Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News
Frog muscle put to use in swimming robotic manta ray
September 08, 2026
| Etiido Uko
Few things make the career jump from regional cuisine delicacy to robotics actuator. Yet, in research vaguely reminiscent of RoboCop, scientists have used skeletal muscle from a literal frog leg as an actuator to control a tiny robotic manta ray.
Our planet has a time problem – and it may be about to get weirder
September 06, 2026
| Mike McRae
The 28th General Conference on Weights and Measures is expected to settle the debate over whether we should be so pedantic about our measures of time, putting the future of the "leap second" to a vote.
We've uncovered the deadliest days – and they don't fall on Friday the 13th
September 08, 2026
| Mike McRae
As somebody who was born on Friday the 13th, Jeffrey Rosenthal felt he had a personal interest in determining whether there were any correlations to justify in the first place, or if our suspicions are a case of confirmation bias.
Top Stories
Dragon Tiny Homes' custom Vista tiny house has a compact 24-ft-long footprint while packing in some notable features, including an open living area with a home office, plus a full kitchen, and two bedrooms.
Some companies build a desalination plant and call it a day; others build a data center, while others, still, build power generation facilities. One project wants to build all three …into one facility …offshore …on a movable ship.
"American excess" is a simple term that points out the US tendency toward conspicuous overconsumption. Despite its big Ford badge, though, the new Kerkamm Ranger Super Duty RV isn't American excess at all. It's German excess ... and it's glorious.
Xiaomi’s REDMI Note 17 lineup brings 7,700- to 10,000-mAh batteries to four mid-range phones, led by a Pro Max promising three-day endurance, 100W charging and up to six years of battery health for longer ownership.
The new Cubivan Camping System is a very different style of camper-in-a-box module. It expands out the van and down to the ground to create a full kitchen and bathroom. Add the hard-walled origami roof, and you make a full camper out of a tiny van.
I have issues with AI in general, but the biggest gripe is with being forced to interact with the LLM from Google, a company with enough money and talented staff to do something great – but has instead produced a model the AI hates too.
Latest News
-
September 08, 2026Some AI tools are better for certain jobs. Toggling between tools is a waste of time, but settling for less than the best is not an option. 1min.AI gives you the best of both, with lifetime access to dozens of AI models for a one-time fee of $69.97. -
September 08, 2026 | Maryna HolovnovaEngineers continue to draw inspiration from nature. Scientists from New York University have developed a robot that resembles a fish, and can be easily scaled up or down in size to explore different water bodies. -
September 08, 2026 | Monica J. WhiteXGIMI recently previewed its AURA 3 Series at IFA 2026. The lineup is headed by the flagship Aura 3 Max, alongside the slightly less powerful Aura 3 Pro. XGIMI is referring to the pair as the world’s first 4K/120Hz ultra-short-throw projector series.
Load More
Latest News
-
September 08, 2026 | Abhimanyu GhoshalThere are many ways to purify water out in the wilderness so it's safe to drink. This new piece of kit makes it arguably more convenient than any portable device for the job. -
September 07, 2026 | Utkarsh SoodThe B300 Pro is my second Sihoo chair. It’s a $289.99 ergonomic office chair with more ways to adjust to your body than some motorcycles have to adjust their suspension. But if you spend eight hours at your desk, you might as well make it comfortable. -
September 07, 2026 | Mike McRaeExercise helps us sleep better, so researchers wondered if it could also protect our memory from the corrosive effects of not enough slumber as well. Turns out, the results suggest a kind of biological cheat code that protects our brains. -
September 07, 2026 | Abhimanyu GhoshalIf you find it hard to focus or stay present in the moment, you can now buy a device that tells you just how often your mind drifts elsewhere. That's the thinking behind the first wearable from a wellness startup called Atlas. -
September 07, 2026Need original music without learning audio production? MusicMagic turns prompts or your own lyrics into downloadable tracks, with cover art, commercial rights, and unlimited distribution included for $49.99 (reg. $499). -
September 07, 2026 | Malcolm AzaniaEngineers used adversarial inverse reinforcement learning to train robots to respond dynamically to uneven terrain and loss of limbs, a training system transferrable to dissimilar robots. And they did so using a stick insect as a role model. -
September 07, 2026 | Adam WilliamsThe Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is finally complete. Looking like a spaceship has landed in L.A., the museum holds an eclectic mixture of art – where Star Wars props rub shoulders with ancient Egyptian pottery.
Load More
Editor's Picks
Generally Honda is the major Japanese automaker pushing out a fast, ferocious new side-by-side. This time, it's Toyota, which shows a radical side-x-side that delivers an extra 50+ hp over any production SxS out there.
For nearly a century, a strange band of 5,200 holes carved into a hillside has defied explanation. Stretching for nearly a mile along the edge of the Pisco Valley, Monte Serpe – "serpent mountain" – may have finally revealed its secrets to scientists.
I'm a sucker for a good "reinventing the wheel" story, and David Henson's 'SurfacePlan' concept is an odd a take on one of humanity's greatest inventions as we've seen in a long time. It's designed to replace engines and drivetrains altogether.
Researchers have analyzed clinical trial data and ranked 12 different non-drug physical therapy treatments for knee osteoarthritis, based on their effectiveness in reducing pain and stiffness, and improving physical function.
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.
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.
This compact tiny house doubles down on one of the major benefits of small living: freedom. The home runs off-grid and combines an easy-to-tow configuration with an open layout that's arranged on one floor.
When we first caught wind of Thule's new Widesky rooftop tent, we took the model name to imply a large, clear stargazing skylight. Instead, Thule's latest tent encourages panoramic viewing in a different way, one we haven't seen on any other RTT.