Weekend edition: The new frontier of transportation and robotics is here

[New Atlas logo]( Bigger, faster, more productive: This week's top stories highlight the exciting new technology age we're entering, as the robotics industry develops and expands at blinding speed, and we find better, more sustainable ways of transporting people and cargo around the globe. Read about this, and much more, in our weekend edition. Enjoy! Bron, New Atlas Aircraft [World's largest aircraft delivers colossal cargo to makeshift airstrips]( [The Radia Windrunner offers a cargo volume seven times larger than the mighty Antonov]( The 108-m (356-ft) long Radia Windrunner is designed to transport cargo too big for the road, to short, semi-prepared airstrips on rough terrain. It would dwarf the majestic 84-m (275-ft) long Antonov An-225 Mriya, which is sadly no longer with us. [Read more]( Environment [Winged cargo ship saves three tonnes of fuel per day on first voyage]( [The Pyxis Ocean]( An age of greener, more efficient shipping may be in the offing as a specially modified 43,000-tonne bulk freighter completes a six-month sea trial using a combination of diesel engines and a set of high-tech automatic sails to catch the wind. [Read more]( Aircraft [Unpowered cargo gliders on tow ropes promise 65% cheaper air freight]( [Autonomous vortex-surfing Aerocarts could increase a given aircraft's payload capability by 2-300% when towed behind it, reducing air freight costs by as much as 65%]( A West Texas company says it's found a remarkably simple way to slash air cargo costs as much as 65% – by having planes tow autonomous, cargo-carrying gliders behind them, big enough to double, or potentially triple their payload capacity. [Read more]( Marine [Ultra-efficient looped propeller gets contra-rotating double upgrade]( [Sharrow stacks propellers into a contra-rotating design for outboards and sterndrives that require them]( Sharrow's extraordinary looped propellers were already some 30% more efficient than traditional designs – and now the company has put two of them together into a coaxial, contra-rotating prop that promises to be even more energy-efficient. [Read more]( Robotics [Video: Unitree H1 is first humanoid to nail a backflip without hydraulics]( [Arms back, knees bent: Unitree's H1 gets ready to totally flip out]( After setting a new world speed record for humanoid robots earlier this month, China's Unitree is now claiming another. Its latest H1 bipedal takes the title for first to perform a standing backflip without the use of hydraulics. [Read more]( Space [China is building a railgun that can hurl crewed spacecraft into orbit]( [Artist's concept of China's spaceplane]( Rockets being passé, China is working on using an electromagnetic railgun to launch crewed spacecraft the size of a Boeing 737, weighing 50 tonnes, into orbit. This remarkably ambitious project is even more ambitious than it seems at first glance. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [ADHD medications deliver surprise bonus benefits]( [ADHD medications improve more than just the symptoms of the disorder]( Living with ADHD is a complex experience, but one that's made more manageable with the right medication. What's of particular interest to researchers is how these drugs are positively impacting other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. [Read more]( 3D Printing [In a world-first, wooden items get 3D-printed out of wood-only ingredients]( [From left to right, team members M.S.H Thakur, Muhammad Rahman and Chen Shi pose with 3D-printed wooden letters produced as part of the study]( Scientists have developed a new "ink" that allows objects to be 3D-printed out of wood. The material could reduce the amount of wood that gets wasted in the manufacturing of various products, plus it could utilize existing wood waste. [Read more]( Space [Bright new ‘North star’ will soon burst into view – here’s how to see it]( [A new star is due to shine for a short time in the night sky this year]( Sometime this year, the night sky will get a brand new 'star' that will be visible with the naked eye, even in the city. The celestial light show will be the result of an explosive interaction between two neighboring stars that occurs every 80 years. [Read more]( Robotics [Video: Fast-learning Eve humanoids can now fold laundry autonomously]( [1X's Eve humanoid takes a pot shot at Tesla's Optimus, folding a shirt autonomously]( A month ago, we were impressed by these robots being able to pick things up, put them in the right spot, open doors and charge themselves. But new video released hours ago makes it clear that autonomous humanoid work is starting to accelerate like mad. [Read more]( Architecture [Earthquake-resistant supertall crowned Japan's new tallest skyscraper]( [The Mori JP Tower rises to a height of 325.2 m (1,066 ft)]( The Mori JP Tower is the new tallest skyscraper in Japan. Rising to a height of 325 m, the building is designed to reduce its energy usage with sustainability features and to stand up to the country's seismicity. [Read more]( Medical [Another common bacteria implicated in stomach cancer]( [A common, usually harmless bacteria caused stomach cancer in mice]( A common, usually harmless bacteria has been found to have a significant role in causing stomach cancer. Researchers identified the bacteria’s mechanism of action, opening the door to developing therapeutics that prevent it triggering cancer growth. [Read more]( Materials [Phase-change concrete melts snow and ice without salt or shovels]( [Self-heating concrete could keep roads and pavements free from snow and ice for hours]( Incorporating a phase-change material into concrete, this self-heating material can melt snow and ice for up to 10 hours without any help. The novel product could reduce the need for plowing and salting and help preserve the integrity of road surfaces. [Read more]( Automotive [World's fastest wireless EV charger unlocks 100 kW parking spots]( [ORNL researchers are celebrating the fastest wireless charger ever tested with an EV. It operates at 100 kW, and 96% efficiency]( A new wireless EV charging pad can fill a car's battery as efficiently as a wired plug, at groundbreaking 100 kW power levels – unlocking the possibility of fast, efficient and super-convenient charging simply by parking in a designated spot. [Read more]( Space [Gibberish download may save Voyager 1 deep space probe]( [Artist's concept of Voyager 1]( NASA's Voyager 1 deep space probe may get a new lease on life thanks to an unexpected download from one of its onboard computers. After months of sending back gibberish instead of collected data, the craft may have provided a clue to its salvation. [Read more]( Automotive [New cars are failing at unprecedented rates, and it's getting worse]( [The statistics suggest there's worse to come for the car industry]( New cars bought in the last few years have twice as many quality problems as they had in 2010. Some well-known brands are averaging more than five issues per car – and the stats show things will probably get a lot worse before they get better. [Read more]( Energy ['Drinking bird' toys upgraded to generate clean energy from water]( [A commercially available drinking bird toy – the generator version definitely has a few more bits and bobs added]( Scientists have converted a children's "drinking bird" toy into a tool that generates usable amounts of electricity. The generator could one day be utilized to power a wide variety of small electronic devices, both indoors and outside. [Read more]( Robotics [Lenovo's six-legged robodog promises unmatched maneuverability]( [The Lenovo Daystar Bot GS six-legged robodog is penciled in for a 2024 launch in Asia]( Lenovo probably isn't the first brand that springs to mind if you're on the lookout for a robodog to patrol your warehouse. Yet its Shanghai innovations lab has a versatile six-legged pooch coming this year, which has already nabbed an iF Design Award. [Read more]( Music [Beloved family pianos are reborn as stunning phoenix sculptures]( [Australian sculptor David Cox with his 50th Phoenix sculpture, built as a tribute to a well-loved piano]( Pianos can become the heart of a home, and some become intergenerational heirlooms loaded with memories. Letting them go once they're unplayable can be very hard, but an Australian sculptor has found a way to resurrect them, to jaw-dropping effect. [Read more]( Medical [First sleep apnea drug reduces severity in 70% of trial cases]( [A nasal spray reduced the severity of obstructive sleep apnea]( Obstructive sleep apnea hugely impacts health and well-being, but as those with the condition know, treatment is very limited. Now, a new nasal spray has shown promise in alleviating the symptoms of the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. [Read more]( Architecture [Video: Spectacular Saudi resort bridges lagoon with massive infinity pool]( [Treyam's bridge-like form will connect the northern and southern shores of a lagoon on a coastal site in Saudi Arabia]( Treyam is a spectacular new project that will bridge a lagoon with a massive 450-m-long infinity pool and hotel. It joins a slew of futuristic designs set to transform the Saudi Arabian desert into a tourist destination as part of the Neom development. [Read more]( Mobile Technology [The first Android 13 E Ink tablet is here: Bigme's full-color InkNoteX]( [As well a running Android 13, the InkNoteX features a color E Ink display with a fast refresh and ships with a pen stylus]( Bigme has launched a color E Ink tablet that's billed as the first to run Android 13 out of the box. The latest InkNote has access to Google Play, sports a 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 color display with stylus support, and comes packing front and rear cameras. [Read more]( Music [Beloved family pianos are reborn as stunning phoenix sculptures]( [Australian sculptor David Cox with his 50th Phoenix sculpture, built as a tribute to a well-loved piano]( Pianos can become the heart of a home, and some become intergenerational heirlooms loaded with memories. Letting them go once they're unplayable can be very hard, but an Australian sculptor has found a way to resurrect them, to jaw-dropping effect. 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