Friday Futures: new brain cells and bubble science

brain
Image credit: rogistok / Shutterstock.com

Welcome to Friday Futures, our weekly guide to the latest visions of  The Future from around the web. This week: a new type of brain cell; AI should rule the world; versatile bots; flying cars; hacking robots and Lego does flight safety announcement.

Scientists just found a completely new type of brain cell

One of the most intriguing questions about the human brain is also one of the most difficult for neuroscientists to answer: What sets our brains apart from those of other animals? Read more…

Some think that AI could run the world better than humans

Some artificial intelligence experts don’t think those fears are well-founded. In fact, highly-advanced artificial intelligence could be better at managing the world than humans have been. Read more…

Video: Here’s how versatile bots can really be. Watch now…

The science of blowing bubbles – no, really!

What exactly happens when you blow on a soap film to make a bubble? Behind this simple question about a favorite childhood activity is some real science, researchers at New York University have found. Read more…

The Japanese want to be the first to have flying cars, obviously

The Japanese government sees flying cars as the panacea to some of the nation’s traffic issues — the vehicles will decrease congestion, boost tourism, and increase access to remote areas. So, naturally, the nation wants to be the world leader in the developing the vehicles. Read more…

Robots are too easy to hack

“Hello from the hackers.” The robot that spoke these words was Herb2, a bot built by researchers at the University of Washington. The people directing the robot to talk? They were clear across the country at Brown University. Read more…

Video: Trust us – a world full of geniuses would not be good. Watch now…

The first digital teacher has appeared in New Zealand

Auckland energy company Vector teamed up with AI company Soul Machines to create the avatar, which goes by the name Will. The AI is now part of Vector’s Be Sustainable with Energy program, which it offers free-of-charge to schools to which it provides electricity. Read more…

Video: here’s a hydraulic drill splitting a melon – inside a motorbike helmet. Watch now…

And finally, of course, we have the Lego version of the Flight Safety Announcement. Watch now…

(Compiled by Alex Leslie; Edited by John C. Tanner)

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