We’re waiting! 7 technologies that sci-fi films promised us, but aren’t here yet
As great as modern technology is, here are 7 pieces of science fiction technology we would love to see become science fact.
Facial recognition tech picks a suspect out of a crowd of 50,000 in China
Police in southeast China have reportedly arrested a fugitive spotted in a crowd of 50,000 people attending a pop concert -- thanks to some eerily accurate facial recognition technology. The man was arrested while attending a show by popular Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung.
Forget cloning dogs, A.I. is the real way to let your pooch live forever
Researchers from the University of Washington and the Allen Institute for A.I. have created a deep learning artificial intelligence that’s designed to behave just like a dog. The technology could one day let your family dogs live on forever -- in shiny robot form, of course.
Scientists figure out how to monitor the brain activity of bats in midflight
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University have developed technology that lets them study what happens in the brains of bats in flight. It involves a tiny wireless brain signal and a room kitted out with microphones and cameras. And it might just improve future autonomous vehicles.
Thanks to A.I., there is finally a way to spot ‘deepfake’ face swaps online
Researchers from Germany’s Technical University of Munich have created a brand new deep-learning algorithm that is designed to spot 'deepfake' face swap images and videos online. It can do this with up to 98 percent accuracy. Here's how it works -- and why it's solving a big problem.
Astronaut training app could earn you a real-life trip into space
Ever wanted to travel into space? A new astronaut training app called Space Nation Navigator will run you through a variety of physical and mental tests to measure your suitability for a trip to the stars. Oh, and the best performer actually gets an expenses-paid spaceflight, too.
Biologists have found an oil-hungry bacterium that’s ideal for oil spill cleanup
Could hungry bacteria help clean up oil spills? Researchers from the University of Quebec have spent the past several years searching for the perfect strain of bacteria to munch up large quantities of oil. Now, they finally think that they have found what they're looking for.
Tiny injectable chip could be used for long-term alcohol monitoring
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a tiny ultra-low power biosensor that’s designed to be injected into the body for continuous alcohol monitoring. It could be used for long-term monitoring of patients in substance abuse treatment programs.
This algorithm can hide secret messages in regular-looking text
People have always found ingenious ways of using technology to write secret messages. A new project carried out by researchers at Columbia University continues this tradition by using deep learning technology A.I. to embed encrypted messages in otherwise ordinary looking text.
Move over pesticides! This new RNA vaccine could help keep crops safe
Forget about pesticides! Researchers from the University of Helsinki and the French National Centre for Scientific Research have created a new RNA-based vaccine which could offer a more efficient, environmentally friendly way to keep crops safe. Here is how their invention works.
A VR experience lets you ride a jetpack over the world’s most romantic city
Nothing says 21st-century romance quite like taking your other half on a jetpack flyover of Paris, one of the world’s capital cities for all things love-related. Fortunately, a new VR attraction called FlyView is here to help. Using VR and ground-mounted jetpack units, FlyView promises an aerial tour of Paris.
A stamp-sized piece of this nanofilm can store more data than 200 DVDs
Researchers from China have developed a new nanofilm -- 80x thinner than a human hair -- that’s able to store large amounts of data holographically. A single 10x10cm piece of this film could archive more than 1,000x the amount of data found on a DVD.
High-tech ‘best before’ label aims to ensure you never get food poisoning
Researchers from Canada’s McMaster University have created a high tech twist on the 'best before' label -- that's able to actually sense contamination in food and warning you about it. Printed using harmless molecules, the patch could be incorporated directly into future food packaging.
Nuclear scientists at CERN discover color of antimatter, hope to learn much more
Researchers at CERN have been able to examine the spectral structure of an antihydrogen atom in full color.
Bust a move! A German robot dances to communicate with honeybees
This new robot shows honeybees the best foraging locations by mimicking a dance that real bees employ in the wild.
Counting down the 10 most important robots in history
From research labs to our own homes, robots are everywhere these days. Check out our list of the 10 most important ones ever built.
From CERN to the ISS, here are 9 big tech projects that changed the world
Whether it’s rocketing us into space or answering big questions about where we come from, here are 9 tech projects that changed the world.
Assistive tech is progressing faster than ever, and these 7 devices prove it
From robotic prosthetics to brainwave-reading hearing aids, assistive technology has progressed in leaps and bounds over the past decade.
This throwable life preserver inflates instantly when it hits water
OneUp life preserver starts as a gadget the size of a can of soda, but rapidly inflates when you throw it in water.
In proper 2018 fashion, the royal wedding now has its very own cryptocurrency
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle get married, they’re being gifted a new cryptocurrency, called the Royal Coin.
Stanford’s rice-sized implant treats diseases by zapping individual nerves
Stanford researchers have developed a tiny nerve-stimulation implant, which could treat a wide range of different medical conditions.
Fribo is a cat-like robot that tells your friends what’s going on in your home
Fribo is a robot developed by researchers in Korea, designed to help stave off loneliness. Here's how it works.
This twisted metal bridge in Amsterdam was 3D printed by welding robots
This organic-looking metal bridge in Amsterdam was 3D printed by welding robots. Best bridge ever, anyone?
World’s fastest ever delivery drone could deliver medical supplies in U.S.
Medical supply drone delivery company Zipline's ready to launch the world's fastest delivery drone to help in the U.S.
This innovative chunky padlock promises to be virtually unpickable
With a chunky design and innovative lock mechanism, this Bowley padlock promises to be virtually unpickable.
The future of journalism? A.I. rewrites news depending on your politics
A brand new news website aims to help break filter bubbles by using A.I. to let us read stories from multiple perspectives.
This trailer-towing robot is like a Roomba on steroids
Ever wanted to park your trailer by remote control? The Trailer Valet RVR is a mini-tracked tank that is capable of pulling remarkably heavy loads.
Amazing software turns 3D scans into knitted objects, no grannies required
Researchers in Carnegie Mellon University's Textiles Lab have created a new computer system that can turn 3D scans into instructions ready to be knitted by a machine.
8 things kids born in 2018 will never experience, thanks to technology
Here are our predictions for eight things that the class of 2036 (that’s today’s kids at 18) won’t experience.
Brain scans and A.I. confirm that dogs are great at recognizing our emotions
What dog lover hasn’t looked at their trusty mutt and tried to figure out what they’re thinking? Using brain reading tech could help.
This robot can mimic your hand gestures and whoop you at rock-paper-scissors
A collaboration involving Google’s Android Things, this DIY HandBot is a robot hand that can recognize and replicate your gestures.