Charging your mobile device wirelessly is certainly less of a hassle than plugging it in, but still requires the device be in physical contact with its station to actually work. That's about to change now that the Federal Communications Commission has approved the first wireless charger that works from up to three feet away. San Jose-based...
The Russian military's "Nerekhta" robots can take part in hostilities, evacuate the wounded, deliver ammunition, conduct reconnaissance and give target designations to artillery. In addition, the robot can perform functions of a self-destructing kamikaze machine. The kamikaze robot known as "Nerekhta" can move at a speed of 30 kilometres per...
Albert Heijn, the leading supermarket brand in the Netherlands, is taking grab-and-go convenience to the next level. Beginning this month, Albert Heijn is testing "tap to go" technology at one of its AH to go stores, allowing customers to pay for items without going through the checkout. The technology, which is being piloted at the AH to go...
Target released its own mobile payments system today, called Wallet, which will be accessed from the Target app on iOS and Android. The feature works like this: you open Wallet inside a Target store, scan any coupon barcodes, and then scan your Wallet barcode at the register to pay with your REDcard (which you upload beforehand). Currently, you...
Starbucks has a long, long tradition of using tech to bring you into its coffee shops, and that will be truer than ever with the latest supersized Reserve Roastery location in Shanghai. The beverage behemoth will use a mobile app to offer guided augmented reality tours of the coffee-making process when the restaurant opens on December 6th....
Inside a warehouse in the middle of the suburban office sprawl of San Carlos, a Silicon Valley town south of San Francisco, hundreds of heads of lettuce and herbs grow next to a mobile robot designed to move the plants as they get bigger. In a lab next door, engineers tweak robots that can handle every part of the growing process, from planting...
You’ve been warned to think before you post anything personal on social media, or the Internet in general. Apart from the possibility of your publicly available data being used by “bad actors,” it could be used by anyone – including your future employer – to build a pretty accurate profile about you. Yes, believe it or not, all your Tweets,...
Researchers have developed a chatbot that has been shown to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. 'Woebot' engages in 2 million conversations a week. Dr Alison Darcy, founder and chief executive of San Francisco-based Woebot Labs, said the AI helps people talk about their emotions. 'Part of the value of Woebot is you can get things off...
TGI Fridays fans across the USA are now able to place an order or make a reservation using just their voice. Fridays designed and developed an Alexa skill that is rolling out nationwide and allows users to quickly make reservations, place a To-Go order, and even pay their bill. Starting today, the new skill will be available at participating...
As part of the Low Impact City Logistics project, UPS has developed a fleet of electric bike trailers to be used for deliveries in and around London. Innovate UK, a semi-public administrative body outside the civil service but receiving financial support from the government, raised £10 million for an R&D team to develop the bikes in an...