Changespotting: Inflatable robots stronger than they look

Inflatable robot: Ant Roach in action. Photo / YouTube

There are abundant images and stories online of slick-looking, even intimidating, modern robotic developments. These inflatable robots certainly do not look as cool, but the implications of their air, fabric and pneumatic-based designs could be significant. A key advantage of the two pneubots profiled here is their lightweight form and relative strength.

QR grocery stores are popping up throughout Asia. These two-dimensional shelves display shopping items that can be ordered through the QR code scanner and will be delivered to the user - sometimes at no extra cost. If these QR code grocery stores catch on, it could mean a reduction in wasted space and reduced freighting if items can be delivered directly from suppliers to shoppers.

MIT student Dan Schultz is developing an internet fact checking algorithm that will differentiate factual statements in articles from opinions presented as facts. Schultz is working in collaboration with an organisation called PolitiFact which crunches the numbers in statements made by politicians and reports back with their accuracy.