Elastica: A Compliant Mechanics Environment for Soft Robotic Control Soft robots can be used in various spheres, such as agriculture, medicine, and defense. However, their complex physics

How humane is the UK’s plan to introduce robot companions in care homes? So you’re interested in AI? Then join our online event, TNW2020, where you’ll hear how artificial intelligence is transforming industries and businesses. Some UK care homes are to deploy robots in an attempt to allay loneliness and boost mental health. The wheeled machines will “initiate rudimentary conversations, play residents’ favorite music, teach them languages, and offer practical help, including medicine reminders.” They are being introduced after an international trial found they reduced anxiety and loneliness. These robots can hold basic conversations and be programmed to people’s interests. This is positive, but they are not a viable alternative to human interaction.… This story continues at The Next Web

How U.S. tech policy could change if Democrats win back the Senate Democratic control of Congress could shape urgent tech policy issues like antitrust action against Big Tech companies, facial recognition, and data privacy.

Study: Teachers’ expectations of their students’ digital skills are influenced by race Schools that rely on remote learning during the pandemic are trying to ensure that all kids have the devices and internet bandwidth they need. While important, it takes more than everyone having comparable equipment and working WiFi for all children to get an equal shot. In my new book based on the sociological research I conducted at three middle schools before the COVID-19 pandemic, I explain how even if all students could get the same hardware and software, it would fail to even the academic playing field. I saw many technologies used in unequal ways. And I observed teachers responding… This story continues at The Next Web

Clear your mind, save money, improve your work and more with 10 phone apps at massive savings TLDR: This collection of 10 awesome apps will become daily players in your phone rotation — and they’re all at massive savings off their regular price. If you’re like all the rest of us, your phone is probably jammed to the gills with apps. Lots and lots and lots of apps. Some may have been used once or twice, some may never have been used at all. In fact, three out of four apps downloaded never even get opened. And while the average smartphone user has anywhere from 60 to 90 apps at the ready, they usually spend about 77… This story continues at The Next Web

Gangster capitalism and the American theft of Chinese innovation It used to be “easy” to tell the American and Chinese economies apart. One was innovative, one made clones. One was a free market while the other demanded payments to a political party and its leadership, a corrupt wealth generating scam that by some estimates has netted top leaders billions of dollars. One kept the […]

New Ultrafast Yellow Laser Poised to Benefit Biomedical Applications Researchers use frequency conversion to create a more practical, high-power femtosecond yellow laser Researchers have developed a new

The easy way to get a square deal Researchers at Osaka University have discovered a new method to easily add lanthanide cubanes into a previously synthesized

Denyo and Toyota Jointly Develop and Start Verification Tests for Fuel Cell Power Supply Vehicle that Uses Hydrogen to Generate Electricity Environment-friendly vehicle reduces CO2 emissions, supplies continuous power for approximately 72 hours during disasters Denyo Co., Ltd. (Denyo)

Higher Temperature Slows Osteoporosis, an Effect Mediated by Polyamine Produced by Gut Microbes Osteoporosis is the name given to the characteristic age-related loss of bone mass and strength. The extracellular matrix

Trump Approves Deal Between Oracle and TikTok The approval delays President Trump’s threat to block a popular Chinese-owned social media app from the United States until it receives investment from American partners.

Friend challenges Facebook over Ronnie McNutt suicide video Videos of army veteran Ronnie McNutt's online suicide are still accessible on the internet.

Trump Says Deal Between Oracle and TikTok Has His ‘Blessing’ The remarks suggested the Chinese-owned social media app may be allowed to continue to operate in the United States after receiving investment from American partners.

Was Snowflake’s IPO mispriced or just misunderstood? Welcome back to The TechCrunch Exchange, a weekly startups-and-markets newsletter. It’s broadly based on the daily column that appears on Extra Crunch, but free, and made for your weekend reading.  Ready? Let’s talk money, startups and spicy IPO rumors. Was Snowflake’s IPO mispriced or just misunderstood? With an ocean of neat stuff to get through […]

From Unity to Disrupt, tech has an especially optimistic week Snowflake, Jfrog, Sumo Logic and Unity each raised price ranges days before IPO, to meet what had seemed like growing enthusiasm from public markets. Each one still popped.