A Woman On The $20 Bill!

A Woman On The $20 Bill This week the U.S. Treasury Department announced that Harriet Tubman will be replacing Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill news that overshadows the fact that the Treasury Department back-tracked on its previous announcement that the $10 bill would feature a woman by 2020.As fans of the broadway show, Hamilton, well know, the $10 bill depicts a portrait of Alexander Hamilton, the original proponent of the first Central Bank of the United States. Last June, Jack Lew, the Treasury Secretary announced the fact that a newly issued $10 bill would feature a woman in the bills redesign by 2020 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the U.S. constitution. The 19th Amendment prohibits any U.S. citizen from being denied to vote on the basis of their sex.Starting last summer, the Treasury department held a listening campaign whereby many constituent groups argued for and against this change under the hashtag TheNew10. Many von rang und nam en voices joined the debate, with the likes of former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank Ben Bernanke penning a post to argue for keeping Hamilton on the $10 bill. Other organizations, like our friends at the Girls Lounge circulated petitions to stick to the original plan of putting a woman on the first bill slated for redesign (the $10 bill).In the end, Harriet Tubman welches selected to replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill and the back of the $10 bill will feature five suffragists who fought for the right of women to vote during the March of 1913. Right now, its estimated that the new $20 bill will not be widely circulated until 2030.The organization Women on 20s had been pushing for this change for over a year. They also played an instrumental role in pushing Harriet Tubmans name to the forefront when they held an online poll result in Tubman being selected by more than half a million voters as their top choice for the newly featured woman.Some have argued that t his was the proper historical decision given Hamiltons role in the United States early financial solvency. Others are convinced that the popular Broadway show elevated Alexander Hamilton to celebrity status and played a significant role in the public response and Treasurys ultimate decision. In the end, however, it may not really matter.Not since the 1880s when Martha Washington was briefly on the front of the $1 bill has there been a woman on American currency. And now, there is a woman of color who worked throughout her life to help other women and fellow slaves. This is hugely symbolic and important step towards recognizing the role of both women and African Americans in this countrys history. Were celebrating and cant wait to see the new billsFairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer

The Definitive Solution for Resume Writing Scam You Can Find Out About Today

The Definitive Solution for Resume Writing Scam You Can Find Out About Today Getting the Best Resume Writing Scam Your success works the exact same. Writing a resume isnt simple, but by studying different strategies and advice, you can learn how to create a form of resume that will get you one step closer to your final aim of locating a wonderful job. How to discover the very best executive resume writing service may be as simple as picking up the telephone. Interview tips is going to be the exact same template for how, to tell the truth, friendly, smiley, etc.. The Resume Writing industry gives a vital, valuable support. Folks often blame the sheer volume of resumes which are submittedHR simply cant review all of them with enough detail to determine what an ideal candidate youre Whether you are a newcomer to writing resumes and cover letters or your written resume doesnt appear to secure you invited on a lot of interviews, were right here to assist you. Most professionals w ill provide a completely free consultation and are pleased to respond to your questions over the telephone. Based on your answers to the questions, the computer software builds up your resume in a sense thats unique to your demands. There are hundreds and hundreds of career service professionals around who provide resume writing services. Resume writing services have been popular for quite a long moment. Job seekers register with the web site by supplying personal info and developing a password. Benefits of Resume Templates The templates are helpful because it is going to help you to make a professional resume even in case you dont have the idea about formatting a customized resume that may incorporate all the important info. By segmenting a target audience, a company can repurpose content to target the people who love email ads, the people who love to buy the things that they see on social networking, or the people who like reading about products from a dependable news publi cation. The History of Resume Writing Scam Refuted Content writing is a fantastic option today to earn money from home and you can certainly earn money by writing articles for various clients. Its simple to receive a domain like ResumeGlobe or some such website, throw up a site, tell everyone youve been in existence for decades and claim to get dozens of capable writers on payroll. Our website is simply one of the absolute most appropriate for essay help. If youre elend certain how to track down and deal with scam opportunities, well recommend you to go webmasters forums instead of Craigslist at the very first location. There are a number of ways to compose an effective resume. As a consequence, you may choose among the best services at a price thats realistic to you and get invited to all the interviews you wished to enter. The reality is, Isagenix makes a superb product thats comparable to the products that you will see at a great health foods store. Still, there are num erous other aspects to take into account when writing our ResumeWritingGroup review. The Resume Writing Scam Chronicles Selecting a resume writer is a good deal more than simply hiring someone type up our resume. In the event that you were fired from a job that you might rather leid incorporate that on your resume. Stress ways to fill the job. There is going to be some rephrased template of why youre so appropriate for each job.

Tech Talks with Audibles Women Mobile Leaders

Tech Talks with Audibles Women Mobile Leaders Audible and PowerToFly are hosting an evening of networking and talks talks featuring some of Audibles leaders in the mobile field and wed love for you to attend. Even if you arent looking for new job opportunities, the event will be a great chance to learn mora about Audibles tech innovations and to network with your peers over complimentary food and drinks. The event will take place on April 17th from 6pm to 9pm at Audibles HQ, located at 1 Washington Place, Newark.Topics will includeKotlin Multiplatform featuring Ankit Somani, Sr. Android Engineer and Pedro Veloso, Sr. Android DeveloperAccessibility in iOS featuring Ana Ma, Software Development Engineer and Sunayna Jain, Software Development EngineerFollowing the event, Audible will be providing complimentary shuttle bus service back to Manhattan and Newark-Penn Station. Visit Audibles page on PowerToFly to learn more about the company and their open roles. About our Events All RSVPd a ttendees are welcome, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, or age. If you require accommodation to fully participate in this event, please email hipowertofly.com, and we will contact you to discuss your specific needs.Unfortunately, PowerToFly and Audible cannot admit outside recruiters to this particular event. Please email hipowertofly.com if you have any questions about this policy.About Audible A truly global company, Audibles worldwide community downloads almost two billion hours of material annually. Along with their world headquarters in Newark, Audible has offices all over the world including London, Paris and Tokyo. Their competitive benefits include employer-matching savings accounts, stock options, a fully stocked kitchen, fitness reimbursements and Amazon discounts.From Your Site Articles Working At Audible - PowerToFly Blog PowerToFly and Audible presented an event for women in tech ... Related Articles Around the Web Audible, Inc One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bure au of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The i ndustry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

Bill of Sale FAQ - United States

Bill of Sale FAQ - United StatesBill of Sale FAQ - United StatesGeneralWhat is a bank draft?A bank draft is a check written by one bank on its account with aleidher bank. It is an extremely secure method of transferring funds.What is a Certified Check?It is a check for which payment is guaranteed by the bank. A certified check shows that there are sufficient funds in the account to meet the amount for which the check was drawn. A certified check is less secure than a bank draft but more secure than a normal personal check.What does consideration mean?The consideration is the value that the Purchaser transfers to the Seller in exchange for the goods being traktament to the Purchaser. In most sales transactions, the consideration takes the form of money. A contract for transfer of goods or property may not be valid if no consideration is given. If you wish to transfer property for no consideration then you should consider using a quitclaim deed instead of a bill of sale or sales agreem ent.What is the location of the property?The location of the property is the jurisdiction where the property is situated at the time of the sale.What is a notary public?A Notary Public is a state-appointed official who is authorized to authenticate certain legal documents, such as declarations, affidavits, acknowledgments, deeds, mortgages, and other contracts. Most Attornies are a Notary Public for their local jurisdiction.What is the Price?The Price is the total monetary value that the parties have agreed the goods being sold are worth. Although assessed in terms of money, the Price does not need to be paid to the Seller in cash. Other forms of payment are also available.What is a Promissory Note?It is a legal document evidencing that the borrower will repay a loan to the lender under the terms agreed upon in the contract. A Promissory Note may also be referred to as an I.O.U. or a Loan Note.What is the sales tax on my sale?The amount of sales tax varies from jurisdiction to juris diction, and may also vary depending on the type of item being sold. If you have any uncertainties, you should check your local laws to determine the amount of sales tax that applies to your transaction.When should I deliver the Bill of Sale to the Purchaser?You should not deliver the Bill of Sale to the Purchaser until you have received full payment of the purchase price from the Purchaser. Full payment would include the provision of a promissory note for the outstanding balance owed.I am selling goods to the Purchaser. Should I use the Sales Agreement or the Bill of Sale?Both of these contracts can be used to sell goods to a Purchaser. However, the Sales Agreement is more extensive than the Bill of Sale and should be used when you want a more detailed sale contract or when full payment will be made after providing possession of the goods. The Bill of Sale can be used when a simple contract evidencing a sale is sufficient.aggregat VehicleWhat is the Odometer Reading?The Odometer R eading is the instrument display on the vehicles dashboard that shows the total number of miles or kilometers that the car has traveled.What is the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?The VIN is a number that is assigned to every vehicle and can contain both letters and numbers. VINs are used in New Zealand, Australia, Europe, the United States, Canada and other countries. Vehicles that have been manufactured since 1980 will contain a VIN number that is 17 characters long. The VIN can be used to determine information about a vehicle, such as the country and year of production, manufacturer, style, make, model, engine type, etc. It is usually located in the door frame of the front doors, on the engine, around the steering wheel, or on the dash near the window. No two vehicles in the world have the same VIN number, so the VIN number clearly distinguishes one vehicle from all other vehicles.What does in excess of the odometers mechanical limits mean?This phrase means that the odometer has reached its maximum number and has now restarted counting the mileage from zero. For example, if the odometer only contains 6 digits, then the mechanical limit would be 999,999, after which the odometer would begin counting at 000,000. This piece of information is important to prospective Purchasers because if the odometer has exceeded its mechanical limit, then the odometer reading does not reflect the true number of miles/kilometers that the car has traveled.If I sell the goods as-is without any warranties, what are my liabilities to the Purchaser?The term as-is without any warranties means that the Seller is not guaranteeing the quality of the product to the Purchaser. The Seller is not liable for any imperfections or flaws in the goods provided the Seller has not taken steps to hide those flaws or lies about the existence of those flaws.EquipmentWhat are serial numbers?Most equipment is assigned a serial number which can be used to identify a specific piece of equipment from all other pieces of equipment. The description of the equipment being sold in a Bill of Sale should contain the serial number, if the equipment has a serial number.If I sell the goods as-is without any warranties, what are my liabilities to the Purchaser?The term as-is without any warranties means that the Seller is not guaranteeing the quality of the product to the Purchaser. The Seller is not liable for any imperfections or flaws in the goods provided the Seller has not taken steps to hide those flaws or lies about the existence of those flaws.Water Craft/BoatWhat is the Hull Identification Number (HIN)?The HIN is a 12 digit alpha-numeric number that all boats manufactured after 1972 are equipped with on their transom (the flat rear end of the boat). No two boats have the same Hull Identification Number, so this number can be used to easily identify a specific boat.If I sell the goods as-is without any warranties, what are my liabilities to the Purchaser?The term as-is without an y warranties means that the Seller is not guaranteeing the quality of the product to the Purchaser. The Seller is not liable for any imperfections or flaws in the goods provided the Seller has not taken steps to hide those flaws or lies about the existence of those flaws.Can I include a feature in the Bill of Sale if the water craft possesses it but that feature no longer functions properly?Yes, you can list it as an included feature, but should create an additional clause in the Bill of Sale which details the current working condition of the feature. Any items listed as features of the boat which are not expressly described as being non-functioning will be assumed to be in working order. If you list a feature but fail to state that it is non-functioning, you may face liability for that omission.AircraftWhat is the registration number?Aircrafts over a certain weight are required to be registered with a national aviation authority. This number is assigned to each aircraft by the Fede ral Aviation Administration when the aircraft owner registers the aircraft. The registration number enables the aircraft regulatory body to keep track of all aircraft that are registered for private use.What is a serial number?Every aircraft is assigned a serial number by the manufacturer before it leaves the production plant. The serial number ensures that at all times, every aircraft in use has its own distinctive identification number.Animal/HorseWhat information should be included in the detailed description section?The Seller should include such information as the species of animal and a brief physical description. Other information that may be included would be height, weight, age, gender, color, medical conditions, known ancestry, etc.FurnitureWhat information should be included in the detailed description section?You should include a description of what type of furniture is being sold (e.g. couch, love seat, china cabinet, etc.), as well as a brief description of the appeara nce and condition of the item. Other information that may also be included would be the color, dimensions, shape, age, repairs, missing components, manufacturers information, etc.What is a serial number?Some pieces of furniture are assigned a serial number by the manufacturer before they leave the production plant. The serial number ensures that the furniture has its own distinctive identification number, which may be used for insurance purposes, and enables the furniture to be identified if it is ever lost or stolen.Personal PropertyWhat information should be included in the detailed description section?You should include a description of what type of personal property is being sold (e.g. wrist watch, sports memorabilia, electronics, etc.), as well as a brief description of the appearance and condition of the item. Other information that may also be included would be the color, dimensions, shape, age, repairs, missing components, manufacturers information, etc.What is a serial numb er?Some personal property is assigned a serial number by the manufacturer before it leaves the production plant. The serial number ensures that the personal property has its own distinctive identification number, which may be used for insurance purposes, and enables the personal property to be identified if it is ever lost or stolen.Signing DetailsI do not know when the Bill of Sale will be executed. Can I fill in the date later?Yes, by selecting Unsure as the date of execution, a leer line will be inserted into the contract so that you can add the correct date after printing the document.Is the jurisdiction for signing the same as the location of the property?They can be the same jurisdiction, but do not necessarily have to be. The jurisdiction for signing refers to the location where the Seller will sign the Bill of Sale.Does the Purchaser need to sign the Bill of Sale?Typically, the Purchaser does not need to sign the Bill of Sale. However, some jurisdictions will require the Pu rchaser to sign the Bill of Sale for some or all forms of transactions. You should check your local laws to verify whether the Purchasers signature is required for your specific sale. If you are unsure as to your jurisdictions requirements, then you should have the Purchaser sign the Bill of Sale to ensure the sale is valid.Do I need to have the Bill of Sale witnessed by a third party?Most jurisdictions do not require that a Bill of Sale contain witness signatures, but having one or two witnesses when the Bill of Sale is signed is better evidence that the parties entered into the Bill of Sale if the matter goes to litigation.

Why Now is the Time to Begin Your 2015 Holiday Hiring

Why Now is the Time to Begin Your 2015 Holiday HiringWhy Now is the Time to Begin Your 2015 Holiday HiringWhy Now is the Time to Begin Your 2015 Holiday Hiring MatusonThe 2015 holiday hiring season is heating up even though the weather hasnt quite cooled down. Predictions of a strong holiday buying season, along with low unemployment rates,make this years seasonal hiring period unlike any other.Labor experts warn that a tightening labor market may put extreme pressure on employers that will be hiring seasonal workers this year. In particular, companies that hire warehouse workers to support their retail operations will find themselves competing heavily for the talent needed to deliver the goods to their customers.A recent article on New Trends in Transportation and Logistics Recruitment provides insight as to what lies on the road ahead for those looking to fill these key positions, as well as what employers can do today to drive talent to their organizations.Small business owners ca n take a play out of the big business playbook on holiday hiring by following these strategiesBegin now. The big guys arent sitting around thinking about seasonal hiring. They are actually doing it. You should begin now as well. Heres how to get a running start.Look at your revenue projections for the holiday season.Make a list of those must fill positions that need to be fully staffed the moment the holiday season begins.Create brief job descriptions.Write enticing job posts that will appeal to the people you are seeking to hire.Post job openings and alert your network that you are hiring.The past is the key to filling your present hiring needs. Pull together a list of former employees who youd be willing to hire again. Pick up the phone and call these people and ask them if they or anyone else they know would be interested in a seasonal job this holiday season.Heres where specificity can really help. When reaching out to people, tell them specifically what types of positions you a re seeking to fill, so they can refer the right people to you.Look for talent where others may not be looking. In a recent article on How to Source and Interview Local Truck Drivers, author Joanne Cleaver offers up some great non-traditional sources for talent. Included are women who are re-entering the workforce after being at home with their kids, as well as Veterans. These candidate pools are great resources for seasonal hiring as well.Hiring college students who are taking a semester off to help fund their college education are another great source for help this 2015 holiday season. In addition, dont overlook the retirees, who may be looking to get out of the house and earn additional money for the holidays. They are dependable and enthusiastic and certainly worth consideration this holiday hiring season.Partner with temp agencies. It can feel like an overwhelming task for a small business owner to conduct holiday hiring while running the business. Thats where a good relationshi p with a temp agency can really come in handy.While it may seem mora costly to use temporary agencies to staff your seasonal job openings, this approach will allow you to focus on making this holiday season a great one for your clients and customers. The money you will earn in repeat business should certainly help to offset this cost. Ask people who you trust in your network for recommendations regarding which firm to use.Look inside your company. Who doesnt need extra cash during the holidays? Thats right. Just about everyone could use more money to treat a loved one to a holiday vacation or dinner out during the hectic holiday season.Most likely, its going to cost you more to hire this years batch of seasonal hires than in years past due to the trend in hourly wages. If thats the case, then why not give your own employees an opportunity to earn some holiday spending money during the 2015 holiday season?By doing so, youll avoid investing time and money in training people who may de part at the peak of the holiday season.Find a company whose peak season is different than yours. There are a number of businesses, such as ice cream shops, amusement parks and lawn care companies that slow down or come to a screeching halt the moment the temperature drops. Reach out to the owners of those businesses to see if they have employees in need of temporary jobs.Work towards establishing a long-term relationship with these businesses so that you can continue to feed one another candidates for years to come.Fine-tune your interview skills so you can make better hiring decisions more rapidly. In her article on How to Source and Interview Fork Lift Operators, author Joanne Cleaver offers up helpful interview questions that can be used when interviewing candidates for most positions.Having a well-prepared set of interview questions can be quite helpful when hiring in a tight labor market, as this will allow you to make better hiring decisions more rapidly.The best gift you can give yourself this hiring season is the gift of time. Begin your 2015 holiday hiring now and you may very well make it home in time to celebrate this holiday season with friends and family.Get started with your holiday hiring download our free Retail Holiday Hiring Guide.

Customize this Outstanding Environmental Law Attorney Resume Sample

Customize this Outstanding Environmental Law Attorney Resume SampleCustomize this Outstanding Environmental Law Attorney Resume SampleCreate Resume Career GoalObtain a respective career as the Attorney with the law background utilizing obtained executive and professional expertise.Educational BackgroundHonored as the Doctor of Law from the Indianapolis law University, Indianapolis in the year of 1996.Achieved Masters Degree in Environmental Law from the New England Environmental Science Institutions in the year of 1991.Achieved Bachelor in Arts Degree from the San Francisco University, San Francisco in the year of 1988 at Sociology as the major.Professional AffiliationAchieved required professional recognition from the New England Bar Association, New England in the year of 1996.Achieved required Professional affiliation from the Environmental Law Workers Association of Chicago, Chicago in the year of 1996.Computer Programming SkillsKnown Office Package Microsoft Word, Microsoft Exc el, Microsoft Access, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Outlook ExpressKnown Operating Systems Windows9X, Windows2000, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux, Unix, MS DOSProfessional Background2004- Present date Work as the Program Director of Environmental Department for the New England Environments and Researches, New England with the following responsibilitiesProvide proper coordination for various environmental curriculums.Take necessary actions for policy development.Carry out operational activities and staff organizing.Offer legal related counseling with developing media relationship.Participate in New Englands acid rain prevention curriculum and recycling curriculum advisory commissions.2000- 2004 Experienced solo legal practicing with carrying following responsibilitiesProvided proper cooperation regarding small claims agreements.Carried out title investigations.Recommended clients on various permitting course of actions.1997- 2000 Worked as the legal personnel for the Property Use Workshop, Dallas with the following responsibilitiesProvided analytical reviews about land using.Participated in administrative procedures.Put forward reports with due suggestions for developing accessible state allowing act.Customize Resume

Robots to the Rescue

Robots to the Rescue Robots to the Rescue Robots to the RescueA headless four-legged mechanical creature hops up a flight of stairs in a University of Pennsylvania building, looking like a mountain goat jumping over boulders. Once at the top, it walks over to an office door and sizes up its targetthe elongated silvery door handle thats just beyond its front legs reach. So, it leaps up and hangs on the handle for a moment, unlocking the door. Then it drops to the floor and pushes the door open just like a catheadbutting its way in.Called the Ghost Minitaur, this peculiar cross between a goat and a cat was developed byprofessorDaniel E. KoditscheksPhD students Avik De andGavin Kenneally,at University of Pennsylvanias General Robotics, Automation, Sensing, and Perception (GRASP) Lab. Robots like Minitaur could prove handy in settings that are too dangerous or difficult for humans,andDe and Kenneally havestarted a company, Ghost Robotics, to build them.Such robots could navigate burning buildings or earthquake-damaged structures to look for trapped survivors or assess damage. His labs other models, RHex and the mora advanced X-RHex, walk on springs over uneven terrain, a feature that can be useful in a chemical spill, radioactive leak, or other industrial accidents. They can also travel over unstable collapsible soils or walk to the middle of a disaster site and remain there to monitor it if necessary.The use of robots in disasters is notlage a new idea. Around the world, drones have become go-to resources for responders, who use them to assess everything from floods and wildfires to chemical releases. On the sea, robotic watercraft have pulled people to safety from sinking boats.Yet there remains a crucial need for robots that can work within human-scale environments and perform the type of tasks first responders or canines might undertake while sparing humans and dogs from dangers and health hazards.They would need to be smarter and more autonomous than existing robots, and agile enough to walk up stairs, climb walls, crawl over rubble, and worm their way under collapsed buildings.Such robots could also deliver capabilities that people do not have naturally. They could work around the clock without fatigue or loss of precision. They could capture and crunch data faster than any human, reaching decisions faster in situations when every minute can be a lifesaver. And in the worst-case scenarios, they are dispensablewhile losing an expensive platform is not an optimal mission outcome, it is better than losing a human life.Recommended for You An Army of Tiny Robots to the RescueBuilding such robots remains a challenge. Although the performance of autonomous vehiclesand robotshas improved dramatically, many search-and-rescue platforms would benefit from better dexterity, obstacle avoidance, and better communication and decision-making abilities.Thats why rescue robots like Minitaur are most often tested in the lab than deployed in the field. And researchers are making progress. Minitaurs next model, for example, will be able to navigate through a room full of objects. Yet it is mucksmuschenstill far from the intelligent, dexterous helper that rescue teams would like.We are still far away from building anything that they would trust as much as a dog, Koditschek said. But we are working on it.And so are other teams of roboticists all over the world, each trying different approaches and methods.Methodologies and MissionsAt Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, David Zarrouk lines up his set of search and rescue robots on his lab floor. Radio-controlled, the robots come to life and swarm around like a motley herd of roaches of varied sizes and shapes.For Zarrouk, the name of the game is simplicity. That was the lesson learned from the 2015 DARPA robotics challenge, in which humanoid emergency robots did not fare particularly well and some failed miserably.The simpler the mechanism, the fewer moving parts there are, the fewer possibilities for failure you have, Zarrouke said.His roach robots feature very simple designs but they all roll on a unique set of wheels that look more like a fan with three triangular blades than a circle. Called spoke wheels or rimless wheels, they give the robots insect-like agility, so they can crawl over piles of debris and uneven terrain.The robots structure is also unusual, resembling an H, with a central body and two in gleichem abstand nebeneinander pods. The pods house two spoke wheels each and can pivot about 180 degrees. This lets them position their wheels at different angles or stretch them out flata handy feature that enables them to climb up pipes and vertical tunnels.It also helps them right themselves if they fall and land upside down. They can simply pivot their wheels from above to below their body and continue on their way. As Zarrouk notes, simple mechanisms recover more easily.Zarrouk takes a bottom-up approach, designing a specific functionality firs tsuch as climbing over rubble or hopping up the stairsand then tries to find useful applications for it in real-world scenarios.This is one of the two standard methodologies roboticists take when building any type of robot, explains Robin Murphy, director of Texas AMs highly regarded Humanitarian Robotics and AI Laboratory (formerly known as the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue). The other strategy is top-down design. Both have their pros and cons.They are two different methods, but both are totally valid, Murphy said.With a top-down method, engineers start with the capabilities first response teams need for a mission, then try to build platforms that meet those requirements. This practical line of attack gives rescuers the immediate help they need, Murphy said.The bottom-up approach involves fundamental research, and uses prototypes to reveal unexpected pitfalls. For example, RHexs springs could stir up dust that would interfere with a cameras feed, Murphy said. Yet fund amental research may also lead to unexpected ideas, like Zarrouks self-recovery mechanism.Still, the top-down approach has its limits, too. Responder teams are pressing for more complex robots that can do more than just gather data, Koditschek said. They may want something that acts like a dog or a squirrel with a fair degree of autonomy and fitness.We cant even begin to build what they need, Koditschek said. What we have is too primitive.That is why experimenting with various functionalities using a bottom-up approach is essential. Without the fundamental researcha better way to walk over broken buildings, navigate a tunnel, or flip overit is hard to create new innovative platforms.No matter which design approach roboticists take, they do not aim to replace what search and rescue teams already do well. Instead, they try to provide what is missing. Murphy cites the snake robot designed by Howie Choset at Carnegie Mellon Universitys Robotics Institute, as an example.Choset built his robot to slither through small holes under collapsed buildings and look for survivors. Dogs can sniff out survivors too, but in some cases, they can be fooled by a scent thats drifting through a pile of rubble, far from where the actual human is trapped.Thats where Howies robot comes in really handy, Murphy said.Another area where humans need robots help is data analysis. Robots and drones equipped with still and video cameras can amass so much data, it can overwhelm disaster response teams that try to make sense of it. Meanwhile, every second is precious.Thats where machine learning can help. AI can parse this deluge of data and determine whats different or out of ordinary much faster than any individual human.The same dataset that would take humans days to look throughand they would miss thingswould take a computer 10 to 90 minutes, Murphy said.Teaching AI to parse disaster visuals is challenging because no two disasters are alike, and scenery and imagery can differ dramatically, she explained. Yet researchers have taught computers to scan thousands of images of flood debris in real time. While they may sometimes identify a survivor clinging to a piece of wood, more frequently they determine when something that looks unusual and alert responders to zoom in and take a closer look.This strategy helped authorities plan their response and save people from drowning after Hurricane Harvey flooded the Houston area in 2017.Collaboration between humans and robots is key. And in some cases, this collaboration can be best achieved by another innovative alliance by combining both top-down and bottom-up design methodologies.Joining ForcesIts treads whirling slowly, TRADR climbs over a heap of stones and broken wooden crates meant to simulate wreckage. As the robot starts down, its camera whirls side to side, assessing the path. It stops for a moment, then rotates a pair of triangular-shaped flippers forward to warenmuster the uncertain surface in front and help climb up and down.TRADR, which resembles a miniature tank, might look a bit bulky and slow, but dont be fooled. In German, its name stands for Long-Term Human-Robot Teaming for Disaster Response. These robots are designed to work in tandem with humans and each other.Rather than choosing between the bottom-up and top-down approach, the group went for the best of both worlds, said Ivana Kruijff-Korbayov, a senior researcher and project leader in the Language Technology Lab of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence.We used a user-centric design methodology, which means that we work with end users and ask them what they need, she said. We establish user requirements and try to fulfill them.The original idea was to use TRADR in industrial accidents, which take place in complex and constantly changing environments.Near onset of the incident you can have a lot of fires or smoke that come and go, she said. You can have structures that are still collapsing and other variables.TRADR ro bots are particularly helpful where situational parameters change over time because they were built to make multiple sorties over prolonged periods of time. They carry a variety of sensors and use AI to identify specific objects, such as barrels, crates, and plumes of smoke or fires. They can also look for partially visible humans deckenfries among the debris.More importantly, they work together. When TRADRs enter an area, they begin mapping it, noting what has collapsed, what remains standing, the location of smoke and fire, and so on. By sharing this information, they can map the entire scene rapidly. As things change over hours or daysdebris removal opens one path while a building collapse closes anotherthey continue to update the map. This enables responders to plan their movements without putting humans in danger.After putting TRADRs through their paces in several test scenarios, including a train-car collision and several industrial plants, the team deployed them in several di sasters.In the aftermath an earthquake in Amatrice, Italy, the team deployed a TRADR and a drone together to gather structural information about a partially collapsed church that was impossible to enter from the ground. Kruijff-Korbayovs team also worked with fire brigades from Germany, Italy, Ireland, The Netherlands, and other countries, and attracted interest from firemen all over Europe.The system can understand simple voice commands such as search for hazards or inspect the barrel. Currently, it speaks English only, but in the future TRADRs will be able to converse in German and possibly other languages.Making it a truly multilingual system is an interesting future option, Kruijff-Korbayov said. It could be useful in international missions.TRADR is not the only rescue robot to have attracted attention from police, firemen, emergency medical technicians, and other first responders.Drones are already used to assess floods and wildfires, and to locate survivors while there is stil l time to save them. They are helping understand what happened when the Fukushima nuclear power plant melted down, and saving humans at sea.The next generation of rescue robots will go further still, getting closer and closer to the action. They will crawl, climb, and slither amid rubble and flames, giving responders the information they need to confront the worlds most dangerous environments.As they evolve, these robots will need less and less human guidance. Fully autonomous robots are coming, though models that are as faithful and as capable as a well-trained dog are still years away.There is still so much more to do. Kruijff-Korbayov said. MELina Zeldovich is a freelance writer based in Woodside, N.Y.Also read Special Report on Robotics