CERN scientists turn lead into gold

Physicists at CERN have successfully turned lead into gold during high-speed collisions of lead nuclei in the Large Hadron Collider. The transformation, which briefly removes three protons from lead atoms to create gold, occurs in extremely rare instances and in minuscule, short-lived amounts—far too little for any practical use. The discovery, part of the ongoing “Alice” experiment since 2015, is detailed in Physical Review Journals, Swiss … Continue reading CERN scientists turn lead into gold

Oregon facility builds and tests humanlike robot ‘Digit’

At a factory in Salem, Oregon, Agility Robotics is testing “Digit,” a humanlike robot designed to work in warehouses for companies like Amazon. Built to navigate spaces made for humans, Digit walks, lifts, and moves boxes, using blinking eyes and subtle motions to appear less startling to people. The robot stems from over $10 million in federally funded research at Oregon State University, but its … Continue reading Oregon facility builds and tests humanlike robot ‘Digit’

MIT captures first image of free-range atoms, can help visualize quantum phenomena

MIT scientists have captured the first-ever images of individual atoms freely interacting in space, marking a major breakthrough in quantum physics. Led by physicist Martin Zwierlein, the team developed a new imaging technique called atom-resolved microscopy, which allows atoms to move, then briefly freezes and illuminates them to reveal their exact positions. This method overcomes previous limitations in observing quantum behavior and offers unprecedented insights … Continue reading MIT captures first image of free-range atoms, can help visualize quantum phenomena

World’s first Humanoid Robot Games set for August debut in Beijing

China will host the world’s first Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing from August 15–17, featuring robots competing in events like relay races, football, and gymnastics, along with real-world scenario challenges in hospitals and factories. Held at the National Stadium and Speed Skating Oval, the event aims to showcase advances in robotics and promote human-robot coexistence. Robots must be humanoid in form and independently developed, VNE … Continue reading World’s first Humanoid Robot Games set for August debut in Beijing

Amazon says new warehouse robot can ‘feel’ items, but won’t replace workers

Amazon has unveiled a new warehouse robot named Vulcan, which uses an AI-powered sense of touch to handle tasks previously done only by humans. Vulcan can manipulate 75% of items in stock, operate 20 hours a day, and aims to reduce worker strain by handling hard-to-reach bins. While not replacing humans, Vulcan will create higher-skilled roles in robotics, CNBC has reported. Currently in full use … Continue reading Amazon says new warehouse robot can ‘feel’ items, but won’t replace workers

Cisco, UPS, other companies adjusting workforce as they embrace AI

Several major companies—including Duolingo, UPS, Klarna, Cisco, and Intuit—are restructuring and reducing staff as they shift toward increased use of AI. Duolingo declared itself “AI-first,” planning to reduce contractor use and evaluate employees on AI skills. UPS is cutting 20,000 jobs while adopting more automation, though it claims AI isn’t directly replacing workers. Klarna’s AI chatbot now handles tasks once done by 700 employees, Fox … Continue reading Cisco, UPS, other companies adjusting workforce as they embrace AI

Haunting moment robot attacks handlers in angry rampage as it tries to break free from restraints

CCTV footage from a factory captured a humanoid robot suddenly going berserk, flailing its arms and trying to break free from a crane, startling nearby workers and knocking over equipment. It’s unclear when or where it happened, but the incident sparked online jokes and concerns about robot behavior. The video surfaced weeks after humanoid robots participated in a historic half-marathon in Beijing, where 21 bots … Continue reading Haunting moment robot attacks handlers in angry rampage as it tries to break free from restraints

The cargo-carrying Gitamini robot is getting a Star Wars droid makeover

Piaggio Fast Forward has released a Star Wars–themed version of its Gitamini cargo robot, dubbed G1T4-M1N1, in collaboration with Disney and Lucasfilm. Priced at $2,875, this special edition features droid-style decals, lights, and R2-D2–like sound effects, making it resemble a companion from Tatooine. Like the original Gitamini, it can carry up to 20 pounds, follow you autonomously at up to 6 mph, and run for up … Continue reading The cargo-carrying Gitamini robot is getting a Star Wars droid makeover

First ‘blended wing’ passenger plane flying people in ‘living room comfort’ to be launched by major airline

United Airlines plans to buy up to 200 of JetZero’s revolutionary “blended-wing body” Z4 aircraft, which promises a “living room in the sky” experience and up to 50% less fuel burn. The 250-seat plane, set to launch by 2030, features a wide, short body with enhanced lift, lower drag, and high-efficiency design. JetZero, backed by the U.S. Air Force and led by aerospace veterans, flew … Continue reading First ‘blended wing’ passenger plane flying people in ‘living room comfort’ to be launched by major airline

Apple sends out spyware attack notifications to targeted users

Apple has issued new warnings to iPhone users in 100 countries, alerting them to targeted spyware attacks. Among those notified were Italian journalist Ciro Pellegrino and Dutch political commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek. The alerts, part of Apple’s ongoing effort to combat “mercenary spyware attacks,” suggest users were targeted due to their identity or work. While Apple hasn’t named the perpetrators, similar past attacks were linked to … Continue reading Apple sends out spyware attack notifications to targeted users

Fears over chilling new sonic weapons used on protesters in Europe

The European Court of Human Rights has ordered Serbia to prevent the use of sonic weapons for crowd control, following allegations that a sound cannon was used against protesters during a massive anti-government rally on March 15. Serbian authorities deny deploying such devices, though footage and testimonies suggest otherwise. Over 3,000 complaints have been collected, with some protestors reporting lasting health effects, the Express has … Continue reading Fears over chilling new sonic weapons used on protesters in Europe

VISA wants to give AI ‘agents’ your credit card

Visa is partnering with major AI developers like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic to enable AI agents to make purchases on users’ behalf using Visa’s payment network. These agents, intended to go beyond chatbots, could handle tasks like buying groceries or booking travel.  Visa sees this as a major shift akin to the rise of e-commerce. Pilot programs begin now, with broader rollout expected next year, … Continue reading VISA wants to give AI ‘agents’ your credit card

Russia eyes AI and lasers for future warfare

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered significant changes to Russia’s military strategy, focusing on the development of unmanned systems, AI, and laser weaponry. Following a meeting on April 23, Putin revealed that Russia’s defense industry is operating at full capacity, delivering thousands of armored vehicles, aircraft, and drones. However, he acknowledged a persistent shortage of drones on the battlefield. Putin emphasized that innovations driven by … Continue reading Russia eyes AI and lasers for future warfare

Chinese humanoid robot with eagle-eye vision and powerful AI

XPENG’s humanoid robot, Iron, is a cutting-edge blend of artificial intelligence and human-like movement, currently assisting in electric vehicle production. Standing 5’8″ and weighing 154 pounds, Iron features 60 joints and 200 degrees of freedom, enabling smooth, natural movements. Powered by XPENG’s proprietary Turing AI chip, Iron is capable of performing complex tasks with precision and adapting to various environments. Its advanced vision system, inspired … Continue reading Chinese humanoid robot with eagle-eye vision and powerful AI

Top secret US spy drone gets deadly laser that melts missiles mid-air

General Atomics has unveiled a laser-equipped MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone capable of shooting down small drones and missiles mid-air. Debuted at Sea Air Space 2025, the 25-kilowatt laser can be scaled up to 300 kilowatts, potentially taking down larger targets. The system offers a cost-effective, precise alternative to traditional missile defenses and is designed for use in various environments, the Daily Mail has reported. While power … Continue reading Top secret US spy drone gets deadly laser that melts missiles mid-air

Arizona robot showcase features companies and students building next-generation robots

Revobots has introduced the AI-powered “Taskbot,” a versatile robot that can learn tasks by demonstration and repeat them autonomously. Unlike traditional robots limited to one function, Taskbot can adapt to various roles—from factory work to bartending—thanks to its AI. CTO Kent Gilson says the robot is designed to address global labor shortages, not replace workers, with an estimated 85 million jobs expected to go unfilled … Continue reading Arizona robot showcase features companies and students building next-generation robots

The AI-powered robot army that packs your groceries in minutes

Ocado’s Hive is a fully automated warehouse system revolutionizing grocery shopping. Using AI-powered bots and robotic arms, it can pick and pack a 50-item order in just five minutes—six times faster than traditional methods. The system, built over 20 years, uses advanced robotics, computer vision, and digital twins to optimize efficiency, reduce food waste, and offer up to 78% more products than typical supermarkets. In … Continue reading The AI-powered robot army that packs your groceries in minutes

Chinese robots ran against humans in the world’s first humanoid half-marathon

China hosted the world’s first humanoid half-marathon on Saturday, with over 20 two-legged robots running alongside 12,000 humans in Beijing. While the robots impressed with their endurance, they lagged far behind human runners, with the fastest robot, Tiangong Ultra, finishing in 2 hours and 40 minutes—almost two hours slower than the human winner. The event showcased China’s growing advances in humanoid robotics, a field it … Continue reading Chinese robots ran against humans in the world’s first humanoid half-marathon

U.K. touts successful test of new radio wave weapon to take down “swarms of drones”

The U.K. military has successfully tested a new weapon designed to counter drone swarms. The “RapidDestroyer,” a Radiofrequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW) developed by Thales, tracked, targeted, and defeated over 100 drones during a test in Wales. This system uses radio waves to disrupt or damage drone components, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional missile defenses at about $0.18 per shot. The RF DEW … Continue reading U.K. touts successful test of new radio wave weapon to take down “swarms of drones”

Google is gifting a year of Gemini Advanced to every college student in the US

Google CEO Sundar Pichai aims to reach 500 million Gemini users by the end of 2025. To help achieve this, Google is offering US college students free access to Gemini Advanced for a year. This includes premium features like Pro models, Deep Research, Veo 2 video generator, and 2TB of Google Drive storage through the Google One AI Premium plan. The offer is available until … Continue reading Google is gifting a year of Gemini Advanced to every college student in the US

Company apologizes after AI support agent invents policy that causes user uproar

Cursor, an AI-powered code editor, faced backlash after a developer noticed that switching between devices led to unexpected logouts. When the user contacted support, the AI agent, “Sam,” falsely claimed that this was due to a new policy, which led to frustration and multiple subscription cancellations. The issue was traced back to a technical bug and a confabulation by the AI model, which invented a … Continue reading Company apologizes after AI support agent invents policy that causes user uproar

Samsung’s ball-shaped robot Ballie to launch with Gemini smarts

Samsung’s Ballie, a ball-shaped AI robot, is set to launch after five years of development. Originally announced in 2020 and showcased again at CES 2024, Ballie will assist with tasks like setting reminders, greeting guests, and offering advice, all through natural conversation. It moves freely around the house, listens, and interacts using Google Gemini AI. Ballie will also feature a built-in projector, as shown in … Continue reading Samsung’s ball-shaped robot Ballie to launch with Gemini smarts

4-legged hydrogen-powered robot you can actually ride

Kawasaki Heavy Industries has unveiled CORLEO, a hydrogen-powered, four-legged robot prototype designed for off-road riding. Unlike traditional vehicles, CORLEO moves like a wolf, using independent robotic legs to navigate rugged terrain. The robot is controlled by the rider’s body movements, similar to horseback riding. Powered by a hydrogen engine and battery, it offers a sustainable alternative to motorcycles and ATVs, Fox News has reported. Though … Continue reading 4-legged hydrogen-powered robot you can actually ride

DoorDash Launches U.S. Sidewalk Robot Delivery

DoorDash and Coco Robotics are expanding their partnership to bring sidewalk robot deliveries to Los Angeles and Chicago. Building on a pilot program in Helsinki, Coco’s zero-emission robots will now deliver restaurant, convenience, and grocery orders from nearly 600 retailers via the DoorDash app. The initiative is part of DoorDash’s broader strategy to integrate autonomous delivery methods, including drones and robots, to cut costs and … Continue reading DoorDash Launches U.S. Sidewalk Robot Delivery

World’s first humanoid robot half marathon postponed due to windy weather

The 2025 Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon, featuring humanoid robots racing alongside humans, has been postponed to April 19 due to strong wind forecasts. The event, meant to showcase China’s AI and robotics advancements, will take place in a tech hub with over 100 robotics firms and a $1.36 billion government fund. Robots are expected to complete the full race for the first time, judged on … Continue reading World’s first humanoid robot half marathon postponed due to windy weather