Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News

Robotic elephant-trunk gripper uses internal camera for a sense of touch

July 20, 2026 | Maryna Holovnova
Some of the smartest engineering ideas are inspired by nature. A new robotic gripper, EleTac, borrows its design from the tip of an elephant’s trunk and it’s reportedly capable of not only detecting and holding objects, but also “feeling” them.

'World's 1st mass-produced humanoid robot' motors to market in China

July 18, 2026 | Maryna Holovnova
Chinese tech giant Ubtech has launched the 'world’s first' humanoid robot designed to be an everyday companion and live in your home. Despite ambitious claims, the product launch left many people more skeptical than impressed.

Magnetic multitool packs secret cache and "everlasting" implement

July 20, 2026 | Shirl Leigh
Most repair tools for the DIYer are functional, but can be cumbersome to carry around. The T.Fix, however – a triangular pocket-sized tool on Kickstarter – is a balance of function, versatility and modern elegant design.

Top Stories

It seems we’re living in an age of revival. Revival of old brands, motorcycles, and scooters. Now, with the Fiat Multiplina, we have the revival of the very cool bubble cars that saw peak popularity somewhere in the middle of the last century.
Anthbot's M9 is a surprisingly adept mower, mastering lawns of up to a quarter of an acre for a fraction of the price of its famous competitors. And, importantly, it's incredibly easy to use, making it a great option for those new to home-robot life.
One of the fiercest, sharpest go-anywhere teardrop trailers roaming the Outback has gotten an upgrade. The 2026 Stockman Rover 2.0 takes on a new power system, new multi-awning setup, stealthy black-out look, and available entry-level trim.
It looks like laser weapons are going to get a major power-up. The US government has awarded contracts worth US$86 million to develop new Joint Laser Weapon Systems (JLWS) capable of outputting up to 500 kW to take out next-generation cruise missiles.
Zpacks presents its latest featherlight backpacking tent. Pitched with a single pole, the new Plex Solo Pro pulls out all the stops in delivering an ambitious blend of ultralight packability and camping convenience.
Man has occupied the ISS, orbiting at about 248 miles above sea level, for 25 years. Meanwhile, the sea, sitting at sea level, hasn’t had a fixed station manned for up to a month. Researchers are seeking to change that, with a new subsea habitat.

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Health and Science news from our sister site: Refractor
The unearthing of 2,000-year-old boards has given historians a new insight into an ancient game akin to chess that was played much earlier, by everyone from royals to commoners in society – before it seemingly vanished from society.
Researchers have found that the gut microbiome could help identify people at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes years before the diagnosis.
You may have heard the term “porn addiction” used to describe the excessive consumption of this kind of media, in ways that disrupt a person’s life or the lives of those around them. But is porn addictive? Current research suggests it's complicated.
The US Food and Drug Administration has just approved a game-changing pill that can lower LDL cholesterol by around 60%. It's the first protein inhibitor to be made into a daily oral pill, doing away with the need for injections.
Two years ago, the list of signs and symptoms required to diagnose multiple sclerosis underwent a massive overhaul. Changing the definition of a disease is no small task and can have serious consequences for individuals requiring medical assistance.
Cold and flu tablets often promise fast relief. But the evidence is clear: for nasal congestion, these medicines do not work as well as they claim. So why are they still being sold?

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Editor's Picks

From raw eggs at the crack of dawn to whey shakes after workouts – there's a whole lot of advice about the best way to optimize your muscle growth. Has new research settled the debate once and for all, or will it spark even more?
Scientists at KIST have built a working electric motor with metal-free windings, replacing copper entirely. It's much lighter and could reshape the future of EVs, drones, and electric aircraft.
Electra's aircraft looks conventional enough, but it generates ludicrous amounts of lift, to take off and land at incredibly slow speeds, using almost no runway. With US$9 billion in pre-orders, it's outselling anything from the eVTOL world.
Back in 2014, e-mobility company AEMotion set out to "combine the agility of a motorcycle with the safety profile of a four-wheeled vehicle." After much prototyping, its two-person tilting creation is up for pre-order ahead of production next year.
The all-new Urbanoid Booba is an impossibly cute, tiny acorn of a trailer designed to provide a stylish, carefree way of instantly escaping the urban grind. The towable clamshell unfolds and inflates into a cozy base camp in a matter of minutes.
This two-bedroom, skyscraper-style tiny house puts a vertical spin on downsizing. Named DQ Tower, the unusual prefab residence consists of three floors and is designed to fit into people's backyards and other small spaces.
Garmin's latest Force electric motor drive might just be its most innovative yet. The Current trolling motor goes totally hands-free with a foot pedal system Garmin calls an industry first. Keep your bait in the water while cruising forward.
While the topical application of minoxidil is one of the most effective and popular ways to combat male pattern baldness, it is poorly absorbed by the skin. Looking to improve its efficacy, researchers have turned to an unlikely but very sweet ally.