Each week, Ben Hopkinson looks back at a serious, crazy, and happy news story from the past week.
Serious News
Hammersmith Bridge has now reopened to cyclists after being closed following structural damage was found within the pedestals.
A new decking was laid as part of a £2.9million refurbishment, which allowed both cargo bikes and standard bikes to use the crossing alongside pedestrians in a separate lane.
E-cargo bikes fit between the newly installed 1.2m (4ft) wide anti-terror barges and are being trialled to shuttle the elder and disabled population, as well as young children.
Owners of the bridge – London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham – claim that the improvements will benefit the users of the bridge in the interim while a long-term decision is yet to be made as discussions continue.
Crazy News
A For the first time in history, robots have raced against humans in a half-marathon.
21 humanoid like robots participated in the event that spanned across 13 miles in Beijing last Saturday.
The rules state that they had to resemble the figure of humans, while being able to walk or run – however being on wheels were not allowed.
Some were as short as 3ft 9in, while others were almost 6ft.
Created by the Beijing Innovation Centre of Human Robotics, Tang Jian who is the chief technology officer claimed that its performance was aided by long legs and an algorithm which allows it to copy how humans run during a marathon.
Not all the robots were successful – one fell at the starting line and then got back up and re-joined the race, while another crashed into a railing which in turn made its human operator fall over too.
Happy News
The London Ambulance Service has donated fifty-nine decommissioned ambulances to Ukraine since the war began in 2022.
At one point, 26 were driven 1,100 miles over three days by LAS volunteers – all loaded with donated medical equipment from various NHD organisations across London, including ventilators, syringe pumps, tourniquets, wound dressings, blizzard blankets and personal protective equipment.
Ukrainian drivers then collected the vehicles and delivered to where they are needed most.
Chris Rutherford from LAS says: “We are very proud we can do this and our thoughts remain with our counterparts working on ambulances caring for those injured in the conflict. The ambulances have reached the end of their service in the capital, but they can still help to save lives in Ukraine”.
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