Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News

Tiny robot harvests battery power via skin on its feet

October 07, 2026 | Omar Kardoudi
Researchers have developed a paper-thin foot membrane that lets crawling microrobots harvest electricity directly from the ground beneath them, ditching heavy onboard batteries by turning metal and silicon surfaces into an active power source.

VR chair offers a new way into virtual worlds without a headset

October 07, 2026 | Omar Kardoudi
Virtual reality can take you anywhere, but strap on a headset for long enough and your sore neck brings you back to actual reality. A Kyushu University researcher wants to change that, and his idea is a chair that offers a new way of experiencing VR.

Vanilla-derived compound shown to accelerate healing of chronic wounds

October 07, 2026 | Abhimanyu Ghoshal
Researchers based in Australia have found that Vanillin, the compound found in vanilla pods, is not only an aromatic flavoring agent for foods and perfumes, but it can also help treat chronic wounds.

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If you're looking to build out an easy-to-carry EDC kit with just the essentials for days in the city, this impossibly tiny knife is worth a look. It's got a titanium alloy handle and a Damascus steel blade, and it's small enough to go on a keyring.
All tiny houses require a degree of compromise, but the eVista XL Limited Edition makes smart use of its compact single-story space to ensure it's more practical and comfortable than you might expect.
A new multitool on Kickstarter packs all the tools you might need for measuring and marking into a compact titanium ruler – no unnecessary extras. Made for designers and craftspeople, it could become a great addition to an EDC toolkit.
This charming A-frame offers a surprisingly comfortable take on cabin-style living. It features a spacious single-level interior that's designed more like a cozy rustic retreat than a traditional tiny house.
A downstairs bedroom is already a luxury in a tiny house, doubly so in this model, which also somehow manages to find room for two lofts and an open layout despite having a modest length of just 24 ft.
Leisure Travel Vans has introduced a new Ford Transit motorhome that combines a slide-out wall with a split-recliner Murphy lounge that folds its way into a super-queen-size bed. The new Wonder FX makes sure you'll barely miss home when on the road.

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While there are many uses for soft-bodied robots, the things are still only built in small batches. Scientists are out to change that, with a mass-production-capable soft bot that is 3D-printed in a single piece which walks off of the print bed.
Construction on the new world's tallest skyscraper is rapidly approaching a major milestone. Saudi Arabia's JEC Tower is racing towards 100 floors, making it another step closer to achieving its projected 2028 completion date.
A new video takes you inside Dyson's impressive vertical farming operation, which is home to 1,225,000 strawberry plants and shows you how the company is applying its manufacturing knowledge to producing homegrown food for British consumers.
While the topical application of minoxidil is one of the most effective and popular ways to combat male pattern baldness, it is poorly absorbed by the skin. Looking to improve its efficacy, researchers have turned to an unlikely but very sweet ally.
Scientists have discovered the single largest repository of gold in the world that makes Fort Knox look like a piggy bank. Making up 99.999% of all the precious metal on the planet, it's just sitting there for the taking. However, there is a catch.
All I wanted to do was get rid of my glasses, but when my local laser eye surgery clinic recommended some odd-sounding, advanced Presbyond treatment developed by Zeiss, I said sure, if that's what the cool kids are getting. Here's what's happened.
This has to go down as one of the most inventive and ambitious motorcycle designs I've seen in nearly 20 years following two-wheeled innovations. That doesn't mean I'd have the cojones to ride it, especially given its eye-popping steering setup!
This off-grid cabin-style tiny house is seriously small, with a floorspace of just 215 sq ft. However, despite its modest dimensions, it has been expertly designed to provide everything you need for a short stay.