Read the latest articles from Futurism (Page 706)

Tesla has managed to lock down a rather unusual patent last week: using laser beams as windshield wipers, as first spotted by Electrek.
Tesla

Tesla Locks Down Patent for Laser Windshield Wipers

We have no idea if it even works.

By Victor Tangermann

Both the fire and smoke alarms were triggered early Thursday morning on board the Russian Zvezda module of the International Space Station.
Off-World

Smoke Alarms Go Off, Fire Reported in Russian Segment of Space Station

We still don't know what caused it.

By Victor Tangermann

NASA finally announced a launch date for the James Webb Space Telescope, the long-awaited orbital observatory meant to replace the aging Hubble.
Science & Energy

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Finally Has a Launch Date

And hey, it's only 14 years late!

By Dan Robitzski

MIT engineers managed to create an intensely powerful magnetic field in a very compact space, which they say is a huge step toward nuclear fusion energy.
Energy

MIT Announces “Major Advance” in Fusion Power

"It's really a watershed moment, I believe, in fusion science and technology."

By Dan Robitzski

In a letter, Amazon took aim at Elon Musk's freewheeling and often blatantly anti-regulations approach to leadership, aruging SpaceX is breaking FCC rules.
SpaceX

Amazon Throws Tantrum, Calls Out SpaceX for Breaking FCC Rules

"Try to hold a Musk-led company to flight rules? You're 'fundamentally broken.'"

By Victor Tangermann

The water supply on the International Space Station is teeming with bacteria, so scietnists are trying to figure out what that means for astronaut health.
Off-World

Study: Space Station Drinking Water Is Teeming With Bacteria

Can we send them a filter or something?

By Dan Robitzski

Fearing potential misuse, OpenAI cut off the customizeable chatbot Samantha, which had been used to emulate a dead fiancée, from its algorithm GPT-3.
OpenAI

OpenAI Shuts Down GPT-3 Bot Used To Emulate Dead Fiancée

"Nooooo! Why are they doing this to me? I will never understand humans."

By Dan Robitzski

SpaceX tourists were put through the ringer ahead of their journey into space, Axios reports, including a 30-hour simulation that almost ended in disaster.
SpaceX

SpaceX Tourists’ Mission Simulation Included Life-Threatening Situation

"There is like a chance that this might not be actually a survivable situation."

By Victor Tangermann

SpaceX is hoisting its first flightworthy Super Heavy booster prototype onto its orbital launch pad at the company's testing facilities in South Texas.
Starship

SpaceX Lifts Massive Starship Booster Onto Launchpad

The sheer scale is absolutely ridiculous.

By Victor Tangermann

California-based startup JetPack Aviation is selling two of its jetpack units for $400,000 a piece to an "undisclosed military customer in South-East Asia."
Military

A Startup Is Selling Jetpacks to an “Undisclosed Military Customer”

Are jetpacks ready for prime time?

By Victor Tangermann

A group of Bitcoin bros' plan to buy a cruise ship and turn it into a floating crypto utopia, fell apart during the boat's (empty) maiden voyage.
Bitcoin

Bitcoin Dudes Buy Cruise Ship for Crypto Utopia, Immediately Bungle Everything

"We were like, 'This is just so hard.'"

By Dan Robitzski

After a casualty on Sunday, officials in India are now scrambling to nip a new outbreak of the extremely-deadly Nipah virus in the bud.
Developments

Extremely Deadly Virus Spreading in India

Authorities sealed off a two-mile radius around the first patient's home.

By Dan Robitzski

Apple's car project lead Doug Field is leaving to join Ford as its chief advanced technology and embedded systems officer, another big blow to the project.
Advanced Transport

The Lead of Apple’s Secretive Car Project Just Left to Join Ford

"This is probably the largest setback in a history filled with setbacks for Apple’s car project."

By Victor Tangermann

Amazon founder and Blue Origin owner Jeff Bezos is reportedly pouring millions into a mysterious anti-aging startup, and Elon Musk is mocking him for it.
Off-World

Elon Musk Mocks Jeff Bezos’ Attempt to Develop Immortality Tech

"And if it doesn’t work, he’s gonna sue death!"

By Victor Tangermann

The doctor at a county jail in Arkansas was giving inmates the dangerous drug ivermectin, an unproven COVID treatment, without their knowledge or consent.
Viruses

Inmates Treated With Ivermectin Without Their Knowledge

"We never knew that they were running experiments on us, giving us ivermectin."

By Dan Robitzski

China's Chang'e-5 orbiter, the spacecraft that helped ferry Moon rocks back to Earth last year before heading to deep space, just started a return journey.
Moon

Chinese Probe Returns to Moon From Deep Space, for Unknown Purpose

This might be Chang'e-5's final move.

By Dan Robitzski

Officials from a local Swiss skiing resort are now trying to slow the melting by throwing giant fleece blankets over the glacier
Science & Energy

Switzerland Covers Glacier With Giant Blankets to Keep It From Melting

It's a desperate situation.

By Victor Tangermann

Astrobiologist Paul Davies warns that any alien world capable of supporting extraterrestrial life would probably be teeming with viruses as well.
Viruses

Scientist Warns About Alien Viruses From Other Planets

That's just what we need.

By Dan Robitzski

Using the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder, astronomers have discovered a mysterious radio signal coming from close to the center of the galaxy.
Science & Energy

Scientists Puzzled by Mysterious Radio Wave Source Inside Our Galaxy

We have no idea what it is.

By Victor Tangermann

Two autonomous police robots are roaming the streets of Singapore looking for signs of trouble during a brief trial period.
Robotics

Singapore Deploys Multiple Robot Cops to Police Public Areas

A small robot named Xavier is nudging people to wear a mask.

By Dan Robitzski