Nature, particularly humans and other animals, has always been among the primary sources of inspiration for roboticists. In fact, most existing robots physically resemble specific animals and/or are engineered to tackle tasks by emulating the actions, movements and behaviors...

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It's the defining technology of an era. But just how artificial intelligence (AI) will end up shaping our future remains a controversial question.

1 week ago 9

You might have noticed that humanoid robots are having a bit of a moment. From Tesla's Optimus to Figure AI's Figure 02, these machines are no longer just science fiction—they're walking, and in some cases, cartwheeling into the real...

1 week ago 6

Despite two centuries of evolution, the structure of a modern military staff would be recognizable to Napoleon. At the same time, military organizations have struggled to incorporate new technologies as they adapt to new domains—air, space and information—in modern...

1 week ago 3

Silicon semiconductors used in existing photodetectors have low light responsivity, and the two-dimensional semiconductor MoS₂ (molybdenum disulfide) is so thin that doping processes to control its electrical properties are difficult, limiting the realization of high-performance photodetectors.

1 week ago 3

A newly published paper by Dr. Asaf Tzachor, Dean of Reichman University's School of Sustainability, warns that the backbone of our global internet infrastructure—submarine communication cables—is dangerously vulnerable to both natural disasters and deliberate sabotage, posing systemic risks to...

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3D printing is a simple way to create custom tools, replacement pieces and other helpful objects, but it is also being used to create untraceable firearms, such as ghost guns, like the one implicated in the late 2024 killing...

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As laptops and notebook computers become outdated as operating systems and software advance, the hardware needed to support their myriad features becomes more demanding. As such, there is a growing problem of electronic waste (e-waste) from this particular sector...

1 week ago 3

University of Wisconsin–Madison mechanical engineers have developed a comprehensive framework that accelerates improvements to shock-absorbing foam materials.

1 week ago 3

A new ultra-thin, transparent film, developed by researchers at UNIST can generate electrical signals solely through mechanical peeling or pressing actions. This technology paves the way for smart sensors that operate without batteries, with potential applications in safety, security,...

1 week ago 3

Researchers in China claim to have achieved a significant breakthrough in lithium battery technology, doubling the energy density (the amount of energy a battery can store relative to its size and weight) of Tesla's most advanced batteries.

1 week ago 3

Bike lanes, BIXI stations and other micromobility infrastructure make up just 2% of Montreal's street space—even in neighborhoods where cycling demand would justify more—according to a new study by McGill University researchers. They think that the measure they developed...

1 week ago 3

Last year I attended a panel on generative AI in education. In a memorable moment, one presenter asked: "What's the big deal? Generative AI is like a calculator. It's just a tool."

1 week ago 3

MIT researchers have developed a reconfigurable antenna that dynamically adjusts its frequency range by changing its physical shape, making it more versatile for communications and sensing than static antennas.

1 week ago 3

Curious about decarbonizing your personal transport? Perhaps soaring fuel costs, new financial rebates and vehicle options have sparked your interest? Maybe it is your growing appetite for environmental action?

1 week ago 3

Since the invention of gears, nothing has encouraged more people to get on a bicycle than the introduction of electric motors and batteries.

1 week ago 3

Most existing robots designed to move on the ground rely on either wheels or legs, as opposed to a combination of the two. Yet robots that can seamlessly switch between wheeled and legged locomotion could be highly advantageous, as...

1 week ago 12

High frequency radio waves can wirelessly carry the vast amount of data demanded by emerging technology like virtual reality, but as engineers push into the upper reaches of the radio spectrum, they are hitting walls. Literally.

1 week ago 3