Waymo and Waze announced a data-sharing pilot program that will funnel pothole data collected by robotaxis to a free Waze platform designed for cities. Any city or state, where Waymo operates, will be able to access that data as the program expands.
The centerpiece of this experiment is the Starlink Mini, the compact, portable version of Starlink's separate, larger dish and router for residential use. It's small enough to fit in a backpack and built to accommodate different power sources.
On February 28, ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz started appearing on tracking screens in places they couldn't possibly be. They appeared to be sitting on airport runways, parked on Iranian land, and clustered at nuclear power plants. More than 1,100 commercial vessels had their navigation systems scrambled in a single day following US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, bringing a waterway that handles a fifth of the world's oil exports to a halt.
It can drive through the field and look at every square inch. We really honed our craft on model performance and detection with rocks, and now we've transitioned that into weeds. The robot uses a boom-mounted camera system to capture detailed imagery across the field. With eight cameras operating at 1 millimetre resolution, TerraScout can generate billions of data points per acre, allowing it to identify specific objects, including individual weeds.
The new Immersive Navigation mode introduces a detailed 3D map that includes buildings, overpasses, crosswalks, traffic lanes, traffic lights, and stop signs. Google bills this new mode as being the most significant update in over a decade to the app's driving experience. According to the American IT giant, the changes should help drivers stay focused and informed on the road, with Maps giving fresh, real-world information and natural directions.
Signals from Global Navigation Satellite Systems are quite vulnerable. They are exceptionally weak, meaning that any radio noise near their frequency, accidental or malicious, can interfere with reception. I am confident that there are people in every government who understand the problem. The challenge is getting leadership to both understand and act to reduce the risk.
Google is rolling out an Android update that includes the ability to share the location of your missing luggage with an airline. It's similar to the luggage-tracking feature Apple brought to the iPhone, allowing you to view the location of your Find Hub tag or accessory on a map, and provide your airline with a link to the information they need to track it down.
Komoot has launched a ChatGPT integration that enables cyclists (and hikers, etc.) to discover routes through natural language queries. You can request specific routes by typing normal, conversational prompts and get curated recommendations from komoot's database of over 7 million routes and 4 million community highlights.
Solo travel is one of my favorite ways to see the world, but it also means being extra intentional about safety. I've traveled alone multiple times, both in the U.S. and internationally, and I've learned that peace of mind is just as essential as a well-planned itinerary (or cute airport outfit). When you're navigating a new place on your own, feeling secure helps you relax and actually enjoy the experience, which is why safety is a nonnegotiable part of my travel essentials.
If you track your children's location using tech, you're not alone. A 2024 survey by Pew Research Center found that one in four parents monitor their kids' whereabouts using GPS. But is that private data safe? Consumer Reports evaluated 15 popular kid-tracking devices, and here's what they found. Overall, Apple's AirTags and Apple Watches, eufy's SmartTrack Link, and Garmin's Bounce performed well when it came to privacy and data security.
The other day we were scrolling through r/meshtastic and someone asks: "Why does my device show 10+ satellites in view while my buddy's barely sees 8?" Good question. Really good question, actually. And it's about to take us down a rabbit hole that involves atomic clocks, Cold War competition, European independence, and why your Meshtastic node cares about all of this.
Long-range radio waves can pass through obstacles more easily, which makes them perfect for monitoring expansive factories or outdoor infrastructure. A recent report by Fabrity highlighted that these systems use very little power. This allows sensors to operate for 5 to 10 years on a single battery. Using such tech means you do not have to install expensive wiring across your entire site.
We will be trekking the eastern part of the Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal in March/April. Details on the route and our plans can be found at https://greathimalayatrail.de. Our intent is to keep friends and family updated on our progress. Given that we'll be hiking in quite remote areas, a satellite phone/pager will be our sole means of communication. After the Garmin inReach Mini 3 was released recently, the Inreach Mini 2 was on heavy sale.
AI, like Google Maps, provides the "prediction" of the best route, but the "judgement" of the destination remains with the driver (Author x Gemini) Yet when it comes to using AI for decisions, I see people paralysed by exactly these fears. This ranges from choosing what to study to planning a career move to even planning an article. "Is this cheating?" "Will I lose my critical thinking skills?" or "Am I even thinking for myself anymore?"
After writing about Google Maps for nearly 15 years, I've learned firsthand that it's packed with hidden settings, menus, and toggles. Many help you fine-tune the app to your liking, while others unlock new features you probably didn't know existed.
Apple's satellite features were originally designed for emergencies, allowing iPhone users to contact emergency services when cellular and Wi-Fi coverage is unavailable. With recent versions of iOS, Apple has expanded those capabilities to include sending and receiving messages via satellite. This makes it possible to stay in touch with friends and family from remote locations where traditional networks do not reach, such as hiking trails, rural areas or offshore locations.