Innovation

More in Innovation

Microsoft Trials AI-Powered Wearable Devices for Office Professionals

Microsoft is piloting AI-enabled wearable devices, including a desktop cube and an access badge, aimed at enhancing productivity for office workers through AI agents.

3 min read

Courtesy Microsoft A man's hand shown holding a prototype of Microsoft's new "wearable access badge" -- a small black square with a touch screen about the size of an ID card -- next to a small desktop cube with an interactive screen.

Microsoft Unveils Quantum Chip 1,000 Times More Reliable, Aiming for 2029 Breakthrough

Microsoft announces its Majorana 2 quantum chip is 1,000 times more reliable than its predecessor, aiming for a commercial quantum computer by 2029 despite challenges and skepticism.

5 min read

Microsoft A hand holding the Majorana 2 chip in its palm. Including its housing the chip appears to be about the size of a beer mat. It consists of a gold plated metal frame and sits on a dark blue-green board bearing its name. The chip itself is a small silvery square on a dark gunmetal blue square with very fine gold circuitry visible.

Trump Signs Executive Order for Voluntary AI Model Review Before Release

Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a voluntary federal review of AI models before public release, aiming to enhance national security and cybersecurity amid growing AI risks.

3 min read

Paralympian John McFall Nears Becoming First Disabled Astronaut in Orbit

Paralympian and surgeon John McFall is closer to becoming the first physically disabled astronaut in orbit, with UK-US partnerships supporting his mission and extensive training underway.

2 min read

Fencer in wheelchair holding mask, ready for competition in indoor gym setting.

Nvidia Unveils RTX Spark AI Chip for PCs, Expands Consumer AI Market

Nvidia unveiled the RTX Spark AI chip for personal computers, marking a major step into consumer AI devices. The US also tightened export rules on Nvidia's advanced chips to Chinese firms.

2 min read

AFP via Getty Images Nvidia's chief executive Jensen Huang holds up two laptop computers on a stage while wearing his trademark black leather jacket.

BMW Introduces Humanoid Robots to Revolutionize Car Manufacturing in Europe

BMW is pioneering the use of humanoid robots in European car manufacturing, deploying Hexagon's Aeon robots trained via AI and teleoperation to enhance production efficiency and address labor shortages.

6 min read

BMW The Aeon robot at work in the factory. It has a white torso with black shoulders. Its black plastic face has a vertical line of blue light.

Czech Scientists Develop Drought-Resistant Saaz Hops for Hotter Europe

Czech scientists are developing drought-resistant Saaz hop varieties to combat climate change impacts, preserving the iconic ingredient of Czech pilsner amid rising temperatures and droughts.

5 min read

A server in a black shirt carries a tray with two beer glasses through a busy pub

King's College Team Gains Access to Google's Advanced Quantum Chip Willow

King's College London is the first UK academic team to access Google's quantum chip Willow, aiming to advance research on natural processes and quantum computing applications.

4 min read

Google Google's Willow chip, which resembles three concentric black and silver squares the largest about the size of a beer mat, is held by a white gloved hand.

Northern Ireland's Robot Basketball Star Wins UK Robotics Competition

A robot basketball player from Friends' School in Lisburn won the UK-wide First Tech Challenge, showcasing teamwork and innovation. The team dedicated hundreds of hours to design and programming, sharing their passion for robotics with younger students, though they will miss the European final du...

4 min read

BBC A small green and orange robot with 26416 written on the side of it in white numbers.

Ethical Hacker Chompie Warns AI Tools Like Mythos May End Competitive Hacking

Valentina Palmiotti, aka Chompie, warns AI tools like Mythos could soon outpace human ethical hackers, changing the cybersecurity landscape and competitive hacking dynamics.

5 min read

Pwn2Own Berlin Valentina 'Chompie' Palmiotti looking happy and tired as she wins prize

NASA Details Plans for Permanent Moon Base with Robotic Landers and Drones

NASA has revealed detailed plans to establish a permanent Moon base by 2032, involving robotic landers, drones, and vehicles developed by companies like Blue Origin. The initiative aims to support scientific research and future Mars missions amid competition with China.

4 min read

Getty Images A photograph of the Moon half in shadow

Custard Apple’s Growth: From Drought-Hardy Crop to Export Success

Ashoka Shivareddy revives custard apple farming in drought-prone India, leveraging hybrid varieties and export innovations to meet rising demand domestically and abroad.

5 min read

IIHR Bangalore Custard fruit hang from the branches of a tree. They look like large avocados, but nobbly and a paler shade of green.