon shot” project that Google has been working on – involving the use of airborne transmitters to provide Internet access for underserved parts of the world. TechCrunch broke the story that Facebook is in talks to buy Titan for $60 million, in connection with Mark Zuckerberg’s goal of improving Internet access across the globe, through his Internet.org alliance with a handful of other industry players. Citing unnamed sources, TechCrunch’s Sarah Perez and Josh Constine write that the drone strategy calls for deploying 11,000 unmanned aerial vehicles, which would act as solar-powered “atmospheric satellites” that could provide communications links to vast swaths of the earth. If that idea sounds familiar, it’s because Google’s Project Loon is taking a similar approach but involves deploying a fleet of high-altitude balloons bearing communications gear. As we’ve reported, Google has already tested its balloons in New Zealand and in California’s Central Valley. Facebook hasn’t announced any deal. In response to a request for comment, a spokesman said, “We don’t comment on rumors and speculation.” But CNBC is also reporting that an unnamed source has provided similar details. Meanwhile, skeptics have suggested that Amazon’s drone announcement in December was aimed more at garnering publicity than developing a real delivery service. But as the Merc’s Pat May just reported, interest in commercial drones is booming all over Silicon Valley. (Image courtesy of Titan Aerospace) |