Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News
Lizard-inspired wiggly wheels let Mars rover swim through sand
June 22, 2026
| Ben Coxworth
The sandfish lizard moves very efficiently through the sand, and not surprisingly, it doesn't use wheels to do so. Scientists have now copied the reptile's swimming motion in an experimental Mars rover that outperforms others in sandy soil.
Going retro: Commodore strips the smartphone back to essentials
June 22, 2026
| Monica J. White
The reborn Commodore brand has broken into the phone industry with the Callback 8020, a retro flip phone that runs 99% of Android apps through privacy-focused Sailfish OS while blocking social media and browsers for a calmer digital life.
Review: Gorgeous triple-laser projector takes home cinema to the Max
June 22, 2026
| Paul Ridden
A beautiful box of smart-entertainment goodness turned up at my door last year from home entertainment upstart Valerion. That was the VisionMaster Pro 2 4K triple-laser lifestyle projector, and now I've been sent the series flagship to play with.
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The Felicia is a compact and easily towable tiny house that focuses on freedom and simplicity. The home can optionally run off-grid, making it well suited to life away from campsites and trailer parks.
One for the "why hasn't this been done before?" department: Norway has greenlit construction of the world's first ocean ship tunnel. If the final budget receives parliamentary approval, work on the Stad Ship Tunnel will begin on the country's west coast.
Bosch has launched its first hub motor, the Hub Line, targeting urban riders who want electric assist in a compact, lightweight package. Canyon and Vello are already on board, with both debuting Hub Line bikes at Eurobike next week.
Picture a tiny house in your mind and it probably looks a little like a cottage on wheels. However, Quadrapol's La Ruche takes a different approach and stacks its living spaces vertically like a tower.
A semi-submersible aquaculture rig that holds more than 14 million gallons of water – 20 Olympic swimming pools' worth – has begun operating in the waters off Hainan Province. It's expected to produce more than 4,000 tonnes of fish in its first year.
A lot of people would commute by bicycle, but don't do so because they're afraid of traffic. Well, those folks might like Canyon's prototype Predict bike, which is laden with tech to keep its rider safe from cars and other road hazards.
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June 22, 2026 | Abhimanyu GhoshalCombining metals to produce alloys that are stronger or tougher requires extremely high temperatures as part of the process. Researchers in Australia have found that a radically different approach could yield even better alloys with a lot less heat. -
June 21, 2026 | Bronwyn ThompsonCharged with sorting through 2,129 images from more than 500 people, judges have named their shortlist of 100 pictures vying for prizes in the 2026 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year (AGNPOTY) competition. Here are our favorites. -
June 21, 2026The Kingbull Ranger combines vintage-inspired styling, a 750W motor, hydraulic brakes, dual suspension, and up to 80 miles of range. During Kingbull's 2026 Anniversary Sale, this distinctive e-bike is available for just $799.
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Health and Science news from our sister site: Refractor
New research on a pterosaur fossil reveals secrets of the creature’s life, including microscopic inner structures of its bones and traces of its biology and diet. The findings show that molecular evidence can survive for more than 100 million years.
An experiment conducted by a team of researchers from Texas A&M University has revealed a healing sequence in mammalian physiology that rebuilds lost skeletal structure, albeit with less than perfect results.
In simulations, Boston University researcher Brian Walsh and colleagues found that their system, dubbed StormWall, could halve the intensity of a geomagnetic storm.
People taking fish-oil supplements in an effort to shield their brain from Alzheimer's disease might be better off investing that money in their diet, with a two-year study finding that omega-3 pills offer no protection from cognitive decline.
The volatile seismic zone along the roughly 750-mile San Andreas Fault beneath California are "critically stressed" – a level of pressure that has reached its highest point in 1,000 years – increasing the likelihood of a big earthquake hitting the US.
Scientists have not just found a new way that aging cells drive inflammation, but have also blocked it from happening with an existing FDA-approved drug. This opens the door to an entirely new way to shield the body from age-related health decline.
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June 21, 2026 | Simon HeptinstallThe defining characteristics of BMW’s M cars – screaming inline-six engines, lightweight chassis and precise mechanical feedback – are about to be radically reinvented to survive the fast-approaching zero-emissions regs. Meet the M Concept Neue Klasse. -
June 21, 2026 | Omar KardoudiAn electric aircraft that takes off like a helicopter and cruises like a regular plane just completed its first piloted flight with a new full-scale prototype. Vertical Aerospace is accelerating toward commercial certification, targeted for 2028. -
June 21, 2026 | Monica J. WhiteEnya Music’s Cyber-G Pocket folds from portable Bluetooth speaker into a smart singalong instrument, using chord pads, app presets and built-in backing tracks to help casual users make music without learning to play the guitar. -
June 21, 2026 | Etiido UkoUnlike man-made solar systems, which are hampered by the sun’s fluctuations and require backup systems to even them out, leaves can harness solar energy even in low-light conditions. Scientists have developed a way to replicate this ability. -
June 21, 2026Upgrading your PC doesn’t have to come with sticker shock. Windows 11 Pro is just $9.97 during this Deal Days sale, giving your desktop a faster, cleaner interface, built-in AI Copilot, and pro-level tools — all for just ten dollars. -
June 21, 2026 | David SzondyAt this year's ILA Berlin Air Show, Airbus Helicopters unveiled its latest entry into fully autonomous flight, the U145 twin-engine helicopter. Based on the company's H145 platform, the aircraft replaces the cockpit with clamshell cargo doors, freeing up additional space for payloads. -
June 20, 2026 | Maryna HolovnovaAironox Go is a compact, fully automatic device designed to smooth clothing. It's aimed at frequent travelers who want to look presentable after a long trip but also don’t want to spend time on ironing or steaming clothes.
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Editor's Picks
Hybrid-electric aircraft maker Pipistrel just ushered its Nuuva V300 electric vertical takeoff and landing craft through a major milestone. A recent video shows it break the chains of gravity and hover midair in a first for the vehicle.
Small camping trailers are great for a lot of reasons, but they usually fall very short on one highly critical spec: a bathroom. The latest Encore ROG trailer solves the bathroom issue in a rather bold way, and it's a much better small camper for it.
Construction on the new world's tallest skyscraper is rapidly approaching a major milestone. Saudi Arabia's JEC Tower is racing towards 100 floors, making it another step closer to achieving its projected 2028 completion date.
The Mysa 400 by Irontown Modular is an extra-wide tiny house that features an apartment-style interior with a spacious living area, two bedrooms, and an open design that's suited to full-time living.
While cutting back on salt intake has long been a mainstay in treating high blood pressure, new research suggests that upping potassium intake might have a greater effect. It might be time to stock up on bananas, apricots, and sweet potatoes.
After Volkswagen split its midsize van lineup into two distinct model lines, the future of VW van life took the proverbial fork in the road. Spacecamper is the latest to convert a Caravelle, and its new camper arrives as a fast, versatile adventurer.
The new Gazelle T4 Overland EXP tent serves as a simple, all seasons-ready camping solution. It sets up in minutes via a fast-pitch hub frame and includes enhanced adjustability, multiple climate control options, and a stabilized foundation.
Australian defense company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has unveiled its Apollo High Energy Laser Weapon (HELW) that pumps out up to 150 kW of power yet can take out 200 medium-sized drones running on its own internal power supply.