Consumer Tech
The technology of the next decade could remake the modern world, from AI agents to virtual worlds and beyond. The real question is what today’s gadgets mean for tomorrow’s world.
Featured
How tech is turning science into a hobby
From astronomy to video games, consumer technology is helping people pursue their interests while also advancing community science.
You’re thinking of the metaverse all wrong, says Matthew Ball
Rumors of the metaverse’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Meet Thresh, the world’s first professional gamer
Was Elon Musk any good at Quake? “He’s a legit gamer,” but…
More
The next car you purchase could include 3D printed parts
Automakers are relying more heavily on 3D printing, and for drivers, that means more customization options.
This may be the 3D-printed submarine of the future
Using unique construction techniques, this 3D-printed submarine may set the pace for the building of large AUVs to come.
This VR exoskeleton lets you actually run through virtual worlds
A VR exoskeleton called the Holotron works with a person’s entire lower body to let them control the locomotion of an avatar in VR.
Smartphone app gives independent travel to the disabled
A new smartphone app unlocks independent travel for people with intellectual disabilities.
Heads up display lets firefighters see through smoke
Qwake Technologies’ C-Thru is a heads up display that combines AI, augmented reality, and thermal imaging to help firefighters battle blazes.
Amputee veterans need to game, so this engineer builds new controllers from scratch
Inspired by his visits to Walter Reed Medical Center, engineer Ken Jones makes adaptive controllers to keep veterans gaming.
Experts say education coming to the VR world is going to be “absolutely incredible”
Because of the pandemic educators are looking for more remote learning options and discovering the benefits of virtual reality.
New data visualization tool lets scientists “walk” inside cells
A new data visualization tool called vLUME recreates tiny objects like cells and neurons in a virtual world, allowing scientists to then explore them in VR.
Military dogs may soon sport AR goggles in enemy territory
Military dogs will don augmented reality goggles to test their ability to keep soldiers safe by allowing them to direct the dogs from afar.
New VR movie lets you play god to a planet of AIs
In the new VR movie “Agence,” artificially intelligent characters respond to the actions of the viewer in unpredictable ways.
The latest step in manufacturing in space
Made In Space is sending a 3D printer to the ISS in hopes of providing proof-of-concept that microgravity is the place to build precision parts.
Minecraft’s urban planning AI could help design future cities
AIs design entire settlements in an annual Minecraft competition that could reveal uses for the tech in real-world urban planning.
Playgrounds are boring. Here’s how to make them fun again
One father in Portland, Oregon is helping design the parks of the future with inclusive playground equipment that makes play accessible to all.
Facebook's new augmented reality glasses will turbocharge hearing
Facebook released details of augmented reality glasses that can tune out the real world and make computer-generated sounds seem real.
3D printed homes could soon be made out of dirt
By transforming soil into a construction material for 3D printed homes and other structures, researchers hope to slash concrete’s environmental impact.
Mojo Vision wants to give our eyes superpowers
AR contact lenses will project the digital world into our retinas.
Storm chasers explore Hurricane Laura with new flight simulator
Virtual storm chasers are using Microsoft’s new flight simulator to explore Hurricane Laura as it moves across the U.S.
How to mass produce your own organs
Bioprinting could be the next frontier of personalized medicine.
Blind YouTuber shows tech industry how to be more inclusive
Visually impaired YouTuber Kristy Viers has created a channel where she demonstrates the assistive technology features on her devices.
Building trees in the Metaverse might actually save the forest
NatureXR, a new collective, is the first to build 3D model trees, then have scientists certify them as “real” for virtual reality.
Subscribe to the newsletter