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More unwelcome news for Boeing. A United Airlines Boeing 757 flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Denver after damage was discovered on one of the plane’s wings.

As production of the 757 stopped in 2004, it’s likely to be a maintenance issue rather than a manufacturing one. The plane is around 30 years old—in contrast, the Boeing MAX-9 that lost its door panel in midair on an Alaska Airlines flight last month was just eight weeks old.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it would investigate the incident that happened on a San Francisco to Boston flight Monday. United said the Boeing 757-200 jet, carrying 165 passengers, landed to “address an issue with the slat” on one of the wings, the report added. A slat is a movable panel on the edge of a plane’s wings, typically used during low-speed operations such a takeoff and landing.

The cause of the damage is not yet clear. Boeing did not comment but referred Barron’s to United.

Boeing’s problems have been mounting so far this year. The FAA launched an investigation into the plane maker’s manufacturing practices and production lines last month after the door panel of 737 MAX 9 blew off in midair during an Alaska Airlines flight. The regulator temporarily grounded the MAX 9 and halted Boeing’s planned production expansion of the MAX family.

The latest incident wasn’t greatly affecting the stock, which was down 0.2% in premarket trading early Wednesday. It has fallen 22% in 2024, while shares of its European rival Airbus are up 4% over the same period.

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A device federal public servants call "the little robot" began appearing in Gatineau office buildings in March.

It travels through the workplace to collect data using about 20 sensors and a 360-degree camera, according to Yahya Saad, co-founder of GlobalDWS, which created the robot.

"Using AI on the robot, the camera takes the picture, analyzes and counts the number of people and then discards the image," he said.

Part of a platform known as VirBrix, the robot also gathers information on air quality, light levels, noise, humidity, temperature and even measures CO2, methane and radon gas.

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The aim is to create a better work environment for humans — one that isn't too hot, humid or dim. Saad said that means more comfortable and productive employees.

The technology can also help reduce heating, cooling and hydro costs, he said.

"All these measures are done to save on energy and reduce the carbon footprint," Saad explained.

After the pilot program in March, VirBrix is set to return in July and October, and the government hasn't ruled out extending its use. It's paying $39,663 to lease the robot for two years.

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Bruce Roy, national president of the Government Services Union, called the robot's presence in federal workplaces "intrusive" and "insulting."

"People feel observed all the time," he said in French. "It's a spy. The robot is a spy for management."

Roy, whose union represents more than 12,000 federal workers across several departments, said the robot is unnecessary because the employer already has ways of monitoring employee attendance and performance.

"We believe that one of the robot's tasks is to monitor who is there and who is not," he said.

"Folks say, why is there a robot here? Doesn't my employer trust that I'm here and doing my work properly?"

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As the federal government prepares to require public servants to return to the office three days a week, Roy cast the robot as a means of controlling employees instead of creating a positive work environment.

Beyond that, the union is worried about the data the robot collects, how it will be used and where it will be stored.

"The robot can learn intimate details of our routines," he said. "For example, our washroom breaks."

According to Roy, the union is especially apprehensive given a previous run-in over sensors installed at employee workstations between January 2022 and March 2024.

PSPC spokesperson Jean-Pierre Potvin confirmed that 208 devices with movement and infrared sensors collected data on "the frequency and duration of workplace use."

The sensors cost the government $72,000.

Frelga wrote: *

Mon 24 Jun , 2024 4:28 am

Are you kidding me, Boeing?

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