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MIT's RF tech helps drones navigate pitch-dark indoor environments

22 February 2025 @ 3:03 pm

MIT's MiFly system could enable a host of autonomous drone applications, including warehousing and search-and-rescue assistanceEngineers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have devised a smart way to help drones find their way through unlit indoor spaces autonomously, without costly night vision cameras. Instead, their solution relies on 'tags' placed in these environments that bounce radio frequencies from drones and help them determine their locations, and get around without bumping into obstacles.Continue Reading

The sordid story behind NYC's very own Leaning "Banana" Tower of Pisa

22 February 2025 @ 2:03 pm

161 Maiden Lane has been described as banana-shaped by a lawyer representing Pizzarotti, the construction management company responsible for the build – this is an artist's interpretation (mine) of what that might actually look like161 Maiden Lane has quite a tumultuous past. What was supposed to be luxury high-rise living in the Financial District of NYC, with a sweet view of the East River, turned into a financial fiasco and a construction blame game that put a halt to the potentially unfixable leaning tower that has been described as "banana-shaped."Continue ReadingCategory: Architecture

Lessons from the Himalayas: 5 moto-camping mistakes I made so you don't have to

22 February 2025 @ 1:03 pm

Serene... Majestic... And a wonderful place to get in all sorts of troubleMotorcycle camping is unlike any other recreational activity. It allows you to be one with the environment, without the obstruction of four walls. Moto-camping, I thought, would be a romantic escape – a communion of sorts with the road and nature. Instead, on several occasions, it proved to be a masterclass in how not to prepare, pack, or pitch a tent.Continue ReadingCategory: Outdoors, LifestyleTags:

The Boring Company inks deal to tunnel "wormhole" under Dubai

22 February 2025 @ 12:03 pm

The Dubai Loop's initial phase will measure 17 km (10.5 miles) and include 11 stationsSince Dubai aims to transform itself into a walkable city, cutting down on traffic congestion is a key goal. With this in mind, Dubai authorities have inked a deal with The Boring Company to create a network of tunnels likened by founder Elon Musk to a "wormhole" that will allow users to move at speed under Dubai's streets and avoid traffic.Continue ReadingCategory: Urban Transport, TransportTags:

"Honest” placebos: Sugar pills can work even when you know they're fake

22 February 2025 @ 11:03 am

More research is revealing placebos still work even when a subject knows they are taking themA fascinating study published in 2018 found patients suffering from cancer-related fatigue displayed significant improvement in their symptoms after being given an inert placebo. All the subjects were told at the beginning of the trial that the pills they were given contained no active pharmacological ingredients, yet a notable placebo effect was still detected. The research was just one piece of evidence in a compelling body of work suggesting "honest" placebos could play a role in certain kinds of clinical treatments.Continue ReadingCategory:

EVs vs ICE: Which are worse for resale?

22 February 2025 @ 10:33 am

The study identifies a shocking dip in the resale value of EVs compared to their ICE trimsCars are a depreciating asset. We’ve all heard this at one point or another. But when you pit ICE against EVs, which of the two depreciates faster? Now that would make for an interesting study.Continue ReadingCategory: Automotive, TransportTags: Electric Vehicles, Toyota,

Diabetes type affects the risk of heart attack or stroke

22 February 2025 @ 10:03 am

The risk of heart-related events is different for type 1 and type 2 diabeticsType 1 diabetics have a lower risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event such as a stroke or heart attack than type 2 diabetics, a new study has found. It highlights the fundamental difference between the two conditions and provides insights that could guide future treatments.Continue ReadingCategory: Heart Disease, Illnesses and conditions, Body & MindTags:

MIT's insect-sized bots fly 100x longer with redesigned wings

22 February 2025 @ 9:03 am

These tiny bots weigh less than a gram and can fly for up to 17 minutesInspired by the humble bee, robotics researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have designed insect-sized aerial bots with a reimagined wing system that can fly for up to 1,000 seconds – 100 times more than any similar bots we've seen in the past.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, TechnologyTags: Micro drones,

Yay or Nay: Kawasaki’s new voice command subscription for motorcycles

22 February 2025 @ 4:33 am

Kawasaki’s new voice command is integrated with Cerence voice recognition softwareConsider me an oddball when it comes to voice command tech. Sure, I’d make an odd command using my voice on my phone every now and then but that’s more or less it. To do it when I’m going down the road on my motorcycle is just plain crazy.Continue ReadingCategory: Motorcycles, TransportTags: Kawasaki,

This towable strongbox camper blows up into inflatable 4-man retreat

22 February 2025 @ 12:33 am

Hardkorr invites the whole family into the wild with the all-new Xplorer 2.3 FamilyHardkorr Campers has developed one of Australia's more innovative camper trailer series with its Xplorer lineup, introducing small but smart evolutions such as a tongue-integrated staircase and shortened garageable dimensions. Now it's expanding the series from two-person escapes to full-fledged family adventure retreats. The all-new Xplorer 2.3 Family doubles up on rooftop tent space, inflating to house a pair of queen beds and sleep a full family ... or just four adventuresome adults.Continue ReadingCategory: