A new type of fixed-wing drone, inspired by the flight of birds of prey, is being developed by researchers at the University of Surrey. These drones are designed to be more energy-efficient and agile, capable of navigating through complex environments like dense cities and offshore wind farms. The project, named ‘Learning2Fly,’ uses machine learning and…
This article, written by Mustafa Suleyman, discusses the concept of “Seemingly Conscious AI” (SCAI) and the societal risks it presents. Suleyman argues that AI should be built to empower people, not to imitate a person, as the illusion of consciousness could lead to people advocating for AI rights and citizenship. He emphasizes the need for…
China’s military has unveiled a groundbreaking mosquito-sized drone, measuring just 1.3 centimeters and weighing less than 0.3 grams, designed for highly covert surveillance. This micro-drone mimics insect flight with flapping wings and hair-thin legs, allowing it to infiltrate sensitive areas like buildings and underground tunnels undetected. Developed by the National University of Defense Technology, this…
Engineers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have developed a groundbreaking “intelligent, self-healing artificial muscle” that can detect and repair its own damage. Mimicking biological systems, this soft robotic technology utilizes a multi-layered structure with a liquid metal “skin” to identify damage and then generates heat to seal punctures in its thermoplastic middle layer. This innovation…