UK startup unveils platform to coordinate drone flights, paving the way for automation
A UK startup is offering a new service to help drone operators avoid conflicts with other drones, aircraft, and restricted airspace, according to TechCrunch. The move comes as more companies like Amazon are exploring drone deliveries, and could help open the door to automated flights. Altitude Angel, based in Reading, England, has provided drone operators with […]
France will establish new military space command
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the creation of a new space command within the Air Force, to help the nation better protect its satellites and other space assets, according to BBC News. The new command will officially be created in September. Macron announced the move on Saturday, speaking to military personnel, saying: “We will strengthen […]
Amazon to work with the UK’s NHS to help Alexa answer medical questions
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is collaborating with Amazon to provide health advice through the company’s Alexa virtual assistants, according to Business Insider. UK citizens will be able to ask Alexa questions like “How do I treat a migraine?” or “What are the symptoms of the flu?” and receive professional recommendations directly from the […]
UK mobile carriers are working with Huawei to build 5G networks, despite security fears
The controversial Chinese tech giant Huawei is working with the UK’s four largest mobile carriers to develop the nation’s next-generation 5G cell networks, despite accusations from US officials that the company could pose a security threat, The Guardian reported Saturday. The move could spark tension between the UK and the US, which is taking a […]
EU votes against Wi-Fi for connected cars, opening door to 5G
European Union member states voted Thursday against an effort to mandate the use of Wi-Fi for internet connected cars, according to Reuters. The move clears a path to use 5G for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, which allows cars to send information to nearby vehicles and infrastructure. It’s a key step toward fully autonomous driving as well as […]
UK regulators call for ban on financial products linked to cryptocurrency
UK financial regulators are proposing a ban on financial instruments linked to cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, saying they’re “ill-suited” for small investors due to their “extreme volatility” and other risks, The Guardian reported Wednesday. The ban would prohibit trading platforms from selling, marketing, or distributing derivatives and other instruments linked to “unregulated transferable cryptoassets” such as bitcoin. The ban […]
Google to connect Africa to Europe with state-of-the-art undersea internet cable
Google has unveiled plans to build a powerful new undersea internet cable from Europe to Africa, according to Business Insider. Set to be completed by 2021, the company’s “Equiano” cable will offer 20 times the network capacity of the most powerful cable currently in use for Africa. It will use state-of-the-art infrastructure to bring high-speed, and […]
New Google Maps feature will help users avoid overcrowded public transit
Google has unveiled a new feature that will allow users of its Maps app to avoid crowded trains and buses during rush hour, available in 18 cities and towns in the UK, according to The Telegraph. The feature will be available on iOS and Android in nearly 200 cities worldwide, with about one quarter of those locations in […]
Automation could eliminate hundreds of thousands of UK jobs by 2030
Robots could eliminate as many as 20 million manufacturing jobs by 2030, according to a new report from analytics firm Oxford Economics. Despite this risk, it notes that automation will ultimately fuel economic growth and create new jobs, and calls on governments to help workers adapt to these economic shifts. The analysis also forecasts that […]
Foodtech: From Vegan Burgers to Eating Insects
Innovation within the food industry is at an all-time high, fueled by the pressure to find more eco-friendly agricultural practices and the growing popularity of plant-based diets. Companies such as Beyond Meat, Phytophonics and Chirps are supplying services and products with to an ever-growing market of climate and health-conscious consumers, thus changing the traditional landscape of the food […]