👣 Walking minibot uses an old phone for brains

Headliner

Biped bot uses your old, dusty phone for brains

by Omar Kardoudi

That old phone gathering dust in a drawer could have a second life far more entertaining than being a paperweight. UCLA researchers have created PhoneBot, a little humanoid that puts your smartphone to work as the brains of a tiny robot companion.

ToolDance X1 desktop CNC cuts titanium – no machining degree required

The ToolDance X1 pairs a 1.5 kW spindle and nine-tool changer with software that plans its own toolpaths and a machine that measures its own stock, putting metal parts within reach of people who have never written G-code.

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Highlights

AutomotiveTransport

Adorable retro EV concept takes the battle to cheap Chinese rivals

by Simon Heptinstall

One of motor history’s most revered icons was radically reborn this week… as a minimalist EV. The Citroen 2 CV Concept unveiled at the 2026 Paris Motor Show resurrects a famous 90-year-old design to create an minimalist ultra-affordable electric car.

Technology

I asked ChatGPT to build me a $1,000 effects pedal. Here's what it did

by Howard Armitage

What started as a search for an expensive effects pedal turned into something far more interesting. With one sentence, I sat back with my feet up and watched AI turn a spare Raspberry Pi into the effects pedal I almost spent a grand on.

Turn your DVD shelf into MP4s with this $24.97 Windows ripper

A shelf of DVDs takes up space, and none of those movies will play on your phone. DVDneXtCOPY DVD Ripper turns those discs into digital files, and a lifetime subscription is on sale for $24.97 (MSRP $59.99).

Wellness and Healthy LivingBody and Mind

Latest sleep trend may do more harm than good – here's how to make it work

by Bronwyn Thompson

We've become increasingly aware of how critical sleep is to our health, which has made many of us focused on the best ways to go about it. Now, experts have some advice for those trying to "optimize" sleep – and it doesn't involve any effort at all.

MaterialsEngineering

Multi-material insulation delivers up to 10,000 x the stiffness

by Maryna Holovnova

Researchers have invented a new material that is as thin as a film, extremely stiff, and also an excellent thermal insulator – a combination not found in nature. This could change many industries, from electronics to space exploration.

TentsGearOutdoors

1.6-lb double-wall tiny tent aims to be your go-anywhere Goldilocks

by C.C. Weiss

Outdoor gear startup FLFQ-Aloner is pushing into the ultralight backpacking market with a modestly priced solo tent that shrinks down as small as possible. It aims to create the sweet spot in affordable, featherlight, roomy and convenient solo tents.

AutomotiveTransport

Hyundai bets big on boxy design with 2027 Tucson

by Utkarsh Sood

The Hyundai Tucson has traditionally been classified as a compact SUV. However, the next-gen model is packed with cutting-edge tech, and is noticeably longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor. So much so it hardly feels like a "compact" car anymore.

RoboticsEngineering

Water-pumping robot worms its way over rugged coastal terrain

by Maryna Holovnova

A giant robotic worm can crawl over rocks, climb stairs and steep slopes, and swim through the water – and it does it all by shifting its own weight via a clever new water-pumping mechanism.

Your Fall Glow-Up Comes in Two Cups

Pique’s Radiant Skin Duo pairs antioxidant-rich Sun Goddess Matcha with B·T Fountain, a beauty electrolyte for hydrated, plump-looking skin. In a trial of B·T Fountain’s ceramides, hydration improved 37% and elasticity 36% by day 60. Subscribe for 20% off for life, backed by a 90-day money-back guarantee.

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Consumer TechTechnology

Slim magnetic controllers turn your phone into a gaming handheld

by Abhimanyu Ghoshal

Abxylute has come up with two products to enhance your mobile gaming sessions wherever you play. Its M5 and M6 controllers are designed to offer proper-sized buttons and joysticks, while attaching securely to your phone and fitting in your pocket.

MilitaryEngineering

MineReader detector sniffs out explosives without the middleman

by David Szondy

A new mine detector technology has been tested in Brisbane, Australia, that puts a new spin on hunting things that go boom. The MineReader RDX uses a new principle for mine detection that emphasises seeking the explosive instead of the mine.

Elsewhere

We've seen quite a few electric cargo bikes that are claimed capable of replacing the family car for certain journeys, but you're likely looking at carrying a couple of adults and a couple of kids max. Electrek recently spotted pedal-electric rickshaw designed to haul seven people when hitched to an optional "sub frame" - plus it boasts a triple-battery configuration topping out at almost 7.3 kWh for up to 120 miles per charge.

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