Modular robots built by Dartmouth researchers are finding their feet outdoors. Engineered to assemble into structures that best suit the task at hand, the robots are pieced together from cube-shaped robotic blocks that combine rigid rods and soft, stretchy strings whose tension can be adjusted to deform the blocks and control their shape.Modular robots built by Dartmouth researchers are finding their feet outdoors. Engineered to assemble into structures that best suit the task at hand, the robots are pieced together from cube-shaped robotic blocks that combine rigid rods and soft, stretchy strings whose tension can be adjusted to deform the blocks and control their shape.[#item_full_content]
Pick up an August 2025 issue of Vogue and you’ll come across an advertisement for the brand Guess featuring a stunning model. Yet tucked away in small print is a startling admission: She isn’t real. She was generated entirely by AI.Pick up an August 2025 issue of Vogue and you’ll come across an advertisement for the brand Guess featuring a stunning model. Yet tucked away in small print is a startling admission: She isn’t real. She was generated entirely by AI.Machine learning & AI[#item_full_content]
In computer security, random numbers are crucial values that must be unpredictable—such as secret keys or initialization vectors (IVs)—forming the foundation of security systems. To achieve this, deterministic random bit generators (DRBGs) are used, which produce numbers that appear random. However, existing DRBGs had limitations in both security (unpredictability against hacking) and output speed.In computer security, random numbers are crucial values that must be unpredictable—such as secret keys or initialization vectors (IVs)—forming the foundation of security systems. To achieve this, deterministic random bit generators (DRBGs) are used, which produce numbers that appear random. However, existing DRBGs had limitations in both security (unpredictability against hacking) and output speed.[#item_full_content]
Dex is an AI-powered camera device that helps children learn new languages
A new gadget called Dex allows kids to take pictures of objects and the AI translates the word into different languages.A new gadget called Dex allows kids to take pictures of objects and the AI translates the word into different languages.[#item_full_content]
New zero-day startup offers $20 million for tools that can hack any smartphone
Prices for hacking tools that allow governments to break into mobile phones keep going up, thanks to efforts by tech firms shoring up their cybersecurity.Prices for hacking tools that allow governments to break into mobile phones keep going up, thanks to efforts by tech firms shoring up their cybersecurity.[#item_full_content]
Y Combinator alum SRE.ai raises $7.2M for DevOps AI agents
The company helps automate complex enterprise workflows (like continuous integration and testing) — or, in other words, it makes DevOps capabilities more efficient as AI technology takes hold. The company helps automate complex enterprise workflows (like continuous integration and testing) — or, in other words, it makes DevOps capabilities more efficient as AI technology takes hold. [#item_full_content]
YC-backed Garage raises $13.5M to help firefighters buy equipment
Garage is a marketplace that sells specialized equipment commonly used in local governments and public safety.Garage is a marketplace that sells specialized equipment commonly used in local governments and public safety.[#item_full_content]
An AI system capable of pinpointing a device’s location in dense urban areas without relying on GPS has been developed by researchers at the University of Surrey. Narrowing down localization errors from 734 meters to within 22 meters, the innovation could be a significant step forward for technologies such as self-driving cars and aid delivery vehicles.An AI system capable of pinpointing a device’s location in dense urban areas without relying on GPS has been developed by researchers at the University of Surrey. Narrowing down localization errors from 734 meters to within 22 meters, the innovation could be a significant step forward for technologies such as self-driving cars and aid delivery vehicles.Automotive[#item_full_content]
Deel scores a lawsuit win, but not against Rippling
While Deel is calling this a “Rippling-aligned” suit, it’s not the lawsuit filed by Rippling involving an alleged corporate spy.While Deel is calling this a “Rippling-aligned” suit, it’s not the lawsuit filed by Rippling involving an alleged corporate spy.[#item_full_content]
Discover how developer tools are shifting fast with Lauri Moore and David Cramer at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
From no-code to AI-assisted dev environments, “vibe coding” is changing how early-stage startups build — and who they need to hire. The once-standard idea of landing a “10x engineer” as your first critical hire is getting a serious reality check with Lauri Moore (Bessemer) and David Cramer (Sentry) on the Builder Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in October at San Francisco’s Moscone West.From no-code to AI-assisted dev environments, “vibe coding” is changing how early-stage startups build — and who they need to hire. The once-standard idea of landing a “10x engineer” as your first critical hire is getting a serious reality check with Lauri Moore (Bessemer) and David Cramer (Sentry) on the Builder Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in October at San Francisco’s Moscone West.[#item_full_content]
