Science
From mathematics and AI to medicine and psychology, The Optimist Daily features the latest news on discoveries, technological advances, and breakthroughs in the world of science. Our Science section is here to engage and enlighten you.
Ford has patented an autonomous car that can transform into a lounge while driving
This month, the United States Patent and Trademark Office approved a patent application from a group of Ford employees for an "autonomous car with reconfigurable seats." It's the latest step in Ford's move into the world of self driving cars, and comes on the heels of the company's launch of Read More...
4 ways self-driving cars will save you money
Industry analysts seem pretty certain that self-driving cars will be on the road within the next five years and commonplace a decade after that. Early adopters are going to face a high price tag for fully autonomous vehicles, which will command a $10,000 premium at least the first few years, Read More...
Soon you can "google your roof" and find out if you can put solar panels on it
Google has found a new way to use the data it has about our houses. "Project Sunroof" uses data from Google Maps to tell you whether your home is a good candidate for solar panels. And in addition, it will also tell you which solar panel providers in your area you could turn to, to get them Read More...
This paint made of glass bounces sunlight off metal material to keep it cool
Whether it’s slides at playgrounds or roofs of houses, there are some things that you just don’t want to heat up in the sun. A scientist at Johns Hopkins University has developed a reflective paint made from glass, that keeps these surfaces cool. The paint is made from cheap and abundant Read More...
Need a Taxi to the Airport? Options Expanding Beyond Uber
Hailing a taxi nowadays can feel downright old-fashioned. New ride-sharing alternatives such as Via, Bandwagon, Tripda and RideWith are springing up in major cities and at airports. At the same time, established car services like Uber and Lyft are continuing to expand to more corners of the world Read More...
Mercedes' and BMW's Future Emphasizes Fuel Cell Vehicles Over Battery Electric Cars
Looking at models currently available from Germany’s BMW and Mercedes-Ben , it appears that both carmakers are focusing on battery electric over fuel cell vehicles, but that may not be the long-term plan for either. Recent interviews with executives at the two brands suggest that BMW and Read More...
Silicon Valley vs Motor City: regions compete to test self-driving cars
Silicon Valley thinks it has the answer to everything. No wonder, then, that it also has the answer to the future of transportation. “I don’t think there’s any better place to test self-driving cars than California,” says Randy Iwasaki. “You’ve got a rainforest Read More...
Apple's self-driving car plans come to light. But will Apple beat Google?
Apple’s biggest secret may be out: Documents have come to light that strongly suggest the company is ready to test technology for a self-driving car. “Project Titan,” as the operation is reportedly called, is all but confirmed. The Guardian obtained documentation of correspondence Read More...
Not a pipe dream: Harvesting clean energy from cities’ water supply
If you’re prepared to harvest it, there’s energy everywhere. Here’s a source you may have never thought of: In cities’ drinking water pipes there’s near-constant running water that can be tapped for energy. That’s exactly what LucidEnergy in Portland, Oregon is doing. They put turbines Read More...
New technology could reduce wind energy costs
Engineers from the University of Sheffield have developed a novel technique to predict when bearings inside wind turbines will fail which could make wind energy cheaper. The method, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society A and developed by Mechanical Engineering research student Read More...