Science, news Jason England Science, news Jason England

Humans And Rats Interact Via Virtual Reality 'Beaming' Experiment

Researchers at University College London (UCL) and the University of Barcelona have built a virtual reality system that allows for humans and rats to interact.  These cross-species meetings have tested a process known as 'beaming' in which people take control of digital representations of themselves to carry out virtual interactions. Think Avatar; but with rats. 

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Science, tech Jason England Science, tech Jason England

Researchers Develop Robotic Camera That Accurately Mimics Eye Movement

Researchers at the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology have succeeded in developing a robotic camera system equipped with muscle-like action that replicates the muscle motion of the human eye in ways never before seen. It is hoped the milestone will eventually make robotic tools safer, as well as making camera feeds from robots more intuitive to use.

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Dutch Engineer Takes To The Skies On Custom-Built 'Human Birdwings'
Science, news Jason England Science, news Jason England

Dutch Engineer Takes To The Skies On Custom-Built 'Human Birdwings'

The tale of Daedalus and Icarus engineering two pairs of flying wings out of feathers and wax to escape exile imprisonment at the hands of King Minos is one likely familiar to you all. Icarus might have ultimately failed in his attempt to save himself by flying too close to the sun – upon melting the wax that affixed feathers to his arms - but we humans seem to be fascinated by the idea of real human flight, outside of twin-engines and rocket-powered boosters of course. It’s an almost romanticised idea, being able to stretch your arms and go wherever you so choose, ill-constrained by gravity rooting you to terra firma. If a viral video is to be believed however, it is possible and Belgian engineer Jarno Smeets has achieved it.

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