In today’s Bulldog wrapup of science and technology news:

  • First wave generated electricity in Hawaii
  • Plus: See a video about the project
  • Software company says it warned Tesla about Autopilot
  • FAA says demand for drones, pilot licenses soars
  • Intel sees better PC sales

The details:

  • First wave-produced electricity in US goes online in Hawaii

In the waters off the coast of Hawaii, a tall buoy bobs and sways in the water, using the rise and fall of the waves to generate electricity.

The current travels through an undersea cable for a mile to a military base, where it is fed into Oahu’s power grid — the first wave-produced electricity to go online in the U.S.

By some estimates, the ocean’s endless motion packs enough power to meet a quarter of America’s energy needs and dramatically reduce the nation’s reliance on oil, gas and coal. But wave energy technology lags well behind wind and solar power, with important technical hurdles still to be overcome.

To that end, the Navy has established a test site in Hawaii, with hopes the technology can someday be used to produce clean, renewable power for offshore fueling stations for the fleet and provide electricity to coastal communities in fuel-starved places around the world.

“More power from more places translates to a more agile, more flexible, more capable force,” Joseph Bryan, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy, said during an event at the site. “So we’re always looking for new ways to power the mission.”

Hawaii would seem a natural site for such technology. As any surfer can tell you, it is blessed with powerful waves. The island state also has the highest electricity costs in the nation — largely because of its heavy reliance on oil delivered by sea — and has a legislative mandate to get 100 percent of its energy from renewables by 2045.

Still, it could be five to 10 years before wave energy technology can provide an affordable alternative to fossil fuels, experts say.

  • Software firm: We warned Tesla about hands-free Autopilot use

The company that made the camera and computer system for TeslaMotors’ semi-autonomous Autopilot says the electric car maker ignored its warnings of safety problems.

Israel-based Mobileye said Friday that last year, prior to the release of Autopilot, it warned Tesla not to allow drivers to use the system without their hands on the steering wheel. The system Tesla rolled out in the fall allows drivers to remove their hands from the wheel while the car takes control of steering and other functions.

Mobileye’s statement escalates a public spat with Tesla and will almost certainly draw the interest of two federal agencies investigation the death of a driver while using Autopilot in a May crash in Florida. At issue is whether Tesla rolled out the system before it was ready, essentially allowing it to be tested by owners. Mobileye stopped supplying components to Tesla a few weeks ago.

Mobileye, a huge player in an auto industry that is moving quickly toward autonomous cars, makes software that takes data from cameras and other sensors and decides when the car should take action such as applying the brakes. But in the Florida crash, Teslasaid the cameras in the Tesla Model S failed to spot a crossing tractor-trailer due to bright sunlight.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which along with the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash that killed former Navy Seal Joshua Brown, would not comment.

  • FAA contemplating whether millions of drones will fill skies

So many people are registering drones and applying for dronepilot licenses that federal aviation officials said Friday they are contemplating the possibility of millions of unmanned aircraft crowding the nation’s skies in the not-too-distant future.

In the nine months since the Federal Aviation Administration created a drone registration system, more than 550,000 unmanned aircraft have been registered with the agency, said Earl Lawrence, director of the FAA’s drone office.

Speaking at the first meeting of a new government-industry drone advisory committee, Lawrence said new registrations are coming in at a rate of 2,000 a day. By comparison, the FAA says there are 260,165 manned aircraft registered in the U.S.

The FAA began issuing drone pilot licenses to commercial operators less than a month ago. Already, 13,710 people have applied to take the pilot exam, and 5,080 have passed it, Lawrence said. It’s clear the agency’s estimate of 15,000 licensed drone pilots by the end of 2016 will easily be exceeded, he said.

The FAA now forecasts there will be more than 1.3 million licensed drone pilots by 2020.

  • Intel expects higher revenue on improving PC demand

Intel said Friday that it sees signs of improving demand for personal computers, and the chipmaker now expects to make more revenue in the current quarter than it previously expected.

The Santa Clara, California, company has been hurt by slowing sales of personal computers that use its chips. In April, the company said it would cut 12,000 jobs as it reorganizes its business. Intel has been trying to grow other segments, such as its data center management unit.

On Friday, Intel said it now expects third-quarter revenue of $15.6 billion, plus or minus $300 million. It previously expected revenue of $14.9 billion, plus or minus $500 million. Wall Street analysts expected revenue of $14.9 billion, according to FactSet.

Shares of Intel Corp. rose 82 cents, or 2.2 percent, to $37.38 in afternoon trading Friday. Intel shares are up more than 25 percent over the past year.