News

Selected Science & Sci-Fi news from around the world on the latest in technology, space exploration, artificial intelligence, robots, and everything that leads science fiction to become reality.

Science, Technology & Sci-Fi News (April 2026)

NASA launches Artemis II crew on flight around the moon. Here’s everything to know about the mission

After weeks of delays, NASA is finally launched a historic flight Wednesday to send a crew of four astronauts on a trailblazing nine-day trip around the moon and back. The Artemis II mission — with commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, astronaut Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — lifted off at 6:35 p.m. EDT. (Read more: cbsnews.com)

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Sci-tech cluster, green development: Xiong’an offers glimpse into China’s “City of the Future”

“Xiong’an is building a smart city from scratch, which gives startups plenty of room to grow,” said Li Qiang, founder of Huaqing Zhiyan, an AI agent company in Xiong’an. “There are also many large SOEs relocated from Beijing. They anchor the industrial cluster. Elsewhere, it would be nearly impossible for a startup like ours to partner with them.” (Read more: people.cn)

Science, Technology & Sci-Fi News (March 2026)

New Technique Turns Everyday Surfaces Like Walls and Desks into Touch Panels

When donning an augmented or mixed reality headset, typing via air gestures can be tiring. To remedy this, researchers at Tohoku University developed an approach that turns everyday surfaces into keyboards. Searching for an innovative way to make typing more comfortable while using AR/MR technology, researchers at Tohoku University found a method that transforms regular surfaces into keyboards – no extra equipment required. (Read more: asiaresearchnews.com)

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Teachers union leader blasts Melania Trump’s robot pitch: ‘Every parent’s nightmare’

At the Workers First AI Summit, Randi Weingarten said the first lady’s suggestion that AI teachers will be central to the future of education misunderstands what kids really need. After she appeared with a humanoid robot during an AI education summit Wednesday, Trump said a humanoid robot educator “will provide a personalized experience, adaptive to the needs of each student,” so “our children will develop deeper critical thinking and independent reasoning abilities.” Randi Weingarten, president of one of America’s most powerful teachers unions, strongly pushed back Thursday against first lady Melania Trump’s comments that humanoid robot teachers could soon become central to children’s education. (Read more: NBC.com)

Science, Technology & Sci-Fi News (February 2026)

Scientists transform human waste into nutrient-rich soil for future space farms Future astronauts might be dining on crops grown in their own recycled waste. The dream of a sustainable human presence on the moon or Mars has long been rooted in science fiction. Making it a reality is far more complex.  One obstacle at a time, researchers worldwide are chipping away at the impossible to find viable paths forward.  Now, a team of researchers from various universities has come together to investigate how to transform barren extraterrestrial surfaces into fertile farmland. (Read more: interestingengineering.com)

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Elon Musk Has Shifted SpaceX’s Focus From Its Mars Base To Somewhere A Bit Closer

When Elon Musk founded SpaceX (which is currently one of the most valuable private companies in the world), he did so with the dream of setting up colonies on Mars. A lofty goal, mostly because we’ve really only sent rovers to take pictures of mars. But now Musk wants SpaceX to change gears and instead colonize the moon. (Read more: BGR.com)

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Meta launches AI Glasses Impact Grants to back accessibility and social use cases

Meta has announced a new grants program focused on AI glasses, with funding aimed at U.S.-based organizations working on accessibility, education, and other social impact applications. Chris Barbour, Director of AI and AR Wearables Ecosystem Partnerships at Meta, took to LinkedIn to announce the launch of the Meta AI Glasses Impact Grants, positioning the program as a way to support organizations using AI glasses to drive real-world social outcomes. (Read more: edtechinnovationhub.com)

Science, Technology & Sci-Fi News (January 2026)

Meta’s VR layoffs, studio closures underscore Zuckerberg’s massive pivot to AI

Just over four years after Facebook changed its name to Meta, the company is scaling back its virtual reality ambitions. Meta is cutting about 10% of staff who focus on metaverse-related VR projects as part of its Reality Labs unit, CNBC confirmed. The company is courting developers who build games for Roblox, a virtual world gaming platform popular with kids, to build mobile experiences for Horizon Worlds, sources said. (Read more: CNBC)

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Car giant Hyundai to use human-like robots in factories

Hyundai Motor Group says it will roll out human-like robots in its factories from 2028, as major companies race to use the new technology. Hyundai said the robots will help ease physical strain on human workers, handle potentially dangerous tasks and pave the way for wider use of the technology. (Read more: BBC.com)

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NASA’s Artemis II Moon Rocket on Way to Launch Pad

The SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft that will carry four astronauts around the Moon is rolling to Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Once at the launch pad, engineers in the coming days will prepare SLS and Orion for a wet dress rehearsal test that includes loading all the propellants into the rocket. The earliest launch window for the approximately 10-day mission around the Moon opens on Friday, Feb. 6. (Read more: NASA.gov)

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