Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News
Dramatic double-helix steel tower turns bird-watching into walkable art
August 21, 2026
| Bronwyn Thompson
A new 19.9-meter (65-ft) tower rises like a brutalist-inspired, twisted monolith above its rural surroundings, providing a space for watching migratory birds that populate Wuhan's Chenhu Wetland, China.
Top 10 tiny houses that showcase the extremes of small living
August 20, 2026
| Adam Williams
Tiny houses come in all shapes and sizes nowadays. Some push toward the upper limits of what can reasonably be considered a portable home, while others embrace extreme downsizing. Here are 10 of our favorites from both ends of the spectrum.
HoverAir's latest flyer eradicates divide between pocket cam and drone
August 21, 2026
| Monica J. White
After a quick reveal earlier this month, HoverAir has revealed full specs for the Versa, a pocket gimbal camera that snaps onto prop-packing wings to fly like an autonomous camera-drone. The novel hybrid has also launched on Indiegogo.
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A breathtaking ride with a view in an elevator up and down the side of a canyon has opened in a remote canyon, drastically increasing capacity. It makes what was once a six-hour round trip even shorter than 30 minutes, because of less wait time.
I want the camper van ... but without tying myself to one van. That's essentially what Hunker sells with its new slide-in camper box. An all-in-one camper floor plan on roller skates, the Hunker Pod turns an empty Ram van into an inviting camper van.
Seamlessly bringing together the worlds of teardrop trailers and egg campers, the Outranger trailer arrives as a compelling alternative that feels both vintage and brand new. It relies on a molded composite construction shaped into a squarer form.
The white cross with red surround has long been a sacred knife badge, indicating the timeless dependability of the Swiss Army knife. The latest multitool out there isn't a Swiss Army knife, but it wears an equally proud badge of origin and heritage.
When Durston launched the X-Dome 1+ freestanding tent, we knew it wasn't going to be the lightest in the series. And now it's not – the Dyneema-and-carbon X-Dome Pro 1+ debuts to claims of being "world's lightest freestanding double-wall tent."
Volkswagen is already bringing an outside-the-box California camper concept to this year's Caravan Salon, but it has no intention of stopping there. It will also introduce the ID. California Cruise, a first look at a line of all-electric camper vans.
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August 21, 2026 | Abhimanyu GhoshalThis new piece of EDC gear we've spotted looks like a handy little screwdriver with bit storage. However, it serves two additional functions beyond fastening that make it practical for more than just DIY projects and repairs. -
August 21, 2026 | Omar KardoudiMIT engineers replaced excavator joysticks with a miniature-arm controller that mimics human arm motion, letting complete novices match veteran operators' skill level from their very first session, no years of practice required. -
August 21, 2026Long hours at your desk call for smarter support. The SIHOO Doro C300 Pro V2 adapts as you move, with dynamic lumbar support, adjustable armrests and full-body ergonomics designed for studying, working and relaxing.
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Health and Science news from our sister site: Refractor
Bacteria engineered to sense and reduce glucose levels could be the future of type 2 diabetes treatments, following pre-clinical trials. If successful, genetically enhanced gut bacteria could completely change how we treat type 2 diabetes
A record five-year, single-site brain-imaging study now found evidence of the role the environment plays in resynchronizing the brain’s networks following a dose of psilocybin – the chemical that makes some mushrooms “magic”.
A highly anticipated drug trial is in its final stages as its 350 participants receive their single dose to treat chronic low back pain. If successful, it could be a breakthrough therapeutic for people with the debilitating age-related condition.
A cross-sectional study based on a registry of fatal US motor vehicle crashes has found that Taylor Swift's albums may have even contributed a statistically significant bump in deadly traffic accidents, presumably by distracting drivers.
The narwhal's defining feature – its continuously growing tusk – is the only straight structure of its kind seen in the animal kingdom. Now, scientists have cracked the code on how these elusive Arctic whales grow such an important and unique tool.
We're closer to understand who is most likely to feel invisible aftershocks following even small earthquakes. While they feel real at the time, the phantom quakes may just be your brain trying to make sense one of the weirdest sensations on Earth.
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August 20, 2026 | David SzondyThe mission to rescue NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory space telescope may be in need of some rescuing itself. Due to multiple malfunctions in the LINK spacecraft's attitude control system, space engineers have decided to abandon the boost attempt. -
August 20, 2026 | Malcolm AzaniaBy calibrating a “light pump” to match the optical composition of a medium, researchers can shoot a “probe” beam at a new deflection angle. Surpassing previous electronic means, Caltech’s light-bending opens the door to hyperspeed computation. -
August 20, 2026AI gives you plenty of options, but choosing the right model can be a chore. AskAnyModel puts 50+ models in one place so you can compare answers instead of bouncing between subscriptions. -
August 20, 2026 | Bronwyn ThompsonIt's that time of the year again – when nature photo competition winners are announced and we get to look at some amazing images that remind us that the world is made up of more than AI slop. For now, anyway. -
August 20, 2026 | Adam WilliamsPlans have been revealed for an ambitious timber tower in Washington state that will set a new height record. It will rise to a height of 180 ft, making it the tallest timber office building in the USA once completed. -
August 20, 2026 | Simon HeptinstallChinese mini-transport engineering company Blizwheel has spent years evolving lightweight electric scooters that fold like origami to become small enough to vanish inside a standard backpack. Its latest version is perhaps the best yet. -
August 20, 2026 | Utkarsh SoodThe XSR 700 and 900 are brilliant motorcycles that most people can ride practically anywhere and have a ball. They offer something for modern motorcycle enthusiasts plus authentic retro style. That sums up why the entry-level XSR155 is headed to the US.
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Editor's Picks
The new Auriga Explorer camper truck looks almost as fast and ferocious as a Dakar rig. But it's made for slow travel, the kind that sees you link together wandering days with cozy nights in a mobile 4-person hut expanded by pop-top and 3 slide-outs.
Scientists have discovered the single largest repository of gold in the world that makes Fort Knox look like a piggy bank. Making up 99.999% of all the precious metal on the planet, it's just sitting there for the taking. However, there is a catch.
BMW's recently unveiled Vision CE has revived a unique two-wheeler space that does away with helmets. Now, it gets some competition in the form of XYTE One, which combines scooter agility and car-like protection. The best part: No helmets needed!
Fumbling with bindings is nobody's idea of a good time, especially in the cold and the snow. That's why snowboarder Brendan Walker created the Machina MagIC Ride System, which replaces traditional snowboard bindings with magnets.
An epidemic that's been sustained for 44 years might finally be quelled, with the milestone approval of the first HIV drug that offers 100% protection with its twice-yearly injections. It's a landmark achievement set to save millions of lives.
It was cold – but nowhere near what I expected; I’ve been colder in an outdoor swimming pool in Australia. It's part of a global feedback loop, the scale of which I only began to comprehend when I saw this remarkable continent for myself.
The ambitious Pinnacle SkyTower has reached a major milestone. The supertall skyscraper has topped out at 106 floors and now holds the record for the most floors of any residential building in North America.
Once famous for building the world's biggest and most powerful engines, Finnish company Wärtsilä is investing heavily in technology to clean up the notoriously difficult heavy marine sector. CEO Håkan Agnevall lays out a roadmap to zero carbon 2050.