China's transforming secret fighter jet, Russian satellite sends ISS crew scrambling for cover, Humanoid robot gains employment to move underwear boxes

Plus: Japan's Olympic team to wear IR-blocking anti-voyeurism uniforms                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 June 29, 2024 | [Read Online]( Join our immersive GRC workshop to explore governance, risk, and compliance in modern organizations. Study corporate governance frameworks, risk management, and compliance through hands-on case studies and exercises. Enroll now in IE Academy's new course for just $499 (regularly $699). Plus, use code "IE-NEWSLETTER" to get an additional 50% discount for newsletter subscribers. Don't miss this opportunity! [Sign Up For IE Academy's Brand New Course Now]( China has reportedly tested a revolutionary stealth fighter jet that can transform midair by detaching its wings, which then operate as independent drones. This aircraft, seeming right out of a sci-fi movie, was tested at a secret location in the Mu Us Desert, and has a blended-wing design optimized for high-speed stealth operations. During the test, the jet demonstrated its wing sections separating into two autonomous flying drones, each powered by electric ducted fans. For more on this development, check out today’s [Must-Read](. 🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on [jobs.interestingengineering.com](: >[Â]([Senior Engineering Consultant]( > [Principal Engineer]( Reading Time: 4 mins Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe here.]( MUST READ 🛦 [China’s secret fighter jet’s wings transform into deadly drones midair]( Although the transformation into the two drones caused some instability initially, the main aircraft and drones quickly stabilized, showcasing the jet’s [aerodynamic efficiency]( and automatic control systems prowess. This new aircraft will enable China to overcome common issues in manned/unmanned collaborative combat, such as [speed mismatch]( and range limitations. Chinese scientists are also testing other technologies including replacing physical rudders with airflow and [plasma stealth equipment](. These advancements could also be next-gen-fighter-bound. 🛰️ [150+ bones of dead Russian satellite scatter in space, scare ISS astronauts]( A defunct Russian satellite’s [unexpected disintegration]( in low Earth orbit has sent the International Space Station crew scrambling for cover. The Resurs P1 shattered into over [180 trackable pieces]( on June 26, creating a debris cloud and concern over space debris and its potential impact on active missions. The cause of the satellite’s disintegration remains unclear, with some even speculating about a [potential anti-satellite weapons test](. However, no official statements have confirmed this theory. This event could prompt discussions for international cooperation in space debris management. 🤖 [Digit: Humanoid robot employed to move underwear boxes at Spanx warehouse]( Humanoid robots are now being used at a Spanx warehouse in the US, thanks to a new agreement between GXO Logistics and Agility Robotics, marking the [first formal commercial use of humanoid robots]( in the industry. Digit, Agility Robotics’ human-centered bipedal robot, stands [5 feet 9 inches]( tall and can lift up to 35 pounds. GXO will utilize Agility Arc, a cloud platform, to control and deploy fleets of Digit robots as part of their Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) agreement. This collaboration aims to [reduce repetitive tasks]( for human workers, allowing them to focus on more valuable activities instead. 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]( HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY SCIENCE > Researchers document 52 cases of ants hitching rides on vehicles in Taiwan, prompting questions about the species turning into hitchhiking. ([More]() > World’s smallest elephant at risk of extinction as only about 1,000 Malaysian and Indonesian residents remain. ([More]() > UK scientists claim extended shelf life for food without power with new wax wrappings for perishables. ([More]() ENERGY > Apple is developing a technology to make iPhone batteries more easily replaceable, claims EU legislation. ([More]() > World’s largest offshore wind farm set to expand as developers submit plans to add over two GW of capacity. ([More]() > US lawmakers seek crackdown on Chinese-used cooking oil imports over fraud concerns. ([More]() INNOVATION > Samsung unveils world’s first 200MP telephoto sensor for smartphones, claiming better low-light capabilities. ([More]() > Japan’s Olympic team to wear infrared-blocking anti-voyeurism uniforms. ([More]() > China is already looking beyond the Chang’e-6 sample return mission and sets sight on deep space. ([More]() VIDEO > Hydrofoils— wings attached to the hulls of boats— have had a very checkered history since their invention 160 years ago. Are they coming back for good in the electric era? ([More]() > Machine guns have been a constant feature in every conflict the US has been involved in since its production, and our dreams. But what makes a machine gun special? ([More]() IE QUIZ: THE RESULTS In yesterday’s quiz, we asked, Where on the spinning roundabout would a child have to hold on the tightest? The answer is: C Ready for more brainy challenges? Gear up for future IE quizzes by following us on [Instagram]( and [Facebook!]( FROM THE WEB > Legal weed limps into next phase in Germany as regulated ‘cannabis clubs’ gain ability to sell from [July 1]( > Amazon is reviewing whether Perplexity AI improperly scraped online [content]( > NASA selects SpaceX in a contract worth up to US$843 million to destroy the International Space [Station]( > Medical researchers create new device inspired by python teeth to reduce the risk of rotator cuff [re-tearing]( > Young people hate making phone calls— could it be hurting their [careers?]( > One of the world’s largest engines, originally designed to burn diesel, dual-fuel, or gasoline, is getting a new life to generate clean, renewable [electricity]( Additional Reads --------------------------------------------------------------- [⚙️ Mechanical:](Explore the wonders of mechanical engineering. [🛩️ Aerospace:]( The latest on propulsion, satellites, aeronautics, and more. 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