The Vatican issued a new document on artificial intelligence (AI), warning that it could erode trust in society and make people “cogs in a machine.” Pope Francis, concerned about AI’s potential misuse to manipulate minds and spread misinformation, emphasized that AI-generated fake content could fuel polarization and conflict. The document also expressed concerns about AI being used to replace human workers, infringe on privacy, and … Continue reading Vatican Warns AI Could Undermine ‘Foundations Of Society’

Many of the mysterious drones spotted over New Jersey and the East Coast last year were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for research and other purposes, according to the White House. The sightings sparked panic, including a temporary airport shutdown, fueled by misinformation. Some drones were also flown by hobbyists and private citizens. The White House clarified that the drones posed no national … Continue reading Mystery NJ drones were authorized by FAA, White House says

Knightscope, Inc. has been selected by AFWERX for a Phase I SBIR contract to enhance U.S. Air Force Installation Security. The company will research and assess security approaches, using its Autonomous Security Robots (ASRs) to improve safety for defense assets and personnel. Knightscope’s robots, equipped with machine learning and advanced sensors, aim to increase situational awareness and operational efficiency. This partnership signals the start of … Continue reading Knightscope Partners with U.S. Air Force on Autonomous Security Robots

UBTech Robotics, based in Shenzhen, plans to mass-produce its humanoid robots by the end of this year, targeting industrial applications due to the labor shortage in factories. The company aims to deliver 500 to 1,000 units of its Walker S Series robots, including models for car manufacturers, Foxconn, and SF Express. While UBTech’s long-term goal is to bring humanoid robots to homes, its current focus … Continue reading Chinese robot maker UBTech eyes mass production of industrial humanoids by year end

For two years, the belief that artificial intelligence (AI) would boost productivity has driven stock-market gains, with Nvidia, a leader in AI chip manufacturing, at the forefront. However, this optimism turned sour after the release of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI model that rivaled OpenAI’s offerings but required less computing power, potentially reducing demand for Nvidia’s high-end chips. This led to a massive drop in Nvidia’s … Continue reading DeepSeek Turned Tech and Wall Street Upside Down

Meta is expanding its smart glasses lineup, with plans to release a sportier model under the Oakley brand this year and a high-end model featuring a built-in display by 2025. Codenamed ‘Hypernova,’ the new glasses will be priced around $1,000 and are being developed with EssilorLuxottica, the maker of Ray-Ban and Oakley. Unlike current Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which lack a display, the Hypernova will feature … Continue reading Meta Reportedly Plans Smart Glasses with Display, Targeting 2025 Release

Disruptions to circadian rhythms, caused by modern living conditions like shift work and irregular schedules, are linked to rising mental health issues, including mood and anxiety disorders, which now affect nearly 20% of the global population. These disruptions occur when the body’s internal clocks misalign with behaviors like sleep-wake cycles. Research shows that such misalignments are associated with increased depressive symptoms, fueling interest in circadian … Continue reading New technology enables smartwatches to detect depression

Fitbit has agreed to pay a $12.25 million civil penalty to settle allegations that it failed to promptly report overheating battery risks in its Ionic smartwatches, which caused burns. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said Fitbit knew of the issue as early as 2018 but didn’t inform the agency until after a 2022 recall. Despite a software update attempt in 2020, the problem … Continue reading Fitbit pays $12M to sprint away from claims of burning-hot smartwatches

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is trialing a firefighting robot for 12 months to enhance safety and efficiency. The robot, which can be controlled remotely from 600 meters away, sprays 2,000 liters of water per minute, detects fire hotspots, and climbs stairs. KFRS hopes the robot will protect firefighters, reduce the time spent at incidents, and optimize resource use, the BBC has reported. The … Continue reading Firefighting robot tackles blazes in the UK

This spring, Beijing will host a unique half-marathon where humanoid robots will race alongside humans for the first time. The event, taking place in the Daxing district in April, will feature 12,000 human runners and robots from over 20 companies. The robots, designed to look like humans and capable of bipedal movement, will compete in a 21km race. China’s push for humanoid robot development aims … Continue reading China to host world’s first human-robot marathon as robotics drives national goals

Colossal Biosciences, a “de-extinction” company, is working to bring back the woolly mammoth using gene-editing techniques. The project, led by entrepreneur Ben Lamm and geneticist George Church, aims to create a “proxy” mammoth by editing the DNA of Asian elephants. The company has secured significant funding, including investments from Hollywood figures and organizations like In-Q-Tel. Colossal also explores reviving other extinct species like the dodo … Continue reading Scientists trying to bring woolly mammoth back to life

The Department of Justice has connected the arrest of U.S. Army soldier Cameron John Wagenius to a major hack of AT&T and Verizon in 2024, which compromised millions of phone records and affected over 160 companies. The hack exploited weak cybersecurity measures, including a lack of multi-factor authentication, to steal sensitive data. Wagenius, arrested in December 2024, is also linked to a previous breach involving … Continue reading AT&T and Verizon Hacks Linked to Army Soldier

A robotic hand exoskeleton has been shown to help expert pianists improve their finger speed after just one 30-minute session. Developed by Shinichi Furuya at Sony Computer Science Laboratories in Tokyo, the exoskeleton uses motors to move each finger individually, helping pianists coordinate their movements and play faster. The device was tested on 118 skilled pianists, who saw improved finger dexterity and coordination after the … Continue reading Robotic exoskeleton can train expert pianists to play faster

Apple is suspending an AI feature that inaccurately summarized news headlines after complaints from the BBC. The feature falsely linked headlines to their logos, such as misreporting that Luigi Mangione shot himself and that Rafael Nadal came out as gay. Other errors included wrong reports about Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrest. Apple announced the feature would be suspended in an upcoming software update, temporarily disabling news summaries. … Continue reading Apple suspends AI-generated news alert service after BBC complaint

Nintendo revealed the Nintendo Switch 2, its successor to the popular Switch, set for release in 2025. The new console features a larger design, with Joy-Cons now attaching to the side of the unit instead of sliding in. It will support exclusive Switch 2 games, as well as most physical and digital Switch games, though some may not be fully compatible, CNN has reported. More … Continue reading Nintendo’s new Switch 2 console to be released in 2025

Japan’s aging population, with a third over 65, is causing a significant labor shortage, particularly in agriculture. The number of farmers under 60 has dropped drastically, leading to a reliance on robotics to address the issue. Tamir Blum, founder of Kisui Tech, is developing AI-assisted farming robots, like the Adam, designed to help with tasks such as carrying produce, cutting grass, and spraying pesticides. Kisui … Continue reading Moon rover-inspired robot could be a game-changer for Japan’s aging farmers

Chinese startup Pudu Robotics has launched the D9 humanoid robot, designed to transform how we interact with machines. Standing 5.57 feet tall, the D9 can carry up to 44 pounds, walk at speeds of 4.5 mph, and navigate stairs and slopes while maintaining balance. It features advanced sensors for real-time 3D mapping, enabling autonomous navigation and self-positioning. The robot has diverse applications, such as ground … Continue reading China’s newest humanoid robot is ready to serve like never before

At CES 2025, Realbotix showcased their AI-powered humanoid robot lineup, including Melody, an open-source robot with upgraded features for improved functionality and adaptability. Melody incorporates advanced motor technology for smoother movement and interaction, with modular components for customization. Her advanced vision systems and micro-cameras allow her to track movement, maintain eye contact, and identify objects, Tech Blog has reported. The open-source platform supports integration with … Continue reading AI-Powered Humanoid Robots Debut at CES 2025

The Milwaukee Police Department is set to replace its 22-year-old bomb robot, which is no longer functioning, with a new $254,000 model funded by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. The new robot will help inspect and defuse suspicious objects and is expected to be more reliable. Currently, the department’s robot has been down for months due to age and ongoing issues, … Continue reading Milwaukee Police Department Buying New Bomb Robot

Romi is a palm-sized emotional support robot designed to help combat loneliness and depression by engaging users in casual conversations. Created by Mixi Inc., Romi uses AI to interact, providing comfort through greetings, mood recognition, and personalized chats. Unveiled at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show, the robot costs around $570, with a new model, Romi Lacatan, priced at $580 plus a $12 monthly subscription. Currently … Continue reading ‘Emotional support robot’ helps people fight depression

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unveiled the company’s next-generation gaming chips powered by Blackwell AI technology at CES in Las Vegas, promising a “ChatGPT moment” for robotics soon. The new chips, priced between $549 and $1,999, are twice as fast as previous models and deliver real-time, movie-quality graphics. Huang also introduced the AI model Cosmos, capable of generating synthetic video data to train robots and self-driving … Continue reading Nvidia unveils robot ambitions and powerful new gaming chips

Samsung’s rolling robot, Ballie, first introduced at CES five years ago, will be available for consumers in 2025. It has undergone a redesign for practicality and will appear again at CES this year. Ballie can project information, display movies, and offer smart home control, all through voice commands and virtual buttons. During demos, it showed off its ability to project images onto walls and floors … Continue reading Samsung claims its Ballie AI robot will be released this year

AI startup Natura Umana has teased its Humanpods earbuds, an open-ear wireless design that provides AI assistance with a tap. Set to debut at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, the earbuds offer a “telepathic” connection through Nature OS, allowing users to interact with AI People, specialized agents that assist with tasks like therapy, fitness, or travel guidance. Users can also access LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, … Continue reading ‘Humanpods’ Equipped With Different Personas to Be Unveiled at CES

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to explore trees as a sustainable biofuel source for applications like powering aircraft and heavy vehicles. This technology analyzes the elemental composition of plants and soil, aiding in bioenergy and carbon storage research. It could help farmers grow bioenergy crops more sustainably and assist climate scientists in understanding how plants respond to environmental … Continue reading Scientists explore laser ‘fingerprints’ to turn trees into jet fuel, carbon storage

Roborock, a Chinese robot vacuum cleaner company, unveiled a new model, the Saros Z70, featuring an AI-powered folding arm to remove obstacles like socks and small towels. The model is expected to launch globally in the first half of the year. Roborock’s president, Quan Gang, anticipates that AI will make robot vacuums as essential as washing machines within the next three years. Despite current low … Continue reading Chinese robot vacuum cleaner company reveals model with an AI-powered arm