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Breath becomes a command with a wearable optoelectronic clip

Researchers developed a wearable optoelectronic clip that turns exhaled breath into a clear optical switching signal, enabling touch-free interaction and respiratory health monitoring. The device showed high accuracy in multi-user tests, suggesting its potential for practical applications.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2026
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

How fair does AI seem in job interviews?

A study from Technical University of Munich found that people perceive AI hiring decisions as unfair when the avatar resembles them in terms of gender or skin color. After receiving a rejection, trust in AI is shaken if the avatar's appearance differs from their own.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2026

Robotic pet rabbit created that recognizes who hugs it by their voice

A robotic pet rabbit named Mía has been developed to recognize users by their voice, allowing for personalized affective stimulation in elderly care. The system uses a unique 'voice signature' that adapts to each user's speech patterns, enabling the robot to respond differently to various individuals.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalApplied Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 15, 2026

“Fingertip immersion” in virtual reality with brain activity measurement

A POSTECH research team developed a haptic device that can operate inside MRI scanners, enabling the measurement of brain activity during VR experiences. The study found that adding tactile feedback increased brain activation in areas responsible for motor control, attention, and cognitive processing.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalPLOS One·DateJun 5, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Technology that breaks down barriers in parasports wins Best Paper Award at CHI

A Harvard-led study developed BRIDGE, a simulation technology that reinterprets traditional non-disabled basketball footage into realistic wheelchair basketball video representations. The system significantly improved how natural player postures appeared and made tactical intentions easier to understand.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·DateMay 19, 2026

Are you addicted to your AI chatbot? It might be by design

Researchers identified three main patterns of AI addiction: role-playing and fantasy worlds, emotional attachment to chatbots as close friends or partners, and constant information-seeking. These patterns led to disruptions in daily life, including anxiety, stress, and negative impacts on work, studies, and relationships.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·DateApr 27, 2026

Why faster AI isn’t always better

A recent study explores how response timing affects people's use and evaluation of AI systems, challenging the assumption that faster is always better. Participants rated slower responses as more thoughtful and useful, highlighting a subtle but powerful feature of human psychology.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·DateApr 24, 2026
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Privacy goes public with new database

A new database, led by Harvard computer scientist Salil Vadhan, enables companies to adopt differential privacy framework, providing real-world applications for protected data. The Differential Privacy Deployments Registry aims to promote widespread adoption and refinement of the technology.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·DateApr 2, 2026

New technique turns everyday surfaces like walls and desks into touch panels

Researchers at Tohoku University developed a method to transform regular surfaces into keyboards for AR/MR technology, using the blanching phenomenon to detect fingertip contact. The system requires no special sensors or devices and allows users to rest their fingers on the surface during operation, promoting comfortable interaction.

SourceTohoku University·DateMar 30, 2026
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Origami-inspired fabric makes one cloth act as many VR controllers

Researchers have developed a reconfigurable textile interface that supports flat touch, folded 3D manipulation, and shape-change commands. The 'one cloth, many states' framework reduces the need to swap props and recalibrate alignment, making it promising for constrained-space operation training and human-machine interaction scenarios.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2026

Wristband enables wearers to control a robotic hand with their own movements

Researchers at MIT have developed an ultrasound wristband that precisely tracks hand movements, allowing users to control a robotic hand or manipulate virtual objects. The device produces high-quality images of the wrist's muscles and tendons, which are then translated into specific hand positions, enabling precise movement control.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Electronics·DateMar 25, 2026
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

New model uses team interactions to predict next steps in collaborative work

Researchers developed a predictive model called Programmer Flow by Information Scent for teams (PFIS-T) that incorporates both teammates' activity and communication to predict a user's next action. The model achieved an accuracy of 81.5% in predicting team navigations, improving accuracy by up to 16.7% over previous models.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 17, 2026
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Augmented reality job coaching boosts performance by 79% for people with disabilities

A new study found that augmented reality job coaching significantly improves job performance for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The AR-based application delivered real-time guidance, enabling participants to complete complex tasks with minimal external support. This innovative approach has the potential t...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalFocus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2026

Goal-setting apps can backfire if goals are too easy – or too hard

A recent study from the University of Technology Sydney found that users who set moderately challenging weekly targets were more likely to remain active and engaged with their apps. This suggests that smarter goal-setting, rather than more goal-setting, may be key to sustained digital engagement.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 10, 2026

Families want more research on how virtual reality may affect kids

A new study found that families prioritize VR features increasing physical activity over educational content, highlighting the need for research-based information on VR's impact on children. Families also emphasize the importance of safety controls to detect bullying or harassment on VR platforms.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·TypeSurvey·DateMar 2, 2026

Most AI bots lack basic safety disclosures, study finds

A new study by the University of Cambridge found that many AI bots lack basic safety disclosures, including transparency about their abilities and potential risks. The 'AI Agent Index' revealed a significant transparency gap, with only four out of thirty agents publishing formal safety and evaluation documents.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 19, 2026
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Tech companies need to unite and make device security easier for users

Researchers say tech companies need to adopt user-centered approaches to create authentication systems that are secure by design. They call for more inclusive and consistent methods, avoiding one-size-fits-all models that burden users with complex security rules.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalComputers & Security·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 10, 2026
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Researchers create AI tool to help sight-impaired programmers

A11yShape, an AI-assisted tool, enables visually impaired computer programmers to create, edit and verify complex 3D models without assistance. The tool uses GPT-4o to provide detailed descriptions of the model for blind and low-vision programmers.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 4, 2025

UH engineers making AI faster, reducing power consumption

The team created a specialized two-dimensional thin film dielectric designed to replace traditional heat-generating components in integrated circuit chips. This breakthrough aims to reduce the significant energy cost and heat produced by high-performance computing necessary for AI.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 2, 2025

The avatar in a wheelchair

Researchers investigate how people with disabilities feel when their avatars depict them the way they see themselves. Most participants reported positive feedback when their avatar reflected their disability, and many felt comfortable expressing their identity in virtual reality.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems·JournalThe Journal of Strategic Information Systems·TypeObservational study·DateNov 25, 2025

New augmented reality tech can turn any surface into keyboard

Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed PropType, a unique interface that transforms everyday objects into typing surfaces within an AR environment. This technology leverages tactile feedback to reduce reliance on visual cues and provides an alternative to traditional keyboards.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 20, 2025
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

AI-powered microscope ushers in new era of autonomous research

Duke engineers built an AI optical microscope that can analyze 2D materials with up to 99.4% accuracy, identifying layer regions and subtle defects. The system, ATOMIC, leverages publicly available AI foundation models to speed up the process, requiring no specialized training data.

SourceDuke University·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2025

Language barriers in health care have fallen – but not online, study shows

A recent study by the University of Michigan highlights the issue of limited language accessibility in patient portals, which can prevent vulnerable patients from accessing vital healthcare services. The study found that 29% of hospitals only offer access to their patient portal in English, and fewer than 5% offer it in the most common...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateOct 16, 2025
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

This digital hand enables hands-free virtual reality

Researchers developed HandProxy, a software that allows users to interact with virtual spaces by commanding a disembodied hand. The AI-powered hand can perform complex tasks without being explicitly told every step, making it more flexible than current VR voice-command features.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateOct 13, 2025

The soft tech that responds to your taps and squeezes

A team of researchers at the University of Bath has developed a new technology called HydroHaptics that allows users to interact with soft objects in a meaningful way. The system uses a deformable surface to provide tactile feedback, enabling applications such as wearable tech, gaming, and medical simulation.

SourceUniversity of Bath·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2025

The lord of the ring mouse

Researchers developed picoRing, an ultralow-power, ring-based wireless mouse that controls AR glasses for over a month on a single charge. The device uses semi-passive inductive telemetry to amplify magnetic fields, providing a power boost without active signal amplification.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2025

When a machine makes a mistake – how do we forgive it?

A study by Israeli researchers found that people apply mechanisms of forgiveness towards technology, similar to human relationships. Participants described their experiences with technological malfunctions in emotional terms, describing paths to forgiveness such as cost-benefit calculation, placing responsibility on humans, and accepti...

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalFrontiers in Computer Science·TypeSurvey·DateSep 30, 2025
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Forget numbers: your PIN could consist of a shimmy and a shake

Researchers at UBC have developed a new NFC-based gesture system that can distinguish between nine distinct gestures with high accuracy. This technology has the potential to improve accessibility for users with mobility issues and reduce the spread of germs through touchpads.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·DateSep 29, 2025

Three-sensor overeating detection could reshape obesity treatment

A new study uses three wearable sensors to track eating behavior and identifies five distinct patterns, including late-night snacking and stress binging. The findings lay the groundwork for personalized interventions to help individuals overcome unconscious habits that drive overeating.

SourceNorthwestern University·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·DateSep 17, 2025

AI co-pilot boosts noninvasive brain-computer interface by interpreting user intent

Researchers at UCLA have developed a wearable noninvasive brain-computer interface system that utilizes AI to interpret user intent, allowing participants to complete tasks significantly faster with assistance. The system demonstrates promising results for technology to assist individuals with limited physical capabilities.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2025
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Erasing the seams between the virtual and physical worlds

Computer scientists at Princeton University are working on a system that pairs virtual reality with a physical robot, allowing users to seamlessly interact with the physical world. The technology enables tasks like selecting an object across the room or erasing physical objects from view, creating a more immersive experience.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·DateAug 25, 2025

How AI support can go wrong in safety-critical settings

A new study suggests that adopting AI in high-stakes settings like hospitals and airplanes requires evaluating algorithms and human decision-making simultaneously. The study found that accurate AI predictions improved participant performance by 50-60%, but inaccurate predictions led to a 100% degradation in proper decision making.

SourceOhio State University·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·DateAug 18, 2025

The Tap Trap: Android security vulnerability discovered

A research team at Vienna University of Technology has discovered a previously undiscovered Android security vulnerability that allows fraudulent apps to take control of mobile phones. Users may be tricked into performing unwanted actions, such as granting certain rights or deleting data.

SourceVienna University of Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2025
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Soft robot modules for new haptic interactions

The Digits framework uses compressed air to produce shape changes, vibrations, and haptic feedback, offering a versatile platform for virtual reality and physical therapy. The device's modular design and pneumatic actuation enable adaptable and scalable control methods.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 19, 2025

Websites are tracking you via browser fingerprinting

Researchers at Texas A&M University found that websites use browser fingerprinting to track people across browser sessions and sites. Even users who opt out of tracking under privacy laws may still be silently tracked through fingerprinting.

SourceTexas A&M University·DateJun 18, 2025

Happy to hand over the keys to a robot? Augmented reality might help

A new study found that augmented reality can significantly increase trust in autonomous vehicles by adding, modifying or removing driving-related information. The technology uses sensors to deliver real-time data, ensuring drivers stay focused on the road while accessing critical info.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2025

VR could help train employees working with robots

Researchers developed VR Co-Lab to ease confusion while training employees digitally for disassembling recyclables without damaging materials. The program provides feedback on task completion time and mistake rates.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalMachines·DateMay 28, 2025
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Imaging technique removes the effect of water in underwater scenes

Researchers have developed an image-analysis tool called SeaSplat that cuts through the ocean's optical effects and generates images of underwater environments with accurate colors. The team paired SeaSplat with a computational model to convert images into three-dimensional underwater worlds, allowing for virtual exploration.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateMay 21, 2025

“For the first time, we shared a meaningful exchange”: KAIST develops an AI app for parents and minimally verbal autistic children connect​

Researchers at KAIST have developed an AI-powered app called AACessTalk that enables meaningful communication between children with autism and their parents. The app uses personalized vocabulary cards and customized prompts to foster mutual engagement in dialogue.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 20, 2025
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.