Major League Baseball will introduce a robot umpire challenge system for balls and strikes in the 2026 season, following years of testing in the minors, spring training, and the All-Star Game. Teams will receive two challenges per game, triggered by hitters, pitchers, or catchers tapping their heads, with successful challenges displayed on in-stadium videoboards. The automated ball-strike (ABS) system uses 12 cameras per ballpark, tracking … Continue reading MLB approves robot umpires for 2026

West Berkshire Council has launched a trial using robotic pets to help reduce loneliness in care home residents, including those with dementia or learning disabilities. The android companions have realistic fur and sensors that respond to touch and motion, mimicking real animals. The trial will evaluate their impact on residents in three local care homes. Care home operator Barchester Healthcare said the robots provide predictable, … Continue reading Robot pet trial to target loneliness in care homes

Australia is reviewing its telecommunications sector after Optus failed to connect 624 emergency calls last week, linked to four deaths. The outage affected calls to “0-0-0,” Australia’s emergency number. Optus CEO Stephen Rue apologized, citing lapses in established processes. Communications Minister Anika Wells said the industry watchdog is investigating, and there will be consequences for Optus and other telecoms. Optus and Telstra have previously faced … Continue reading Australia to overhaul comms after Optus emergency call failure linked to 4 deaths

Lockheed Martin’s secretive Skunk Works division unveiled its new drone wingman, Vectis, designed for surveillance, electronic warfare, precision strikes, and aerial combat. The aircraft, smaller than an F-16 but larger than the Common Multi-Mission Truck missile, is stealthy, reusable, runway-dependent, and compatible with other aircraft like the F-22 and F-35. Skunk Works emphasized that Vectis was developed over time, building on decades of experience with … Continue reading Lockheed’s Skunk Works unveils Vectis, a stealthy drone

Several major European airports, including London’s Heathrow, Berlin, and Brussels, faced disruptions on Saturday after a cyberattack targeted Collins Aerospace, the provider of check-in and boarding systems. The hack caused long queues, flight cancellations, and delays, though operations were largely returning to normal by Sunday. RTX, Collins Aerospace’s parent company, described the incident as a “cyber-related disruption” affecting its MUSE software used by airlines. Airports … Continue reading European airports race to fix check-in glitch after hacking disruption

X Square Robot has unveiled Quanta X2, a versatile robotic butler capable of cleaning, serving, and performing complex tasks, alongside Wall-OSS, an open-source AI model for adaptable, real-world robotics. Quanta X2 stands 5’8” tall, weighs 210 pounds, and features 62 degrees of freedom, a seven-degree-of-freedom arm, and dexterous hands for precise, lifelike movements. It can clean with modular tools, grip objects, and even express emotions … Continue reading The new robot that could make chores a thing of the past

A TikTok video went viral showing an autonomous Serve Robotics food delivery cart briefly blocking a Los Angeles fire truck at a Hollywood intersection. The robot stopped in the crosswalk despite the truck’s lights and sirens. Serve Robotics acknowledged the incident, saying standard safety procedures weren’t followed and that they are coordinating with the LAFD, KTLA has reported. The cart was eventually moved, allowing the … Continue reading Robot delivery cart blocks fire truck in Hollywood intersection

A suspect in Sun City West opened fire on Maricopa County SWAT deputies and a robot during a standoff on Sept. 16. Deputies responded to a shots-fired call near 134th Avenue and Copperstone Drive and identified the house from which the shots were coming. SWAT established a perimeter, at which point the suspect fired at both the officers and the robot. Before the team entered … Continue reading Suspect shoots at SWAT robot in Sun City West

Meta’s upcoming Connect conference will spotlight new smart glasses, AI updates, and possibly metaverse developments. The company is expected to unveil “Hypernova” glasses with a small display in the lens, controlled via a wristband using sEMG technology, priced around $800. New third-generation Ray-Ban Metas and Oakley Sphaera glasses with improved cameras and features may also be announced. While no new Quest VR headset is expected, … Continue reading Meta’s new smart glasses are coming this week

Clone Robotics CEO Dhanush Radhakrishnan discussed the company’s mission to build lifelike android robots using synthetic muscles in a recent podcast. Founded in 2021, the California-based startup focuses on creating full-scale humanoid robots capable of natural, human-like movements, leveraging deep learning and fluidic “muscle” technology. Their robots use pressurized tubes to mimic human skeletal muscles, powered by a compact hydraulic system, allowing versatile motion without … Continue reading Ghost-like humanoid robot comes to life with water-powered muscles

The FBI recently disrupted a major network of hacked devices, or botnets, but the takedown freed up tens of thousands of machines that were quickly seized by new operators, creating even more powerful cyberattack tools. Botnets like the rival Aisuru are now capable of record-breaking distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, targeting not just websites but potentially entire networks and countries. These networks, made up of internet-connected … Continue reading The FBI Destroyed an Internet Weapon, but Criminals Picked Up the Pieces

A security robot named Lance now patrols the old Kansas City Star building, where software company Patmos Tech operates a data center, providing 24/7 surveillance to supplement human guards. The 420-pound, AI-powered K5 Autonomous Security Robot monitors the area, records footage, and has already assisted police by capturing evidence of attempted burglaries. Lance serves both as a deterrent and a tool for human security, helping … Continue reading Security robot failed in NYC, it’s now trying to protect Kansas City

MIT physicists propose creating a “neutrino laser” by super-cooling radioactive atoms to extreme temperatures, causing them to decay in sync and emit neutrinos in a coherent, amplified beam—similar to how conventional lasers amplify light. This tabletop approach could provide a compact, efficient way to study neutrinos, probe their mysterious mass, and even enable novel communication through the Earth. The method could also generate radioisotopes for … Continue reading MIT Physicists Propose First-Ever “Neutrino Laser”

Israel’s Defense Ministry announced successful trials of a new rail-mounted robot designed to secure sensitive sites such as prisons, military bases, and border facilities. Brig. Gen. Yehuda Al-Makiys highlighted the system’s durability and reliability, noting it can operate semi-autonomously for weeks or months with minimal maintenance, enhancing overall security. Unlike drones or wheeled robots, the rail robot moves along fixed tracks installed on fences, walls, … Continue reading Israel unveils rail-mounted robot to guard borders, bases, and prisons

UC Berkeley recently released a video showcasing its Humanoid Table Tennis Robot, nicknamed HITTER, engaging in a high-speed game of table tennis with human opponents. The robot demonstrated remarkable agility and precision, sustaining rallies of over 100 shots while maintaining balance with its left hand, emulating natural human movement. HITTER’s performance relies on a two-part system: a high-level planner that tracks the ball and predicts … Continue reading UC Berkeley humanoid robot plays table tennis with human-like agility 

Tiny Vinyl is a new miniature vinyl format designed for the streaming era. These 4-inch records offer a physical collectible experience while aligning with modern music distribution. Artists can release their music on these compact records, providing fans with tangible memorabilia. The format is compatible with standard turntables, ensuring accessibility for vinyl enthusiasts, ArsTechnica has reported. Tiny Vinyl combines nostalgia with contemporary music trends, appealing … Continue reading Tiny Vinyl: A New Pocketable Record Format for the Spotify Age

The U.S. Army has received its first Infantry Squad Vehicles equipped with mobile laser systems to counter drone threats. The vehicles feature AeroVironment’s 20kW LOCUST laser mounted on a lightweight, mobile platform for tactical operations. Initial testing took place at Yuma Proving Ground, validating mobility, safety, and effectiveness, as reported by Defense Blog. Soldiers have begun training with the systems at Fort Sill, with feedback … Continue reading U.S. Army Receives First Laser-Equipped Infantry Squad Vehicles to Counter Drone Threats

China showcased four-legged “robot wolves” at a military parade attended by global leaders, including Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Shehbaz Sharif. These gun-carrying robots, designed to navigate rough terrain, climb stairs, carry heavy loads, and execute precision strikes up to 100 meters, are intended to operate in coordinated packs with a “leader” directing attacks. The parade highlighted China’s advancements in robotics, signaling a more automated … Continue reading Robot ‘wolves’ among China’s weapons showcased at parade for global notice

The UK government is considering reintroducing digital ID cards as part of measures to curb illegal migration, following pressure from French President Emmanuel Macron. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told Cabinet he is exploring options requiring digital ID for work, housing, benefits, and public services. The idea, previously abandoned over civil liberties concerns, is being studied with examples from France and Estonia, the Daily Mail … Continue reading UK’s Starmer floats idea of digital ID cards for everyone

A University of Cambridge researcher predicts that by 2030, AI technology will allow people to interact with digital avatars of deceased loved ones almost 24/7, potentially reducing visits to cemeteries. Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska, a specialist in digital death and mourning, warns that while these “digital afterlife” tools—already emerging in the US, China, and companies like Replika and StoryFile—could create a form of digital immortality, they may … Continue reading Cambridge Professor Predicts AI Apps Will Let Us ‘Talk to the Dead’ Within Five Years

China is set to unveil what it claims is “the most powerful laser air defence system in the world” during a military parade in Beijing marking 80 years since World War II. The truck-mounted laser, speculated to be a 10kW OW5-A10 capable of intercepting drone swarms, will be showcased alongside new anti-ship missiles. The parade, attended by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, reflects China’s focus … Continue reading China to unveil ‘world’s most powerful laser defense system’ in front of Putin

At Camp Atterbury, Indiana, defense contractor Epirus demonstrated its Leonidas system, which uses electromagnetic interference to disable drone swarms. In a test, Leonidas took down 49 quadcopters simultaneously without firing projectiles. The technology, aimed at countering threats at military sites, airports, and public venues, highlights the growing importance of drone-counter-drone systems in modern warfare, Axios has reported. Epirus, founded in 2018, has worked with the … Continue reading Electromagnetic weapon zaps drone swarm in seconds

Police in Kenner, Louisiana, used a robot and drone to arrest Honduran national Elviss Caballero-Zuniga, 53, wanted for a murder in his home country, following an intense standoff on Aug. 22. Authorities breached his front door using an armored vehicle, and Caballero-Zuniga surrendered to the SWAT robot team. He is currently in custody facing a felony charge of illegal re-entry into the U.S., while details … Continue reading Robot helps arrest man wanted for murder inside Louisiana home

Taipei City Council faced criticism after revealing it purchased a patrol robot dog made by Chinese company Unitree, which has ties to China’s military. The robot, intended to help inspect pedestrian areas, uses cameras developed by a Taiwanese contractor, but opposition officials and commentators warned it could pose a national security risk by collecting sensitive data. The council said the purchase was a one-unit trial … Continue reading Taipei City council in the dog house over Chinese-made patrol robot

Robomart, a Los Angeles startup, unveiled its new RM5 self-driving delivery robot Monday, aiming to make on-demand delivery profitable. The level-four autonomous vehicle carries up to 500 pounds in 10 lockers, enabling multiple deliveries at once. Robomart’s model lets retailers run storefronts on its app, charging customers a flat $3 fee per order — far lower than traditional delivery platforms. The company plans to launch … Continue reading Robomart unveils new delivery robot