Robotics Update

A new robot designed with bones, tendons and muscles similar to human form moves more like a real human:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327223.900-robot-with-bones-moves-like-you-do.html

Robotics Update

Robots are speeding up...a lot. Here they dribble a ball, toss an object and catch it, throw a ball, use tweezers to pick up an object, and more, all with robotic precision and some with far greater speed than humans can do:

http://www.hizook.com/blog/2009/08/03/high-speed-robot-hand-demonstrates-dexterity-and-skillful-manipulation

Computing Update

Magazines with video displays integrated into them to go on sale soon:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8211209.stm

Robotics Update

Robots learn to deceive. Researchers have found that robots equipped with artificial neural networks and programmed to find "food" eventually learned to conceal their visual signals from other robots to keep the food for themselves:

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/editors/24010/?a=f

Computing Update

Upgraded RFID tags will allow computing without a standard power source:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17616-rfid-tags-get-an-intelligence-upgrade.html

Computing Update

Another crucial milestone crossed in the creation of a viable quantum computer:

http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/23137/?a=f

Virtual Reality Update

Another article on the touchable hologram technology that uses sonic waves to simulate contact with the objects:

http://www.physorg.com/news168797748.html

Various Technological Updates

Some very cool ideas shown at SIGGRAPH 2009, including touchable holography, augmented reality for ordinary toys, hyper-realistic virtual reality, 3D teleconferencing and scratchable input:

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/editors/23940/?a=f

I can especially see serious potential for the hyper-realistic VR for not just games, but business meetings and even casual interactions.

Medicine Update

DARPA's looking to use adult stem cells to completely and rapidly regenerate battlefield wounds:

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/08/miitary-aims-for-instant-repair-of-wartime-wounds/

Robotics Update

A new modular robot can break apart or assemble as needed (shades of Transformers!):

http://www.nytimes.com//interactive/2009/07/27/science/20090721-modular-graphic.html

Cybernetics Update

Hybrid Assistive Limb exoskeletons tested in public with a long, slow walk with little effort expended:

http://www.physorg.com/news168507367.html

Computing Update

DNA computing takes a big step forward:

http://www.physorg.com/news168510956.html

Alternative Energies Update

National Academies symposium concludes that emphasizing new solar technologies isn't necessary; instead, support for developing existing technologies will more quickly and efficiently reduce costs to grid parity:

http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/23108/

Alternative Energies Update

General Fusion claims it can bring us a grid-capable 100 MW fusion power plant within ten years for an investment of less than a billion dollars:

http://www.technologyreview.com/business/23102/

The magnetized target fusion technique it will use isn't a new concept, but the digital precision necessary to make it work has only recently become available.

Robotics Update

It's finally here: the promise of miniature robots capable of crawling through the body to deliver precise medication, clear arteries, etc.:

http://www.ats.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6063&security=1141&news_iv_ctrl=1261

This is far larger than a true "nanobot," but it's a big step on the path to having implanted robots constantly monitoring and repairing our bodies.