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

Nvidia announced Monday that its new robotics chip, the Jetson AGX Thor, is now available as a $3,499 developer kit, with shipments starting next month. The module, based on Nvidia’s Blackwell GPU, is 7.5 times faster than its predecessor and designed to power generative AI models for robots and self-driving cars. Bulk orders of over 1,000 chips will cost $2,999 each. Nvidia says companies like … Continue reading Nvidia Releases a Smarter Robot Brain Called Jetson Thor

Bali, famous for its beaches and jungles, continues to face a severe waste problem, with plastic and garbage washing up on tourist hotspots and open landfills straining local management. To tackle the issue, hotels have tested beach-cleaning robots, like the $65,000 BeBot Smart Beach Cleaning Robot at FINNS Beach Club, which clears 180-meter stretches daily. Local leaders hope to expand the technology across coastal villages, … Continue reading Bali introduces $65k cleaning robot to fix dirty beach problem

Waymo has received its first New York City permit to test autonomous vehicles, marking the city’s inaugural AV testing program. The company will operate up to eight cars in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn through late September, with a driver required behind the wheel. The move is part of Waymo’s nationwide expansion, which includes Austin, San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, CNBC has reported. … Continue reading Waymo granted first permit to begin testing autonomous vehicles in NYC

Nottinghamshire Police is trialing a robot dog equipped with cameras, AI weapon detection, LiDAR scanning, and a loudspeaker to handle dangerous situations without risking officers’ lives. The £24,000 unit can climb stairs, scan rooms, carry supplies, and operate where drones cannot, potentially aiding in sieges, hostage incidents, or chemical threats. The three-month test will assess its effectiveness and value before recommendations go to the Home … Continue reading Police test robot dog for potential UK rollout

Florida will trial Campus Guardian Angel, a Texas-based drone system designed to assist responders during school shootings, in three school districts after Governor Ron DeSantis’ approval. The drones, stored in secure on-campus boxes, can be deployed within five seconds of a silent panic alert, providing live video to first responders and firing nonlethal projectiles to delay assailants. Operated remotely by a Texas team of pilots … Continue reading Armed Drones to Be Deployed at Schools To Stop Mass Shooters

Hong Kong plans to deploy robot dogs equipped with insecticide sprayers to combat rising cases of mosquito-borne Chikungunya fever. The robots will target hard-to-reach areas, reducing the workload on frontline workers. A trial will begin next month, with the potential for wider deployment if successful, Interesting Engineering has reported. Continue reading Hong Kong to unleash mosquito-killing robot dogs to combat Chikungunya virus

The first “World Humanoid Robot Games” in Beijing featured 280 teams from 16 countries competing in sports, dance, and job-skill challenges. Robots showcased advanced abilities in events like soccer, track, and long jump, as well as tasks such as housekeeping and retail work. Chinese companies like Unitree, X-Humanoid, and UBTECH won multiple medals, highlighting China’s push to become a global leader in humanoid robotics by … Continue reading Tesla Optimus rival Unitree shines at the ‘World Humanoid Robot Games’ in China

China is developing a humanoid “pregnancy robot” with an artificial womb that could carry a fetus for 10 months, potentially offering a lower-cost alternative to human surrogates. While the prototype may debut next year, questions remain about fertilization, birth, and ethical and legal implications. Separately, humanoid robots have been showcased performing everyday tasks in New York to promote a new ETF, drawing both amazement and … Continue reading ‘Pregnancy robots’ could give birth to humans in revolutionary breakthrough

Russian hackers reportedly took control of a Norwegian fish-farming dam in April, opening a floodgate for four hours and releasing 500 litres per second, Norway’s intelligence service (PST) said. The attack, attributed to pro-Russian cyber actors, caused no damage due to low water levels but aimed to create fear and disruption. A video linked to the group was shared on Telegram, and PST warned of … Continue reading Russian hackers seized control of Norwegian dam, spy chief says

Over 500 humanoid robots from 280 teams across 16 countries are competing in 26 events—from soccer and boxing to medicine sorting and cleaning—at the first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. The three-day event showcases AI-powered robotics, with robots often toppling or malfunctioning during competitions. China, making humanoids a national priority, aims to demonstrate global leadership in robotics, backed by a $139 billion fund for … Continue reading World’s first humanoid robot games begin in China