Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News
Cyborg cockroaches go amphibious ... thanks to a new diving suit
July 17, 2026
| Etiido Uko
What sounds more terrifying than a part-cockroach, part-robot cyborg? Definitely one that can also breathe underwater. Yet, this is exactly what researchers have just created, except they are replacing “terrifying” with “useful.” Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore and Waseda University in Japan have created a soft, flexible diving suit for cyborg cockroaches. The suits are equipped with miniature oxygen generators that allow the cockroaches to survive for up to three hours underwater or in low-oxygen conditions.
Smart multi-sensor kit simplifies home fermentation
July 16, 2026
| Shirl Leigh
From Smokpub, makers of a compact electric cocktail and whisky smoker, comes the Doubot, a sourdough fermentation system currently on Kickstarter. They claim it's “a smarter way to proof dough” for the novice baker second-guessing their technique.
Tiny drone hits invisible mode by twisting faster than eye can detect
July 17, 2026
| Omar Kardoudi
Engineers have built a drone that vanishes without camouflage or transparent panels. Its trick is spinning so fast that your eyes simply give up trying to focus, a stealth edge that could turn surveillance into something almost invisible.
Top Stories
The Redwood tiny house makes downsizing easier with a spacious interior that's suitable for full-time living. The home opens up to the outside with two glazed entrances and has plenty of storage for everyday life.
The brand that helped innovate the entire pop-up camper van category is redefining the space. With its latest camper van, Westfalia has determined to offer the space and luxury of a high-end Class A motorhome inside a very average Fiat Ducato van.
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.
Cinch Outdoors has moved off the ground and onto the vehicle, bringing Wild Land RV gear to the US market. It launches the Wingman as what's sure to be the US' largest, wildest pickup camping topper yet, available at a lower price than most toppers.
Scientists have created a robotic bird that swims, dives, and rockets out of water to fly, all without propellers, legs, or folding tricks. Just clever engineering solving a problem nature already does gracefully.
XGIMI says that the newly expanded Elfin Flip series "ends the trade-off between portability and performance." Leading the triple-laser charge is a 4K model with optical zoom, GTV, and low-lag gaming, with a cheaper 1080p model sliding in below it.
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July 17, 2026 | Utkarsh SoodIt 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. -
July 17, 2026 | Abhimanyu GhoshalRayNeo's Air 4 Pro glasses do one thing, and one thing only. Pop these on, plug them into your phone or laptop, and boom – an instant giant display for your eyes only. Movies and gaming on the go just got way more fun. -
July 17, 2026 | Adam WilliamsWith its mid-size length and open interior, the Cedar Ridge manages to be towable without feeling too cramped inside. It features a rustic decor, plenty of storage, and two loft bedrooms, making it suitable for full-time small living.
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Health and Science news from our sister site: Refractor
From a snake's venomous fangs to the sharp spines that cover a cactus, puncture tools can be found right across the animal kingdom. While they come in all shapes and sizes, there's a fascinating force driving their diverse designs.
"Sleep debt” assumes your shut-eye works like a bank account. That lost hours stack up, carry over, and you must eventually repay them in full. Well, you'll be pleased to know that it doesn’t work this way. And chasing “enough sleep” isn't helping.
A newly developed antibody has halted the growth and spread of aggressive prostate cancer in preclinical tests, raising hopes for a more targeted way of treating metastatic disease.
In a rare study looking at cultural engagement and biological aging, scientists have found a potential link between spending time at the theater, visiting museums and galleries and watching movies on the big screen and living healthier for longer.
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued its first comprehensive guide on how psychedelic drugs should be studied in trials, signalling a shift toward recognizing the potential of these therapeutics and what's needed to see them approved.
At a time when more than one billion people are living with obesity,GLP-1s are widely viewed as among the biggest advances in obesity treatment. But one important question is becoming harder to avoid: what happens when people stop taking them?
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July 17, 2026 | Monica J. WhiteThe Playcube was already an unusual little projector: a palm-sized, Rubik’s Cube-like device built to throw a big image onto whatever flat surface you have nearby. Now, TCL is adding a new layer of interaction through Google’s Gemini AI. -
July 16, 2026 | David SzondyIt 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. -
July 16, 2026The best productivity software is often the one you don’t have to think about. Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus keeps the familiar Office experience intact with a lifetime license, now $54.99 (reg. $249.99). -
July 16, 2026 | Abhimanyu GhoshalWe knew the 849 Testarossa Spider – the convertible version of Ferrari's new plug-in hybrid hypercar – was coming. It's similar in many ways to its coupe sibling. What we didn't expect is just how much more mojo this variant would bring to the table. -
July 16, 2026 | Omar KardoudiThe Mediterranean is getting hotter and drier, pushing scientists to look for water even in the air itself. A German team has now scaled up a porous material that does exactly that, even when the air feels bone-dry. -
July 15, 2026 | Maryna HolovnovaAn emergency whistle is one of the simplest safety tools for the outdoors, and gear makers are trying to rethink the classic concept. This new whistle features a 3-in-1 design and claims to be heard through wind, traffic, and over long distances. -
July 15, 2026Why learn to code with beginner tools when you can start inside a professional IDE? This bundle includes Visual Studio Professional 2026 plus lifetime training in Python, C++, JavaScript, SQL, AI, and more for $40.97 (reg. $1,999.99).
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Editor's Picks
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a landmark eye drop that uses a combined dose of medication to restore age-related near-sightedness, without the need for surgery, for longer than anything else on the market – and with fewer side effects.
Globally, stomach cancer is on the rise in young people, but new research shows that three-quarters of future cases could be prevented by screening for and treating a common bacterial infection: Helicobacter pylori.
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!
Although electric motors do help kayaks fight headwinds and currents, they also add weight, complexity and the potential for getting snagged. The FluxJet system may change that, with a sub-5-lb electric jet drive module that fits into the hull.
Toyota's Kayoibako van concept won over the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. Toyota is now talking up a Kayoibako family and showing the Daihatsu Kayoibako-K, a kei transporter that's a tiny delivery van, micro-camper, automated adventure shuttle and more.
We're one step closer to that elusive goal preventing hair loss and enabling new growth, as scientists identify the crucial role that one all-important protein has in protecting the hard-working cells on the production line.
How did a guitar that failed to grab its intended market – the market it was literally named after – end up becoming the instrument of choice across surf-rock, post-punk, new wave, power pop, shoegaze and more?
This year Fender is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Telecaster, and Nashville was chosen to host the Tele Town birthday party. We caught up with the CEO and Chief Product Manager before rocking the Tele's big night out at the Ryman Auditorium.