Tag Archives: Future Tech

Biodegradable, Single-Use Circuit Boards Printed on Paper

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Because most computing technology is notoriously earth-unfriendly with its inability to be reused or recycled, researchers at the State University of New York at Binghamton have developed circuit boards printed on paper that can be safely disposed of after a single use, either by burning or naturally biodegrading. Me? I love burning things. Just not my hand on the stove like I did this morning making oatmeal.

The paper is first printed with wax to create channels, then heated, so the wax melts, permeating the paper. Next, conductive metal is screen-printed onto the board, followed by the application of conductive and semi-conductive inks and an electrolyte gel to create the board’s resistors, capacitors, transistors, and wiring. The final result? A functional paper circuit board that could be eaten in the event you’re captured by the enemy.

Do you think this is the technology they use in Mission Impossible for those self-destructing messages? I sure hope so because otherwise, those agents were inhaling a lot of harmful chemicals if they didn’t vacate the area within five seconds. Like their missions weren’t already risky enough!

[via YankoDesign]

Scientists Remotely Control Cockroaches with a Solar Powered Backpack

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An international team of mad scientists at Japan’s RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR) has created cyborg cockroaches capable of being steered remotely by humans. And not only that but each cockroach is outfitted with a solar-charging backpack and lithium polymer battery to provide it with all the power it needs to consistently power its steering capabilities. This will end well. And by well, as usual, I mean badly.

The cyborg cockroaches are controlled via minute electrical impulses to either the left or right side of the abdomen (administered via wireless button press by a human), which causes them to turn in that direction. That’s cool, but don’t even think about steering them in the direction of my kitchen.

The scientists imagine the cyborg roaches being used for worthy causes like search-and-rescue missions, although I have the sneaking suspicion they’ll also be used for unworthy causes, like crawling up my pant leg with one of my friends at the controls.

[via TechEBlog]

Robotic Dog Uses AI to Learn to Walk in Under 20 Minutes

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A group of researchers at the University of California Berkeley have trained a dog to walk on various terrain in under twenty minutes using machine learning. Using a ‘deep reinforcement’ form of artificial intelligence, the robot can quickly acclimate to traversing almost any ground cover it finds itself on. Obviously, there’s never been a better time to build a treehouse.

Using a Q-learning algorithm, the robot doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the terrain; it just immediately starts the learning process from the ground up, being rewarded for successful actions. Wait – what are they giving it, digital dog treats? How do you reward a robotic dog? I’m so confused right now. Granted, I’m confused most of the time, but right now included.

For reference, it took me a solid three years to learn how to walk. Before that, I could only crawl in reverse and get stuck under the sofa. You never heard my parents complaining, though; apparently, it made me incredibly easy to babysit.

[via TechEBlog]

3D Printing Factory Mass Producing Humanoid Robot Body Parts

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Korean 3D printing company Glück produces the Sculpia printing platform. And in this video, it demonstrates the platform’s capabilities by creating an army of humanoid robot body parts. “Finally,” I imagine Skynet thinking to itself while making plans to mass produce a whole line of Terminators. Obviously, there has never been a better time to consider a career in space travel and escape this planet.

Unlike extrusion 3D printing, these body parts are made via stereolithography (SLA), in which a thermoset liquid resin is cured using a UV laser for an extra smooth finish and high level of detail. I mean, they are making faces; after all, you don’t want them coming out looking like a children’s drawing.

Soon you won’t even be able to tell if the person you’re talking to is an actual human or a robot. And I, for one, don’t plan on being around to see that happen. I’ll be living on an earth-like planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, some 4.25 light-years away from here. You have fun playing that guessing game, though.

Robot Dog Equipped with Rocket Launcher: This Will End Badly

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We’ve already seen a quadruped robotic dog equipped with a submachine gun, so obviously, it was the next logical step towards humanity’s demise to strap a rocket launcher to one. Spotted at a recent military convention, You can purchase a robotic dog like this for about $2,700, but the ninja costume and rocket launcher, you’ll have to find yourself. I know people – nobody with rocket launchers for sale, though, and that’s okay with me.

It’s all fun and wargames until the robot dog thinks it sees a cat and quickly turns around before firing. That’s why I don’t trust robots. Plus, robots were made by people, and I don’t trust people. Who are you? Who sent you here?!

I’m not going to lie; the future is looking pretty bleak. I mean, we already have robotic dogs with explosive launchers strapped to them; what’s next? And more importantly, how can we put a stop to it before it dooms us all? And don’t say a letter-writing campaign… those things never work, or the McRib would be available year-round.

[via TechEBlog]

Mad Scientists Use Wolf Spider Carcasses as Robotic Grippers

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A group of researchers at Texas’s Rice University have developed a method of turning wolf spider carcasses into robotic grippers, making the legs open and extend when a small amount of air is applied inside the carcass and close and grip when the air is drawn back out. The researchers have named their unholy field of experimentation “necrobotics.” Just to be perfectly clear, this is not good news.

In tests, the mad scientists discovered the necrobot spiders could lift more than 130% of their own body weight. They also endured about 1,000 cycles of air application/removal before the spider’s internal tissue began to degrade and, presumably, legs started falling off. They hope that the spiders can last even longer with the addition of a polymer coating, but I hope they abandon the project altogether.

What will they possibly think of next? Honestly, I’m scared to find out. Remember yesterday when you didn’t know anything about necrobotic spider grippers? Those were simpler times, weren’t they? Better times, even. I sure miss those days.

[via NewAtlas]

Researchers Develop Octopus Sucker Glove for Grasping Objects Underwater

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Researchers from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech (my alma mater!), led by Assistant Professor Michael Bartlett, have developed the Octa-Glove, a glove with octopus-like suckers on the fingers designed for firmly grasping objects underwater without requiring grip strength. That’s great news because my grip strength has always been lacking.


The glove features soft sucker-like membranes, which, when actuated, attach to objects much like an actual octopus’s tentacles without needing to apply any grip pressure. An array of micro-LIDAR optical proximity sensors detect just how far away an object is, and a microcontroller can activate or releases adhesion almost instantly. When reached for comment, Doctor Octopus says he wishes he’d thought of this.

The researchers envision the gloves being utilized in future underwater search and rescue missions, presumably rescuing mermaids from the evil grasp of Ursula. But will you be able to fight her organic suckers with robotic ones? Only time will tell, but I imagine Ariel is pretty worried about it.

[via TechEBlog]

Scientists Create Self-Healing Skin For Robots Using Human Cells

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Researchers at The University of Tokyo have covered a robotic finger with skin created from actual human skin cells. It’s also capable of repairing itself when a collagen sheet is applied. And repair itself, it’s going to need to because I’m taking that Terminator finger down!

Professor Shoji Takeuchi believes realistic skin is the key to robots becoming human-like enough for society to accept them. I don’t know about you, but I feel like ultra-realistic humanoid robots are the opposite direction we should be headed. I think robots should all look like Rosie the Robot from The Jetsons. The key is non-threatening, not lifelike. That’s just creepy.

Takeuchi says that the current silicone skin used for robots just isn’t lifelike enough for humans to foster a kinship with our robotic brethren and plans on adding sweat glands, hair follicles, and fingernails to the robots in the future. And on the day that happens, I’ll be waving goodbye as my rocket blasts off far into space, away from all the hairy, sweaty robots on earth.

[via CNet]

Tiny Robotic Crab Is So Small It Can Stand on the Edge of a Penny

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Developed by researchers at Northwestern University, this tiny robotic crab is so small it can stand on the edge of a penny. Not the side of a penny, the EDGE. Now that’s small. So small there could be a whole army of them in your bed right now, and you wouldn’t even know it. Sweet dreams!

The robocrab is covered in a fine glass coating, which, thanks to the crab’s incredibly small size (it’s only half a millimeter wide), is able to be quickly heated using a laser, which then rapidly cools. When this is done in rapid succession, scanning the laser either left to right or right to left, the crab will walk in that direction at a rate of about half a body length per second. No word if it’s capable of pinching yet.

It’s only a matter of time until we’re all filled with tiny robotic crabs scuttling around inside us, monitoring our vitals and performing other medical tasks to make us live longer. And I’ll laugh and briefly ponder just how primitive technology was in the early 2020s while I blow out the candles on my 190th birthday cake.

[via TechCrunch]

The Proto “M”: A Compact Holographic Display and Media Device

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If Back To The Future II taught us anything, it’s that the future will be filled with holograms. Of course, Back To The Future II was supposed to take place in 2015, and we haven’t realized even a small fraction of the technology it promised, but enough about my resentfulness; this is about the Proto Hologram “M,” a compact holographic display and media device made for home use. Curse you, Robert Zemeckis!

With its integrated AI-enabled smart camera, the $2,000 “M” can provide two-way holographic communication with another unit, taking video calls to the next level. That level being holographic calls, just so we’re clear. That is if my parents ever bother to pick up the hologram when I call, which they probably won’t. I swear I’m not just calling for money again!

Proto imagines the “M” being used in a variety of applications, including virtually trying on clothes, personal training workout routines, and displaying your expensive NFTs so guests know you’re a hip investor. And while all this sounds well and good, I can’t help but be a little skeptical about a technology company that only uploaded their demo video in 480p. Makes me wonder.

[via DudeIWantThat]