Neuralink gives a wide-ranging update on its brain chip progress

Neuralink has given a rare update on its brain-computer interface, including some new telepathic typing from monkeys, a new surgical robot, and early progress toward restoring sight in the blind and returning movement and sensation to paraplegics.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingNeuralink gives a wide-ranging update on its brain chip progress

Laser satellite shatters space-to-Earth data transmission speed record

A small satellite developed by MIT engineers has set a new record for data transmission between a satellite and Earth. The TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD) system used a laser to beam huge amounts of data at up to 100 gigabits per second.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingLaser satellite shatters space-to-Earth data transmission speed record

Facial strain sensor could give a voice to the voiceless

While some assistance is available to individuals who lack the power of speech, verbally communicating with other people can still be challenging. A new face-worn strain sensor could help, as it's able to "read" the wearer's silently mouthed words.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingFacial strain sensor could give a voice to the voiceless

The 2022 Nature inFocus photo winners deliver spectacle and surprise

The winners of the 2022 Nature inFocus Photography Awards feature an assortment of extraordinary moments, including a rare glimpse of a jaguar prowling through a village, a pair of feral dogs encountering a porcupine, and a wolf taking on a termite mound.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingThe 2022 Nature inFocus photo winners deliver spectacle and surprise

Ketchup bottles inspire new method of moving soft-bodied robots

Plastic ketchup bottles have a valve in the lid that opens to let ketchup out, and that "sputters" if the bottle is squeezed too hard. Scientists have copied that mechanism to create an actuator that could be used in autonomous soft robotic devices.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingKetchup bottles inspire new method of moving soft-bodied robots

RAF makes world’s first military flight entirely on sustainable fuel

A Royal Air Force Voyager air-to-air refueling tanker made history on November 16, becoming the world's first in-service military aircraft to complete a flight using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for both engines.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingRAF makes world’s first military flight entirely on sustainable fuel

CharaChorder aims to radically boost typing speed on existing keyboards

Last year we told you about the CharaChorder Lite, a special keyboard that lets users type faster by using groupings of keys to represent entire words. Well, any keyboard can now do that, if it's equipped with the CharaChorder X.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingCharaChorder aims to radically boost typing speed on existing keyboards

Theremotion brings complex gesture control to spooky non-touch instrument

From the eerie tones of classic B-movies to atmospheric warbling on modern music tracks, the Theremin is instantly recognizable. An open-source version called the Theremotion uses a Leap controller to add a new layer of expressive control.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingTheremotion brings complex gesture control to spooky non-touch instrument

Robotic microfingers allow scientists to get a feel for tiny objects

If you were trying to gauge the reaction force of an insect's leg, you couldn't just push it with your finger – the size difference between the two would be too great. A set of hand-controlled soft robotic microfingers, however, can get the job done.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingRobotic microfingers allow scientists to get a feel for tiny objects

Experimental wearable pops its top to send drowning alerts

While lifeguards serve a vital purpose, it can sometimes be difficult for them to keep an eye on all the swimmers, all the time. An experimental new device has been designed to help, by sending an alert if its wearer is drowning.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingExperimental wearable pops its top to send drowning alerts