Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News

Soft robots get a tiny soft pump to move their bodies

June 12, 2026 | Etiido Uko
Soft robots have a “cardiovascular” problem. While their bodies can deform, their hearts, the pumps that keep them moving, have remained bulky and rigid. Researchers have developed a tiny, powerful pump that doesn’t require any mechanical components.

VW T7 camper van is a California-style rig with a toilet and a twist

June 10, 2026 | C.C. Weiss
Trakka has a long history of turning Volkswagen's various vans into Outback-ready expedition machines. Now it focuses attention on turning VW's newest van into a more versatile, rugged, comfortable camper with an options sheet that trumps VW's own.

Airstream's cheapest camper van goes full chameleon with flex layout

June 12, 2026 | C.C. Weiss
Airstream expands its most affordable camper van series with the new 21PL. The newest member of the Rangeline family features a floor plan that's every bit as capable and comfortable for 4 people as it is for 2, without any need for a pop-up roof.

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Nuclear energy in the West took another step forward as the first privately developed, non-light-water reactor to go critical in the United States in more than 40 years reached a major milestone when the Antares Nuclear Mark-0 test reactor came online at Idaho National Laboratory.
In a historic first, two US Army crew members from an AH-64 Apache helicopter forced down near the coast of Oman were rescued within two hours by a US Navy Saronic Corsair drone boat operated by the 5th Fleet's Task Force 59.
The Berenstein Bear is an extra-wide tiny house that's firmly focused on maximizing comfort. It provides a spacious interior that includes a large living area, a generous kitchen, ground-floor master bedroom, and even a bathtub.
Picture a surgical robot that can move, cut tissue, release drugs, grip and store samples, and generate heat. You most likely didn't imagine a robot that can fit in your hands. Yet, scientists have created a 5-in-1 robot that fits on your fingertip!
Mammoth Overland fuses together two of its most creative builds into a roomy, prepper-grade survival safe room that moves with you. From comfy family camping to all-out apocalyptic escape, the XLE might be the best civilian trailer out there.
The real Sagrada Familia has been under construction for more than 140 years, but Lego's new replica should hopefully prove a little quicker to assemble. Featuring just over 12,000 pieces, it's Lego's largest set to date.

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Health and Science news from our sister site: Refractor
Grabbing that late-night kebab or pizza slice after a few drinks may not be a sign of poor willpower, but a biological drive that once would have seen us seek protein but now leads us straight into the comforting arms of savory ultra-processed foods.
The marsupial may be a rare find in the wild these days, but they've nearly been wiped off the planet before. This study rewrites our understanding of the genetic history of koalas – and overturns the theories about what caused their ancient decline.
For the first time, researchers have linked a gene thought to be responsible for ulcerative colitis with a mechanism of attack, opening the way to new diagnostic tools and opportunities for more targeted treatment.
The US has broken a two-decade drought with the Food and Drug Administration adding bemotrizinol to the list of approved active ingredients that can be used in sunscreen, paving the way for more effective protection from ultraviolet radiation.
A novel way to brew coffee without boiling water or high pressure harnesses the power of sound waves, slashing time and energy.
People with Alzheimer’s disease who took the over-the-counter supplement glucosamine were 25% more likely to die within five years than those who didn’t. This new study investigates its role in speeding up cognitive decline.

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A retro-futuristic spacecraft with a mixture of the old and new has passed a major milestone as it's readied for its debut orbital mission. Sierra Space has announced that its Dream Chaser cargo spaceplane has demonstrated that it can handle payloads.
There's no replacement for displacement. An adage that's been around as long as the combustion engine, really. But these age-old sayings don't really apply anymore when it comes to electric motors.
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.
Researchers in the Netherlands have created mechanical structures that strangely shrink – or more precisely, snap inward – instead of stretching outward when pulled. This 'countersnapping' behavior could find use in tomorrow's soft robots.
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.
I spent a few nights with the Akaso Sight-300 and came away fairly impressed. My previous experiences with night vision have been with very high-end scopes, so I wasn't sure what to expect on something that costs several thousand dollars less.
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.
The Capucine, by Quadrapol, is a compact tiny house for up to two people. Thanks to its open design, which is arranged on one floor, the home is well-suited to retirees and anyone else who doesn't want to deal with the hassle of stairs.