Technology
Robots that feel pain react faster than humans
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Touch something hot, and your hand snaps back before you even think. That split second matters.
Sensory nerves in your skin send a rapid signal to your spinal cord, which triggers your muscles right away. Your brain catches up later. Most robots cannot do this. When a humanoid robot touches something harmful, sensor data usually travels to a central processor, waits for analysis and then sends instructions back to the motors. Even tiny delays can lead to broken parts or dangerous interactions.
As robots move into homes, hospitals and workplaces, that lag becomes a real problem.
A robotic skin designed to mimic the human nervous system
Scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and collaborating universities are tackling this challenge with a neuromorphic robotic e-skin, also known as NRE-skin. Instead of acting like a simple pressure pad, this skin works more like a human nervous system. Traditional robot skins can tell when they are touched. They cannot tell whether that touch is harmful. The new e-skin can do both. That difference changes everything.
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A humanoid robot equipped with neuromorphic e-skin reacts instantly to harmful touch, mimicking the human nervous system to prevent damage and improve safety. (Eduardo Parra/Europa Press via Getty Images)
How the neuromorphic e-skin works
The e-skin is built in four layers that mirror how human skin and nerves function. The top layer acts as a protective outer covering, similar to the epidermis. Beneath it sit sensors and circuits that behave like sensory nerves. Even when nothing touches the robot, the skin sends a small electrical pulse to the robot every 75 to 150 seconds. This signal acts like a status check that says everything is fine. When the skin is damaged, that pulse stops. The robot immediately knows where it was injured and alerts its owner. Touch creates another signal. Normal contact sends neural-like spikes to the robot’s central processor for interpretation. However, extreme pressure triggers something different.
How robots detect pain and trigger instant reflexes
If force exceeds a preset threshold, the skin generates a high-voltage spike that goes straight to the motors. This bypasses the central processor entirely. The result is a reflex. The robot can pull its arm away instantly, much like a human does after touching a hot surface. The pain signal only appears when the contact is truly dangerous, which helps prevent overreaction. This local reflex system reduces damage, improves safety and makes interactions feel more natural.
ROBOTS LEARN 1,000 TASKS IN ONE DAY FROM A SINGLE DEMO
Scientists developed a robotic skin that can detect pain and trigger reflexes without waiting for a central processor to respond. (Han Suyuan/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
Self-repairing robotic skin makes fixes fast
The design includes another clever feature. The e-skin is made from magnetic patches that fit together like building blocks. If part of the skin gets damaged, an owner can remove the affected patch and snap in a new one within seconds. There is no need to replace the entire surface. That modular approach saves time, lowers costs and keeps robots in service longer.
Why pain-sensing skin matters for real-world robots
Future service robots will need to work close to people. They will assist patients, help older adults and operate safely in crowded spaces. A sense of touch that includes pain and injury detection makes robots more aware and more trustworthy. It also reduces the risk of accidents caused by delayed reactions or sensor overload. The research team says their neural-inspired design improves robotic touch, safety and intuitive human-robot interaction. It is a key step toward robots that behave less like machines and more like responsive partners.
What this technology means for the future of robots
The next challenge is sensitivity. The researchers want the skin to recognize multiple touches at the same time without confusion. If successful, robots could handle complex physical tasks while staying alert to danger across their entire surface. That brings humanoid robots one step closer to acting on instinct.
ROBOT STUNS CROWD AFTER SHOCKING ONSTAGE REVEAL
A new e-skin design allows robots to pull away from dangerous contact in milliseconds, reducing the risk of injury or mechanical failure. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Robots that can feel pain may sound unsettling at first. In reality, it is about protection, speed and safety. By copying how the human nervous system works, scientists are giving robots faster reflexes and better judgment in the physical world. As robots become part of daily life, those instincts could make all the difference.
Would you feel more comfortable around a robot if it could sense pain and react instantly, or does that idea raise new concerns for you? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Technology
Woot is offering over 20 percent off Switch 2 controllers and games today
Woot is running a day-long sale coinciding with the start of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Many products across multiple tech categories are discounted, including dozens of video games and accessories. What’s more, you can get an extra 20 percent off through 12:59AM ET on March 26th when you use code SAVETWENTY. Also, if you’re a Prime member who links their Amazon account, you’ll get free shipping.
Of the grab bag of products, the Nintendo Switch 2-related discounts stood out the most. For instance, you can get the physical version of Mario Kart World at Woot for $52 ($28 off). If your Switch 2 didn’t already include a digital copy of the exclusive, World is a must-have racing title that’s fun to play alone or with others (my colleague Andrew Webster called it “the perfect launch game” in his review). It includes an open world chock-full of challenges — a series first — or you can race through different course-filled cups, just like in the old days.
Additionally, 8BitDo’s fantastic Ultimate 2 and Pro 3 controllers — both compatible with the Switch 2 and other platforms — currently cost $36 and $37.60, respectively. Considering that both gamepads typically cost over $50 each, the savings are steep enough to consider getting more than one gamepad. The Ultimate 2 and Pro 3 have a similar set of features — rumble, motion controls, TMR joysticks, customizable back paddles, an extra shoulder button, and adjustable triggers — but their button and stick layouts cater to different gamers.
While the Ultimate 2 is arranged like a Switch 2 Pro (which itself is an Xbox-style layout), the Pro 3 is more akin to a PlayStation controller, with sticks close together in the middle. One neat feature of the Pro 3 not found in the Ultimate 2 is the ability to pull off its magnetic buttons and swap their positions, which is handy if you’re switching platforms. Both models also feature a 90-day Woot warranty. Read our Pro 3 review.
If you already own Mario Kart World — or don’t own a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 — there are also plenty of other great deals to choose from, including titles for both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X / S.
Here’s a smattering of favorites:
Technology
Air taxis in the US could launch this summer
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For years, air taxis felt like one of those “almost here” technologies. You have seen the sleek designs. You have heard the promises. Quiet flights. Lower costs. No traffic. And yet, nothing.
Now, that might actually change. A new federal push could put electric air taxis in the sky as early as this summer. Not everywhere. Not at full scale. But in enough places to make this real for the first time. This is the first program of its kind designed to bring air taxis into everyday U.S. airspace.
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Joby’s long-tested aircraft is nearing final FAA approval and could be among the first to carry passengers in U.S. air taxi services. (Joby Aviation)
What exactly is an air taxi?
An air taxi, also called an eVTOL, is a small electric aircraft that can take off and land vertically. Think helicopter without the noise and cost. These aircraft are designed to move people short distances across cities or regions. You could skip traffic entirely and fly from one part of a city to another in minutes.
The pitch is simple:
- Faster than driving
- Cheaper than helicopters
- Cleaner than traditional aircraft.
It sounds great. But getting there has been anything but simple.
Why air taxis are still waiting on FAA approval
The biggest hurdle has not been technology. It has been regulation. The FAA requires commercial aircraft to meet extremely high safety standards. We are talking about failure rates closer to commercial airlines than cars.
That creates a problem. Traditional aircraft follow well-known designs. eVTOLs are completely new. They take off vertically, then transition into forward flight. That adds complexity and risk.
Companies like Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation and others have spent years testing. Some have logged thousands of flights. Still, full approval has remained just out of reach.
How the FAA is fast-tracking air taxis in the U.S.
Now comes a major shift. The government has launched a new initiative called the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. The goal is to speed things up without lowering safety standards.
Instead of waiting for full nationwide approval, companies can begin limited operations in specific areas. This rollout breaks from the old all-or-nothing approval model. Instead of waiting years for full certification, companies can now prove safety in real-world conditions and expand from there.
Eight pilot programs have been approved across the country, including:
- New York and New Jersey, with flights from Manhattan heliports
- Texas connecting cities like Dallas, Austin and San Antonio
- Florida testing passenger flights, cargo and medical use
- North Carolina and Virginia are exploring autonomous operations.
PRIVATE AUTONOMOUS PODS COULD REDEFINE RIDE-SHARING
eVTOL Integration Pilot Program sites. (U.S. Department of Transportation)
These pilot programs span 26 states, creating one of the largest real-world test environments for next-generation aircraft. These aircraft will not just carry passengers. They will support cargo delivery, emergency medical response and regional transportation. Data from these pilot programs will help the FAA create new rules to safely expand air taxi use nationwide. That last part matters more than it seems.
“This is the clearest sign yet from the White House, the FAA and the DOT that bringing air taxis to market in the United States is a real priority,” said Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer. “We appreciate Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford’s leadership and are excited to bring Midnight to the skies of some of America’s largest cities.”
Why air taxis are part of a U.S. vs China aviation race
This push is not only about getting you across town faster. It is also about keeping up. China has already moved ahead in drones and air mobility. Companies there have been running real commercial passenger flights since 2023.
Meanwhile, drones have changed modern warfare and logistics. They are cheap, effective and scalable. The U.S. wants to lead again. That means accelerating innovation across civilian and military systems. Air taxis are one piece of that bigger strategy.
The autonomy factor no one is talking about enough
Here is where things get even more interesting. Many of these aircraft are designed to become autonomous. At first, you will likely see pilots on board. But long-term, the goal is to remove them. Why? Pilots add weight. They increase the cost. They limit scalability.
Companies are already testing highly automated systems that can handle complex flight decisions in real time. That means the version of air taxis you see in the next few years may not be the final version.
What this means for you
This is where it gets real. Air taxis will not replace your car overnight. But they could start changing how you think about getting around. Here is how it could impact you:
Shorter commutes in crowded cities
If you live near a major metro area, you may soon have a new option that cuts travel time dramatically.
Faster emergency response
Medical flights and disaster response could become quicker and more efficient.
New pricing models for travel
At first, rides may feel premium. Over time, prices could drop closer to rideshare levels.
More automation in transportation
If air taxis go autonomous, it signals a bigger shift across all forms of travel.
New safety questions
Faster rollout means regulators and companies will need to prove these systems are safe in the real world.
NEW YORK HALTS ROBOTAXI EXPANSION PLAN
Archer’s aircraft is part of the new FAA pilot program, aiming to launch short city routes that could cut travel times dramatically. (Archer Aviation)
So when will you actually be able to ride one?
The timeline is finally getting clearer. You may start seeing limited operations as early as summer 2026. That does not mean you can open an app and book a flight right away.
Early access will likely focus on:
- Specific routes
- Controlled environments
- Pilot programs with limited passengers.
But once that door opens, expansion tends to move quickly. We saw it with rideshare. We saw it with electric vehicles. This could follow the same path.
“The first time I saw a Waymo on the road in San Francisco, it was a big deal. Now, self-driving cars are just part of everyday life there. I believe the eIPP will do the same thing for air taxis. Every safe flight builds towards public acceptance, and we need to build that acceptance in parallel with our certification efforts,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Air taxis have lived in the “almost here” category for a long time. Now, they are stepping into reality. There are still real challenges ahead. Safety, cost and infrastructure all need to catch up. But this new approach changes the pace of progress. Instead of waiting for perfection, the industry is moving forward in controlled steps. And once people experience this kind of travel firsthand, expectations will shift fast.
If you could skip traffic and fly across your city in minutes, would you try it… or wait until everyone else goes first? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Technology
The Bumpboxx BB-777 is the ultimate in boombox nostalgia
Bumpboxx is fully embracing nostalgia with its latest boombox, the BB-777, which is modeled very closely on the legendary Sharp GF-777. A real deal GF-777 will set you back over $2,000 for one in working order. Plus, that vintage unit lacks modern amenities like Bluetooth or a rechargeable battery. Heck, it doesn’t even have a CD player.
The BB-777 takes the core of the GF, right down to the dual-cassette decks, control layout, and speaker specs printed above the subwoofers. It’s undeniably a gorgeous piece of gear with its vintage silver finish and extensive physical controls. But then it adds a replaceable battery pack, Bluetooth, and an LCD screen. One unfortunate loss is the analog VU meters, something that We Are Rewind managed to include on its Blaster boombox.
There are six speakers: Two Super Woofers with dedicated gain control, two coaxial speakers, and two horn tweeters. They’re pushing out a total of 270W, so volume shouldn’t be a concern. Unless, of course, you’re worried about it being too loud. The speakers are ported too, to help with bass response.
In addition to the dual cassette decks, the BB-777 has a slot-loading CD player, an AM / FM / shortwave radio, USB audio playback (MP3 / WMA / WAV / FLAC / ACC), an aux input (with an included RCA adapter), plus Bluetooth. It can even record directly to a USB drive from the tape decks, CD, or radio for digitizing and archiving. Basically, the only thing it can’t do is stream audio directly over Wi-Fi.
There are also two microphone inputs on the front in case you want to get real old school and use the BB-777 to host a rap battle in the park or MC a break dancing competition. There are also two built-in mics for reasons that I’m not entirely sure of. But it might come in handy if you just want to quickly record your kid saying something funny on cassette.
There is a handle for lugging it around, but you’ll probably want to make use of the shoulder strap if you’re going more than a few yards, as the BB-777 weighs in at a chunky 28-pounds. Instead of going straight to market, Bumpboxx is taking the BB-777 to Kickstarter first. A pledge of $649 will secure you one when they start shipping, supposedly in June. After that, they’ll cost $1,049 at retail.
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