Xpeng AeroHT’s modular flying car, the Land Aircraft Carrier, has already received over 3,000 pre-orders despite the lack of a manufacturing facility, with trial production slated to begin in July 2025 and mass production expected by 2026. The car, priced around 2 million yuan (about $280,000), features a 5.5-meter EREV carrier with a 1,000 km range and onboard aircraft charging. Xpeng plans to produce 10,000 … Continue reading Xpeng modular flying car got over 3,000 orders before presales

CERN’s new laser, Zeus, is the world’s most powerful and could revolutionize science. Built at the University of Michigan, Zeus emits pulses of three petawatts, simulating conditions in distant galaxies and near cosmic phenomena like black holes. It has already revealed unexpected particle interactions, potentially transforming our understanding of the universe and advancing fields like nuclear fusion, materials science, and quantum computing. Zeus’s breakthroughs have … Continue reading Zeus, the most powerful laser ever created, causes a worldwide shock

AI scientists are calling for global oversight to prevent potential catastrophic outcomes from AI, emphasizing the need for international cooperation and governance. A statement from the group, released on September 16, highlighted concerns about losing control over advanced AI systems and the lack of sufficient science to manage these risks. They advocate for national authorities to handle AI incidents and the creation of a global … Continue reading AI could soon be beyond our control, scientists worried

The Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has launched its first operational satellite-ground laser communication system, marking a significant advancement in China’s space technology. The new system, which went into regular operation from the Pamir Plateau, is expected to dramatically increase data transmission speeds from around 6GB per second to several hundred gigabytes per second. This enhancement is crucial for receiving … Continue reading China activates first satellite-ground laser communication system

Chipotle Mexican Grill is piloting two robots in California to assist with avocado prep for guacamole and the assembly of burrito bowls. The Autocado robot can cut, core, and peel avocados in an average of 26 seconds, significantly reducing the time for guacamole preparation. Although employees will still mash the avocados by hand, the automation is expected to ease the workload, particularly as Chipotle anticipates … Continue reading Chipotle Mexican Grill tries out robots 

China’s low-latitude, long-range ionospheric radar (LARID) on Hainan Island has detected equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) above the Midway Islands and Egypt for the first time. These anomalies occur in the ionosphere, where UV light creates ion layers, but sometimes irregularities form, disrupting communication signals. LARID, with a detection range of nearly 6,000 miles, identified these bubbles during a solar storm in November 2023, Popular Mechanics … Continue reading Mysterious Plasma Bubbles Have Appeared Over the Pyramids

Hyperloop technology, involving capsules traveling through depressurized tubes on magnetic fields, has made notable progress in the northern Netherlands. Hardt Hyperloop successfully levitated a test vehicle and operated its guidance and propulsion systems in a 420-meter test tube. The technology aims to achieve speeds of up to 700 kph (435 mph), offering a more efficient alternative to short-haul flights and high-speed rail. The current test … Continue reading A capsule has been propelled through a hyperloop test tube in a step forward for the transit system

Later this year, residents of Rhode Island might witness the first manned flights of the Viceroy seaglider, an electric aircraft by Regent that uses wing-in-ground effect to enhance range. This battery-powered passenger vehicle combines elements of a seaplane, hydrofoil, and ground-effect aircraft. It aims to offer a green and cost-effective transportation solution for coastal and island communities. The Viceroy is expected to travel up to … Continue reading Quirky ground-effect ‘seaglider’ approved for full-scale flight tests

Chinese scientists have used advanced radar to detect plasma bubbles above the Egyptian pyramids and Midway Islands. The Low Latitude Long Range Ionospheric Radar (LARID), developed by the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, can monitor these disruptions in the ionosphere, which affect satellite communications and GPS. Announced on August 27, LARID’s recent detection, which spans from North Africa to the central Pacific, is the largest … Continue reading China’s Powerful LARID Radar Detects Plasma Bubble Over Egyptian Pyramids 

The Army is introducing a new autonomous equipment decontamination system to enhance safety for soldiers dealing with chemical and biological weapons. Previously, soldiers had to wear bulky NBC suits and spend up to an hour decontaminating vehicles, a process that was both risky and time-consuming. The new robotic system uses cameras and a mobile platform to identify and clean contaminated areas, allowing soldiers to stay … Continue reading The military robot protecting soldiers from chemical, biological dangers

Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon revealed that the company, in collaboration with Samsung and Google, is developing mixed-reality glasses that will pair with smartphones, offering a different approach from Apple’s larger headset. This partnership, which began last year, aims to blend augmented and virtual reality. Amon anticipates that the glasses will enhance user experiences and hopes they become a popular accessory for smartphone users, CNBC has … Continue reading Qualcomm says it’s working on mixed reality smart glasses with Samsung and Google

Agility Robotics will start manufacturing its new humanoid robots, Digit, at its 70,000-square-foot facility in southeast Salem by the end of the year. The company, which moved from a smaller site in Tangent due to space constraints, plans to produce up to 10,000 robots annually and employ 500 people. Digit robots, designed for repetitive tasks in warehouses, are already being tested by Amazon. Agility’s co-founder, … Continue reading Agility Robotics will produce 10,000 humanoid robots per year at its new facility

X, one of the world’s most popular social networks, was blocked in Brazil on Saturday after Elon Musk refused to comply with local laws. The ban, enforced by internet providers and mobile companies, left millions of Brazilian users unable to access the platform. In response, Bluesky gained 500,000 new users in two days, including prominent Brazilian influencer Felipe Neto, The Guardian has reported. The ban … Continue reading X goes offline in Brazil after Elon’s refusal to comply

California lawmakers have approved several bills aimed at regulating the AI industry, combating deepfakes, and protecting workers. The measures include banning deepfakes related to elections, requiring social media platforms to remove deceptive content before and after Election Day, and mandating campaign disclosures of AI-altered ads. Other proposals criminalize the use of AI to create child sexual abuse images and require tech companies to provide AI … Continue reading California lawmakers approve legislation to ban deepfakes, regulate AI

Chinese tech and automation companies are ramping up R&D in humanoid robots, anticipating significant growth in demand across service, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors. Wuxi Longsheng Technology is working with local authorities to apply humanoid robots in manufacturing, with ongoing trials and system improvements. Shenzhen’s Jwipc Technology has introduced a high-performance controller for various robots, including humanoid models, using NVIDIA’s Isaac platform, ECNS has reported. Analysts … Continue reading Chinese tech firms accelerate humanoid robot R&D

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, an Israeli defense technology company, reported a record backlog of orders worth NIS 59 billion at the end of Q2, with notable growth in the Americas and a slight decline in Israeli sales. The company’s Q2 revenue increased by 25% year-over-year to NIS 3.9 billion, with new orders rising to NIS 6.4 billion. Since the start of the year, Rafael has … Continue reading Rafael CEO: Iron Beam laser air-defense operational next year

Retailers are increasingly adopting robotic solutions in response to labor shortages caused by aging populations and declining birth rates in developed countries, particularly in Europe, Japan, and South Korea. GlobalData’s report highlights the growing need for automation as the working-age population continues to shrink, leading to significant talent shortfalls in industries like hospitality. Robotics, offering high efficiency and low maintenance, are seen as a viable … Continue reading Ageing populations spell a robotic future for food and drink retailers

Security robots are increasingly being used across the U.S., from New York to Hawaii, to patrol residential communities and apartment buildings. While they offer the potential to complement human security guards, concerns have arisen about privacy, job losses, and their actual effectiveness in enhancing public safety. Though there’s limited public data to prove their reliability, experts argue that these robots excel in routine tasks, allowing … Continue reading Security robots are starting to join the ranks of human guards

Apple has announced a special event on September 9, where the iPhone 16 is expected to be unveiled. The event, tagged “It’s Glowtime,” will be held at the Steve Jobs Theater and streamed online. The iPhone 16 is anticipated to feature advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, building on AI tools like personalized Genmoji and a smarter Siri, introduced earlier this year. While the AI enhancements … Continue reading Apple is expected to debut the first generative AI iPhone at its September 9 event

Australia has implemented a “right to disconnect” law, allowing employees to ignore work-related communications after hours without fear of punishment. This new rule aims to help workers achieve better work-life balance, addressing the issue of unpaid overtime, which averages 281 hours annually in Australia. While employers can still contact workers after hours, employees now have the right not to respond unless it’s deemed unreasonable. The … Continue reading Australians get ‘right to disconnect’ after hours

Ukraine is deploying a fleet of robot dogs, including some designed for potential “kamikaze” attacks, against Russian forces. Over 30 of these $9,000 robots, created by Brit Alliance, are currently in use, primarily for reconnaissance and supply delivery. Ukrainian military units are working to adapt these robotic dogs for offensive roles, targeting enemy soldiers and vehicles. Equipped with remote-sensing technology and thermal-infrared cameras, the robots, … Continue reading Ukraine deploys $9K robot dogs vs. Russia with plans to use them as ‘kamikazes’ on the front lines

Will.i.am has launched RAiDiO.FYI, a new AI-powered interactive media platform that allows users to customize and interact with radio content. The app lets listeners personalize their experience by curating topics, discovering new music, and engaging with AI radio hosts in real-time. Users can ask questions about the music or news they’re hearing and receive immediate responses. The platform, available for free on iPhone and Android, … Continue reading Will.i.am Launches Interactive AI-Driven Radio App

The Port of Seattle, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is facing internet and system outages, potentially due to a cyberattack, officials announced on Saturday. The outages are affecting web-based services, leading to possible disruptions like long lines and delays at baggage check and ticketing counters. The Port has isolated critical systems and is working to restore full service but has not provided a timeline, KING 5 … Continue reading Possible cyberattack cripples Port of Seattle, Sea-Tac Airport

Boardwalk Robotics has introduced “Alex,” a new humanoid robot designed to enhance productivity and efficiency across various industries. Unlike traditional humanoids, Alex lacks legs but excels in tasks like organizing and cleaning. Boardwalk, founded in 2017, has partnered with the Institute for Human Machine Cognition (IHMC) to develop advanced robots, including the Nadia humanoid, known for its dynamic locomotion research and recent performance in a … Continue reading New humanoid robot tackles dumbbells, dishes and diverse tasks

Turf Tank is revolutionizing sports field preparation with its robots that significantly reduce the time required to paint lines, numbers, and other markings for game day. Bearden High School in East Tennessee is among the schools using these robots, which have transformed their field usage. The robots allow coaches to save time, enabling them to focus more on training their players. The head of Bearden’s … Continue reading Self-guiding robots are making athletic field preparation easier