🤖 British Army to get ‘world’s most capable’ bomb disposal robots, MIT's control algorithm for limbless robots, and gravitational forces squeezing lava on distant planet

Plus: Nearly half of the lithium used in the US could come from Pennsylvania wastewater                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 May 11, 2024 | [Read Online]( In Coordination with Interesting Engineering Shop Stand out with Trust Me I'm An Engineer T-shirt. Interesting Engineering Shop is live, only for engineers. [Shop now.]( The British Army is turning to advanced bomb disposal robots to neutralize threats, including explosives and hazardous materials. The £21 million deal signed with L3Harris Technologies will see 50 of the “world’s most capable [medium-sized] robots for operations in crowded and difficult environments” help soldiers attend callouts all over the country. Notably, the US Air Force had placed orders for over 100 of L3Harris’ larger T7 robots. Find more details in today’s [Must-Read.]( 🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on [jobs.interestingengineering.com](: >[Â]([Security Engineer III - Penetration Tester]( > [Senior Developer Technology Engineer - AI]( Reading Time: 4 mins Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe here.]( MUST READ 🤖 British Army to get ‘world’s most capable’ bomb disposal robots The British Army will receive 4 of L3Harris Technologies’ T4 [explosive ordnance disposal]( (EOD) robots before the end of 2024. These robots boast impressive capabilities, including a runtime of over 7 hours, the ability to [climb stairs](, and multiple cameras for enhanced visibility. Moreover, the T4 is the first medium-sized robot featuring [haptic feedback](, which enables operators to precisely sense what the robotic arm encounters or grasps. 🧠 MIT’s new AI tech could make limbless, slimy, squishy robots a reality MIT researchers have taken the wraps off a [control algorithm]( that can automatically learn how to move, stretch, and shape a [reconfigurable robot]( to accomplish a given task. Although reconfigurable soft robots are still in their early stages, researchers say that this method may make [shape-shifting]( general-purpose robots a reality. When tested in a simulation environment dubbed “[DittoGym](,” the team found their algorithm to work better than baseline approaches. Remarkably, it was the only approach capable of [finishing multistage assignments]( which required several shape modifications. 🌋 Planetary neighbors squeeze molten lava from a distant planet: Study NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has spotted a [rocky exoplanet]( in the star system HD 104067, about 66 light-years away from our Sun. Named TOI-6713.01, this flaming planet has an extreme surface temperature of [2,600 degrees Kelvin](— hotter than many known stars. Additionally, it is larger than Earth and resembles Jupiter’s moon lo, given the presence of numerous [active volcanoes](. Gravitational forces are behind the continuous [volcanic outbursts]( in this fiery world, explained Stephen Kane, an astronomer at the University of California, Riverside, who discovered the exoplanet. This phenomenon, [tidal energy](, is also why volcanoes erupt constantly on lo. Love what you're reading, but too many emails? Sign up to IE+ to get Blueprint Weekly, our exclusive weekly premium newsletter that gives all the insights you love in a more digestible weekly format– plus, enjoy an Ad-Free experience on our website. Try IE+ today for just $1 in the first month. [Subscribe here]( OUR SHOP HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY SCIENCE > A team of pathobiologists have created a life expectancy chart for approximately 8,000 domestic cat breeds, offering insights into why some cats live longer or shorter lives than others. ([More]() > A new study has revealed how the brain converts sounds to actions, hinting at the possibility of unraveling how the brain translated perceptions into actions. ([More]() > Researchers have discovered a strong correlation taken for magma to form up to 20 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface to predict volcanic eruptions. ([More]() ENERGY > Researchers have devised a remarkable technique to convert chicken fat into carbon-based electrodes for supercapacitors which store energy and power LEDs. ([More]() > Lithium batteries have become a mainstay in devices such as smartwatches and electric cars. A new analysis suggests that nearly half of the lithium used in the US could come from Pennsylvania wastewater. ([More]() > Reports suggest that the US government will announce wider tariffs on Chinese goods, including solar panels and batteries. Chinese EVs, currently taxed at 25%, will see this amount quadrupled to 100%. ([More]() INNOVATION > A team of NASA engineers have devised a 3D-printed superalloy called GRX-810 for aerospace applications. This exceptionally durable and strong superalloy can withstand temperatures over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. ([More]() > A novel smart contact lens claims to wirelessly detect irreversible vision loss early. This contact lens could provide real-time monitoring of eye pressure for patients diagnosed with glaucoma. ([More]() > TikTok takes center-stage as it becomes the first platform to automatically watermark AI-generated images and videos uploaded to its platform. The company revealed that it would be partnering with the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA). ([More]() VIDEO > A new civilian security robot, Athena, has added facial recognition to its arsenal, sparking questions of consent. ([More]() > A fusion reactor in southern France has set a new record for creating and sustaining superheated plasma. ([More]() > The Arleigh Bruke-class destroyer, advanced warship and key asset of the US Navy, presents unique challenges and rewards for its crew. ([More]() IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS In yesterday’s quiz, we asked, On which number the airplane is parked? The answer is: 18 Ready for more brainy challenges? Gear up for future IE quizzes by following us on [Instagram]( and [Facebook!]( FROM THE WEB > An ex-Air Force intel analyst reveals that Iran would be the most likely source of a destructive cyber-attack against the [United States]( > A new study has found that AI systems are already skilled at deceiving and manipulating [humans]( > Airlines have turned to artificial intelligence to save fuel and hold connecting flights for delayed [passengers]( > Huge cities in Mexico face a threat of water shortage as Day Zero looms on the [horizon]( > Researchers put head-cameras on infants to gain insights into what young babies see and look [at]( > Scientists have discovered how herpes viruses infiltrate the nervous [system]( Additional Reads --------------------------------------------------------------- [⚙️ Mechanical:](Explore the wonders of mechanical engineering. [🛩️ Aerospace:]( The latest on propulsion, satellites, aeronautics, and more. 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