Technology

Breakthrough robo-glove gives you superhuman grip

Published

1 year ago

August 22, 2024

Breakthrough robo-glove gives you superhuman grip

Imagine struggling with everyday tasks like watering your plants or peeling potatoes because of weakened grip strength. For many people dealing with conditions like osteoarthritis or myositis, these simple activities can become real challenges.

That’s where the Carbonhand robo-glove comes in.

This innovative device, now available to everyone in the U.S., is designed to lend a helping hand, quite literally, making daily tasks easier and helping individuals regain their independence.

GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE

A man wearing the Carbonhand robo-glove (Bioservo)

The evolution of the soft robotic glove

The journey of the Carbonhand began in the mechatronics lab at the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology. Founded in 2006, Bioservo set out to develop a commercial product that would enhance human grip strength. Their pioneering work led to the creation of the SEM Glove and, later, the Ironhand system, which was launched in 2018 as the world’s first soft robotic muscle-strengthening system. This system was designed to combat strain injuries and support factory workers by reducing the physical toll of daily tasks.

Carbonhand robo-glove (Bioservo)

AI-DRIVEN EXOSKELETON LIGHTENS YOUR LOAD AND ELEVATES PERFORMANCE

From factory floors to everyday homes

Bioservo’s latest innovation, the Carbonhand, is a soft robotic glove that uses pressure sensors and motors to provide a natural and dynamic grip. Engineered to assist individuals at home, it helps them regain independence in daily activities such as watering plants or peeling potatoes.

The glove’s design features uncovered index fingers and pinkies, while the remaining fingers are equipped with sensors and motors that apply up to 20 newtons of force per finger when needed. The Carbonhand improves grip and endurance by using artificial tendons and electric motors to add power to the glove, ensuring endurance for people with impaired hand function. This enables activities in everyday life, at work or during rehabilitation.

HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET

Carbonhand robo-glove (Bioservo)

WEARABLE EXOSKELETON CAN TURN YOU INTO SUPERHUMAN ATHLETE

Personalized support at your fingertips

With personal settings, users can create and customize their own profiles via a companion app. For example, you may need more support for leisure activities and less for simpler household tasks. You can easily switch between your profiles with the push of a button.

Carbonhand robo-glove and app (Bioservo)

SKYROCKET TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE WITH THIS GEAR IN 2024

One glove, many possibilities

In addition to the actual glove, Carbonhand consists of a small power unit that distributes the power as required. You can wear Carbonhand on your back or around your waist, allowing it to be customized to suit the situation or your preferences.

Carbonhand robo-glove and power unit (Bioservo)

Expanding access in the US

Initially available only to veterans in the U.S., the Carbonhand has now been made accessible to all patients. While the pricing details remain undisclosed, the expansion of availability marks a significant step in making this life-changing technology more accessible.

A man wearing Carbonhand robo-glove (Bioservo)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS

How to get a Carbonhand

For those interested in getting a Carbonhand, the process is straightforward.

First, you should complete a screening questionnaire to determine if the Carbonhand is a suitable fit for your needs. After submitting the questionnaire, a coach from Bioservo will contact you to discuss how Carbonhand can assist you and explore financial options.

If you qualify, you will receive an invitation for a consultation via Zoom with Licensed Physical Therapists, who will assess your specific requirements. Following this consultation, the coach will assist with obtaining a prescription and placing the order once it is approved.

Next, you will need to download the Bioservo app, which is essential for configuring the glove to your specific needs. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.

During the initial setup, licensed physical therapists will guide you through configuring your Carbonhand and explain how the system works. Regular follow-up and training sessions will be scheduled to ensure you get the most out of your device and that everything operates smoothly. After the introduction phase, you also have the option to subscribe to a support package for ongoing assistance with further settings and customizations.

With this streamlined process, you can easily integrate the Carbonhand into your daily life and start enjoying the benefits of improved grip and independence.

Kurt’s key takeaways

The Carbonhand robo-glove represents a significant advancement in assistive technology, offering a practical solution for those with impaired grip strength. By merging cutting-edge robotics with everyday functionality, Bioservo is enhancing the quality of life for so many people with hand weakness.

What challenges have you faced in daily tasks due to weakened grip strength, and how do you think the Carbonhand robo-glove could make a difference in your life? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

New from Kurt:

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

You need to listen to the cosmic horror-comedy podcast Welcome to Night Vale

Published

7 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Press Room

It’s relatively rare for a podcast to last 14 years, especially a fiction one. In fact, as far as I can tell, Welcome to Night Vale is the longest continually running fiction podcast out there. (Some will argue it’s actually We’re Alive, but that has taken a few significant breaks between seasons.) The story of Night Vale, the titular desert town, now spans 12 seasons, over 280 episodes, three books, and at least 10 live standalone shows. While dedicating several hundred hours of your life to listening to every episode might seem like a big ask, I believe you’ll be hooked once you dive in.

The show is written by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor, who draw heavily on the work of H.P. Lovecraft. Every season has its own arc, but broadly, the show tells the story of a town that exists in an alternate version of Earth. In this town Angels are real, but acknowledging their existence is illegal; librarians are dangerous creatures with “thousands of spiny legs” and “pincers”; and there is a Faceless Old Woman who secretly lives in your home.

These are clearly unsettling concepts when taken at face value. But rather than trying to scare the listener, Cranor and Fink lean into the natural absurdity of cosmic horror and refuse to take themselves too seriously. They also routinely subvert the bigotry of their inspiration, using Lovecraftian creations to tell stories rich with LGBTQ+ characters.

Of course, having well-written scripts and telling a compelling story is only part of the equation. What elevates Welcome to Night Vale to true greatness is the cast, especially narrator Cecil Baldwin, who plays the host of the central radio show, Cecil Palmer. Cecil’s voice has the gravitas to tell ominous stories of secretive government agencies and ancient gods. But he has the range to deliver light-hearted banter with a sentient patch of haze (her name is Deb, in case you were wondering).

Cecil Baldwin has the charisma to make even the reading of a repair manual for a toaster compelling. He can be creepy, funny, or soothing, often all within the same episode. (For this reason, I don’t suggest listening to Night Vale at night. I have fallen asleep to the dulcet sounds of Baldwin’s voice several times, only for the more unsettling parts of the show to make their way into my dreams.)

Every episode also features a musical interlude in the guise of “The Weather.” The show mostly features lesser-known artists, but alumni include Jason Isbell, The Mountain Goats, Waxahatchee, Angel Olsen, Open Mike Eagle, and Sylvan Esso.

Welcome to Night Vale is also a great way to introduce younger listeners to horror. I would never suggest my eight-year-old read H.P. Lovecraft. Partly because the man’s unrepentant racism is baked into the very fabric of his stories, but also because the violence is often too much for children. Night Vale, on the other hand, takes those horrors and exposes them for what they are: entertainment. I can put the podcast on, bond with my kid over their burgeoning love of all things creepy and weird, and trust that they’ll walk away with a good message.

Welcome to Night Vale is available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Pocketcasts, YouTube, and Spotify.

Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.

Terrence O’Brien

Technology

New personal eVTOL promises personal flight under $40K

Published

8 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Press Room

New personal eVTOL promises personal flight under K

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Personal electric aircraft have teased us for years. They look futuristic, promise freedom from traffic, and usually come with prices that put them out of reach or timelines that feel uncertain. Recently unveiled at CES 2026, the Rictor X4 entered that conversation with some bold claims.

It is a single-passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designed to make short-range personal flight more accessible and far more affordable. If those promises hold up, it could change how we think about flying for everyday trips.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter

CES 2026 put health tech front and center, with companies showcasing smarter ways to support prevention, mobility and long-term wellness. (CES)

TECH STARTUP, MAJOR AIRLINE PARTNER TO LAUNCH ELECTRIC AIR TAXI SERVICE

What the Rictor X4 actually is

The Rictor X4 uses a multirotor design with eight propellers spread across four carbon fiber arms. Those arms fold inward when the aircraft is not in use, allowing it to fit in the bed of a pickup truck. The aircraft focuses on low-altitude flight and short hops rather than long journeys.

Key specs include:

Top speed of about 50 mph
Maximum flight time of 20 minutes
Payload capacity of up to 220 pounds, including the pilot

It can lift off and land vertically like a helicopter, then transition into forward flight once airborne. Rictor describes its mission as light aerial mobility, which essentially means short-distance commuting and professional applications.

Inside the X4’s propulsion and power system

According to Rictor, the X4’s propulsion system is built around stability and redundancy rather than raw speed. Each axis uses a coaxial dual-motor configuration designed to provide consistent thrust during low-altitude flight.

Key propulsion details include:

Rated thrust of up to 165 pounds per axis
Peak thrust exceeding 285 pounds per axis
Maximum continuous power output of 10 kW
120-volt operating system designed for outdoor conditions

Together, these systems aim to deliver controlled, predictable flight with built-in safety margins, especially during takeoff, landing and hover.

The Rictor X4 is a single-passenger electric aircraft designed for short-range, low-altitude flight with a folding multirotor layout. (Rictor)

Safety systems and flight control in the Rictor X4

Rictor puts safety at the center of the X4’s design. The aircraft uses a semi-solid state battery system with dual battery redundancy, which helps enable a controlled landing if one battery module fails. In addition, an emergency parachute system provides backup protection during critical situations. At the same time, a centralized flight control system actively manages propulsion, attitude and overall system health. This system continuously monitors key flight data to help maintain stability in changing conditions.

Beyond software, the hardware plays an important role. The X4 features 63-inch carbon fiber folding propellers in a 4-axis, 8-propeller configuration. Together, they support a payload of up to 220 pounds, including the pilot. According to Rictor, the aircraft is designed to operate at noise levels below 65 decibels, although independent testing has not yet been published. Finally, Rictor’s proprietary Dynamic Balance Algorithm adjusts the output of all eight motors in real time. As a result, the X4 can maintain a stable hover even in side winds rated up to Level 6.

The FAA rule that could make personal flight easier

One of Rictor’s most attention-grabbing claims involves regulation. The company says the X4 is designed to comply with FAA Part 103, which governs ultralight vehicles in the U.S. If operated within Part 103 limits, the X4 could be flown legally without airworthiness certification or a pilot’s license. Rictor says this is enabled by autonomous pre-programmed flight paths and very low altitude operation, reportedly as low as three meters above ground. It is worth noting that Part 103 still carries operational restrictions, including where and how flight can occur. Final compliance depends on real-world use and FAA interpretation.

Designed to fold, transport, and recharge

Portability is a major focus. Rictor says the X4 folds down to about 42 cubic feet, which makes it compact enough to transport in the bed of a pickup truck. The company also highlights in-vehicle charging support while parked or on the move, positioning the X4 as something that can be transported and recharged alongside ground vehicles rather than stored at an airfield.

AIR TAXI SERVICE PLANS EVTOL RIDES FROM ALL THREE NYC AIRPORTS

The price that resets expectations

The Rictor X4 carries a launch price of $39,900 with a $5,000 deposit. That alone separates it from most personal eVTOLs currently discussed in the market. The aircraft is produced by Kuickwheel Technology, Rictor’s parent company. According to the company, first customer deliveries are scheduled for Q2 2026. As with any aircraft launch, timelines remain aspirational until production units reach customers.

Why this matters now

Personal eVTOLs have lived in a narrow space between concept and reality. High costs, regulatory hurdles and safety concerns have slowed adoption. If Rictor delivers an aircraft that performs as described while operating within ultralight rules, it could expand personal flight beyond niche enthusiasts and into practical short-range use. Now it comes down to whether the company can deliver on what it’s promising.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com

Kurt’s key takeaways

The Rictor X4 brings together aggressive pricing, compact design and regulatory positioning in a way we have not seen before. Folding propellers, redundant safety systems and Part 103 alignment make it one of the most ambitious personal eVTOL launches to date. The unanswered questions center on real-world performance, regulatory interpretation and production readiness. Until aircraft are flying outside controlled demonstrations, healthy skepticism remains warranted. Still, this is one of the most compelling personal flight announcements to come out of CES in recent years.

Would you trust a personal eVTOL like this for everyday trips, or does flight still feel like a step too far for now? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Technology

Microsoft’s first Windows 11 update of 2026 stopped some computers from shutting down

Published

19 hours ago

January 18, 2026

Press Room

Microsoft’s first Windows 11 update of 2026 stopped some computers from shutting down

Microsoft has identified issues upon installing the January 2026 Windows security update. To address these issues, an out-of-band (OOB) update was released today, January 17, 2026.

– Connection and authentication failures in remote connection applications: This issue affects multiple platforms including Windows 11, version 25H2; Windows 10, version 22H2 ESU; and Windows Server 2025. See the bottom of this message for the complete list of affected products.

-Devices with Secure Launch might fail to shut down or hibernate: This issue only affects Windows 11, version 23H2.