Category Technology/Electronics

That ordinary smartphone in your pocket could be a powerful tool for investigating outer space. In a new study, researchers at Google and CU Boulder have transformed millions of Android phones across the globe into a fleet of nimble scientific instruments—generating one of the most detailed maps to date of the uppermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere.

The group’s findings, published Nov. 13 in the journal Nature, might help to improve the accuracy of GPS technology worldwide several-fold. The research was led by Brian Williams of Google Research and included Jade Morton, professor in the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at CU Boulder.

“These phones can literally fit in your palm,” Morton said...

Artificial intelligence (AI) makes important decisions that affect our everyday lives. These decisions are implemented by firms and institutions in the name of efficiency. They can help determine who gets into college, who lands a job, who receives medical treatment and who qualifies for government assistance.

As AI takes on these roles, there is a growing risk of unfair decisions—or the perception of them by those people affected. For example, in college admissions or hiring, these automated decisions can unintentionally favor certain groups of people or those with certain backgrounds, while equally qualified but underrepresented applicants get overlooked.

Or, when used by governments in benefit systems, AI may allocate resources in ways that w...

Artificial intelligence (AI) makes important decisions that affect our everyday lives. These decisions are implemented by firms and institutions in the name of efficiency. They can help determine who gets into college, who lands a job, who receives medical treatment and who qualifies for government assistance.

As AI takes on these roles, there is a growing risk of unfair decisions—or the perception of them by those people affected. For example, in college admissions or hiring, these automated decisions can unintentionally favor certain groups of people or those with certain backgrounds, while equally qualified but underrepresented applicants get overlooked.

Or, when used by governments in benefit systems, AI may allocate resources in ways that w...

Researchers at Tampere University have developed the world’s first soft touchpad that can sense the force, area and location of contact without electricity. The device utilises pneumatic channels, enabling its use in environments such as MRI machines and other conditions that are unsuitable for electronic devices. Soft devices like soft robots and rehabilitation aids could also benefit from this new technology.

Researchers at Tampere University have developed the world’s first soft touchpad that is able to sense the force, area and location of contact withou...