Richard Noble, former land speed record holder (1983-1997), is now aiming to inspire the next world water speed record (WSR) breaker at age 79. Motivated by childhood memories of John Cobb’s Crusader, Noble acknowledges the extreme dangers of WSR, with seven out of 13 challengers since 1930 perishing. The current record of 317 mph, set by Ken Warby in 1978, remains unbeaten. Noble’s team, Thrust … Continue reading Quest to set a 450mph speed record could pioneer frictionless travel on water

Sanctuary AI has integrated new tactile sensors into its Phoenix robots, improving dexterous manipulation for teleoperated tasks. The sensors enhance precision by providing real-time touch feedback, reducing reliance on video alone. Sanctuary, a leader in general-purpose robotics, has raised $140 million and ranked third globally for U.S. patents by Morgan Stanley. The company’s hydraulic-actuated hands now feature seven-cell touch sensors with near-human sensitivity, enabling fine … Continue reading Sanctuary AI integrates tactile sensors into Phoenix general purpose robots

PulteGroup, one of the largest U.S. homebuilders, used AI and robotics to rapidly construct a home in Florida. The pilot test featured Hadrian X, an AI-guided construction robot from Australian firm FBR, at TerraWalk in Babcock Ranch, the nation’s first solar-powered town. Hadrian X can build structural walls in a day using a robotic arm and specialized adhesive. PulteGroup says the technology improves efficiency, safety, … Continue reading Robot utilizes AI to construct walls in 1 day

Chinese scientists linked to the PLA are exploring equipping ground robots with deadly thermobaric weapons for urban warfare. These robots would work alongside drones to detect and neutralize threats, particularly in underground complexes. Thermobaric weapons create intense explosions that can vaporize bodies and destroy bunkers, raising concerns about potential war crimes if used in civilian areas. A recent study suggests drones would authorize strikes, with … Continue reading China arms combat robots with thermobaric weapon in urban warfare drill

The U.S. construction industry is facing a severe labor shortage, with a need for half a million workers in 2025. To address this, states have implemented apprenticeship programs, while some companies are turning to robots to perform dangerous or repetitive tasks. A standout innovation is “Concert,” a modular construction robot developed by the Italian Institute of Technology. Able to perform tasks like drilling, insulation spraying, … Continue reading Meet Concert, the robot that wants to revolutionize construction

The Russia-based ransomware gang LockBit has reportedly offered FBI Director Kash Patel alleged “classified information” that it claims could “destroy” the agency if made public. In a post on its dark web blog, the group congratulated Patel on his appointment and promised to share an archive of sensitive data exposing FBI corruption. LockBit, described as one of the world’s most harmful cybercrime groups, appears to … Continue reading Russian cybercrime gang leaves taunting message for Kash Patel on dark web

Orlando International Airport is moving toward a future with flying cars, seeking partners to develop a vertiport, a landing pad for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The airport aims to complete the project by 2028, with potential locations in the East Airfield or near the train station. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer envisions the airport becoming a multimodal hub, with flying cars and other … Continue reading Orlando could soon resemble ‘The Jetsons’ with flying cars from airport as soon as 2028

Microsoft has launched a new AI model called Magma, capable of autonomously controlling robots and processing multimodal data such as text, images, and video. This AI can plan and act in the visual-spatial world, allowing it to complete tasks like UI navigation and robotic manipulation. While Magma has shown impressive results in tests, such as handling a robotic arm and assisting humans in real-world tasks, … Continue reading Microsoft Shows Off AI That Can Control an Entire Robot

A video from a festival in China shows an AI-powered humanoid robot malfunctioning and attempting to strike people in the crowd before being stopped by security. Initial assessments suggest the behavior was caused by a software glitch rather than intentional aggression. This incident follows a similar case where an AI-controlled drone targeted its human operator, mistaking them for an obstacle to its mission, Shafaq News … Continue reading AI robot malfunctions, “attacks” people at Chinese festival

Microsoft unveiled its first quantum computing chip, Majorana 1, after nearly two decades of research. The chip uses eight topological qubits made from indium arsenide and aluminum. To create this quantum chip, Microsoft developed a new state of matter, referred to as a topological state, requiring precise atom-by-atom material alignment. Unlike other companies, Microsoft is manufacturing the chip itself and plans to scale up to … Continue reading Microsoft Claims Quantum Computing Breakthrough by Creating New State of Matter

A viral video from China showcases a sci-fi-like battle between a robotic dog and a drone, both equipped with firework launchers. The two machines engage in a rapid-fire pyrotechnic showdown, with the robot dog firing at the drone, which retaliates from the air. The event, hosted by Kuaimantang Intelligent Equipment Co., took place in Wuhu, Anhui Province, before the Spring Festival, USA Today has reported. … Continue reading Watch drone, robot dog face off in futuristic-like pyrotechnics battle

Elon Musk’s xAI unveiled its new AI model, Grok 3, claiming it outperforms OpenAI and DeepSeek based on early tests in math, science, and coding. Musk described it as “an order of magnitude more capable” than its predecessor, Grok 2. The company also introduced “Deep Search,” a next-generation search engine. Grok 3 is available to premium X subscribers and through separate subscriptions for web and … Continue reading Musk’s xAI releases artificial intelligence model Grok 3

Huawei launched its Mate XT trifold smartphone outside China, priced at 3,499 euros ($3,660). The device, which was first released in China last year, has three folding points allowing it to display content on a single, double, or triple screen. Huawei’s market share has significantly declined globally due to U.S. sanctions, but it has recently rebounded in China. The Mate XT is aimed at wealthy … Continue reading Huawei launches $3,660 trifold phone outside of China

Mount Tai in China has introduced AI-powered exoskeletons to assist hikers, especially seniors and those with mobility issues, during their climb. These robotic legs, co-developed by Taishan Cultural Tourism Group and Kenqing Technology, provide synchronized support to ease the strain of hiking. Launched during Chinese New Year, the exoskeletons were trialed by over 200 users for a fee and received positive feedback, though some users … Continue reading Robotic exoskeletons help Chinese tourists climb the country’s most punishing mountain

Meta has announced plans to invest significantly in AI-powered humanoid robots, with a focus on household chores. The company is forming a new team within its Reality Labs division to develop the necessary hardware, AI, sensors, and software. While Meta will not initially build its own branded robots, it aims to provide technology for robots to be manufactured and sold by other companies, Yahoo Finance … Continue reading Meta plans ‘major investment’ into humanoid robots

Pathfinder 1, an airship developed by Sergey Brin’s company LTA Research, achieved its first untethered flight in October 2024 at NASA’s Moffett Field in California. This marks a significant milestone in the revival of rigid airships, a design last used in the 1930s. Despite past disasters like the Hindenburg crash, LTA Research aims to safely mass-produce large airships using modern materials and technology, the BBC … Continue reading Pathfinder 1: The airship that could usher in a new age

MIT scientists are developing robotic insects that could revolutionize pollination by boosting crop yields without harming the environment. Previous designs lacked endurance, speed, and agility, but a new version detailed in Science Robotics on Jan. 15 flies 100 times longer, is lighter, and has improved wing flexibility. Unlike earlier eight-wing models, the new design features four single-wing units, enhancing lift and stability while allowing room for batteries, … Continue reading MIT builds swarms of tiny robotic insect drones that can fly 100 times longer than previous designs

Apple’s Beats brand launched the Powerbeats Pro 2, its first earbuds with built-in heart rate monitoring, set to release on Feb. 13 for $249. They feature improved audio, battery life, and redesigned ear hooks for a better fit. The heart rate sensors use LED optical technology and sync with fitness apps but won’t support Apple Fitness+ at launch. The earbuds include active noise canceling, transparency … Continue reading Apple’s new Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds get heart rate sensors, improved design

Hackers leaked over 8,500 files from Lexipol, a Texas-based company that provides policy manuals and training for first responders. The leaked data, shared with DDoSecrets, includes police, fire, and EMS policies, as well as customer records containing names, emails, and hashed passwords. Lexipol has faced criticism for its influence on policing, resistance to reform, and policies that allegedly enable racial profiling and excessive force. The … Continue reading Hackers leak cop manuals for departments nationwide

In eastern Ukraine, drones are playing a pivotal role in the ongoing conflict, compensating for Ukraine’s severe shortage of infantry. Outnumbered 5-to-1, Ukraine relies heavily on drones for surveillance and explosive attacks on Russian troops, with many frontline soldiers being older, inexperienced, or recently conscripted. While drones have slowed Russian advances, they cannot fully replace infantry. The Russian forces continue to push forward despite heavy … Continue reading It’s Russian Men Against Machines on Battlefields in Ukraine

The UK government has reportedly ordered Apple to create a backdoor to access encrypted iCloud backups, giving security officials worldwide access without notifying users. This secret order, based on the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, demands blanket access to end-to-end encrypted files from all iCloud users, not just British ones. In response, Apple may stop offering its Advanced Data Protection service in the UK. However, … Continue reading Apple ordered to open encrypted user accounts globally to UK spying

Yum Brands is investing heavily in AI to achieve 100% digital sales across its brands. In its latest earnings report, the company revealed digital sales surpassed $9 billion, with digital transactions now making up over 50% of its total sales. This shift is powered by Byte by Yum!, a proprietary AI-driven platform that enhances operations across mobile apps, web ordering, point of sale, and more. … Continue reading Yum Bets Big On AI As It Attempts To Move To 100% Digital Sales

Researchers at Nvidia GEAR Lab and Carnegie Mellon University have developed a framework, ASAP (Aligning Simulation and Real Physics), that reduces the gap between simulated and real-world robot movements by 53%. The system trains robots in simulation and then uses a specialized model to adjust for real-world variations. In tests with the Unitree G1 humanoid robot, ASAP improved movement accuracy, enabling complex actions like jumps … Continue reading Nvidia researchers demonstrate significant progress in robot training

Google launched Gemini 2.0, its most advanced AI model suite, now available to the public after a prior release to developers and testers. The suite includes three models: 2.0 Flash for high-volume tasks, 2.0 Pro Experimental for coding, and 2.0 Flash-Lite, its most cost-effective model. Pricing starts at 10 cents per million tokens for Flash, with Flash-Lite priced at 0.75 cents. Google is investing heavily … Continue reading Google opens its most powerful AI models to everyone