Carrots could be key to stronger concrete
Concrete mixtures could be strengthened by adding nanoparticles extracted from carrots and other root vegetables, research currently underway at England's Lancaster University suggests. More
OpenAI creates Dactyl robot hand with "unprecedented" dexterity
Open AI — a non-profit started by Elon Musk — has found a way to programme a robot hand so that it can nimbly manipulate an object using human-like movements it has taught itself. More
ETH Zurich makes lightweight concrete ceiling using 3D sand-printing
A lightweight concrete ceiling with formwork 3D-printed from sand is among the innovations to feature in an experimental robot-made house built by university ETH Zurich. More
Texture-changing skin lets robot express its feelings
Cornell University engineers have made a robot that gets goosebumps or becomes spiky to communicate its internal state. More
WARR Hyperloop wins SpaceX competition with record-breaking fast pod
A team from the Technical University of Munich has topped previous hyperloop speed records with a capsule that hit 467 kilometres per hour, at a competition run by SpaceX. More
Rolls-Royce reveals concept for electric flying vehicle with vertical takeoff and landing
British aerospace company Rolls-Royce is developing a personal electric flying vehicle that it says could be on the market by the early 2020s. More
Oskar Zieta inflates steel to create Daliowa island pavilion in Poland
Polish designer Oskar Zieta has created a public sculpture in Wrocław using an inflated steel technique he plans to use for larger works of architecture. More
Carlo Ratti and Sidewalk Labs collaborate to build reconfigurable Dynamic Street
Italian architect Carlo Ratti and Alphabet company Sidewalk Labs have worked together on a modular paving system that can change the use of a street throughout the day. More
CeramicSpeed's ultra-efficient Driven bicycle works without a chain
Danish company CeramicSpeed has developed what could be the world's most efficient bicycle drivetrain and has built a prototype to prove it. More
Pop-out ADcase acts like airbag for your iPhone
German design student Philip Frenzel has designed an iPhone case that springs open to stop your device from smashing when you drop it. More
Algorithm developed to predict the vertical growth of cities
Researchers from Universidade da Coruña in Spain have drawn from nature to write an algorithm that is capable of anticipating the growth pattern of cities. More
MIT's blind Cheetah 3 robot can navigate without sensors or cameras
Engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have made a blind robot that moves by feeling, without the need for sensors and cameras. More
Buzz wearable by New Deal Design aims to stop sexual assault
The design studio behind the Fitbit has revealed its latest wearable product – a device that aims to prevent rape by increasing users' awareness around consent. More
RCA graduate Marcus Kung designs propellerless drone
Royal College of Art graduate Marcus Kung has designed a drone that can fly without propellers, with the aim of reducing injuries. More
China claims to have developed long-range laser gun that can burn flesh
Researchers from China's Academy of Sciences claim to have developed a stealth laser weapon capable of burning targets nearly a kilometre away. More
MIT engineers create low-cost prosthetic foot that approximates natural gait
Engineers from MIT have developed a streamlined prosthetic foot that lets wearers walk with a fluid motion, and can be manufactured at a low cost. More
Boeing unveils design for hypersonic passenger plane
Boeing has revealed a concept design for a hypersonic aircraft that could reach most locations in the world within one to three hours. More
High-resolution Varjo headset seamlessly blends virtual and real worlds
The virtual world is indistinguishable from reality in the devices of Finnish company Varjo, which has demonstrated a mixed-reality headset with human-eye resolution. More
Smartibot kit turns any household object into an AI-enhanced robot
Toymaker The Crafty Robot has launched a crowdfunding campaign for its latest design — a DIY robot that can follow you around the house and bring you drinks. More
Seymourpowell's concept uses AI to decide your skincare routine
UK studio Seymourpowell has designed a concept for a cosmetics service that would curate the perfect products based on artificial intelligence and user data. More