Headliner
New wood-based resin beats fossil plastics and can be recycled
by Etiido Uko
To wood or not to wood, that’s been the question! Ever since oil-based plastics entered the scene, cost, sustainability, and performance have defined the wood vs. plastics debate. In a clear win, researchers may have just invented wooden plastic.
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Highlights
The world's first diesel plug-in hybrid pickup truck is here
by Utkarsh Sood
In a segment dominated by gas or electric powertrains, there’s a new contender from China. The Chery KP31: a diesel plug-in hybrid pickup. It comes at a time when the global demand for trucks continues to surge, as do tightening emissions regulations.
Video: Hyundai's firefighting robots lead the way into burning buildings
by Michael Franco
Hyundai has donated four super-tough unmanned robotic vehicles to firefighters in Korea for use in high-risk situations. The autonomous vehicles will deal with the initial stages of a fire to provide more information and safety to firefighters.
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More Stories
US approves first next-gen nuclear reactor in a decade
by David Szondy
The United States has taken a step toward a 21st-century renaissance in civilian nuclear power as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has given the go-ahead for TerraPower's Natrium Gen IV reactor to begin construction – the first such approval for a US reactor in a decade.
Watch: Physical AI humanoids get to work at BMW factory
by Michael Franco
BMW is expanding its investigation of humanoid robotic workers at its factories. The automaker has just announced that it will trial a set of physical AI bots made by Hexagon for the first time at one of its European plants.
Retrofittable hybrid turboprop could slash fuel burn by 30%
by David Szondy
If you have a regional turboprop aircraft and wish that it was a bit more hybirdy, RTX may be able to accommodate you. The company is developing a combined thermal/electric propulsion system that not only increases efficiency but can be retrofitted into existing aircraft.
Mopping robovac locates stains around your home using UV rays
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
While other robot vacuums are busy bumping into things around your home and making a racket, Shark's latest model is taking a different approach to cleaning up messes. It's the first to use UV light to spot hard-to-see stains.
Watch: World's first robot movie found after more than a century
by David Szondy
A piece of techno-cinematic history has emerged as the US Library of Congress releases the restored video of the oldest film to feature a "robot." Dating from 1897, the silent film Gugusse et l'Automate by George Méliès was thought lost until recently.
Elsewhere
🐳 Photographer flies drone over Humpback Whale, realizes it's in trouble, and calls in a rescue operation.
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