Weekend Edition: World record robotic sprint and a shock absorber for the knee

[New Atlas logo]( This week starts off with a new world record set for a bipedal robot covering the 100-meter sprint – most could probably still outrun it, but we don’t expect that to be the case for long. We also look at an implant that could provide a new treatment for osteoarthritis-related knee pain, and take to the skies (just) in the world’s first hydrofoiling ground effect vehicle. All that and more in this week’s Weekend Edition. Darren Quick Editor-in-Chief Robotics [Bipedal Cassie sets Guinness World Record for robotic 100-meter sprint]( [Cassie the robot en route to a Guinness World Record]( A machine named Cassie has set a Guinness World Record for the 100-meter dash by a bipedal robot, and while it’s far from the blistering pace of the world’s best athletes, it is an impressive demonstration of robotics and engineering. [Read more]( Medical ["Shock absorber for the knee" implant shows promise in clinical trial]( [The placement of the Misha implant is demonstrated on a knee joint model]( Treatments for osteoarthritis-related knee pain range from medication all the way up to knee joint replacement. The recently trialled Misha Knee System is intended to help fill the gap between those extremes, by acting as an implanted shock absorber. [Read more]( Aircraft [Watch the world's first hydrofoiling ground effect vehicle take off]( [Regent's quarter-scale Seaglider prototype lifts its hydrofoils out of the water and flies]( Regent has released video of its remarkable Seaglider prototype in flight testing. The first machine to combine the efficiency advantages of ground effect and hydrofoiling in a single design, it promises revolutionary speed and range in coastal areas. [Read more]( Biology [The world’s largest living thing is showing signs of breaking up]( [Covering 43 hectares, the forest shares a single root system with each tree genetically identical to one another]( An ecologist from Utah State University is warning one of the world’s largest living things, a colony of genetically identical trees sharing a single root system, is in danger of breaking up into distinct parts, for the first time in its long history. [Read more]( Bicycles [Yamaha hits the dirt with two full-suspension electric mountainbikes]( [Yamaha Bicycles has added two new models to its YDX-Moro eMTB range, the 07 and 05]( Yamaha has been making ebikes since 1993, but didn't launch its first dual-suspension eMTB until mid-2020. Now the company has added a couple of new models to the premium YDX-Moro range, each powered by its latest "game-changing power plant." [Read more]( Aircraft [Lilium nails full eVTOL transition milestone in new video]( [Lilium's Phoenix 2 technology demonstrator in flight]( German eVTOL company Lilium has released test flight video of its stunning Phoenix 2 air taxi prototype making full transitions from vertical takeoff, to horizontal cruise flight, some turning maneuvers and a vertical landing – with full camera audio. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Pfizer pays almost $120 million for app that detects COVID from a cough]( [Early trials found ResApp's technology could detect 92% of COVID cases solely from the sound of a cough]( Pharma giant Pfizer has shelled out nearly US$120 million to acquire a small Australian company claiming to have developed a smartphone app that can accurately diagnose COVID-19 by analyzing the sound of a cough. [Read more]( Aircraft [Tornado Updraft gives balsa-wood model planes an electric RC makeover]( [The Tornado Updraft 12 RC Kit is priced at US$105]( Many readers may fondly recall building rubber-band-powered balsa wood model airplanes. While the things were kinda cool, they didn't fly for long, nor could they be remotely controlled. Such is not the case, however, with the new Tornado Updraft 12. [Read more]( Automotive [Reimo shrinks VW pop-up camper down to Caddy size, still adds toilet]( [Reimo Caddy Weekender 2]( Reimo's new modular Weekender 2 package turns the Caddy Maxi into a capable two-story micro-home with pop-up roof, four sleeping berths, an indoor/outdoor kitchen, indoor dining and even a hidden toilet ... all for under €50K. [Read more]( Space ["Mini-photographer" CubeSat relays explosive pics of NASA asteroid crash]( [The LICIACube's view of the plume ejected from the Dimorphos asteroid after impact]( Dozens of Earth-based telescopes were trained on the Dimorphos asteroid as it was struck by NASA’s DART spacecraft yesterday, but scientists also had some eyes in the sky – a CubeSat satellite deployed specifically to photograph the event. [Read more]( Aircraft [Wheels up, as the gorgeous, electric Eviation Alice takes flight]( [A historic moment for zero-emissions flight, as the 9-seat Alice commuter plane makes its first test flight]( After showing off with some extravagant runway wheelies last week, Alice, the "world's first all-electric commuter aircraft," lifted off overnight on a historic first flight. It's another major milestone toward zero-emissions medium-range air travel. [Read more]( Aircraft [Innovative "Mad Bat" tail-sitting biplane eVTOL can also use runways]( [Mad Bat prototype in vertical flight, complete with a dummy pilot]( The team behind the ADIFO omnidirectional, supersonic flying saucer has designed and prototyped an interesting and unique eVTOL design with an extraordinarily quick and simple method of transitioning between vertical and horizontal flight modes. [Read more]( Automotive [Brilliant morphing Flair RV may be comfier and more elegant than home]( [2023 Niesmann + Bischoff Flair]( Niesmann + Bischoff recently introduced its 2023 Flair motorhome, incorporating some transformational trickery and homey finishing into the new flagship. The gorgeous integrated motorhome will likely leave travelers reluctant to return home. [Read more]( Aircraft [Vertical Aerospace begins eVTOL flight tests, with a pilot on board]( [Chief Test Pilot Justin Paines prepares for the first test flight of the full-scale Vertical Aerospace VX-4 prototype]( UK company Vertical Aerospace has celebrated the first flight of its spectacular full-scale VX4 eVTOL air taxi prototype, demonstrating its faith in the design by taking the unusual step of putting a pilot on board. It's due to enter service in 2025. [Read more]( Energy [Thickened battery electrodes hint at fast-charging EVs with doubled range]( [A battery breakthrough holds exciting promise for the performance of future electric vehicles]( Scientists experimenting with key components in lithium batteries have come up with a promising new design that could see electric vehicles charge much faster, and offer twice the range at the same time. [Read more]( Medical [Herpes virus genetically engineered to kill cancer]( [The herpesvirus is designed to be injected into tumors and attract cancer-killing immune cells]( Scientists have genetically modified a strain of the herpes virus to act as a cancer-killing agent in humans. Findings from an initial human trial are encouraging, with the experimental treatment proving safe and promisingly effective. [Read more]( Marine [Iguana flies above the waves with first electric amphibious foiling boat]( [The Iguana Foiler can serve as a semi-planing electric boat, fly above the waves courtesy of folding hydrofoils and roll up the beach on retractable caterpillar tracks]( We've been following Iguana Yachts for over a decade – from tenders to taxis to sprinters, all rolling to the water's edge on retractable caterpillar tracks. Now the company is looking to fly above the waves with the launch of the Iguana Foiler. [Read more]( Space [The unpredictabilities of NASA’s wild plan to ram an asteroid off course]( [Artist's impression of the DART spacecraft on approach]( Today, NASA will explore a planetary defense technique through a world-first mission to crash into the asteroid Dimorphos and alter its orbit. We checked in with the team behind this landmark mission to understand some of the mechanics at play. [Read more]( Science [Incredible study images babies responding to taste of kale in the womb]( [On the left is a baby happily responding to the sweet taste of carrot and on the right is a baby grimacing at the bitter taste of kale]( An extraordinary study has recorded the first evidence of babies in the womb reacting to flavors of foods, showing fetuses crumpling up their faces in disgust after a mother consumes kale or smiling with glee in the presence of carrot flavors. [Read more]( Health & Wellbeing [Mild COVID increases risk of many neurological problems for millions]( [A study found COVID survivors were at 42% increased risk of a variety of neurological disorders in the year following infection]( New research presents the most comprehensive study to date into the long-term neurological problems associated with COVID-19. Tracking 150,000 COVID patients for a year the research found COVID led to a 42% increase in risk of several brain disorders. [Read more]( Automotive [Toyota hybrid 4x4 Eco RV makes camp hundreds of miles away from it all]( [The hybrid Eco Pioneer II aims to help keep beautiful green spaces green and beautiful]( Campervan Co has long been building some of the Western world's most efficient hybrid campers. Now it launches a new generation, the Eco Pioneer II. The Toyota-based camper has 600 miles of hybrid range and a pure-electric off-grid camping setup. [Read more]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for our daily newsletter at [newatlas.com]( (or [gizmag.com]( before August 2016). [Update profile]( | [Unsubscribe]( Copyright New Atlas © 2022