Military Bug Drones

From Grauniad of the UK

Similar devices have been featured in thrillers or sci-fi films: they are now for real...

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/28/uk-army-buys-30-bug-drones-that-can-spy-on-targets-2km-away

UK army buys 30 'Bug' drones that can spy on targets 2km away | Drones (military) | The Guardian The British army has bought 30 “nano ‘Bug’ drones” for soldiers to spy on targets up to 2km (1.25 miles) away, in the latest step in the military use of controversial unmanned aerial ... www.theguardian.com

 

Hackers & Amazon's Ring

From Grauniad of the UK

The possibilities are limitless: snooping, hacking, storing data illegally, etc. The beauty of it. 

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/dec/23/amazon-ring-camera-hack-lawsuit-threats

Dozens sue Amazon's Ring after camera hack leads to threats and racial slurs | Amazon | The Guardian Class action claims weak security allowed hackers to take over the smart cameras used on doorbells and in homes Last modified on Wed 23 Dec 2020 16.45 EST Dozens of people who say they were ... www.theguardian.com

Nuro Autonomous Vehicle

From BBC

"Get that pizza delivered before the end of the sunny interval!" 

If there is an accident (or, rather, when), you can imagine the lawyers arguing over the definition of what 'fair weather' is. 

It might be feasible to operate 'in fair weather' in California. It might be more difficult in a country like Britain, where the weather changes every 20 minutes (on average).

The next step is to have the pizzas made by a robot. And, finally, the ultimate achievement will be to have it eaten by a robot (including the olives on top, pitted or not).

I mean, do we really need human beings? 
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-55438969

Nuro set to be California's first driverless delivery service
Nuro's autonomous vehicles will take to the streets as early as 2021.

Dancing Robots

Dancing Robots - courtesy of Boston Dynamics

https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2020/12/29/22205055/boston-dynamics-robots-spot-atlas-handle-dancing-video

Cybersecurity Breach in US

Cybersecurity breach in the United States - From the Guardian (UK)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/23/cyber-attack-us-security-protocols

COVID-19: Pandemics & Solar Activity

 Pandemics & Solar Activity

http://www.billhowell.ca/Pandemics,%20health,%20and%20the%20Sun/Tapping,%20Mathias,%20Surkan%20-%20Pandemics%20&%20solar%20activity.pdf

Autonomous Vehicles

From City AM of the UK

As I understand, the vehicles are driverless and electric.

https://www.cityam.com/amazon-owned-zoox-reveals-first-autonomous-robotaxi/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Midday+newsletter+Nov+2020

Big Brother Is Watching You

From BBC 

"You're slacking, Winston! Focus! Engage! Engage or you will be punished!" 

 I think they should add a special feature whereby a central-control unit can send an electric shock into the bottom of those participants who misbehave (such as playing Candy Crush on their phone), show a lack of engagement, or doze off: this could be done via the chair the person is sitting on. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-55133141

Microsoft files patent to record and score meetings on body language - BBC News Technology giant Microsoft has filed a patent for a system to monitor employees' body language and facial expressions during work meetings and give the events a "quality score". www.bbc.co.uk