Harvard’s insect-inspired HAMR robot scuttles like a cockroach on meth
HAMR-F is Harvard University's new cutting-edge, insect-inspired robot that's able to scamper along the ground at an impressive speed of a little under four times its own body lengths every second.
A.I. is ready to advise us on how to best protect Earth from deadly asteroids
A new algorithm is designed to weigh up different possible solutions to the threat of a deadly asteroid heading in Earth’s direction.
UV lights in public spaces could kill airborne flu viruses on the spot
Using overhead ultraviolet lights to stop the spread of flu in its tracks? Yes, please -- and it's thanks to researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
The key to next-gen 3D vision for autonomous cars is … praying mantis goggles?
Researchers may have discovered a new way to model computer vision systems -- and it's all thanks to putting tiny 3D goggles on praying mantises.
If Apple designed a scooter, it would probably look a lot like The Eagle
Apple's Jony Ive doesn’t design scooters, but if he did we’re imagining they may well be along the lines of The Eagle, a forthcoming ultra-thin carbon fiber electric scooter coming in 2020.
MIT drones navigate more effectively in crowded spaces by embracing uncertainty
It sounds counterintuitive, but MIT's new drone piloting system allows drones to fly more efficiently in crowded spaces by embracing uncertainty.
7 Exotic technologies that were once science fiction, but now exist in reality
It’s no big surprise that engineers and scientists working in cutting edge tech are often inspired by science fiction. Here are seven examples of sci-fi gadgets engineers helped bring to life.
Science fiction’s 5 most haunting A.I. villains, ranked
We love writing about the latest advances in artificial intelligence, but, boy, does A.I. also have the potential to make for some great movie antagonists. Here are five of the best.
Finally, an A.I. voice assistant that doesn’t collect and monetize your data
Move over, Google Home! Step aside, Amazon Echo! Mycroft Mark II is a new Kickstarter A.I. assistant that's not only open source, it'll keep your data private too.
The weirdest, wildest, and most wonderful wearables in the world
Not every wearable device aims for the kind of mass market appeal of the Apple Watch. Here are nine of our favorite from the weirder end of the wearable spectrum.
Giant cryptocurrency mine that runs on green energy coming to Iceland
Iceland is getting a data center dedicated to the mining of cryptocurrencies on an industrial scale. The twist? It will be powered exclusively using green energy.
One way to cool your massive bitcoin mining rig? Submerge it in oil
A pair of smart Bitcoin miners has built an amazing $120,000 mining rig with one incredible unorthodox twist: it’s submerged in a vat of cooling oil.
Somebody invented a ferrofluid lava lamp, and it’s even cooler than it sounds
Lava lamps haven’t been cool in decades, but entrepreneur Kyle Haines may have found a way to change that: by adding everyone’s favorite magnetized liquid rocket fuel, ferrofluid.
Controller? What controller? You fly this drone with your facial expressions
Roboticists at British Columbia’s Simon Fraser University have created a unique drone control system that involves piloting it by pulling a series of funny faces.
Minnesota vending machine sells Super Bowl fans premade snowballs for $1
Talk about some brilliant opportunistic marketing! A vending machine in Minnesota is selling visiting Super Bowl fans hand-packed frozen snowballs for a buck each.
Singapore has a flock of robo-swans patrolling its waters. Here’s why
Faced with the problem of how to track pollution in the country’s reservoirs, engineers in Singapore came up with a unique solution: robot swans which take water quality measurements.
Study: Vanilla, cinnamon, and butter e-cig flavors are more harmful than others
A new study coming out of University of Rochester Medical Centre suggests that cinnamon, vanilla and buttery flavors of e-cigarettes rank among the worst in terms of toxicity.
Can’t afford a yacht? Get yourself a crazy tiny Rapid Whale Mini Boat instead
Bay Area maker Josh Tulberg has created this awesome ridiculously tiny electric mini boat, which he's selling as a DIY kit. If you can't afford a yacht, this is the next best thing.
Measuring sound waves could offer real-time early warning system for tsunamis
Mathematicians in the U.K. have come up with a new technique for helping calculate the size and potential destructive force of a tsunami by measuring underwater sound waves.
3D printing brought this stunning six-stringed custom violin to life
University of Texas student Sean Riley recently used the magic of 3D printing to create a personalized six-string violin. And all for just $10 worth of printing filament!
Experimental AR projection system lets surgeons see ‘through’ a patient’s skin
Imagine if surgeons were able to see their patients’ internal anatomy on their bodies without having to cut into them. That’s the basis for an intriguing new augmented reality project.
The final frontier? Astronauts could recycle their waste into protein paste
Researchers at Penn State have used a research grant from NASA to develop technology for breaking down human waste and transforming it into astronaut food that’s hygienic and safe.
Chinese students spent a record 200 days sealed in a simulated moon lab
To prepare for an eventual trip to the Moon, Chinese volunteers have reportedly spent 200 continuous days living together in a special “lunar lab" to simulate conditions.
MIT’s new UV-sensitive ink allows 3D-printed objects to change color on demand
MIT CSAIL's ColorFab tech allows 3D-printed objects to change color, courtesy of special dyes that can be activated and deactivated when exposed to different wavelengths of light.
Don’t be fooled by dystopian sci-fi stories: A.I. is becoming a force for good
Carnegie Mellon University is teaching a new class, titled “A.I. for Social Good.” Is 2018 the year we all start using artificial intelligence to do good in the world?
Pulse adds effects to your acoustic guitar — without amps or electricity
A new music device called the Pulse promises to add real time effects like delay, distortion or reverb to your acoustic guitar.
You’ve got mail! This gadget will text you whenever you receive a letter
Mynder is a small battery-powered device that fits inside your mailbox, and sends you a text message whenever you get a mail delivery.
98 percent of construction projects go over budget. These robots could fix that
Many construction projects go over time and budget. Doxel hopes to revolutionize the industry by using on-site robots and drones to make sure that work is progressing correctly.
Facial recognition has a race problem — here’s how Gyfcat is fixing that
The makers of smart GIF search engine Gfycat were shocked to find their cutting edge facial recognition tech couldn't distinguish between Asian actors. Here's what they did.
Hunching over screens is ruining your posture — this gizmo aims to fix that
FitNeck Pro is a neck exercise device that’s designed to correct forward head posture and neck pain caused by our hunching over cell phones and laptops all day.
A new hologram generator uses a tractor beam and lasers to make 3D images
Scientists at Brigham Young University have found a way to create amazing 3D holograms in mid-air by using lasers and a tractor beam that manipulates near-invisible particles in the air.
Wearable Android device can assess seniors’ risk of suffering a nasty fall
Developed by researchers in Spain, a smart device named FallSkip tests elderly folk to see how likely they are to suffer a fall -- and warns them.
Control this robot kit with your voice using Alexa or Google Assistant
Thanks to new Google Assistant and Alexa integration for programmable robotics kit Ziro, you can now build a voice-controlled robot at home.