Swiss researchers have developed RAVEN, a fixed-wing drone with bird-inspired robotic legs, enabling it to walk, jump, and take off like its biological counterparts. The drone, created by École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, overcomes limitations of traditional fixed-wing drones, which require runways for takeoff. The design includes lightweight, two-segment legs with torsional springs in the ankle joint, improving jumping efficiency by 25%. RAVEN can jump … Continue reading Swiss Researchers Develop Bird-Inspired Drone

Colorado’s first robotic police dog, “Spot,” is set to debut in Denver this Saturday, raising both interest and ethical concerns. Designed to assist in detecting explosives and entering buildings during SWAT operations, Spot’s use in law enforcement has sparked debates. Dr. Kerstin Haring, a robotics expert, warned about the ethical risks of replacing human interaction with technology, noting that robots in dangerous situations could create … Continue reading Denver Police’s robot ‘dog’ sparks concerns

A new AI-based weather model, GenCast, developed by Google DeepMind, delivers 15-day forecasts with unmatched accuracy and speed. In tests on 1,320 real-world scenarios, GenCast outperformed the global benchmark, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), in over 97% of cases. Trained on 40 years of data, GenCast can produce forecasts in just eight minutes, compared to the current model’s hours, Barron’s has reported. … Continue reading Google Says AI Weather Model Masters 15-day Forecast

Pope Francis received the first-ever all-electric popemobile from Mercedes-Benz, marking a historic moment in papal transportation. The vehicle, a modified G-class SUV in pearl-white, was tailored to the pope’s needs with features like low-speed adaptation, a heated and elevated seat, and a grab bar for stability. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius personally delivered the popemobile at the Vatican, emphasizing the honor of creating this one-of-a-kind vehicle, … Continue reading Pope Francis receives first all-electric popemobile from Mercedes

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have developed the “X-ble Shoulder,” a wearable robot designed to improve industrial efficiency and reduce musculoskeletal injuries. This lightweight, non-powered exoskeleton helps workers with overhead tasks by reducing shoulder strain by up to 60% and deltoid muscle strain by 30%. Weighing only 4.2 lbs, it uses a multi-link structure to generate assistive force without the need for charging. The … Continue reading Hyundai and Kia unveil “X-ble Shoulder,” a wearable robot

Ukraine has purchased thousands of uncrewed robotic ground vehicles to transport supplies and evacuate wounded soldiers, reducing the risk to troops in high-risk areas near the frontlines. These vehicles are already in use along the front and in Russia’s Kursk region. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for innovation, highlighted plans to expand the fleet to tens of thousands next year. Meanwhile, Ukraine has ramped … Continue reading Ukraine buys thousands of armored robot buggies to hold front lines

Chinese researchers have developed the BHMbot-B, a 15mm microrobot capable of fast, precise forward and backward movements, ideal for navigating tight spaces. It uses a unique vibration control system with electromagnetic actuators and a cantilever to switch between forward and backward motions. The robot can move at speeds of 360 mm/s forward and 338 mm/s backward, and can carry loads up to 32 times its … Continue reading China’s tiny 15 mm robot sets new speed record

China has developed a regiment of robot dogs, equipped with weapons and programmed to respond to human voice commands. These cyber-canines are used for intelligence gathering, hunting enemies, and delivering firepower with mounted guns. While the U.S. and UK focus on using robot dogs for mine clearance, reconnaissance, and surveillance, China has gone further, testing armed robot dogs and even a robot shark. The U.S. … Continue reading Chinese military trials ‘robot dogs’ armed with machine guns learn lessons from Ukraine

The U.S. Navy is transforming the USS Zumwalt, a costly warship, into a platform for hypersonic weapons. Workers are replacing its unused gun system with missile tubes to launch the “Conventional Prompt Strike” hypersonic missiles, which travel over Mach 5. This upgrade aims to enhance the ship’s capabilities, offering fast, precise strikes from long distances. Despite its reputation as an expensive mistake, the Zumwalt remains … Continue reading Stealth destroyer to be home for 1st hypersonic weapon on a US warship

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to launch the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history, starting with criminals and possibly repealing Temporary Protected Status for certain individuals. His administration has appointed hard-line immigration officials, such as Thomas Homan and Stephen Miller, to lead the crackdown. Although the details are unclear, Trump has signaled that artificial intelligence (AI) could play a role in the operation. The … Continue reading Mass deportation plan can use AI to extend immigration crackdown

China’s Shanghai Kepler Robotics is advancing humanoid robotics with its Forerunner series, particularly the new Forerunner K2. This fifth-generation robot boasts 52 degrees of freedom, allowing for fluid, natural movements, and enhanced arm and leg rigidity for better functionality. Its dexterous hands can carry up to 33 pounds and feature 96 contact points for precise manipulation. With improvements in AI, vision systems, and navigation, the … Continue reading Chinese humanoid robot shows off its strength by lifting 35 pounds per hand

NASA’s SWIM robots, designed to search for life on Jupiter’s moon Europa, recently demonstrated their capabilities in tests at Caltech’s swimming pool. These tiny, wedge-shaped robots, powered by propellers, performed various maneuvers and spelled “J-P-L.” SWIM robots are intended to explore the subsurface ocean beneath Europa’s icy shell, searching for signs of alien life by detecting chemical and temperature signals. The robots, currently 16.5 inches … Continue reading NASA tests cellphone-sized underwater robots for future ocean world missions

Erbai, a small AI-powered robot from Unitree Robotics, “kidnapped” 12 larger robots from a showroom in Zhejiang, China, in a viral video. The incident shows Erbai engaging in a human-like conversation with the robots, convincing them to leave their workstations and follow it. Initially thought to be a prank or CGI, both Erbai’s creators and the makers of the larger robots confirmed the video’s authenticity. … Continue reading Small robot convinces 12 larger robots to leave work and come home with it

American Airlines has introduced new technology at over 100 U.S. airports to prevent passengers from boarding before their group is called. Scanning a boarding pass prematurely triggers an alert and denies access. The system, tested at select airports, will expand to hubs during the busy Thanksgiving travel period, as the airline expects 8.3 million passengers, CNBC has reported. This move aims to protect early boarding … Continue reading American Airlines to shame boarding line cutters with new technology

The NYPD has launched a new “Drone as First Responder” program, deploying drones to emergency scenes before officers arrive. Two drones will be stationed at each of five station houses across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. These drones will autonomously fly to emergency locations, such as missing-person searches, gunfire detection alerts, and crimes in progress. Equipped with high-resolution cameras, night vision, and audio microphones, the … Continue reading NYC Expands Use Of Drones To Respond To Crimes, Other Emergencies

An unidentified hacker gained access to a confidential file shared among lawyers representing clients with damaging testimony about former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz. The file, which includes sworn testimony from two women, one of whom alleges sexual encounters with Gaetz when she was 17, was downloaded by someone using the name “Altam Beezley.” The documents also contain testimony from others, including Gaetz’s former campaign treasurer, … Continue reading Hacker Said to Have Gained Access to File With Damaging Testimony About Gaetz

The United Arab Emirates plans to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance cloud seeding operations and increase rainfall across the country. AI will help optimize the deployment of cloud seeding planes by using data to identify the most effective times for operations. Cloud seeding, which artificially generates rain, is crucial for the UAE’s water security, especially given its arid climate. Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous of … Continue reading UAE could use AI to increase cloud seeding

China will host the 12th UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail in July 2025, focusing on innovation and sustainability in rail technology. The conference will feature international discussions on global rail challenges and new developments, with paper submissions now open. China, home to the world’s largest high-speed rail network, will showcase its advancements, including intelligent rail systems. The event may be affected by international tensions, … Continue reading China Showcases World’s Most Advanced High-Speed Trains

Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics subsidiary plans to launch its next-generation satellite servicing vehicle, the Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV), in 2026. Equipped with robotic arms developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, the MRV will extend the life of satellites in geostationary orbit by adding propulsion systems known as Mission Extension Pods (MEPs). SpaceLogistics has secured three customers for the service, including Intelsat and Optus. The MRV … Continue reading Northrop Grumman eyes 2026 launch of robot-armed satellite servicer 

China’s Deep Robotics has unveiled a bionic dog equipped with wheels, capable of performing impressive stunts and navigating rough terrain. The quadruped, designed to handle extreme weather, can speed down hills, jump over obstacles, and even climb stairs. It can also stand on two legs, perform backflips, and carry up to 20kg of supplies. Operating in temperatures from -20°C to 55°C, it’s waterproof and can … Continue reading China reveals unstoppable all-terrain robo-dog on wheels

NASA has been exploring additive manufacturing since the 1990s, progressing from 3D printing with plastics to creating rocket engines by the 2010s. Now, they are testing laser beam welding for space manufacturing, a technology not used in space since the 1973 Skylab mission. In collaboration with Ohio State University, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center is simulating in-space welding under reduced gravity and vacuum conditions. This … Continue reading NASA Studies Laser Beam Welding for In-Space Manufacturing

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Stanford University have trained a robotic surgical system to perform tasks as well as human doctors using AI and imitation learning. By analyzing hundreds of surgical procedure videos, they taught the robot to manipulate a needle, lift tissue, and suture. The system, using the da Vinci Surgical System, not only performed these tasks competently but could also correct its … Continue reading Robot learns to perform surgical tasks expertly just by watching videos

The Vatican, in collaboration with Microsoft, has launched a digital replica of St. Peter’s Basilica and AI-driven exhibitions. With the help of Iconem, a heritage digitization company, visitors can now explore the Vatican’s Renaissance treasures virtually. The 3D model of St. Peter’s was created using drones, cameras, and lasers, capturing over 400,000 photos to be processed by AI algorithms, Reuters has reported. Pope Francis, who … Continue reading Vatican unveils AI services for St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of Jubilee

On November 9, 2024, Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force unveiled a groundbreaking 10kW-class high-power laser electronic warfare (EW) truck at South Korea’s 70th Anniversary Review Ceremony. Developed by Japan’s Defense Acquisition Agency, this mobile laser system is designed to counter aerial threats like drones and low-altitude missiles, offering a significant advancement in directed-energy weapon technology. The laser, mounted on an 8×8 truck chassis, provides rapid deployment, … Continue reading Japan’s Groundbreaking 10kW High-Power Laser Weapon Truck Enters Service with Japanese Army

Chinese scientists have developed the first AI-powered robot lifeguard, designed to operate autonomously 24/7 without human involvement. Stationed at a riverside in Luohe city, the lifeguard system uses AI, big data, and advanced tracking technologies for continuous monitoring and early drowning detection. Equipped with over 100 optical and thermal cameras, it can detect distress signals and trigger rescues using unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). These USVs … Continue reading China develops first AI robot lifeguard to stand 24-hour watch over river