Watch this lab-grown heart tissue beat just like the real thing
Researchers have used stem cells to create a lab-grown human heart tissue which actually beats. Created by scientists in Germany, the heart tissue also responds to drugs in the same way as the real thing, suggesting that it could be used to help invent new medical treatments.
Microsoft’s friendly Xiaoice A.I can figure out what you want — before you ask
Move over Siri and Alexa! Microsoft has built a new type of A.I. assistant that wants to be your friend. Called Xiaoice, it is already making a big name for itself in places like China -- and its latest skill set will soon be landing in the U.S.
10 years of Bitcoin: How a geeky cryptocurrency changed the world
From its birth 10 years ago, Bitcoin has grown from fledgling cryptocurrency proof-of-concept into a real world cash alternative that's taken seriously by everyone from technologists to governments. How did it get to that point? Check out our handy potted history to find out.
Meet the company resurrecting dead celebrities and digitally cloning living ones
From Star Wars to the MCU, the trend for de-aging or even digitally resurrecting old actors is becoming a major part of Hollywood. Digital Domain is one visual effects company leading the charge. Here's how they create their digital actors -- and what it means for the future of movies.
A.I. can do almost anything now, but here are 6 things machines still suck at
Predicting what A.I. and computers aren’t capable of can be a fool’s errand. But as artificial intelligence becomes more and more dominant in our lives, it's clear that not there are still big blind spots when it comes to the tasks machines can perform. Here are six examples.
Leafy greens are grown by machines at new, automated Silicon Valley farm
Farming hasn't changed too much for hundreds of years. Now a new startup called Iron Ox has opened its first automated hydroponics farm, producing a variety of leafy greens tended by machines. Here's how its technology promises to change the world of agriculture as we know it.
Robot jellyfish could be used to patrol fragile coral reefs
Could schools of robotic jellyfish soon be patrolling the world’s oceans, monitoring fragile environments, such as coral reefs? A team of U.S. researchers, comprising scientists from Florida Atlantic University and the U.S. Office of Naval Research, certainly thinks so.
LG’s SuitBot wearable exosuit will give workers the extra strength they need
South Korean tech giant LG has designed a new lower body robotic exosuit called SuitBot, intended to enhance users' leg movements to aid with activities such as warehouse workers lifting heavy objects. It is set to make its debut at IFA 2018 later this week. Here's what we know so far.
The Trident scooter promises to propel you through the waves like a boss
Want a gadget that will propel yourself through the water like James Bond? Trident is an 'underwater scooter' which lets scuba divers, snorkelers or secret agents power themselves through the waves at speed of up to 4.3 miles per hour. Here's how you can get your hands on one.
You can now buy a real-life Iron Man-style jetsuit … for the price of a house
Ever wanted to soar through the air in an Iron Man-style suit like a real-life superhero? Do you have the financial resources of a real-life Tony Stark to go along with it? If so, you might want to get your life savings together to buy one of this British inventor's amazing jet-suits.
6 amazing examples of game-changing technology for the blind community
In the United States there are roughly 8.4 million people who are either blind or have some other visual impairment. In the entire world, that figure increases to 253 million. Here are six amazing examples of pieces of potentially game-changing technology that is designed to help them.
Rolls-Royce is creating a fleet of robotic snakes and beetles to repair planes
Want to know what the future of airplane engine maintenance is? According to researchers from Rolls-Royce it involves a combination of snake and swarms of insect-inspired robots, designed to crawl inside engines to carry out inspections and perform maintenance. Check out a preview.
Solar-powered nanoscale coating could defrost frozen car windows
Hate defrosting your frozen windshield in the winter? Of course you do. Fortunately, so do researchers at ETH in Switzerland -- and they've got the knowledge of solar-powered, nanoscale technology to help come up with a solution. Here's how their new glass coating works.
Space-age toothbrush promises to clean your gnashers in 30 seconds flat
What kind of a person has four minutes a day to dedicate to brushing their teeth? Certainly no-one we know. That's why we're excited about Chiiz, a so-called sonic tooth cleaner which promises to shine your gnashers up real nice in just 30 seconds. Here's how to get your hands on it.
Tear it up on Mars in ‘Red Rover,’ the driving sim built on NASA data
During the festive holiday season in 2016, Alan Chan spent his week’s vacation time off work exploring Mars. In virtual reality, at least. And thanks to his hard work, now you can too. Here's how one intrepid developer turned space images into our most immersive look at the Red Planet yet.
Inhalable nutrients offer an alternative to energy drinks and supplements
Wish you could vape yourself healthy? A new startup named Nutriair has created a series of inhalable nutrients, which enter the body through micro-aerosolization. According to its creators, the results are a one-stop-shop for nutrients which could replace other supplements.
This diving system lets you stay submerged for 2 hours, no tank needed
Do you want a diving system that bridges the gap between scuba diving and snorkeling, minus the limitations of both? If so, a new Kickstarter product -- letting you stay underwater for up to two hours -- could be for you. Here's what you need to know about the Supa Huka.
The creator of Internet Explorer wants to read your mind with a bracelet
The idea of controlling a computer with your thoughts sounds like the ultimate way of interfacing with machines. A New York startup called CTRL-Labs has created a device to make that a reality. And, no, it doesn't involve drilling a hole in your head to implant a chip in your brain.
This algorithm turns World Cup games into 3D augmented reality
Researchers from the University of Washington created a way to get you closer to your favorite sports action: An algorithm which can turn 2D live-action televised soccer into a 3D augmented reality re-creation. Here's how it works, and how they've demonstrated it so far.
Like a vice principal in the sky, this A.I. spots fights before they happen
Get ready for the future of surveillance! Researchers from the U.K. and India have developed a new drone-based surveillance system, which uses A.I.-equipped drones as flying smart security cameras to keep an eye (or several) on large gatherings of people. Here's how it works.
This bird-inspired morphing drone can slim down to fit through tight spaces
French researchers have developed a bird-inspired morphing drone that's able to rotate its arms to reduce its wingspan so that it can fly through some impressively small gaps. The results could make it better suited for inspection tasks in cluttered indoor environments.
8 Amazing CRISPR projects that could change life as we know it
Since it burst onto the scene a decade ago, CRISPR-Cas9 has shaken the field of genetics to its core with a genome editing tool that’s faster, cheaper and more accurate than previous methods. Here are eight examples of amazing CRISPR projects with the potential to change the world.
Watch Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot evolve from a stagger to a sprint
For the past five years, Boston Dynamics' incredible Atlas robot has lived up to A.I. expert Gary Bradski’s 2013 statement that “a new species, Robo sapiens, [is] emerging.” Here are seven significant landmarks and milestones that have passed on Atlas' journey to robot A-lister.
Why a 19-year-old Bitcoin millionaire built a working Dr. Octopus suit
What would you do if you were a 19-year-old kid with $3.3 million? There are few people more equipped to answer that than teenaged bitcoin millionaire Erik Finman. His answer? You use some of that cash to build a Doctor Octopus-style exosuit and try and shake up the education system.
The Internet is sick. Here’s how Mozilla is making it healthy again
Recently the Mozilla Foundation brought together thousands of open source activists and engineers at more than 60 events, in locations as far apart as Portland, Toronto, London and New Delhi, for its Global Sprint hackathon event. Their goal? To make the internet a better place. Is that one hack too far?
66-year-old Alan Turing paper inspires new water-purification technique
Father of computer science Alan Turing only ever published one chemistry paper. Here in 2018, it's being used as the basis for new research coming out of China, responsible for a more efficient nanofiltration method for removing the salt from saltwater to make it drinkable.
Inside Cellink, the Swedish company building 3D printers for living tissue
Digital Trends recently paid a fascinating visit to the headquarters of Cellink, one of the most exciting companies working on 3D bioprinted organs. Here is how the up-and-coming bioprinting company from Gothenburg, Sweden is hoping to change the future of medical science as we know it.
Forget cloning dogs, A.I. is the real way to let your pooch live forever
Researchers from the University of Washington and the Allen Institute for A.I. have created a deep learning artificial intelligence that’s designed to behave just like a dog. The technology could one day let your family dogs live on forever -- in shiny robot form, of course.
This twisted metal bridge in Amsterdam was 3D printed by welding robots
This organic-looking metal bridge in Amsterdam was 3D printed by welding robots. Best bridge ever, anyone?
World’s fastest ever delivery drone could deliver medical supplies in U.S.
Medical supply drone delivery company Zipline's ready to launch the world's fastest delivery drone to help in the U.S.
U.S. military is developing a sound weapon that sounds like a retro modem
The Department of Defense is developing a sound weapon which happens to sound just like an old dial-up modem.
Meet the British whiz kid who fights for justice with a robo-lawyer sidekick
21-year-old Joshua Browder's robot lawyer can do everything from getting you out of parking tickets to solving landlord disputes.
Never get sunburned again with QSun, a wearable gizmo that tracks UV exposure
A new wearable device on Kickstarter called QSun promises to help you keep track of harmful UV rays, courtesy of some smart A.I.