Loz Blain

3 weeks ago | newatlas.com | Loz Blain

A gorgeous solution to a common problem... This mesmerizing mechanical vise adjusts its shape to hold oddly shaped items still without damaging them, using a design first patented more than a century ago. It can also turn inside-out. Some things don't fit neatly into a vise. It's a problem that's existed as long as humans have been trying to build and engineer things, and every backyard tinkerer has doubtless had to bodge together a solution for this kind of thing at one time or another.

1 month ago | newatlas.com | Loz Blain

French company Beyond Aero has released an updated design for the zero-emissions jet it's aiming to put into service by 2030, claiming it'll be considerably cheaper to run than conventional jets, while cutting cabin noise by half. Yes, it's a render – and yes, new and innovative aircraft companies haven't exactly been thin on the ground over the last few years, so a degree of skepticism is warranted.

1 month ago | newatlas.com | Loz Blain |Electra Aero

Electra's aircraft looks conventional enough, but it generates ludicrous amounts of lift, to take off and land at incredibly slow speeds, using almost no runway. With US$9 billion in pre-orders, it's outselling anything from the eVTOL world. Editor's note: Readers often ask us for follow-ups on memorable stories. A version of this article was originally published in January 2024, but has now been re-edited and updated with new information current as of March 21, 2025.

1 month ago | matr.net | Loz Blain

Watching these incredible AI-driven machines emerge from their wobbly toddler phase into smooth, confident navigators of the human world… It’s mind-blowing stuff. And as compelling as it is to watch humans master movement through dance and gymnastics, it’s incredible to see how quickly these robots are picking things up.

1 month ago | newatlas.com | Loz Blain

Chinese humanoids are starting to move with extraordinary grace and agility, but Boston Dynamics is the OG in this field, and fresh video of its swivel-jointed Atlas robot running, cartwheeling and breakdancing shows it's still at the bleeding edge. Before we get going, let's acknowledge the elephant in the room here: companies like Tesla, Figure, Sanctuary, Agility and many others couldn't care less if their robots can do backflips or cartwheels, or how smooth and human-like their movements are.