Drones and robots could form part of a new radiation-monitoring system at the Chernobyl power station in Ukraine, as scientists at the plant fear that existing sensor networks built after the nuclear accident in 1986 have been at least partially destroyed by Russian troops. When Russia seized the Chernobyl plant in February, the sensors monitoring gamma radiation levels quickly went offline and most remained that way.

The idea of a robot that can navigate a slackline, skateboard and fly might sound like a concept of science fiction. But such a bot is very much real, in the form of LEONARDO, or Legs Onboard Drone - a bipedal robot that has drone like thrusters for stability. Known as LEO for short, it was built from parts of robots and drones found around the lab by engineers from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. As well as improving stability when walking a tightrope, the propeller-based thrusters also allow the 2.5 foot tall bot to take to the air and fly. The team says that LEO could someday apply its conquest of land and air to robotic missions currently difficult for ground- or aerial-based robots and drones.

It is hard to believe a bullet train is piloted by a human in the cockpit. Would you let this person take over the train at 300 miles/hour? In such a technologically advanced world, critical industrial processes such as inspections are inefficient, costly, and wasteful. Countries are aware of their inefficiencies; according to a study by the International Monetary Fund, countries waste about one-third of their infrastructure spending due to inefficiencies. As digital technologies are integrated into business processes and workflows, McKinsey estimates that could lead to a two percent productivity boost, on average, per year over the next decade.

It is hard to believe a bullet train is piloted by a human in the cockpit. Would you let this person take over the train at 300 miles/hour? In such a technologically advanced world, critical industrial processes such as inspections are inefficient, costly, and wasteful. Countries are aware of their inefficiencies; according to a study by the International Monetary Fund, countries waste about ⅓ of their infrastructure spending due to inefficiencies. As digital technologies are integrated into business processes and workflows, McKinsey estimates that could lead to a 2 percent productivity boost, on average, per year over the next decade.

Turns out, it’s not killer robots or attack drones we need to be as worried about.

Robots and drones equipped with infrared cameras could patrol holiday destinations and enforce social distancing rules under new EU plans to save the summer break. European Commission tourism proposals imaging'artificial intelligence and robotics [to] underpin public health measures', alongside infection tracing mobile apps. Automatons could appear in places like airports, beaches, resorts and restaurants to make sure that people keep at least 5 feet (1.5 metres) away from each other. On-board infrared cameras could allow the robots to measure people's temperatures from a distance and identify people with a fever that need to self-isolate. The plans come after Singapore employed a Boston Dynamics Spot robot to roam parks, broadcasting a message reminding pedestrians to keep their distance.

From the initially reported outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in China to the spread of it across the globe, Medtech companies are rolling out robots and drones to help fight it and provide services and care to those quarantined or practicing social distancing. This pandemic has fast-tracked the "testing" of robots and drones in public as officials seek out the most expedient and safe way to grapple with the outbreak and limit contamination and spread of the virus. As one of the world's most influential tech innovators and a country that had prioritized the advancement of robotics as a key component in its Made in China 2025 initiative, when COVID-19 broke out in China it became an ideal time to see what robots and drones could do to support humans in battling the virus. Here are some of the ways robots and drones are being used to fight COVID-19. COVID-19 is taxing healthcare systems and medical professionals in every country it spreads to.

Advances in artificial intelligence, coupled with an ongoing labor shortage, have construction companies looking for options to the traditional laborer.

Arduino boards and the Raspberry Pi have taken the DIY computing world by storm, allowing users to create wildly inventive projects while learning programming and electronic building skills. If you're just looking to get into the world of microcontroller boards, though, it can be a little daunting to know where to start. And even if you've been on the DIY scene for a while, there's always more to learn. Today, you can get a Humble Bundle of Raspberry Pi and Arduino guide ebooks from Make magazine on a pay-what-you-want deal. The total list value of the bundle is $318, but you can get a healthy selection of books from the first tier for just $1. From there, you can get more content at each price tier: $8, $15, and $18.

Advanced agriculture technology like Harvest CROO Robotics' automated strawberry harvester are poised to take on the heavy lifting for farmers. "Necessity is the mother of invention," so the saying goes. It's certainly appropriate when referring to advancements made in agriculture technology. The lack of available farm labor alone has given rise to automated smart harvesters. In a recently published article, two University of Florida researchers say robots and information technology will be the rule and no longer the exception on farms in the coming years.