Engineers build robot arm with rudimentary self-awareness

As clever as robots are getting, one of the key things that separates them from humans is self-awareness. Debate rages over what exactly it means for something to be self-aware, whether robots could ever achieve it, and the ethical implications that it might dredge up. Now, researchers from Columbia Engineering have gone and done it, giving a robot arm some form of self-awareness, – at least in a rudimentary sense – which allows it to better adapt to changing conditions.

.. Continue Reading Engineers build robot arm with rudimentary self-awareness

Category: Robotics

Tags:

• Columbia University
• Deep Learning
• Robot
• Robotic
• Robotics
• Robots

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2TqqDPc

Curiosity's gravity instruments reveal new holes in the story of Mars

NASA's Curiosity rover and its suite of advanced tools have revealed all kinds of fascinating facts about Mars, but scientists here on Earth have now uncovered a surprising characteristic through one of its more rudimentary instruments. Using an accelerometer similar to what you'd find in a smartphone, the researchers have now been able to gather more precise density measurements of its rocky layers, finding it to be much more porous than previously thought.

.. Continue Reading Curiosity's gravity instruments reveal new holes in the story of Mars

Category: Space

Tags:

• Arizona State University
• Curiosity Rover
• Mars
• NASA

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2SmRWwo

Clingy carbon capture substance can be reused indefinitely

Despite the move to renewables gaining pace around the world, fossil fuel-fired power plants will be pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere for a long time to come. Now researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed a new substance that could effectively soak up carbon from coal-fired power plant emissions, using much less energy than existing methods.

.. Continue Reading Clingy carbon capture substance can be reused indefinitely

Category: Environment

Tags:

• Carbon
• Carbon capture
• Carbon Dioxide
• climate change
• Climate Change
• Environment

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2Gdb4qh

Gallery: Don’t look down – The most spectacular and precarious cliff-side houses

Everyone loves a good view, however, some architects have taken this obsession to the extreme, perching structures on perilous precipices, often leaving parts of the dwellings literally hanging over sheer drops. In this gallery we feature some of the most thrilling, beautiful and possibly insane cliff-side homes for those that are determined to literally live on the edge.

.. Continue Reading Gallery: Don’t look down – The most spectacular and precarious cliff-side houses

Category: Architecture

Tags:

• Architects
• Building

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2t7Ve8R

Fossil fats reveal how complex life kicked off after Snowball Earth phase

When we think of the Ice Age we usually think of the Pleistocene era, which ended roughly 12,000 years ago. But that was a balmy summer compared to what happened about 700 million years ago, when basically the entire planet iced over in a period often called "Snowball Earth." Now researchers have found fossil fats that help fill in the story of how life bounced back after this global cataclysm, and how we humans might owe our very existence to them.

.. Continue Reading Fossil fats reveal how complex life kicked off after Snowball Earth phase

Category: Science

Tags:

• Algae
• Climate
• Earth
• Evolution
• Fossils
• Life
• Max Planck Institute
• Molecules

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2G1zOCA

Tesla rides into 2019 on the back of another quarterly profit

Tesla has rounded out a rather eventful 2018 with another profit, its second in as many quarters, with revenue almost doubling year-on-year. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows heading into 2019, as the electric carmaker prepares to pay off considerable debts while funding big expansions into China and beyond.

.. Continue Reading Tesla rides into 2019 on the back of another quarterly profit

Category: Automotive

Tags:

• Tesla
• Tesla Model 3

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2MJpOyz

New discoveries into the effects of fasting on metabolism and aging

Fasting diets may be incredibly popular at the moment but it is only in the last few years that scientists have begun to understand what happens to the human body when it is wholly deprived of food. A compelling new study by a team of Japanese researchers has offered an incredibly thorough examination into the metabolic alterations that occur in human blood during fasting, revealing a fascinating array of changes that could point to a variety of health benefits.

.. Continue Reading New discoveries into the effects of fasting on metabolism and aging

Category: Health & Wellbeing

Tags:

• Aging
• Blood
• Diet
• Health

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2DLsTLF

Self-healing coating protects metals from corrosion

Corrosion in metals can lead to the structural fatigue or failure of bridges, pipelines, and plane fuselages. Anti-corrosion coatings help prevent this, but they become ineffective when pierced, cracked, or scratched away. Researchers at Northwestern University have now developed a self-healing coating that can patch up its imperfections in a matter of seconds.

.. Continue Reading Self-healing coating protects metals from corrosion

Category: Materials

Tags:

• Coatings
• Corrosion
• Northwestern University
• Self-healing

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2HHWTf7

German bicycle turn indicators are inspired by Audi

We may have seen handlebar-mounted bicycle turn indicators before, but we've never seen ones quite light these. Inspired by the indicators on the Audi A8, Zarathustra lights each feature a ring of 20 LEDs that blink in sequence, plus they've got a unique brake light system.

.. Continue Reading German bicycle turn indicators are inspired by Audi

Category: Bicycles

Tags:

• bike lights
• Cycling
• Indiegogo
• Road Safety

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2Bcg62Q

Autonomous Chinese semi-submersible launches weather rocket at sea

Rocketsondes, which are a type of sounding rocket, are used to make high-altitude weather observations – they can go higher than weather balloons. Given that they require launch sites, they're not used over the ocean as much as they're used over land. That could change, though, as Chinese scientists have now launched one from an autonomous semi-submersible vehicle.

.. Continue Reading Autonomous Chinese semi-submersible launches weather rocket at sea

Category: Science

Tags:

• Autonomous Vehicles
• Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Ocean
• Rocket
• Weather

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2GfhghG

Puma unveils Fi self-lacing trainers

Back in 2016, Nike first announced its HyperAdapt 1.0 training shoes, which automatically tighten their laces around the wearer's foot. Now Puma is getting in on the self-lacing game, with its Fit Intelligence (Fi) line of footwear.

.. Continue Reading Puma unveils Fi self-lacing trainers

Category: Sports

Tags:

• Footwear
• Puma
• Shoes

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2ToGzBF

Moby takes its staff-free convenience stores off grid with Psi standalone retail pod

Changes in our buying behavior have had quite a detrimental effect on High St shopping, with many brick and mortar stores now displaying a permanent closed sign in the window. Moby Mart is hoping to bring back the local store experience by combining modern technology with drop in shopping.

.. Continue Reading Moby takes its staff-free convenience stores off grid with Psi standalone retail pod

Category: Good Thinking

Tags:

• Apps
• Cloud Computing
• Retail Technology
• Shopping
• Solar Powered

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2MGmaW7

Totally tubular vacation home hits the beach

St Andrews Beach House is nestled among the bush and dunes on a rugged stretch of shore in Australia's Mornington Peninsula. The circular vacation home is finished to a high standard and boasts a degree of sustainable design, including rainwater collection.

.. Continue Reading Totally tubular vacation home hits the beach

Category: Architecture

Tags:

• Beach
• Building and Construction
• Home
• House

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2Uu824L

VW kicks up some sand with all electric dune buggy

Volkswagen is aiming to re-awaken the spirit of 60s America with a modern take on the classic dune buggy. The all-electric concept will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

.. Continue Reading VW kicks up some sand with all electric dune buggy

Category: Automotive

Tags:

• Concept Cars
• Dune Buggy
• Electric Vehicles
• Geneva Motor Show 2019
• Volkswagen

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2TppKGz

From magnificent museums to compact starter homes: AIA honors the best new architecture

Hot on the heels of its interior design awards and AIANY design awards, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has revealed the recipients of the 2019 Institute Honor Awards for Architecture. Featuring buildings and spaces by US-licensed firms, this year's winners include museums, affordable housing, and the restoration of an American icon.

.. Continue Reading From magnificent museums to compact starter homes: AIA honors the best new architecture

Category: Architecture

Tags:

• American Institute of Architects
• Building and Construction
• Competition
• Housing
• Museum

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2CUxg59

RMK unveils working prototype of its hubless E2 electric motorcycle

Finnish electric motorcycle startup RMK has sent us some photos of its completed E2 prototype, as well as performance figures and details on some of the expected features. Notable for its very cool hubless rear wheel drive, the E2 is shaping up to be a fun and sporty machine.

.. Continue Reading RMK unveils working prototype of its hubless E2 electric motorcycle

Category: Motorcycles

Tags:

• Electric Motorcycles
• Finland
• Hubless

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2DMarCv

Sophia the robot's little sister hits Kickstarter as a coding companion for kids

Hailing from somewhere between Silicon Valley and the Uncanny Valley, Hanson Robotics' Sophia is the unofficial face of robots right now. But while she's busy on UN business or hanging with Jimmy Fallon, her little sister could soon be teaching kids to code. Meet Little Sophia, a new toy robot that looks like an educational Alexa in an unnerving humanoid body.

.. Continue Reading Sophia the robot's little sister hits Kickstarter as a coding companion for kids

Category: Robotics

Tags:

• Education
• Hanson Robotics
• Kickstarter
• Robot
• Robotic
• Robotics
• Robots
• STEM
• Toys

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2Rt3Znk

Fully electric motorhome offers nearly 190 miles of emissions-free touring

A few years ago, the idea of powering a large, heavy Type C motorhome with only a battery would have seemed out of the question. In some ways it still seems impractical, but battery technology is evolving and electric vehicle ranges improving. We've already seen a few all-electric camper vans, and now Germany's WOF GmbH is taking electric travel bigger with a larger electric motorhome. With an advertised 186 miles (300 km) of range, the Iridium motorhome is more capable of traveling the country than you might expect of such a large EV, offering an intriguing zero-emissions alternative for holiday travelers.

.. Continue Reading Fully electric motorhome offers nearly 190 miles of emissions-free touring

Category: Automotive

Tags:

• Camping
• CMT 2019
• CMT show
• Electric Vehicles
• Motorhome
• Motorhomes
• Outdoor
• Travel

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2SfIjja

Cake tunes its high-torque e-bike for the tarmac with the street-legal Kalk&

Bike builder Cake made a statement that was both loud and quiet when debuting its first model last year, unveiling an all-electric dirt bike packing a monstrous 15-kW motor within its frame. The Swedish startup is now turning its attention to tarmac with a modified version dubbed the Kalk&, which is still built to venture off-road but will be the company's first street-legal bike for the US and EU when it launches in the coming months.

.. Continue Reading Cake tunes its high-torque e-bike for the tarmac with the street-legal Kalk&

Category: Bicycles

Tags:

• Electric Bicycle
• Electric Motorcycles

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2HQKIN4

Giant cavity found eating away at Antarctic glacier from underneath

Glaciers are kind of an endangered species in our rapidly-warming world, and unfortunately scientists keep finding new threats to them. NASA's ongoing Operation IceBridge has now found a gigantic cavity underneath Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, which shows that the area has suffered even more drastic ice loss in recent years than previously thought – and it's accelerating.

.. Continue Reading Giant cavity found eating away at Antarctic glacier from underneath

Category: Environment

Tags:

• Antarctic
• Climate
• climate change
• Climate Change
• Environment
• Environmental
• glacier
• Ice
• JPL
• NASA

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2CTFXNg

Planter Box House hides behind a cascading wall of vibrant greenery

The idea of growing your own food for sustenance is an appealing one, but not always a realistic option for people living in busy cities, let alone one with the population density of Kuala Lumpur. The Planter Box House by local architecture firm Formzero is a particularly attractive solution to this, offering its residents ample space to grow their greens in a set of tiered concrete garden beds that make up the facade.

.. Continue Reading Planter Box House hides behind a cascading wall of vibrant greenery

Category: Architecture

Tags:

• Concrete
• Malaysia
• sustainable design

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2FYeJsM

Potential advantages in attention for babies in bilingual households

In a compelling new study, led by researchers from York University, it has been demonstrated that six-month-old babies raised in a bilingual environment tend to display better attentional control than their monolingual exposed counterparts. The results suggest cognitive benefits from bilingual exposure can manifest before the infants are even capable of speech.

.. Continue Reading Potential advantages in attention for babies in bilingual households

Category: Science

Tags:

• Baby
• Brain
• Language
• York University

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2UpDy3O

Cocktail-inspired male contraceptive proves effective and reversible in animal tests

For decades male contraception has been limited to short-term methods like condoms or more permanent solutions like vasectomies, but there aren't really any options between those two extremes. In the hunt for a useful middle-ground, researchers from Nanchang University have developed a new method that so far seems to be relatively long-lasting, effective and reversible.

.. Continue Reading Cocktail-inspired male contraceptive proves effective and reversible in animal tests

Category: Medical

Tags:

• Birth Control
• Contraception
• Fertility
• Male Contraceptives

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2WE0ezw

MIT's Jenga-playing robot might have the magic touch for manufacturing

Anyone who has played a game of Jenga will know the delicate touch required to keep the tower of wooden blocks from crashing down, and it's not the kind of finesse you'd associate with a typical robot. Engineers at MIT have now developed a manipulator arm that may just push and prod with the best of them, relying on visual data, machine learning algorithms and a fast-moving branch of robotics incorporating tactile feedback.

.. Continue Reading MIT's Jenga-playing robot might have the magic touch for manufacturing

Category: Robotics

Tags:

• MIT
• Robotics
• Tactile

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2GbRlHs

Questions over future of Alzheimer's research as more major human drug trials fail

Pharmaceutical giant Roche has announced it is discontinuing two major human clinical trials into the anti-Alzheimer's drug crenezumab. The decision by Roche to pull the plug on the trials comes after many similar treatments have also recently failed in human trials adding to the growing doubt about how to best tackle Alzheimer's disease.

.. Continue Reading Questions over future of Alzheimer's research as more major human drug trials fail

Category: Medical

Tags:

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Dementia
• Roche

from New Atlas (Gizmag) http://bit.ly/2sV49tQ