Google Maps now lets iPhone-owning drivers help their fellow road users
It has been available for Google Maps on Android for some time but now drivers with an iPhone can also report crashes, speed traps, and traffic slowdowns when they're on the road. And from this week, users on both platforms can also report construction, lane closures, disabled vehicles, and objects in the road.
CIMON the flying brain is back on Earth after 14 months in space
A robotic assistant called CIMON recently returned to Earth after spending 14 months on the ISS. The floating robot uses artificial intelligence to interact with astronauts, helping them with tasks and generally behaving like a regular crew member. A more advanced version is now being developed.
Bentley Motors creates a buzz as it enters the honey business
Bentley is diversifying -- into honey. The maker of luxury cars has installed two beehives on the perimeter of its main campus in England as part of efforts to improve its green credentials and boost the local bee population. The automaker says the move fits with its “flying b” emblem seen on the bonnet of its cars.
$3 million for winning a game of Fortnite? It just happened to a U.S. teen
A 16-year-old gamer from Pennsylvania won $3 million for winning the solo contest at the Fortnite World Cup in New York City on Sunday. Champion Kyle "Bugha" Giersdorf came through an online qualifying period involving a colossal 40 million hopefuls from around the world to take the top prize.
Steve Ballmer shows us he’s still crazy after all these years
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made a name for himself for his displays of wild enthusiasm at company events. As owner of the L.A. Clippers, he's quietened down a bit ... but not that much. At a recent press conference introducing NBA stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Ballmer rolled back the years.
Sony’s Reon Pocket is a smartphone-controlled wearable air conditioner
Sometimes it feels like there's no escaping extreme temperatures, especially when you have to venture outside and face the weather. Sony may have a solution in the form of a wearable air conditioner called the Reon Pocket. The small device fits in a pocket on an undergarment, with the temperature controlled via an app.
Toyota shows off mascot robots and tiny autonomous car for Tokyo Olympics
Toyota has shown off seven robots that it says will assist and entertain at the Tokyo Olympics next summer. The collection includes mascot and telepresence robots, as well as a tiny autonomous car to help in field events. The robots form part of Toyota’s efforts to broaden its business beyond just auto sales.
Jetpack pilot flies around Sydney Harbour and stays dry, unlike before
Ten years ago, a jetpack demonstration by Aussie entrepreneur David Mayman saw him end up in Sydney Harbour, but on Sunday he returned with a far more sophisticated design that this time kept him dry. The flight was part of promotional efforts for a new documentary about his ongoing quest to build the perfect jetpack.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink wants to start operating on human brains next year
Elon Musk shed more light on his secretive Neuralink company on Tuesday, revealing new technology for brain surgery that would allow people with paralysis to use thoughts to control computing devices. But he said that Neuralink’s ultimate goal was to “achieve a sort of symbiosis with A.I.”
This compact drone gun can down a rogue quadcopter at 500 meters
The latest drone gun from DroneShield is its most compact yet and can be comfortably operated with one hand. The DroneGun MkIII can tackle rogue drones up to 500 meters away, using jamming technology to take control of the machine before landing it safely. Target customers include operators of airports and prisons.
Flyboard Air soars over Paris during France’s national day celebrations
Franky Zapata, the inventor of the jet-powered Flyboard Air, showed off his machine during France's Bastille Day celebrations on Sunday. The impressive display was even given a nod of approval by French President Emmanuel Macron. The Flyboard Air can fly for 10 minutes at a time and reach speeds of up to 87 mph.
Flying taxis: Kitty Hawk and Boeing team up on urban mobility
The day when we can hop into a compact, electric, autonomous flying machine to zip across town edged a little closer this week when Boeing announced a new partnership with Kitty Hawk, a California-based startup backed by Google co-founder Larry Page that's been working on such an aircraft.
Check out this external side airbag system that deploys before you crash
ZF has shown off an external side airbag capable of deploying before an impact occurs. The system uses an array of sensors and algorithms to determine whether deployment is necessary. The firm says the pre-crash technology has the potential to save lives and reduce injury severity by up to 40%.
This net-blasting security drone can stay airborne forever. Here’s how.
The DroneCatcher shoots a net at rogue drones in restricted airspace over places like airports and prisons. A recent update has added a power cord, enabling it to stay airborne around the clock for faster response times. In such cases, the cord automatically detaches, allowing it to go after the rogue drone.
Check out these wacky designs from Boeing’s $2 million passenger drone contest
Winners in the first round of the Boeing-sponsored GoFly contest have been announced. Aimed at encouraging viable designs for electric-powered passenger drones, the 10 winners now have nine months to build a prototype capable of vertical takeoffs and landings, and flights that can cover at least 20 miles.
Kitty Hawk’s personal flying vehicle takes to the skies
Check out the latest personal flying machine from Kitty Hawk. Capable of vertical take-offs and landings powered by its 10 sets of rotors, the all-electric Flyer can reach speeds of up to 20 mph and fly for 20 minutes. It's currently for "recreation," but the team is continuing work on a more powerful version.
Finally, an ‘umbrella drone’ that hovers above your head
Is it a drone? Is it an umbrella? It's both actually, and it hovers directly above you to keep the rain off your head or the sun off your skin. If you can ignore the rather annoying racket, and have $275 to spare, this unique contraption could be yours as early as next year.
Drone to the rescue: Hawaii resident saved from Kilauea’s lava flows
Real-time footage from a drone flying over the lava flows on the island of Hawaii this week helped to save a resident caught up in the chaos. Deployed by the U.S. Geological Survey, the flying machine identified new flows and was able to guide emergency responders in a brave rescue effort.
Don’t adjust your set: Bold Samsung ad will make you think your TV is busted
Samsung's new line of QLED TVs comes with an Ambient Mode that helps the display to blend into its surroundings. To highlight how dominating and ugly it believes a regular blank TV display to be, the company will make millions of people think their TVs have broken down during commercial breaks this weekend.
JetBlue hopes its new A320 cabin will ‘bring humanity back to air travel’
JetBlue put its new restyled A320 cabin into service on May 2. The design offers flyers comfier seats — the widest available for the A320 — and the most leg room in coach of any U.S. airline. It has also enhanced its in-flight entertainment systems with large seat-back displays and more on-demand content.
Urban dwellers will like the sound of these noise-canceling windows
For many urban dwellers, the noise can be so aggravating that it means keeping the windows firmly shut for much of the day. Wouldn't it be great if you could enjoy a bit of peace and quiet in your urban home even when the windows are open? Thanks to researchers at a university in Singapore, it could soon be the case.
Ford GoBike ebikes come to San Francisco to conquer those steep hills
Fans of bike-sharing schemes now have more ebike options if they find themselves in San Francisco. Following in the footsteps of Jump, Ford GoBike has this week introduced 250 electric-powered bicycles to its fleet, making those trips up San Francico's famously steep streets a whole lot easier.
Rest that hand, this $365K machine can sign your name for you
With 585 moving parts packed into a pocket-sized box, The Signing Machine from prestigious Swiss watchmaker Jaquet Droz is an extraordinary piece of work. Created to showcase the company's mechanical clockwork technology, the machine can sign your name so you don't have to. It will, however, cost you $365,000.
Say hi to Daisy, an Apple-made robot that recycles old iPhones
Apple has set itself recycling targets with its tech products, and to help it meet them it's employing the services of Daisy. Daisy is a highly dexterous robot that's able to take apart 200 iPhones an hour, identifying the reusable parts and components before carefully extracing them from the device.
Watch NASA test fire a giant rocket engine for its mighty Space Launch System
The ground at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi trembled this week as NASA conducted the latest booster-engine test for its Space Launch System.
Check Out Elon Musk’s $500 ‘Boring Company’ flamethrower
And you thought Elon Musk was joking when he said he wanted to sell a Boring Company flamethrower. The fire-spitting device showed up on its website on Saturday and costs $500.
Boston Dynamics’ new SpotMini has lost its head, but it’s friskier than ever
Boston Dynamics is continuing to refine its growing range of extraordinary robots. Check out the latest version of the SpotMini robot dog.
Check out this stunning cinematic tour of the International Space Station
A new video released by NASA takes us on a fascinating tour of the International Space Station's myriad of modules and facilities – all presented in ultra-high definition.
Rolls-Royce’s cargo ship of the future requires no onboard crew
Massive crewless cargo ships plying the world's oceans may sound far-fetched, but Rolls-Royce has been working on the idea for a number of years now. In fact, the company says it expects the first remotely controlled vessels to sail into operation by 2020.
Watch this dazzling ‘drone ballet’ in front of Japan’s Mount Fuji
Twenty-one drones and 16,500 LED lights recently combined for a dazzling "drone ballet" in front of Japan's iconic Mount Fuji, and the results, we're sure you'll agree, are truly stunning.
Check out this awesome behind-the-scenes footage of Tom Cruise doing ‘THAT’ stunt
Remember seeing Tom Cruise's incredible clinging-onto-a-plane stunt for the latest Mission: Impossible movie? Making the most of it, the production team has just released some great behind-the-scenes footage showing the stunt's set-up.
