As commercial environments grow increasingly reliant on autonomous technology in core operations, the ability for robots to intelligently adapt is critical to scaling automation. Brain Corp, the real-world AI company, has announced the release of BrainOS Clean 2.0, a major new software update designed to elevate how Tennant Company robotic floor cleaners operate, adapt, and […]
AI’s growing energy use sounds alarming, but its global climate impact may be far smaller than expected. Researchers found that while AI consumes huge amounts of electricity, it barely moves the needle on overall emissions. The real impact is more localized, especially around data centers. Meanwhile, AI could become a powerful tool for building greener technologies.
A team of engineers at North Carolina State University has designed a polymer “Chinese lantern” that can rapidly snap into multiple stable 3D shapes—including a lantern, a spinning top, and more—by compression or twisting. By adding a magnetic layer, they achieved remote control of the shape-shifting process, allowing the lanterns to act as grippers, filters, or expandable mechanisms.