NASA’s Parker Solar Probe sets out to try and ‘touch’ the sun
On August 12 at 3:31 am, NASA's Parker Solar Probe launched on a journey to the atmosphere of the sun, where it will make the first in situ measurements to be taken there. The eventual goal? To uncover crucial details about the origins of the solar winds generated there, among other mysteries.
By studying patient data, A.I. can limit toxicity in cancer treatment
In a bid to improve quality of life for cancer patients, a team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have turned to machine learning to help avoid toxicity from cancer medications. The researchers are specifically targeting glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer.
‘There’s Waldo’ robot will find Waldo long before you can
There’s Waldo is the brain child of Matt Reed, a creative technologist at the creative agency Redpepper. Reed and his colleagues built the bot out of a uArm Swift Pro that’s controlled by a Raspberry Pi computer. Facial recognition software helps spot the character in under 4.5 seconds.
Georgia is paving the way for a high-tech, sustainable highway
In Georgia, a section of Interstate 85 has become a real-world laboratory for new technologies that could be incorporated in future road constructions. See why The Ray is the future of highways.
These yeast colony patches are like living Geiger counters
A team of researchers from Purdue University have designed a patch that can help measure radiation exposure in nearly real time for radiologists and nuclear disaster responders. They're simple, made out of little more than paper and yeast, and cost pennies on the dollar.
Engineers in the U.K. unveil the world’s first graphene-skinned airplane
Engineers at the U.K.'s University of Central Lancashire have unveiled the world’s first graphene-skinned plane at an international air show. Called Juno, the 11.5-feet-wide unmanned airplane is lighter than traditional planes, and boasts some other impressive abilities, too.
U.S. Navy wants to ‘weaponize slime’ to stop enemy ships
Researchers at Utah State University have been awarded a U.S. Navy contract to create synthetic weaponized slime, which could be used to fire at enemy vessels to stop them in their tracks. Here's what they are busy developing, and why it could turn out to be a great solution.
Here’s how Stanford scientists measured the speed of death
For the first time ever, scientists at Stanford University have been able to observe the speed at which death spreads across a cell once the self-destruct 'trigger wave' has been initiated. Their conclusion? That death moves at a rate of around 30 micrometers per minute.
Airbus Zephyr solar aircraft breaks record for longest flight
A solar-powered aircraft built by Airbus recently broke the record for the longest continuous flight. The Zephyr S stayed aloft for nearly 25 days, 23 hours, and 57 minutes, taking the aircraft another step closer to becoming a viable alternative to satellite technology.
Smelly shoes? Panasonic’s deodorizer kit promises to waste the whiff
If your shoes always stink and you're yet to find a way to waste the whiff, then Panasonic's new machine may be just the ticket. No one likes funky footwear, but the Japanese tech company claims its unique cleansing system will remove the stench and leave your shoes smelling as fresh as the day you bought them.
Watch this giant ‘Lego’ helicopter drone take to the skies
Adam Woodworth loves to build flying machines. His latest effort is a "Lego" helicopter created from polystyrene foam that comes with a drone attached to help get it airborne. His YouTube channel features an array of cleverly constructed aircraft, and he's happy to help anyone interested in building similar designs.
To infinity and beyond? Space Force may be a real thing by 2020
In a speech at the Pentagon, Vice President Mike Pence laid out the Trump Administration's plans to establish a Space Force by the end of Trump's first term. Space Force would be the sixth branch of the military, tasked with protecting United States security interests. Has a new space race just begun?
This underwater camera drone can auto-follow and film while you dive
Youcan Robot's BW-Space hails itself as the world's first underwater photography drone that can recognize images and intelligently follow a target, while broadcasting live 4K video. Here's how you'll soon be able to get your hands on one of these exciting aquatic robots.
Dr. Dabber Switch vaporizer review
Despite its high price tag, the Switch is a beast of a device in both size and performance. In our Switch vaporizer review, we put Dr. Dabber’s latest vaporizer, which is both concentrate and loose leaf compatible to the test. We weren’t disappointed.
Materials scientists have found a way to make graphene twice as tough
Graphene is considerably tougher than steel. However, the fact that it's so thin means that it is also prone to tearing. Researchers from Rice University have found a way to make it more than twice as tough -- all thanks to a little help from some embedded carbon nanotubes.
There’s a new use for the failed Google Glass: Helping kids with autism
Google’s ill-fated Google Glass smart glasses may finally have found their perfect use case: Helping kids with autism in social situations. Here is how researchers from Stanford University have been using the technology in a way that could help transform people's lives.
Caltech is training drones to ‘herd’ flocks of birds. Here’s why
Birds can cause major issues for airplanes. Engineers at Caltech recently turned to technology to find a smart solution to this problem. Their approach involves a new control algorithm that allows a single drone to herd a whole flock of birds away from an airport’s airspace.
Don’t bug out: Spider-like microbots will get under your skin … in a good way
Researchers have created multifunctional microbots using to a new fabrication process that lets them build millimeter-scale machines with micrometer-scale features. To demonstrate their breakthrough, they created a transparent spider bot modeled off of the brilliant Australian peacock spider.
When it comes to bringing you a slice, Pizza Hut’s new robot can’t be topped
Pizza Hut has added a robotic staff member to one of its restaurants in South Korea, where it will bring pizza to hungry customers. It's not the first time the chain has worked with robots, and the company that developed the bot has greater plans, seeing the placement as a learning experience for more service robots.
Soft robotic hand gives scientists new grip on deep sea life
A team of roboticists and marine biologists from Harvard University have created a sampling device that’s soft and flexible for grabbing fragile organisms. What’s more, the device can be 3D printed on the fly so that researchers can make modifications to suit different organisms while out in the field.
Widespread internet access is causing mass sleep deprivation, study suggests
A study funded by the European Research Council claims that high-speed internet may be costing us up to 25 minutes of sleep per night. Surprisingly, the biggest problem isn't among those young people who are under 30. Here's what the researchers found from their investigation.
Walmart’s new grocery robots aim to speed up your shopping experience
In the near future, the person who picks out your online Walmart grocery pickup order may not be, well, a person at all. That’s due to the fact that the retail giant has teamed up with a robot shuttle system company to find a way to speed up its in-store grocery pickup service.
Your stone-skipping skills pale in comparison to this robotic rock launcher
Former NASA engineer-turned-quirky-YouTube inventor Mark Rober has combined two things every kid loves to create a robot that's able to skip rocks across the surface of water with impressive consistency. Check it out in all its fantastic summer afternoon-wasting brilliance.
Programmer trains artificial intelligence to draw faces from text descriptions
Programmer Animesh Karnewar wanted to know how characters described in books would appear in reality, so he turned to artificial intelligence to see if it could properly render these fictional people. He used machine learning to train the A.I. using 400 random images and their text descriptions.
Gene-edited silkworms spin out spider silk, could lead to mass production
Researchers have shown that genetically engineered silkworms can produce higher yields of spider silk. By using the gene editing tool TALEN, researchers replaced a one of the silkworms’ normal genes with that of the golden orb-web spider.
This 3D-printed robotic hand can make lifelike movements
Bionic prosthesis company YouBionic created an amazing new 3D-printed robot hand prosthesis that's capable of carrying out just about all the functionality of a regular human hand. It could one day be used to help people with missing or partially functioning limbs.
Recycle your forgotten ebook reader by turning it into a literary quote clock
Want to find a cool new use for that old Kindle e-reader lying, unloved, at the back of your desk drawer? Follow Netherlands-based maker Jaap Meijers' example, and transform it into an awesome clock which displays constantly changing (but perfectly chosen) literary quotations.
Look out, bartenders: This cocktail-making robot is coming for your job
Yanu is a new fully autonomous robot bartender powered by artificial intelligence. Taking the form of a single robot arm, capable of pouring perfectly drinks, it promise to automate the experience of getting that soothing, refreshing beverage into your hand as soon as possible.
World’s only revolving glass floor debuts at Space Needle
Observation decks aren’t everyone’s idea a relaxing afternoon out, but if you have a head for heights and find yourself in Seattle, then how about dropping by the Space Needle to enjoy its recent $100 million refit that includes the world’s first all-glass revolving floor as part of its 500-foot-high viewing platform.
Could Snap save the internet from fake news? Here’s the company’s secret weapon
Snapchat recently leant its support to work by the University of California, Riverside, who have developed an algorithm that can root out fake news online. In doing so, the disappearing messages company is doing its bit to fight one of the biggest tech problems of our time.
Spacesuit-inspired streetwear collection celebrates NASA’s 60th birthday
Streetwear designer Heron Preston celebrated Nasa's 60th birthday by releasing a line of spacesuit-inspired streetwear, including hoodies, jackets, pants, hats, belts, socks, and a backpack. To promote the collection, he launched a stylish mannequin up to the stratosphere.
The Best DJI Spark Accessories
The DJI Spark is a versatile (and fairly cheap) drone that is perfect for the beginner drone pilot. But as you become a better pilot, you'll want more out of your Spark. These ten accessories are our picks to make a great drone even better.
Scientists pinpoint exoplanets where life could bloom like here on Earth
New research suggests that the likelihood that life will develop on an Earth-like planet is closely connected with the light given off by its host star. The findings help pin down candidate planets, while weeding out those less likely to host life.
Awake’s stunning new electric surfboard promises good surfing even on flat water
What do you get when you cross surfing with cutting-edge technology? Something like the Awake Rävik, a stunning new electric carbon surfboard that promises to let you get in a scintillating surf session even when the water is flat and free of waves. We totally want one, like, now.