How robotaxis are dividing San Francisco
My heartbeat quickens just a little as the cab approaches. It's a bizarre sight, one that I thought I wouldn't see in my lifetime.
The cab has no driver. It stops in front of me and invites me to unlock its door with my phone - before whisking me into the night.
But as I am about to get in, a passer-by approaches.
"They're unsafe," he tells me. He says he saw someone nearly get run over by a robotaxi - and warns me to be careful.
He represents a faction in San Francisco that doesn't like robotaxis - and believes the city has agreed to a dangerous experiment, which is putting lives at risk.
And some have gone a step further. Over the summer a campaign group has begun to disable the cars, by putting cones on their bonnets.
Safe Street Rebel describes what it does as "coning" and some of its videos have gone viral. But city officials are committed to allowing them to operate on their streets - for now.
On 10 August 2023, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted to allow two cab companies - Waymo and Cruise - to run a 24-hour service. Previously, they'd only been allowed to operate paid rides at night.
But before that vote, officials listened to six hours of public comment - a conveyor belt of people voicing their hopes and concerns.
There were Uber and Lyft drivers worried that robotaxis would take away their livelihoods: "If you allow self-driving taxis to expand, it's going to take jobs away from families. I'm a single mum," said Rosine, an Uber driver in the city.
Representatives of garbage disposal trucks said the cars often broke down and blocked their vehicles. San Francisco's fire service has criticized the cars for the same reason - claiming to have been obstructed 55 times this year.
Others believe the technology simply hasn't proved itself to be safe yet. Matthew Sutter, a cab driver in San Francisco, said: "I'm all about technology, but it's not ready guys... this is a danger to the citizens of San Francisco."
There were others representing physically disabled people who wondered how they would be able to get into cabs without help from a driver. Mara Math, a member of the Paratransit Coordinating Council, said the embrace of robot axis would "leave disabled San Franciscans out in the cold".
But then there were its supporters. George Janku, an orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco and keen cyclist, said: "I see how these cars behave, and I trust them much more than angry drivers or distracted drivers." He added that he had worked on many serious injuries involving human drivers - and that robotaxis appear to be safer.
Jessie Wolinsky, who is blind, said she had been harassed by Uber and Lyft drivers. Waymo cars had "provided me with a level of safety that I've never experienced before".
There was also a mother who said taxi drivers had rejected her when they saw her children's car seats - something a driverless car would never do.
I have seen both sides of the argument. I have used Cruise's robotaxis several times over the last few months, without any accidents. At the same time, I have also been in a robotaxi that has broken down in the middle of the street.
Unsure how to handle a tight right-hand turn, it simply stopped. Cars behind me beeped and then finally mounted the curb to get around us. I could understand their frustration.
Just eight days after the vote to allow companies to expand the use of robotaxis, a Cruise taxi was involved in an accident with a fire engine.
The state department of Motor Vehicles requested that Cruise halve the number of vehicles on the roads - something it has agreed to.
The city's Attorney, David Chiu, asked the CPUC to halt its decision: "San Francisco will suffer serious harms from this unfettered expansion," he said.
And yet Cruise and Waymo are insistent that their robotaxis are safe.
Waymo told the BBC the company had clocked more than two million miles of fully autonomous driving. It says it has not had a single accident with a pedestrian or cyclist.
Waymo also says that every vehicle-to-vehicle collision it has been involved in is when other drivers break the rules or drive dangerously.
Cruise told the BBC it had completed three million driverless miles and had a strong safety record.
Many San Franciscans remain unconvinced though. In a quiet city park, I met one of the ringleaders of Safe Street Rebel - who wishes to be anonymous.
They tell me that coming may be one of the first physical protests against artificial intelligence - and that these kinds of human actions are going to become more and more common.
They're frustrated that people's concerns about robotaxis in San Francisco are not being listened to: "We're definitely not vigilantes. We're just the community self-organizing to make ourselves heard."
I asked them whether they were the 21st-century equivalent of a Luddite - a group that was vehemently opposed to technological changes in the early 19th Century.
"Yeah, I think there are parallels here. And I think the Luddites get treated unfairly throughout history."
San Francisco is in a strange place. It wants to be the spearhead of innovation. City officials have not taken many residents with them.
It now feels like the city has reached a crossroads. The car companies themselves insist the vehicles are safe. But if they can't convince San Franciscans of that, they will have a fight on their hands to remain on the city's streets.
Source- BBC
ALERT #16 ON TROPICAL STORM FRANKLIN
Alert #16 on Tropical Storm Franklin was issued by The Bahamas Department of Meteorology, on Wednesday 23rd August, 2023, at 6 am EDT.
Franklin is near the south coast of the Dominican Republic with heavy rainfall and potentially life-threatening flash flooding.
A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that Tropical Storm conditions could be experienced within the Turks and Caicos Islands within 36 hours.
At 5 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Franklin was located near latitude 17.4 degrees north and longitude 71.3 degrees west, or about 280 miles south of Cockburn Town, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Tropical Storm Franklin is moving toward the north near 10 miles per hour. The system should turn northward today, and a north-northeastward motion is expected for the next day or so, followed by a turn toward the northeast and east-northeast on Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of Franklin is forecast to cross the island of Hispaniola today and emerge over the southwestern Atlantic waters later today or tonight.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 miles per hour with higher gusts. Some weakening is likely today while Franklin moves over Hispaniola, followed by re-strengthening beginning on Thursday after the center moves over the Atlantic.
Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center.
Residents in the Turks and Caicos Islands should continue making preparations for the possibility of Tropical Storm conditions beginning late Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
Franklin is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches, with isolated higher amounts of 4.
Alert #5 on Tropical Storm Franklin 9pm Monday 21st August 2023
A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that Tropical Storm conditions could be experienced within the Turks and Caicos Islands within 48 hours.
At 8 pm EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Franklin was located near latitude 14.3 degrees north and longitude 70.1 degrees west, or about 290 miles south of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 500 miles south-southeast of Cockburn Town, Grand Turk, Turks, and Caicos Islands, 515 miles south-southeast of Matthew Town, Inagua and 870 miles Southeast of New Providence.
Tropical Storm Franklin has been meandering in the eastern Caribbean tonight, becoming nearly stationary. Franklin should turn northward on Tuesday with this general motion continuing into Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Franklin is forecast to reach the southern coast of Hispaniola by early on Wednesday. Due to the slowing down of Franklin today, the center is now forecast to pass to the east of the Turks and Caicos Islands late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 50 miles per hour with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast before Franklin reaches Hispaniola.
Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center.
Residents in the Turks and Caicos Islands should begin to make preparation for the possibility of Tropical Storm conditions beginning on Wednesday night. Residents in the Southeast Bahamas should closely monitor Alerts issued by the Bahamas Department of Meteorology and be ready to make preparation for possible Tropical Storm conditions in the next few days.
Franklin is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches, with isolated higher amounts of 4 inches over the most easterly islands.
The next Alert on Tropical Storm Franklin will be issued at 12 am EDT Tuesday.
Ukrainian drone destroys Russian supersonic bomber
A flagship Russian long-range bomber has been destroyed in a Ukrainian drone strike, according to reports.
Images posted on social media and analyzed by BBC Verify show a Tupolev Tu-22 on fire at Soltsy-2 airbase, south of St Petersburg.
Moscow said that a drone was hit by small-arms fire but managed to "damage" a plane. Ukraine has not commented.
The Tu-22 can travel at twice the speed of sound and has been used extensively by Russia to attack cities in Ukraine.
The Russian Ministry of Defence said in a statement that a "copter-type UAV" attack occurred around 10:00 Moscow time (08:00 BST) on Saturday.
It stated the location as "a military airfield in the Novgorod region", where Soltsy-2 is situated.
"The UAV was detected by the airfield's observation outpost and was hit with small-arms fire," the ministry said.
"One airplane was damaged; there were no casualties due to the terrorist act."
The statement also said a fire that broke out in the airfield parking lot was quickly extinguished.
However, images posted on the social media platform Telegram showed a large fire engulfing a jet with the distinctive nose cone of the Tu-22. BBC Verify analyzed the photos and believes them to be credible.
While the destruction of a single aircraft will have little effect on the potency of Moscow's current 60-strong fleet, the operation highlights Kyiv's growing ability to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.
Kyiv has over recent months launched dozens of fixed-wing unmanned aircraft to attack Moscow, a journey of several hundred miles. Soltsy-2 is around 400 miles (650km) from the Ukraine border.
However, the Russian MoD's description of the drone as a "copter-type UAV" suggests a cheap, commercially available device launched at short range.
The Tu-22 is a Cold War-era, swing-wing supersonic bomber, codenamed "Backfire" by Nato, which has been used extensively in attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Modern versions such as the Tu-22M3 can reach speeds of Mach 2 (2,300km/h or 1,430mp/h) and can carry up to 24,000kg of weapons, including "dumb bombs" and homing missiles.
They have been used in conflicts in Syria, Chechnya, Georgia, and most recently Ukraine.
According to prosecutors in Kyiv, 30 people were killed when a Tu-22-launched missile hit a block of flats in Dnipro in January.
They said Russia's 52nd Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment carried out the attack. The regiment is based at Soltsy-2.
BBC Verify confirmed the location of the Ukrainian drone attack on Soltsy-2 by comparing visual clues - such as the appearance of aircraft and bays - to historical satellite images of the airbase.
The weather conditions at the time - wet and overcast - also matched the weather in the images, as well as other witness photos of the incident.
The remnants of the aircraft visible in the footage are consistent with that of a Tu-22M3.
Historical satellite imagery analyzed by BBC Verify shows that aircraft of this kind were stationed at the base.
On Monday, a spokesperson for Ukraine's defense intelligence service said another military aircraft had been damaged in a drone attack in Russia's Kaluga region.
Russian media also reported the attack but denied there had been any damage.
Source- BBC
Descendants of UK slave owners coming to apologize
Family members of John Gladstone, a former owner of enslaved Africans, will be arriving in Guyana later this week to participate in the launch of the International Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies (MiDias) at the University of Guyana (UoG).
The family also plans to apologize for their ancestor’s role in that dehumanizing period of world history.
“The Gladstone family, which includes several historians have today confirmed that they will in fact offer an apology given the role their ancestors had played here,” UoG said in a statement on Saturday.
John Gladstone was the father of four-time British Prime Minister William Gladstone, owned 2,500 salves and according to the UK Guardian, was the fifth-largest beneficiary of the £20 million fund (about £16 billion today) set aside by the British government to compensate planters when the Slavery Abolition Act was passed in 1833.
The paper also reported that in addition to making an official apology for Gladstone’s ownership of Africans, the 21st-century Gladstones have agreed to pay reparations to fund further research into the impact of slavery, through a £100,000 grant to the MiDias.
The Diaspora and Migration Centre is set up to pursue five specific areas of research interest including Diaspora and Migration in and around Academia, Youth, Technology and Vulnerable Communities, Indigeneity, Indentureship, and Slavery as specific and integral aspects of dispersion.
“The research track for Slavery and indentureship is the reason why it was deemed appropriate to launch the MiDias in this historically auspicious month in regard to the emancipation of enslaved peoples as well as the 200th anniversary of the 1823 slave revolution in Demerara,” UG added.
UoG says it has been collaborating for several years with a number of universities as well as the Guyana Reparations Committee on specific aspects of the impacts of the plantations’ enterprise of slavery and indenture as well as indigeneity on native populations, including relations being experienced today.
According to that publicly funded tertiary institution, as such UG and the Guyana Reparations Committee invited members of the Gladstone family, part of the heirs of slavery grouping to participate in the event since Quamina and his son John, who led the 1823 rebellions were enslaved on Gladstone plantations.
John Gladstone owned or held mortgages over 2,508 enslaved Africans in Guyana and Jamaica. After emancipation, he was paid nearly £106,000, a huge sum at the time. The Demerara rebellion in August 1823 began on one of his plantations. It was led by Jack Gladstone, an enslaved man forced to take his owner’s name, and his father, Quamina, who had been transported from Africa as a child.
About 13,000 Africans rose up in Demerara, a British colony that later became part of Guyana. Conditions for the enslaved were particularly brutal there. The plantations were the most profitable in the British Empire, with an enslaved person in Demerara worth twice that of one in Jamaica.
More than 250 enslaved Africans were killed and a further 51 were sentenced to death when the uprising was crushed. Many of the convicted were tortured, decapitated, and had their heads impaled on poles as a warning to others. Quamina’s body was hung in chains outside one of John Gladstone’s plantations.
Friday’s launch is being done in collaboration with the National Reparations Committee and Heirs of Slavery, a group that includes the Gladstones, at the George Walcott Lecture Theatre of the Turkeyen Campus and is expected to be attended by several elders, the Guyana Reparations Committee and other groups, students and senior potentates to witness the launch and receive the formal apology from the Gladstone family.
After the formal ceremony at the UoG, the moment will be marked by an inter-generational dialogue between students and youthful members of the Gladstone family, a linking of the University of Guyana Library with digital archives of the Council of World Missions and an exhibition of scholarly work throughout the day on the subject matter.
Source- Loop Caribbean News
TCI's Sports Commission Launches the Athlete Development Fund for grant applications
The Athlete Development Fund (ADF) developed by the TCI Sports Commission has officially launched for grant applications.
In June 2022, The ADF was initially launched, coinciding with the Turks and Caicos Islands' first Long-Term Athlete Development Symposium. This launch sparked the partnership between the private and public sectors for sport funding. The ADF is guided by a committee that determines and prioritizes investment strategies for sports associations, clubs, and athletes in an effort to enhance sports development in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Key sponsors have committed funds that will finance awardees for 2023-24 and the upcoming year. The main objectives are to increase sporting participation opportunities and increase the Turks and Caicos Islands' capacity to compete and develop a sporting system that systemically achieves world-class results.
Funding is provided to eligible organizations and athletes for programming that supports Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) with a particular emphasis on High-performance Development. LTAD caters to grassroots programs at the primary and high school levels, leading the athletes to semi-professional and professional levels. This high-performance development could take the form of sports training camps, sports leagues and tournaments, and sports equipment.
The Director of Sports Mr Jarrett Forbes explained the importance of the ADF, "We strongly believe that sport is a positive pathway for building young people and consequentially building stronger communities. And we believe that there are many individuals who live in these islands or who have a strong interest in the TCI, who also believe in building strong communities… who find value in a safe, enjoyable and productive Turks and Caicos Islands."
The ADF also finds a path to tackle funding challenges, as while the Turks and Caicos Islands Government is steadily increasing its allocation for sports development, further streams of funding are essential.
Forbes explained this further, "Many countries around the region are heavily supported by the Olympic Solidarity Fund. However with the TCI currently not an associated member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), we do not receive Olympic Solidarity funding. Neighboring countries like the Bahamas, and Jamaica, and major countries like Canada and the United Kingdom’s sports systems are heavily funded by a National Lottery but in the TCI, we do not have such a sport funding system. We, therefore, found it important to find a way to provide additional resources to our sports organizations and athletes through the creation of the Athlete Development Fund."
During the press conference, Director of J&W Construction Samuel Harvey presented a $10,000 cheque adding to the pool of funds to serve the 2023/24 year of the ADF. J&W Construction also committed funding in the inaugural year of the ADF.
Mr. Harvey shared, "I believe in the going forward of the youth in this country and with sports...From the second this was shot to me I said, "Yes this is a good idea and I will guarantee you that J&W is going to back this project." We were hoping to be trailblazers."
In attendance was also the Minister of Education, Youth Sports, and Social Services, Hon Rachel Taylor. She shared, "The government understands the significant impact sports can have on a country. More importantly the youth of a country and the growth and development it can provide to both...Our young people want to see that we are interested and believe in them. Nothing shows belief like an investment. That is why I want to encourage the private sector to not just give to the fund but invest in the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands. TCIG has made intentional investments in sports and with private sector collaboration, we have the ability to transform lives because partnerships cultivate efficiency effectiveness, and productivity."
If you or your organization is interested in investing in the Athlete Development Fund, contact the Committee at info@tciathletedevelopmentfund.com.
About the ADF
The Athlete Development Fund (ADF) is designed to support the development of Turks and Caicos Islands athletes. Under the mantra "The future is now", funding is provided to eligible organizations and athletes for programming that supports Long-Term Athlete Development with a particular emphasis on High-performance Development.
The objectives of the ADF are to:
1. increase opportunities to participate in quality sport activities for all Turks and Caicos Islands, including under-represented groups;
2. increase the capacity of the Turks and Caicos Islands sport system to systematically achieve world-class results at the highest international competitions;
3. contribute to the provision of technical sports leadership within the Turks and Caicos Islands sport system; and
4. advance Turks and Caicos Islands' interests, values, and ethics in sport at home and abroad.
Original voice of Mario in Nintendo games steps down after 27 years
The original voice of Mario in Nintendo's video games is stepping down.
Charles Martinet has been in the role for 27 years - dating back to Super Mario 64 in 1996.
He also provided the voices of Mario's twin brother Luigi, and their nemesis Wario.
Nintendo has now announced that Charles will take on the brand-new role of "Mario ambassador".
The Japanese video game giant said: "He'll continue to travel the world sharing the joy of Mario and interacting with you all!
"It has been an honor working with Charles to help bring Mario to life for so many years and we want to thank and celebrate him."
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Martinet wrote: "My new adventure begins! You are all Numba One in my heart!"
The 67-year-old added the hashtag "#woohoo" - one of Mario's signature catchphrases.
In 2019, the American actor won the Guinness World Record for the most video game voiceover performances as the same character: 104 at the time.
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Martinet didn't star as the Italian plumber in The Super Mario Bros Movie, with Chris Pratt taking on the part, but did have a small role as his father Giuseppe.
At a Canadian gaming expo two years ago, Martinet told the crowd that he wanted to voice Mario "until I drop dead" - but said he would urge Nintendo to find someone else if he was no longer capable of doing it.
It's unclear who will succeed Martinet in the role, with Super Mario Bros. Wonder - the next game in the series - set to be released in October.
Source- Sky News
Twitter, now X, to remove blocking feature
The blocking feature will be removed for users of X, formerly Twitter, Elon Musk has announced, claiming the feature "makes no sense".
The X boss said users will still be able to block people from directly messaging them, however.
But many people on social media said it will make it hard for people to remove abusive posts from their timelines.
It is the latest in a series of changes Mr. Musk has made since taking over the site in a $44bn deal last year.
Currently, when users "block" an account, it stops that account's posts from appearing in the blocker's timeline, and vice versa.
An account that is blocked can no longer send messages to the blocker, nor can it view their posts.
Former Twitter founder, Jack Dorsey, seemed to agree with Mr. Musk's decision, posting: "100%. Mute only".
But there are concerns that muting an account would not be sufficient protection from cases of harassment, abuse, or stalking.
The mute function currently only stops notifications about an account's posts. An account that is muted can still view the muter's posts and reply to them.
One user called Mr. Musk's decision a "huge mistake", saying there are "toxic people" on the platform whom users simply did not want to interact with in any way.
Removing a blocking feature could also potentially violate the terms and conditions of stores like Apple's App Store and Google Play.
Both stores have conditions stating that social media apps should allow users facilities to filter harassment or bullying.
It could mean X is no longer downloadable from those stores.
If the policy goes ahead, it is not clear if all those accounts which are blocked will automatically become unblocked.
Users do however have the option to make their account private, hiding their tweets from the public and only allowing accepted followers to view their posts.
Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, made a series of changes when he took over the social media site, including sacking the company's top executive team and introducing a charge for the site's "blue tick" - or verification - feature.
Elon Musk is a prolific poster on X, and he's well known for not always being serious or following through on the many ideas he throws out to his 153 million followers.
X itself rarely responds to journalist queries so it's difficult to verify anything he states on behalf of the firm. But, as its owner, he's by default a significant, if unreliable, source.
The block button is an established tool for those who feel attacked, bullied, or simply want to shut out an account with whom they have a strong disagreement (and X is full of those).
Report an account and one of the first bits of advice you get is to either block or mute it while it is investigated. That's not unique to X.
Muting an account means you don't see it - but it still sees you. And being forced to remain visible to someone you are trying to avoid or feel afraid of seems like an unusual move.
Musk has been clear that he wants his "digital town square" to be a platform where all voices are heard, but he's running the risk of bumping up against both app store terms and conditions and social media regulations around protecting users from online harms.
Source- BBC
Mason Greenwood will not play for Manchester United after attempted rape charge dropped
Mason Greenwood will not play for Manchester United after an attempted rape charge against him was dropped earlier this year.
In a statement, the club said: "All those involved, including Mason, recognize the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United.
"It has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome."
The club added that after its internal investigation "the material posted online did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged".
In 2022 a woman posted a video on social media in which she is bruised and bleeding, claiming she was attacked by the footballer.
In the video, a man said to be Greenwood, shouts at his alleged victim to "move your f****** legs up".
The woman replies that she does not want to have sex.
The man responds: "I don't give a f*** what you want, you little s***."
The forward was charged with attempted rape, assault, and controlling and coercive behavior in October 2022. He was initially arrested in January of that year.
In February 2023 the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had a "duty to stop the case" following the "withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light".
Those developments meant there was "no longer a realistic prospect of conviction" and led to the decision by the CPS to discontinue prosecution and drop the charges against Greenwood.
In a statement this afternoon Greenwood, 21, said: "I fully accept I made mistakes... and I take my share of responsibility".
He has always denied any criminal charges.
Greenwood called the decision to not play for the team a "collaborative" one between Manchester United and him and his family.
Last week the club said they were working "through the final stages" of their internal investigation into Greenwood, having completed the "fact-finding phase".
Richard Arnold, Manchester United's CEO, said the club's investigation "sought to collate as much evidence as possible to establish facts and context".
In an open letter to fans on Monday, he said timings had been "influenced by my desire to minimize the impact of the investigation on our men's and women's teams, as well as our Lionesses".
Mr. Arnold said the investigation "led us to conclude that Mason did not commit the acts he was charged with".
He said: "While I am satisfied that Mason did not commit the acts he was charged with, Mason's accepted that he has made mistakes which he takes responsibility for."
Protests have been held at the start of the new season, with some fans threatening to withdraw their support for United if the club reintegrates Greenwood into the team.
Among them is a well-known supporter and Countdown presenter Rachel Riley.
She said she wouldn't be able to remain a fan if Greenwood stays at United.
Source- Sky News
Pioneering wind-powered cargo ship sets sail
A cargo ship fitted with giant, rigid British-designed sails has set out on its maiden voyage.
Shipping firm Cargill, which has chartered the vessel, hopes the technology will help the industry chart a course toward a greener future.
The WindWings sails are designed to cut fuel consumption and therefore shipping's carbon footprint.
It is estimated the industry is responsible for about 2.1% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
The Pyxis Ocean's maiden journey, from China to Brazil, will provide the first real-world test of the WindWings - and an opportunity to assess whether a return to the traditional way of propelling ships could be the way forward for moving cargo at sea.
Folded down when the ship is in port, the wings are opened out when it is in open water. They stand 123ft (37.5m) tall and are built of the same material as wind turbines, to make them durable.
Enabling a vessel to be blown along by the wind, rather than relying solely on its engine, could hopefully eventually reduce a cargo ship's lifetime emissions by 30%.
Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill Ocean Transportation, said the industry was on a "journey to decarbonize". He admitted there was "no silver bullet" - but said this technology demonstrated how fast things were changing.
"Five, six years ago, if you would ask people in shipping about decarbonising, they would say 'Well, it's going to be very difficult, I don't see this happening any time soon'," he told the BBC.
"Five years later, I think the narrative has changed completely and everybody is really convinced that they need to do their part - everybody is just struggling a little on how we're going to do this.
"That's why we've taken the role as one of the larger players to underwrite some of the risks, try things, and take the industry forward."
The Pyxis Ocean will take an estimated six weeks to reach its destination - but the technology it is using has its origins in something much faster.
It was developed by UK firm BAR Technologies, which was spun out of Sir Ben Ainslie's 2017 America's Cup team, a competition sometimes called the 'Formula One of the Seas'.
"This is one of the most slow-moving projects we've done, but without a doubt with the biggest impact for the planet," its head John Cooper - who used to work for Formula One team McLaren - told the BBC.
He thinks this voyage will be a turning point for the maritime industry.
"I do predict by 2025 half the new-build ships will be ordered with wind propulsion," he said.
"The reason I'm so confident is our savings - one-and-a-half tonnes of fuel per day. Get four wings on a vessel, that's six tonnes of fuel saved, that's 20 tonnes of CO2 saved - per day. The numbers are massive."
The innovation has come from the UK but the wings themselves are manufactured in China. Mr. Cooper says a lack of government support in reducing the cost of imported steel prevents the company from making them here.
"It's a shame, I'd love to build in the UK," he told the BBC.
Experts say wind power is a promising area to explore, as the shipping industry tries to reduce the estimated 837 million tonnes of CO2 it produces each year.
In July it agreed to reduce planet-warming gases to net zero "by or around 2050" - a pledge critics said was toothless.
"Wind power can make a big difference," says Dr Simon Bullock, shipping researcher at the Tyndall Centre, at the University of Manchester.
He said new cleaner fuels will take time to emerge "so we have to throw everything at operational measures on existing ships - like retrofitting vessels with sails, kites and rotors".
"Ultimately we do need zero-carbon fuels on all ships, but in the meantime, it is imperative to make every journey as efficient as possible. Slower speeds are also a critical part of the solution," he told the BBC.
Stephen Gordon, managing director, at the maritime data firm Clarksons Research, agreed that wind-related technologies were "gaining some traction".
"We have the number of ships using this technology doubling over the past 12 months," he explained.
"This is from a low base, however. In the international shipping fleet and new-build order book of over 110,000 vessels, we have records for under 100 having wind-assisted technology today."
Even if that number dramatically increases, wind technology may not be suitable for all vessels, for example, where the sails interfere with the unloading of containers.
"The shipping industry does not yet have a clear decarbonization pathway and, given the scale the challenge, and the diversity of the world shipping fleet, there is unlikely to be a single solution for the industry in the short or medium term," Mr Gordon predicted.
John Cooper, of BAR Technologies, is more bullish though, saying the future for wind wings is "very rosy."
He also admits he takes a certain satisfaction in the idea of the industry returning to its origins.
"The engineers always hate it, but I always say it's back to the future," he said.
"The invention of big combustion engines destroyed the trade routes and the sailing routes and now we're going to try to reverse that trend, just a bit."
Source- BBC