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

Foodora Norway has partnered with Tele2 to test home deliveries using robots and drones supported by 5G and IoT technology in the Stockholm area. The trials, part of Foodora’s plan to roll out GPS-based robot deliveries across the Nordic countries by 2025 and 2026, will use the Doora robot for ground deliveries and drones for the Foodora Air project. Foodora aims to launch commercial robot … Continue reading Foodora tests drone and robot deliveries in Sweden

A suspected Chinese submarine drone was recovered off the central Philippines by fishermen and turned over to authorities, raising concerns about national security. The yellow, torpedo-shaped device, marked “HY-119,” is believed to be an underwater navigation and reconnaissance system. While unarmed, it has capabilities for monitoring and communication. Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated in the South China Sea, with recent confrontations involving … Continue reading Chinese underwater spy drone found by fishermen

Transit agencies in major U.S. cities are using AI-powered cameras to enforce bus lane rules, aiming to reduce traffic and improve bus speeds. Hayden AI, the company behind the technology, has partnered with cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to issue fines for illegally parked vehicles blocking bus lanes. While the system has helped speed up buses and reduce repeat violations, it … Continue reading Transit systems turn to AI-powered cameras to catch drivers who block bus lanes

Chinese hackers gained remote access to several U.S. Treasury Department workstations and unclassified documents after compromising a third-party software provider, BeyondTrust. The breach, discovered on December 8, allowed hackers to steal a security key used to remotely assist Treasury employees, but there is no evidence of continued access to Treasury information. The incident is under investigation as a major cybersecurity breach. The Treasury Department is … Continue reading China Hacks Treasury Dept. in ‘Major’ Breach

Lovot, a pet robot developed by Groove X, has regained popularity in Japan. Standing 43 cm tall and weighing 4 kg, the AI-powered robot is designed to interact with its owner using sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence. Lovot can move, blink, make noises, and react to touch, offering affection and even dancing when tickled. Despite its high price, it’s seen as an effective tool against … Continue reading Robotic pets gain popularity in Japan

Pudu Technology Inc. recently introduced its first full-sized bipedal humanoid robot, the PUDU D9, aiming to achieve “commercially viable embodied intelligence.” The robot will soon be available for pre-sale on the company’s website. Pudu Robotics, with over 1,000 patents, specializes in service robots for sectors like dining, retail, healthcare, and more, the Robot Report has reported. The company has shipped over 80,000 robots to over … Continue reading Pudu Robotics launches PUDU D9 humanoid robot

A new 1,000-foot tall roller coaster is set to break all speed and height records, surpassing the Kingda Ka in New Jersey. Expected to open in 2025, the coaster will be twice as tall as any existing ride, making it the world’s tallest. Developed using advanced technology and AI-assisted design, it will feature a unique braking system to manage its extreme speed. The coaster’s location … Continue reading World braces for unveiling of record 1000-foot ‘Megalodon’ rollercoaster