A team of researchers, led by the University of Minnesota, has invented a new soap molecule made from renewable sources that could dramatically reduce the number of chemicals in cleaning products and their impact on the environment. The soap molecules also worked better than some conventional soaps in challenging conditions such as cold water and hard water.
Continue reading… “Researchers invent the ‘perfect’ soap molecule”
The aspiring asteroid miners at Planetary Resources have struck pay dirt in Luxembourg, the tiny (but wealthy) European country positioning itself as an ally to commercial space. The country is directly investing €12 million, with another €13 million coming from public investment bank SNCI.
Continue reading… “Planetary Resources is mining Luxembourg for $28M in asteroid funds”
You’re having dinner in a virtual reality game. The banquet scene in front of you looks so real that your mouth is watering. Normally, you would be disappointed, but not this time. You approach the food, stick out your tongue – and taste the flavours on display. You move your jaw to chew – and feel the food’s texture between your teeth.
Continue reading… “Electrodes let you taste and chew in virtual reality”
Dietmar Exler, chief executive of Mercedes-Benz USA, believes that driverless cars are likely to be ‘bullied’ by human drivers when the two are sharing road space.
Continue reading… “Mercedes chief warns that humans ‘will bully robot cars’”
Farming is, by far, the most mature industry mankind has created. Dating back to the dawn of civilization, farming has been refined, adjusted and adapted — but never perfected. We, as a society, always worry over the future of farming. Today, we even apply terms usually reserved for the tech sector — digital, IoT, AI and so on. So why are we worrying?
Continue reading… “Mixed reality and machine learning drive innovative farming”
I checked out a replay of a Reggie Watts show and definitely felt like the energy and movement of his character came across. Since the show had been recorded before the capture feature was announced, however, AltspaceVR had erased all the avatars in the crowd, as those people had not consented to be filmed. I was alone in a room with a prerecorded avatar of Reggie Watts, and sea of emoji rising toward the ceiling, reactions from the ghost of an audience I could no longer see.
Continue reading… “Hanging out with my past self in virtual reality”
You may have heard of the gene-editing technique CRISPR-cas9, often simply called CRISPR. Introduced in 2012, CRISPR works like a pair of scissors to cut DNA, inserting or reordering bits of genetic code with remarkable, science-fiction-like results: CRISPR can help create mosquitoes that don’t transmit malaria, or be used to breed unusually muscular beagles, or even create mini pigs. In humans, the technology is being tested to battle cancer — by removing patients’ immune cells, editing them, and reinserting the weaponized cells into the body to hunt cancer.
Continue reading… “Using Gene Editing to Transform Cancer”
The United States has just gone through a very divisive election and many have begun to question the role of democracy in future governments.
Continue reading… “Will Artificial Intelligence Improve Democracy or Destroy It?”
From savings to banking to investing… finance is moving online. With this, we’re seeing the disruption of venture capital brought about by new laws that may change the game for how entrepreneurs can raise funding and who can invest.
Continue reading… “The state of equity crowdfunding post-JOBS Act”
Technology is advancing fast. Probably at a rate faster than ever before, and that trend is only set to continue. Sooner than once imagined, we will all be integrated into a world of AI and science fiction and some technologies that we thought would never be possible will soon be emerging. Below is a list of the top 10 most likely technologies to emerge within the next 80 or so years. Some are closer than others to being a reality, but all are certainly possible.
Continue reading… “10 Insanely advanced technologies we can expect within this century”
A team of researchers at Oxford University have coaxed an artificial intelligence program into an impressive leap forward and towards our own obsolescence. The program, known as LipNet, is showing particularly promising ability to read lips in video clips, thanks to machine learning and a novel way of approaching the data.
Continue reading… “AI taught itself to read lips better than humans”
One of the most time-consuming (and necessary) parts of gardening is weeding. Thankfully, the guy who invented Roomba is on it. Meet Tertill.
Continue reading… “Roomba’s inventor creates a weeding robot for gardens”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.