Apollo-16 Lunar Scoop Sold at Auction for $870,000

A lunar scoop used by astronaut Charlie Duke to collect 96 kg of moon rocks during the famous Apollo-16 mission in 1972 was sold at auction for $870,000. Initially valued at $700,000, the bidding was increased by a collector who recognized its historical significance.

China approves commercial operations of EHang's autonomous flying taxis

China has officially granted a certificate to EHang, allowing the company to conduct commercial operations with its autonomous flying taxis. The company has been conducting tests since 2017 and has completed nearly 4,000 test flights during this time. The taxis are designed for two passengers and can reach speeds of up to 130 km/h.

Canadian Invention Turns Smartphones into Microscopes

A lens has been developed in Canada that transforms any smartphone into a real microscope. iMicro Q3 can magnify the image up to 1200 times, and costs approximately 1% of the price of laboratory equipment.

Amazon Tests Humanoid Robots to Automate Routine Tasks

Amazon is testing humanoid robots called Digit at its warehouses to automate routine tasks. In the Amazon ecosystem, there are already over 750,000 robots functioning. They all assist the staff and free up employees to perform more complex tasks.

Toyota unveils futuristic design for first-ever electric Land Cruiser

Toyota has revealed the first-ever Land Cruiser with an electric powertrain, showcasing a minimalist design with a floating roof, hidden door handles, and cameras replacing rear-view mirrors.

New Space Atlas Includes 380 Thousand Galaxies near the Milky Way

Astronomers have compiled a new space atlas that features 380 thousand galaxies near the Milky Way. The Siena Galaxy Atlas, a digital atlas of galaxies, is based on data from three astronomical surveys conducted between 2014 and 2017. The atlas covers half of the night sky above Earth and includes information on the location, shape, and sizes of galaxies. Access to the information is freely available to everyone.

Hauntify: A Terrifying Augmented Reality Horror Game for Meta's Quest 3 VR Headset

Hauntify, a horror mixed reality game, has been released for Meta's Quest 3 VR headset. This game turns your home into a terrifying haven filled with various monsters, ghosts, and augmented reality zombies.

The First Robot Tattoo Artist Emerges in the USA

The world's first robot tattoo artist has appeared in the USA. The machine developed by Blackdot startup analyzes the thickness of the skin and selects the perfect puncture depth, resulting in a more precise tattoo than that of human artists, with a less painful process.

South Korea reinvents computer mouse with Vanzy 2.0

Vanzy 2.0, a computer mouse reinvented in South Korea, resembles a ring worn on the index finger. This gadget operates through gestures and clicks and can be connected to almost any device.

Unreal Engine 5 showcases realistic burning car model, raising doubts about the reality of incident footage

A video showcasing the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5 has gone viral online. Using the Unreal Engine, the creators have developed an extremely realistic model of a burning car. This has prompted people to question the authenticity of various incident footage even more strongly.

Surf Coaster: Experience the Thrill of Flying on a Giant Surfboard at SeaWorld Orlando

Standing roller coasters are being tested at SeaWorld Orlando. The attraction, called Surf Coaster, allows you to feel like you're riding a giant surfboard soaring through the air at incredible speeds.

Millions of Crabs Missing from Alaskan Waters Due to Ocean Warming

Scientists have discovered the reason behind the disappearance of billions of crabs from the ocean surrounding Alaska - the increase in ocean temperature has led to their starvation and death. Snow crabs prefer water below 2 degrees Celsius. The warming of the water has intensified their need for food. However, due to the heat, the food chain in the Bering Sea was disrupted, and crabs were unable to obtain proper nourishment. Additionally, some crabs were eaten by fish that migrated from warmer waters.

Germany to Open Temple for Farewells with Deceased Pets

Germany is set to open a temple where people can say their goodbyes to deceased pets. The temple will be located in a former Protestant church building in the city of Albstadt, which is currently up for sale. The first pet farewell ceremony is expected to take place in a few months. The temple will not only be open to dogs and cats but also to hamsters, parrots, guinea pigs, and rats.

Working with Robots in Teams: A De-motivating Experience

People tend to be lazier when working in teams with robots. In an experiment, employees were asked to evaluate the quality of their work, with half of them being told that it was done by a robot. It turned out that in such cases, people performed the task less carefully. Scientists explained this phenomenon by stating that employees become less engaged in tasks when they perceive their robotic colleagues as reliable. They concluded that collaborative work can demotivate individuals.

Yuan overtakes euro

Yuan has surpassed the euro and has become the second main currency in global trade for the first time. The Chinese currency’s share in international payments has increased from 4.82% in August 2023 to 5.8% in September, which is the highest level in the past 5 years of available statistics. The dollar still maintains its first place - in September, its share in trade settlements rose to 84.15% compared to 83.95% the previous month.

Saudi Arabia to Build Mountain City for Tourists

Saudi Arabia will be constructing a mountain city for tourists. The gigantic Leyja complex, consisting of three mega hotels, will be nestled in a mountain valley by the Gulf of Aqaba. Tourists can expect exciting hiking trails, mountain biking excursions, and rock climbing lessons.

Liquid View Presents Digital Windows for Customizable Views

Liquid View company has introduced digital windows that can display any type of scenery, whether it's a serene seaside, majestic mountains, or a bustling cityscape. The view in the window can be changed with just a few clicks using a smartphone.

Bella the English Cat Sets Guinness World Record for Loudest Purring

Bella, a 14-year-old cat from England, has made it into the Guinness World Records for the loudest purring. Bella emitted a purr measuring 54.6 decibels, equivalent to the volume of a boiling kettle.

Elon Musk tests paid subscription for all in X

Elon Musk is testing a paid subscription in X for everyone. As of today, it has become available to new users of X in New Zealand and the Philippines. The price is $1 per year. Without payment, users will only be able to scroll through the feed, they won't be able to like or comment.

Motion Zero: a Futuristic Zen Garden for Relaxation

An unusual product has appeared on Kickstarter - Motion Zero, an egg for relaxation. This futuristic zen garden consists of a chrome egg and a platform on which it spins. According to the developers, observing it helps to calm down and achieve a state of inner peace.