In October, aspiring engineers from 191 countries gathered in Panama City for the FIRST Global Robotics Challenge. This annual event encourages problem-solving and cooperation among students aged 14 to 18 through a series of challenges based on a different theme each year. This year's theme, 'Eco-equilibrium,' focused on the importance of preserving ecosystems and protecting vulnerable species. Over three days, teams remotely operated their robots to complete tasks aimed at gathering biodiversity units during ranking matches that lasted two minutes and thirty seconds each.

A new development in robotics has led to the creation of a soft robot that is entirely edible, including its battery. This innovation raises intriguing questions about the future of robotics and food technology. While edible robots are not entirely new, previous versions typically contained non-edible components like motors and batteries. This latest model, developed by Dario Floreano's Laboratory of Intelligent Systems, is designed to be fully ingestible, allowing users to consume it safely. However, it is important to note that earlier iterations of ingestible robots included toxic elements, such as motors and batteries, which are not safe for consumption. This advancement could pave the way for new applications in medical technology and environmental sustainability.

Video Friday features a selection of robotics videos curated by IEEE Spectrum, highlighting the DARPA Lift Challenge, which focuses on developing heavy lift drones. Current multirotor drones face limitations with a low payload-to-weight ratio, typically 1:1 or less. The DARPA Lift Challenge aims to create drone designs capable of carrying payloads more than four times their weight, potentially revolutionizing drone usage across various sectors. Additionally, the article mentions the upcoming ICRA 2026 event scheduled for June 1-5, 2026, in Vienna, inviting readers to submit their robotics events for inclusion.

The article discusses Apple's brief venture into the Mac clone market, which lasted approximately 36 months. During this period, licensed Macintosh computers were available from manufacturers other than Apple, a response to the growing PC market that embraced open architectures. This era allowed consumers who desired a Macintosh not made by Apple to obtain one legally, although most of the Mac's history saw Apple as the sole provider. The article highlights the tension between Apple's offerings and the broader PC market, suggesting that Apple's products appeared limited in comparison.

Healthcare is rapidly evolving with an increasing reliance on portable medical devices used for diagnostics, monitoring, and life-support functions such as ventilators. These devices enhance accessibility and outcomes by enabling continuous monitoring and timely interventions. However, their mobility and use in high-impact environments necessitate rugged, compact, and high-speed components, particularly reliable internal connectors that can endure shock, vibration, and physical stress. This white paper discusses how the growth of portable and in-home medical devices has intensified the demand for miniaturized, high-performance connectors. It emphasizes the need for connector technology to balance reduced size, high data speeds, rugged durability, and simplified assembly to meet modern healthcare requirements.

The IEEE Board of Directors plays a crucial role in shaping the future direction of IEEE, ensuring it remains a strong and vibrant organization that serves its members and the global engineering and technology community. The board is dedicated to fulfilling IEEE's mission of advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. This article highlights three members of the board: Antonio Luque, who serves as Director and Vice President of Member and Geographic Activities, along with fellow members Ravinder Dahiya and Joseph Wei.

The article discusses the evolving landscape of augmented reality (AR) smart glasses, highlighting advancements in technology such as tiny displays, shrinking processors, and improved battery designs. It notes that consumers are starting to make choices regarding smart glasses, a shift from the skepticism surrounding earlier models like Google Glass introduced in 2012. The article outlines two main approaches being pursued by tech companies: one focusing on AI-supported information delivery and the other aiming to replace traditional computer screens. However, there remains uncertainty about which approach consumers will prefer.

For over a decade, Nvidia's chips have been central to China's AI ecosystem, powering various applications from search engines to electric vehicles. However, as U.S. export restrictions tightened, Chinese companies resorted to purchasing 'China-only' versions of Nvidia chips, which lack advanced features. By 2025, Beijing's patience appeared to wane, with state media labeling Nvidia's H20 chip as unsafe and possibly compromised, leading to regulatory scrutiny of the company.

A new platform developed by NTT Docomo and PaMeLa aims to objectively measure and share individual perceptions of pain. This initiative seeks to address the subjective nature of pain assessment, which typically relies on a scale from one to ten. By analyzing brain activity, the platform intends to compare pain experiences between individuals, potentially enhancing mutual understanding of pain. This innovative approach represents a significant advancement in pain measurement technology.