GoKawiil
Tech News
Engineers at Delft University of Technology built a lightweight whisker sensor system that lets tiny drones under 100 grams navigate by physical contact rather than cameras or LiDAR. Two whiskers mounted at the front connect to miniature pressure sensors that detect surface contact, letting the drone estimate depth, avoid obstacles, and map its surroundings using just 34KB of software.
A regular Google Maps user says that despite Google's edge in local search and data depth, Apple Maps outperforms it in several everyday ways. The comparison highlights Apple's progress in rebuilding its navigation app over the past decade, with a notably cleaner, less ad-cluttered interface as a standout advantage.
A new essay argues that the fastest near-term impact of AI on the physical world won't come from robots, but from AI systems directing human workers step-by-step, similar to how GPS navigation already tells drivers what to do. The author calls this 'teleoperation,' where AI handles strategy and broad awareness while humans execute the physical actions AI can't yet perform itself. The piece uses driving and GPS as an early, already-normalized example of this pattern.
Dyson has released three new robot vacuums under its Nurovi line: the R1 Nurovi Dry ($550), R2 Nurovi Wash + Dry ($700), and R3 Nurovi Spot+Scrub UV ($1,200). All three share a redesigned light gray look, lidar-based navigation replacing the previous camera system, and a Twin-Capture system for cleaning both carpets and hard floors, with the top model adding UV stain detection. The R2 will be Costco-exclusive, while the R1 and R3 sell through Dyson's website and other retailers.
Google has rolled out an update to its Pixel VIP feature, adding quick action buttons directly to the widget, notification badges for VIP contacts, and a more streamlined way to navigate between profiles. The changes target usability gaps that had limited the feature's appeal since launch.
Roborock has revived its long-dormant Qrevo line with the Qrevo 2 Pro, launched at the end of August after a Qrevo Curv refresh earlier this year. The sub-$1,000 robot vacuum pairs a 20,000 Pa motor and LiDAR navigation with a FlexiArm mop and reversible side brush designed to reach corners and edges other robots miss. A WIRED reviewer who tested it for two weeks called it one of the best budget options available, rivaling the Eufy Omni C28, though it still struggles to detect small clutter like cords or toys.
The UN General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution with 164 votes in favor, urging governments, schools and tech firms to adopt the Equal Earth projection or other equal-area maps when accurate size comparisons matter. The US was the sole country to vote against it, calling the measure a 'radical ideological project.' Despite the vote, major navigation apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps are expected to keep using Mercator-based projections, which remain practical for plotting travel routes.
Multiple Waze users report that switching the app from split-screen to full-screen view on Android Auto causes the navigation information box—showing ETA, arrival time, next turn, and remaining distance—to vanish. Some say the data briefly reappears when an alert pops up, only to disappear again once the alert clears, while at least one user reports the map failing to center properly in either view. Android Authority has contacted Google, and it remains unclear whether the fault lies with a recent Android Auto or Waze update.
At IFA 2026, Anker introduced the Eufy Robot Lawn Mower S2 Max, which uses camera-based vSLAM navigation and an extendable arm to trim edges around driveways and flowerbeds without wire boundaries. Mammotion also announced its Luba 4 AWD, which relies on cameras, LiDAR, and RTK positioning plus an edge-cutting attachment to mow along walls and fences.
Roborock is marking its 12th anniversary with a sitewide sale running through September 6, discounting robot vacuums and bundles by 25% to over 50%. The flagship Saros 20, which uses dual LiDAR navigation, leg-lifting chassis and carpet-adaptive suction, drops from $1,599.99 to $1,199.99. The sale also introduces the new pet-focused Qrevo 2 Pro to the U.S. market.
MapQuest declined to rename Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' despite a Trump executive order pushing the change, while Google Maps updated its listing to comply. The decision triggered a surge in downloads, pushing MapQuest to No. 4 overall on the U.S. App Store and No. 1 among navigation apps, with usage spiking 50 times above normal.
MapQuest announced it would not rename Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' despite a Trump executive order directing federal agencies to update the name. Following the decision, MapQuest's iOS app jumped to No. 4 among all US App Store apps and became the top-ranked navigation app, with hundreds of thousands of new downloads and usage climbing to 50 times normal levels.