The Morning After: NASA gets its first sample of Mars

Singapore is well known for its tough laws (and penalties for flouting them). Now it has a new ally in the fight against chewing gum, littering and bigger misdemeanors. The country has started testing a robot named Xavier. Over the next three weeks, Xavier robots will monitor the crowds of Singapore’s Toa Payoh Central to look for what the nation’s authorities describe as “undesirable social behaviors” — including any group of people. The country’s current COVID-19 safety measure forbids congregations of more than five people.

To gauge the crowds, Xavier models have cameras that create 360-degree views. They’re also capable of capturing images in dim lighting using IR and low-light cameras. An AI system also analyzes video captured for anything that may require human officers’ response. The robot has sensors to avoid both stationary and moving objects — and, for the love of robots, let’s hope there aren’t any water features around.

— Mat Smith

Volkswagen’s ID.Life is an urban EV arriving 2025

The front-drive hatch will slot in below VW’s ID.3.

The ID.Life concept is a front-wheel-drive EV aimed at city dwellers, announced by VW at IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich. The small crossover shares the MEB platform and battery with …read more