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

Archaeology

The tech that’s revolutionizing archeology with Josh Gates

In our interview with renowned adventurer Josh Gates, the host of Expedition Unknown discusses the beautiful connection between tech and archaeologists.

B. David Zarley

Series| The Edge

Eye tracking gives athletes an unprecedented edge

6:05

With eye tracking technology, athletes can now monitor, analyze, and train their eye movements to effectively reduce their average reaction time.

High-tech art exhibit looks at life through the eyes of AI

In this Chicago museum, artists explore some of the most polarizing forms of imagery at the moment: surveillance and facial recognition.

B. David Zarley

Accessibility

Closed caption glasses: A new way to watch theater

4:01

London’s National Theatre made performances more accessible to patrons with hearing loss by creating a smart set of glasses that recognizes spoken words and adapts to stage cues to provide real-time captions.

Oceans

Removing water from underwater photography

A new algorithm for underwater photography makes marine life appear as clear as it would on land, and it’s helping scientists understand the ocean better.

B. David Zarley

Series| Uprising

The truth about self-driving cars

5:55

Self-driving cars have the potential to save thousands of lives and reduce carbon emissions. Will we be smart enough to hop on board?

Robotics

Trash-talking robots get under our skin

Can robots control us? Probably not, but they can influence our actions, as this recent study on human-robot interaction by Carnegie Mellon shows.

B. David Zarley

Inventions

Robot bees could one day save your life

For the first time, a microbot powered by soft actuators has achieved controlled flight.

Teresa Carey

Series| Through the Looking Glass

Conquering fear with virtual reality exposure therapy

3:03

Whether a patient fears spiders or flying, VR technology allows therapists to treat anxiety disorders by simulating these experiences in a safe environment.

Series| Uprising

Killer robots will fight our wars: Can they be trusted?

6:01

The issue with completely taking humans out of warfare? Our ability to feel and evaluate complex situations, using human judgement and moral understanding, is not something an artificial intelligence can easily learn.

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