New research from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reveals that Houston has recorded the highest number of laser strikes in Texas this year, totaling 265 incidents. Recently, a man was arrested for shining a high-intensity light at a Harris County sheriff’s deputy mid-flight. Deputies report being struck by lasers two to three times a month, posing serious risks during critical flight phases. Pilot David Rhen … Continue reading Houston ranks No. 1 in number of laser strikes recorded in Texas this year, research shows

Researchers at KAIST have unveiled the WalkON Suit F1, a wearable robot designed for individuals with complete paralysis, enabling them to put it on independently from their wheelchairs. This new model addresses the limitation of previous versions, which required assistance for wearing. The robot can walk to the user and maintain balance, allowing hands-free movement. Developed by Professor Kyoungchul Kong, the WalkON Suit F1 incorporates … Continue reading Wearable walking robot allows disabled persons to don it from their wheelchairs

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Virginia is now displaying Robonaut 2, NASA’s first human-shaped robot to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). Built in partnership with GM, Robonaut 2 arrived on the ISS in 2011 via the shuttle Discovery, aiding astronauts with tasks like inventory and cleaning. This exhibit marks the start of expanded robotic roles in future space missions, especially … Continue reading Smithsonian displays 1st humanoid robot to go to the International Space Station

The Prospr robot, created by New Zealand agritech company Robotics Plus, is an electric, autonomous solution for spraying orchards and vineyards, unveiled at the FIRA agricultural robotics show last September. Currently in commercial use in New Zealand, Australia, and the US, the Prospr features a refillable spray tank, multiple spray fans, a diesel generator, and independently driven electric motors for each wheel. It operates on … Continue reading Crop-spraying robot is designed to reduce emissions and use less herbicide

New Sentry Robots, developed by DEKA Research and Development Corporation, are now patrolling the Cobb County Jail to enhance security. Standing about six feet tall, these robots are equipped with cameras, microphones, and heat sensors, allowing them to detect contraband, medical emergencies, and violence. Sheriff Craig Owens announced that for the next 90 days, three robots will monitor the facility, while a human operator will … Continue reading Georgia’s Cobb County Sheriff’s Office piloting robot patrol program at jail

Building a road involves a complex team effort, requiring engineers to determine optimal routes, navigate terrain, manage costs, and select materials for durability. However, the future of road construction may shift towards automation. In China, a 98-mile section of road has been built with minimal human intervention, using automated robots supervised by a small team. This project, part of the Beijing-Hong Kong Expressway, was led … Continue reading China Unveils First 98-Mile Road Built Entirely by Robots

The U.K. has successfully tested a new air defense laser, achieving 100% accuracy in intercepting infrared heat-seeking missiles during a live trial in Sweden. The laser, part of the DragonFire program, offers a cheaper alternative to costly air defense missiles, with a per-shot cost under $13. This directed-energy weapon can target airborne threats like drones and missiles, and is being considered for British military jets, … Continue reading NATO Ally’s New Jet-Fitted Laser Shield Downs ‘100%’ of Missiles

Chinese robotics startup Robot Era has launched STAR1, the world’s fastest humanoid robot, surpassing Tesla’s Optimus and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas. Standing 5.6 feet tall and weighing 143 pounds, STAR1 can sprint at 8 miles per hour, outperforming the previous record of 7.4 mph. Powered by high-torque motors and AI processing 275 trillion operations per second, STAR1 smoothly navigates various terrains, including sand and grass, First … Continue reading Chinese robotics startup Robot Era unveils STAR1, the ‘fastest’ humanoid in the world

The new Roborock Qrevo Curv is an advanced robot vacuum and mop that maps your home, vacuums, hot-mops, and maintains itself. Priced at $1,599.99, it boasts powerful suction, dual side-by-side brushes for handling pet hair, and a sophisticated PreciSense navigation system using lidar and cameras to efficiently clean and avoid obstacles. It also empties dust, cleans and dries its mops, and refills the reservoir automatically. … Continue reading Robot vacuums turn to self-driving tech to avoid household obstacles

On Thursday, OpenAI launched an early Windows version of its ChatGPT app, following the Mac release in May. Currently available only to Plus, Team, Enterprise, and Edu subscribers, the app can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft Store. OpenAI describes the release as a beta test, with plans to expand access to all users later this year. Users must log into a paid ChatGPT … Continue reading OpenAI releases ChatGPT app for Windows

Amazon’s Nashville fulfillment center has become a cutting-edge hub of robotics, featuring the Proteus robot, which interacts with human workers and helps transport heavy packages. Proteus, described as “loveable” by Amazon Robotics Director Julie Mitchell, can autonomously navigate the facility, charging itself when needed and communicating through movements and sounds. This innovation has allowed human employees to focus on more complex tasks, leading to a … Continue reading Inside Amazon warehouse where robots have taken over and shout at humans

Researchers suggest that artificial intelligence (AI) could help bridge contentious cultural divides through a mediation process. The “Habermas Machine,” developed by a team including Prof. Chris Summerfield from the University of Oxford, generates group statements that reflect majority and minority views to facilitate consensus. In experiments with over 5,000 participants, AI-generated statements were preferred 56% of the time over those created by human mediators, and … Continue reading AI mediation tool may help reduce culture war rifts, say researchers

Tesla unveiled its long-awaited driverless “Cybercab” robotaxi at an event in California, showcasing its fully autonomous design with no steering wheel or pedals. Elon Musk highlighted its inductive charging and estimated a price under $30,000, with production expected before 2027. Tesla also revealed a large “Robovan” for up to 20 passengers and further showcased its humanoid robot, Optimus. While Tesla aims for unsupervised autonomous vehicles … Continue reading Elon Musk reveals Tesla’s robotaxi and robovan

Elon Musk claims Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots will be “the biggest product ever” and could be sold by 2025, though experts are skeptical about the timeline. At a recent event, the bots showcased advanced capabilities, but challenges like navigating uneven terrain, battery life, and safety around people and pets remain. Experts believe Optimus will first be used in factories before reaching homes, with mass adoption … Continue reading Elon Musk’s walking, talking Optimus robots could come to your house, experts say

Scientists are set to explore the secrets of subatomic particles more deeply following a major upgrade to the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), the world’s most powerful X-ray laser, based at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The U.S. Department of Energy has approved the LCLS-II-HE upgrade, which will enhance the laser’s brightness by 3,000 times, making it capable of producing over one petabyte of data daily. … Continue reading World’s most powerful X-ray laser set for massive upgrade that will help us better understand the atomic world

Amazon is testing mini warehouses at Whole Foods stores, starting with a location in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, as part of an effort to attract more shoppers and compete with other grocery chains. The micro fulfillment centers will allow customers to order items from Amazon’s website or Amazon Fresh while shopping at Whole Foods, offering a wider range of products not available in-store, like Pepsi or … Continue reading Amazon tests adding robot warehouses to Whole Foods

The University of Minnesota has introduced a new food delivery service using robots, operated by Starship Technologies. These robots deliver from popular campus spots like Panda Express and Starbucks for a small fee. Students and staff can order food via the Starship app and track the robot’s location in real-time. Equipped with sensors, cameras, and GPS, the robots can navigate obstacles and work in various … Continue reading Robots will now deliver food to students on the University of Minnesota campus

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a patent-pending single-photon 3D nanoprinting technology that enables the rapid and cost-effective creation of high-resolution nanostructures, outperforming traditional laser-based methods. Led by Professor Liang Pan, the technology utilizes modified photocurable resin materials, allowing for lower laser intensities and faster printing speeds without the need for expensive femtosecond lasers. This innovative approach significantly reduces tool costs—potentially by 10 to 100 … Continue reading Purdue researchers create single-photon method for large-scale laser-based 3D additive nanoprinting

Christoph Kohstall, founder of the startup Kind Humanoid, is developing a unique humanoid robot prototype in his Palo Alto garage, surrounded by advanced technology like 3D printers and carbon fiber molding machines. The unskinned robot, currently devoid of a shell, represents five years of development and is part of a $4 million funding round, with plans to deploy a dozen units for field testing next … Continue reading Kind Humanoid wants to be the iPhone of cyborgs

Chang Robotics and Jacksonville University have announced the launch of a “Robot Studio” aimed at developing advanced robots for healthcare settings. Located on the third floor of JU’s Health Sciences Complex, the 4,000 sq. ft. studio will allow researchers to program, test, and prepare robots designed to assist healthcare teams. The initiative reflects JU’s commitment to hands-on engineering and computer science education, providing students with … Continue reading Chang Robotics establishes healthcare Robot Studio at Jacksonville University

A Chinese Navy missile boat directed a military-grade laser at a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aircraft conducting maritime surveillance over the West Philippine Sea on September 28. This incident, part of an ongoing intimidation campaign amid rising tensions, involved the BFAR aircraft being targeted three times, causing discomfort to the pilots. The BFAR aircraft had spotted Chinese vessels pursuing Filipino boats … Continue reading Chinese Navy Fires Military-Grade Laser At Philippines Aircraft

Introducing NEO Beta, a humanoid robot from 1X Technologies, designed for home use and backed by OpenAI. Standing at 5.41 feet and weighing 66 pounds, NEO Beta is both agile and unobtrusive, capable of walking at 2.5 mph and running at 7.5 mph. It can carry up to 44 pounds and operates for two to four hours on a charge. With advanced sensors and AI, … Continue reading The creepy yet helpful humanoid robot ready to move into your home

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is defending its new robot dog, “Spot,” insisting it will not be weaponized amid community concerns about its implications. Designed by Boston Dynamics, Spot resembles a Golden Retriever, weighs 70 pounds, and can perform tasks like opening doors and dragging objects up to 50 pounds. LAPD Deputy Chief David Kowalski emphasized that Spot’s purpose is to save lives, highlighting … Continue reading LAPD defends unleashing robot dog on city

The California Citrus Research Board (CRB) has signed a $900,000 funding agreement with Israeli AgTech startup Nanovel to bring an AI-powered prototype citrus harvester to the Central Valley for field trials. Set to begin testing in Spring 2025 in collaboration with local citrus growers, the harvester aims to improve product quality and help address labor shortages without replacing human workers. CRB President Marcy Martin emphasized … Continue reading AI-powered fruit-harvesting robot to test in Central Valley

The Los Angeles Police Department has introduced a robot dog named Spot, developed by Boston Dynamics, as a new crimefighting tool. Spot, resembling a 70-pound golden retriever, can perform tasks such as opening doors, picking up objects, and navigating difficult terrain. LAPD Deputy Chief David Kowalski highlighted Spot’s potential to save lives, recalling its recent deployment to assist in a standoff with an armed suspect, … Continue reading Meet Spot, LAPD’s new crimefighting robot dog