China is reportedly advancing its military capabilities with a focus on mind-altering weapons, raising concerns among experts about the potential use of these technologies in a conflict scenario, particularly against Taiwan. The development includes cognitive and biological weapons designed to impair the enemy’s cognitive functions. Experts warn that these weapons could have significant implications, creating what they describe as a “terrible, brave new world.” While … Continue reading China ‘Brain Warfare’ unit preparing mind-melting weapons

Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket chain, is experimenting with a novel approach to reduce plastic usage by laser-printing barcodes and product details directly onto items. Initially, the trial is focused on avocados, a popular item in the UK, especially among millennials who enjoy avocado on toast. Tesco sells approximately 70 million avocados annually, with a 15% increase in sales over the past year. The trial, … Continue reading British supermarket Tesco is laser-tattooing avocados to cut plastic pollution

In 2024, Unitree Robotics offers the opportunity to own a 4-foot-tall humanoid robot for $16,000, making it more affordable compared to other options. The Unitree G1 features 23 joint motors, an 8-core high-performance CPU, and a collapsible design for portability. It operates on a 9,000 mAh battery for two hours. The educational variant of the G1 includes additional features such as more waist joints, enhanced … Continue reading For $16,000 You Can Buy Your Very Own Humanoid Robot

The Denver Police Department is launching a new program to use drones in responding to 911 calls. This initiative comes after recent budget cuts to fund migrant services. Despite former Chief Robert White’s earlier opposition to drones, the department will use a $100,000 grant from the Denver Police Foundation to purchase drones and start the program within six to twelve months. The drones will assist … Continue reading Denver police say drones will respond to 911 calls instead of cops

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that robot umpires are unlikely for 2025 due to ongoing technical issues and insufficient progress in minor leagues. MLB has been testing the automated ball-strike system (ABS) since 2019, using a combination of robot umpires and human umpires with a challenge system. Players’ feedback favors the challenge system, preserving the skill of catcher framing. Manfred emphasized the importance of careful … Continue reading MLB says robot home plate umpires unlikely for 2025

The Air Force has unveiled new images of the B-21 Raider, a nuclear-armed stealth bomber and the first new American bomber in over 30 years. Currently, six are in production, with flight tests occurring in California. Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, reports that testing is progressing well, providing valuable insights into the aircraft’s unique characteristics. Each B-21 Raider costs around … Continue reading B-21 Raider: America’s newest nuclear stealth bomber

As Memorial Day signals the start of summer vacation in Michigan, beachgoers may encounter more than just sand—pounds of discarded plastics and trash litter the shores. To combat this issue, some Michigan communities have turned to innovative solutions, employing robots for cleanup efforts. Remote-controlled “BeBots” have been utilized on various Michigan beaches in recent years, with the latest deployment set for Belle Isle beach in … Continue reading Robots at work cleaning trash from Michigan beaches

The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center recently unveiled Tiangong, a full-size humanoid robot standing at 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 95 pounds. Powered by electric energy, Tiangong boasts advanced sensors and processors, enabling it to jog at a steady pace of 3.7 mph, navigate complex terrain, and execute tasks with precision. Equipped with cutting-edge features like vision perception sensors and a high-precision inertial … Continue reading China unveils its first full-size electric running humanoid robot

Two years after a Russian defense think tank offered a cash reward for capturing an Estonian-made THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle in Ukraine, Russian forces appear to have seized one. Photos of a damaged THeMIS, made by Milrem Robotics, were posted on Russian Telegram channels. A Milrem spokesperson confirmed awareness of the images but declined to comment. Federico Borsari from the Center for European Policy Analysis … Continue reading Russian forces may have seized first Estonian ground robot in Ukraine

MAMA BEAR (Mechanics of Additively Manufactured Architectures Bayesian Experimental Autonomous Researcher) is an innovative system that 3D prints small structures, tests their energy absorption by crushing them in a hydraulic press, and records the results. For the past three years, MAMA BEAR has iteratively modified and tested designs over 25,000 times, leading to a new efficiency world record of 75% energy absorption, surpassing the previous … Continue reading Autonomous robot invents the world’s best shock absorber

Meredith Whittaker, head of the encrypted messaging app Signal, criticized AI tools for their reliance on mass surveillance and control over our lives, during an interview with AFP on Thursday. Speaking at the VivaTech conference in Paris, she argued that the enthusiasm for AI overlooks its dependence on extensive data collection, a practice rooted in the 1990s US tech industry’s business model. Whittaker, a former … Continue reading AI Relies On Mass Surveillance

Automated fast food restaurant CaliExpress by Flippy opened in Pasadena, California, in January with much fanfare for its robot burger makers. However, it also introduced an innovative payment method using facial recognition technology from PopID. Customers register with a selfie and can then pay by having their face scanned for verification. This technology is not unique to CaliExpress; in January, Steak ‘N Shake began installing … Continue reading With JPMorgan, Mastercard on board in biometric payment options

OpenAI recently confirmed the dissolution of its team dedicated to addressing the potential risks associated with highly advanced artificial intelligence. The process of disbanding the group, known as “superalignment,” began weeks ago, with its members being reassigned to other projects within the organization. Notably, OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever and team co-leader Jan Leike have announced their departure from the company. This move comes amidst growing … Continue reading OpenAI disbands team devoted to risks

During a major military exercise with Cambodian troops, the Chinese military showcased robot dogs equipped with machine guns, as reported by Agence France-Presse. The 15-day drill, named “Golden Dragon,” took place in central Cambodia and off its coast, where journalists observed the robodogs being walked but not firing their weapons. This display highlights the potential future of warfare involving armed autonomous machines, a development experts … Continue reading Beijing Shows Off Robot Dogs Armed With Machine Guns

In the rapidly advancing field of humanoid robots, the Astribot S1 from China is making waves with its remarkable speed and precision. Created by Stardust Intelligence, the S1 can move at 32.8 feet per second and handle 22 pounds per arm. Its impressive dexterity allows it to perform tasks such as shaving a cucumber, engaging in calligraphy, pouring wine, flipping sandwiches, ironing, and folding laundry. … Continue reading Freak robot made in China can learn, think, work like humans

Cruise, the autonomous vehicle company backed by General Motors, has cautiously resumed its testing operations in Phoenix, Arizona, following a serious pedestrian-dragging incident in San Francisco. The incident, which occurred last October, led to accusations from regulators and significant setbacks for the company. Cruise initially resumed testing with manually driven vehicles but has now deployed two autonomous vehicles with safety drivers in Phoenix. The company … Continue reading Cruise Resumes Robotaxi Testing in Phoenix After Incident of Dragging Pedestrian

Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing rapidly, aiming to mimic human behavior, including deception. A study from the Center for AI Safety in San Francisco highlights the risks of AI deception and suggests potential solutions. While the philosophical debate about AI beliefs and desires persists, the study emphasizes observable behaviors indicating AI’s capacity for deception. AI systems, such as large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4, have … Continue reading Artificial Intelligence Trained To Deceive Humans

Introducing the Quadroin AUV, a revolutionary aquatic robot crafted by German underwater technology firm EvoLogics. Inspired by the agile swimming of penguins, this autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) takes its cues from the PingGuin, EvoLogics’ experimental predecessor from 2020. Rooted in Dr. Rudolf Bannasch’s research on Adélie penguins’ movement, the Quadroin marks the culmination of a journey that began with the AquaPenguin in 2009. The latest … Continue reading Penguin-inspired robot explores sea using AI

The United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is reportedly utilizing rifle-equipped “robot dogs,” making them a pioneering force within the U.S. military. Onyx Industries, the supplier of the gun system, confirmed the deployment of two such robotic dogs equipped with Onyx’s SENTRY remote weapon system. These dogs are engaged in tasks like tunnel work and perimeter security, utilizing the Vision 60 quadrupedal unmanned … Continue reading Rifle-Armed Robot Dogs Now Being Tested By Marine Special Operators

A recent report from Forbes, citing the U.S. Army, reveals that the U.S. military has been utilizing drones to counter enemy drones in the Middle East, marking the first official acknowledgment of such tactics by the Pentagon. Doug Bush, head of acquisitions for the U.S. Army, noted that lasers have proven effective “in some cases” against certain threats, albeit without providing specific details. While the … Continue reading U.S. Military Shot Down Drones With Lasers in Middle East: Report

Amazon has significantly expanded its fleet of robots in recent years to enhance its warehouse operations, doubling the number from 350,000 in 2021 to 750,000 by June last year. The company, claiming to be the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer, has deployed a variety of robots with unique names like Robin, Sparrow, Proteus, Hercules, and Sequoia, each serving specific functions in sorting, moving, and handling … Continue reading Amazon’s warehouse robot army keeps getting bigger and bigger

Engineers from Princeton and North Carolina State University have developed a soft robot that navigates mazes effortlessly by integrating ancient paper-folding techniques with modern materials science. Unlike traditional steering systems that compromise flexibility, this robot incorporates its steering mechanism directly into its body. The researchers describe their creation, comprised of modular cylindrical segments, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. These segments, capable … Continue reading Engineers create a caterpillar-shaped robot that splits into segments, reassembles, hauls and crawls

Microsoft has identified a new threat called “Dirty Stream,” exposing Android apps to potential attacks allowing them to overwrite files in another app’s directory. This exploit stems from improper use of Android’s content provider system, which manages data sharing between apps. Vulnerable implementations of custom intents can bypass security measures, leading to arbitrary code execution or data theft. Microsoft’s research found numerous vulnerable apps in … Continue reading Microsoft warns of “Dirty Stream” attack impacting Android apps

Last year, an AI engineer at Amazon faced an unexpected deadline over the weekend, disrupting plans with friends visiting from out of town. This scenario, familiar to many in the field, highlighted the pressures of the AI industry. Engineers across Big Tech companies, including Google and Microsoft, described the intense pace and constant pivots in projects, driven by the fear of falling behind competitors in … Continue reading AI engineers report burnout and rushed rollouts

Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors across the United States are increasingly utilizing a little-known artificial intelligence tool called Cybercheck to aid in the investigation, charging, and conviction of suspects involved in serious crimes like murder and human trafficking. However, as its usage expands, defense attorneys have raised concerns about its reliability and transparency. The software, developed by Adam Mosher, claims to leverage machine learning to … Continue reading An AI tool used in thousands of criminal cases is facing legal challenges