Push-button flying car now authorized by both FAA and DMV

When most folk think about flying cars, we think of machines that seamlessly convert from street to air mode, that can take off and land vertically, and that can cruise in the air and on the highway. The US$789,000 Aska A5 promises to do it all.Continu… Continue reading Push-button flying car now authorized by both FAA and DMV

Computer chip with built-in human brain tissue gets military funding

Last year, Monash University scientists created the “DishBrain” – a semi-biological computer chip with some 800,000 human and mouse brain cells lab-grown into its electrodes. Demonstrating something like sentience, it learned to play Pong within five m… Continue reading Computer chip with built-in human brain tissue gets military funding

Low-tech secret handshake box tests 99.9% effective against car theft

With US car thefts up 25.1% since 2019, it’s clear that high-tech key fob immobilizers aren’t cutting the mustard. But this might: UMich researchers have created a charmingly low-tech anti-theft device that turns the whole car into a security keypad.Co… Continue reading Low-tech secret handshake box tests 99.9% effective against car theft

Insanely athletic $1,600 robot dog gets GPT-powered conversation option

Chinese company Unitree has opened pre-orders on its second-gen robot dog companion. The Go2 can follow you around at jogging speeds, perform some wild gymnastic feats, and even talk to you through a GPT-enabled system that writes code on the fly.Conti… Continue reading Insanely athletic $1,600 robot dog gets GPT-powered conversation option

Vertical Aerospace starts eVTOL flight tests, but pushes back dates

UK-based Vertical Aerospace has started flight-testing its full-size electric air taxi, but is now targeting a 2026 debut. The tilt-rotor VX4 eVTOL seats up to five, and promises more than 100 miles (160 km) of range, at speeds up to 200 mph (322 km/h)… Continue reading Vertical Aerospace starts eVTOL flight tests, but pushes back dates

World’s largest wind turbine is now fully operational and connected

This colossal 16-MW turbine is now the largest ever connected to a power grid

Three Gorges Energy has connected the world’s first 16-megawatt monster offshore wind turbine to the power grid. With a mind-boggling 260-meter (853-ft) rotor diameter, this towering colossus will supply clean energy for about 36,000 Chinese homes.

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Fervo heralds a revolution in geothermal power technology

Fervo’s “next-generation geothermal” technology has proven itself in testing, becoming the most productive enhanced geothermal plant in history. The company hopes its approach will radically expand access to clean energy, like shale did for oil.Continu… Continue reading Fervo heralds a revolution in geothermal power technology

Renewables surprisingly “on track” to meet net zero by 2050

Renewable energy is taking off at exponential rates, putting global clean power “in line with ambitious net-zero scenarios.” A new report suggests fossil fuel demand in the energy sector has already peaked, and “will be in freefall” by 2030.Continue Re… Continue reading Renewables surprisingly “on track” to meet net zero by 2050