Hard Tech

A close-up of an engine test firing, showcasing various connected hoses and cables, with the engine emitting blue flames from the nozzle, reminiscent of a powerful jet engine.

Ian Brooke wants to revolutionize flight as we know it

This Y Combinator-backed startup has invented a new kind of jet engine, radically more efficient and versatile than anything before it.

Ross Pomeroy

A gloved hand holds a pair of tweezers gripping a small black square object against a background with concentric circles.

Batteries

Solid-state batteries are finally making their way out of the lab

Solid-state batteries could soon challenge lithium-ion as the dominant tech for powering smartphones, EVs, and more.

Kristin Houser

Silhouette of jagged cybersecurity rock formations against a vibrant yellow sky at dusk.

Employment

“Cybersecurity shortage” could reach 85 million workers by 2030

The global talent shortage could reach 85 million workers by 2030, causing approximately $8.5 trillion in unrealized annual revenue.

Michelle Meineke | Senior Writer | World Economic Forum

Robotics

This robot will put your contact lenses in for you

A man in Florida has invented a contact lens robot to insert or extract lenses for people with hand tremors or dexterity issues.

Kristin Houser

Transportation

Experimental hyperloop pod transports passengers for first time

Virgin Hyperloop has transported two passengers in a hyperloop pod, a milestone in the development of the high-speed transportation system.

Kristin Houser

Experts say education coming to the VR world is going to be “absolutely incredible”

Because of the pandemic educators are looking for more remote learning options and discovering the benefits of virtual reality.

Teresa Carey

Robotics

Disney gives humanoid robot a “lifelike” gaze

To escape the uncanny valley, Disney created a humanoid robot that mimics the minor eye and head movements people make during interactions.

Kristin Houser

Robotics

Autonomous boats could move people and goods

MIT launches a new autonomous boat — a fleet of floating platforms that could come together to build bridges, taxi people across a river, or create a party platform.

Teresa Carey

Robotics

How synchronized fireflies could inspire robot swarms

A recent discovery about the synchronized fireflies' amazing light shows could help researchers acquire fresh insight into swarm robotics.

Teresa Carey

If you train robots like dogs, they learn faster

The dog-inspired SPOT framework effectively trains an AI robot more quickly than other reinforcement learning methods.

Kristin Houser

DIY

Cable companies won’t, so rural America is building its own broadband network

The pandemic revealed how essential the internet is. Now, electric cooperatives that once put rural America on the grid are installing fiber optics.

Teresa Carey

Transportation

Can a connected city stop car crashes?

5:45

In partnership with Ford

One of the largest automotive makers in the world is ushering in the future of mobility, using AI and machine learning to help cities prevent traffic collisions and build smart transportation systems.

Doug Dais

Engineering

The "Iron Man" of beetles could inspire super-durable cars and planes

The diabolical ironclad beetle could be the next big thing in biomimicry, inspiring the design of extra-durable planes, cars, and more.

Kristin Houser

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