Last week, the town of Kaiyo in Tokushima Prefecture unveiled the world’s first dual-mode vehicle (DMV) — a hybrid between a bus and a train. The hybrid traction vehicle is intended to attract more tourists to the town as well as help transport people between hard-to-reach … [Read more...] about Japan unveils world’s first ever bus and train vehicle
Interesting Engineering
New technique may soon enable human-like sensation in prosthetics
Replicating the familiar sense of human touch is one of the most pressing challenges facing roboticists who are working on improving bionic limps. That problem may soon be solved, however, thanks to a team of researchers that has recently developed a new tactile sensing method … [Read more...] about New technique may soon enable human-like sensation in prosthetics
MIT engineers invent human-like e-skin that could help monitor vitals
Scientists at MIT have invented a health-monitoring device that not only mimics the stretchability and sensitivity of human skin but is also sweat-proof, a property that solves a major problem that has prevented previous versions from functioning properly. While different types … [Read more...] about MIT engineers invent human-like e-skin that could help monitor vitals
This sleek, pollutant-free electric vehicle purifies the air as it drives
From futuristic bus shelters to algae-filled curtains, designers around the world have found endlessly creative ways to improve air quality in cities. Now, a team from Heatherwick Studio has designed a sustainable solution that takes tackling air pollution to a whole new level: … [Read more...] about This sleek, pollutant-free electric vehicle purifies the air as it drives
This dragonfly-inspired robot could help monitor environmental disasters
Scientists from Duke University have engineered a completely electronics-free soft robot that can fly across bodies of water to perform long-range environmental monitoring such as detecting oil spills and assessing the level of acidity in water. Dubbed DraBot, the robot is … [Read more...] about This dragonfly-inspired robot could help monitor environmental disasters