Works in Progress

MIT researchers have built a paper-thin swimming robot that moves using living muscle cells rather than motors. The soft robotic swimmer can navigate through watery mazes, demonstrating precise control of biohydraulic movement in a device thin enough to be flexible like paper. The work highlights growing progress in biohybrid robotics, where engineered living tissue is combined with synthetic materials to create machines that move in ways conventional robots cannot.

Researchers report new insight into the biology of a cancer gene long considered 'undruggable', meaning conventional drug design has failed to target it. The findings clarify how the gene drives tumour growth, offering a possible route to future therapies. The work is drawing attention as an early but promising step against one of oncology's toughest targets.

Boston Dynamics has released new footage showing its humanoid robot Atlas equipped with new hands, demonstrating upgraded manipulation capabilities. The clip showcases the robot using its hands to grip and handle objects, marking a step forward in the company's work on general-purpose humanoids. Viewers are widely sharing the video, praising the fluidity of the movements and debating how close the technology is to real-world deployment.

A quadruped robot dog has run a full 42.2-kilometre marathon on a single battery charge, finishing faster than the average human runner. The feat, reported by Popular Science, highlights rapid progress in legged-robot endurance, battery efficiency and locomotion control, prompting discussion about how soon such machines could handle real-world delivery, inspection and rescue work.

Engineers at UC Davis have developed a tiny flying robot designed to survive collisions, a step toward taking such drones out of the laboratory and into real-world environments. The work, highlighted by the university's College of Engineering, focuses on durability so small aerial robots can operate around people, obstacles and unpredictable conditions outside controlled settings.

Author AJ's October 2026 newsletter features a hand-drawn graphite portrait of Chef Karl, a character from her work, with original art by AJ rather than AI. She describes the mix of thoughts and emotions that come with finishing the final installment of The Admiral Inn Series, and admits summer has been a stressful period while working on the book.

Boston Dynamics has equipped its humanoid Atlas robot with newly designed four-fingered hands offering thirteen degrees of freedom, a significant step up in dexterity for the machine. Robotics watchers are sharing the news, with many viewing the upgrade as bringing Atlas closer to performing practical manipulation tasks in real-world work environments.

The MultiX research project has released its third newsletter, marking 18 months of work on integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) for 6G. It highlights progress from laboratory research to live deployments, including live demonstrations planned at MWC26, IEEE ICC and EuCNC2026, an mmWave-guided quadruped robot with Isaac Sim digital twins, and contact-free e-health vital-signs sensing under the HELIX proof of concept.

An allotment gardener reports plenty of colour still on the plot, with more drying beans and tomatoes collected and some plants cut back in preparation for winter planting. The update reflects the seasonal shift many growers are working through as autumn sets in, sharing progress and tips with fellow gardening enthusiasts.

Michigan will direct $89 million from settlements with polluters toward cleaning up the Kalamazoo and Detroit rivers. The funds, recovered from companies responsible for contamination, will support restoration work on two of the state's most environmentally damaged waterways. The announcement has drawn attention from residents and environmental groups tracking cleanup progress.

GPU designer Imagination Technologies is highlighting progress on its open-source Vulkan driver, along with its plans for the Volcanic architecture, its upcoming high-end graphics IP. The company says the open-source driver work, benefiting Linux and embedded users, will continue alongside the next-generation architecture rollout. Coverage from tech outlets focuses on what this means for open graphics drivers in mobile and embedded markets.

Carlos Iafigliola, CEO of Florida-based Amerant Bank, says efforts to change the internal culture around credit risk within the bank's lending portfolio have begun paying off, as the institution works through lingering credit problems. The remarks signal progress in a turnaround effort at one of Florida's larger community banks amid continued scrutiny of credit quality across the US banking sector.

The University of California's Agriculture and Natural Resources division is marking three years of its Community Nutrition and Health initiative, which promotes healthy eating and wellbeing in communities across the state. The milestone highlights ongoing outreach efforts in nutrition education and public health, inviting supporters to reflect on the program's progress since it began.

A new report on the Santa Cruz River has been released, drawing attention to efforts to support local wildlife, including a wildlife ramp, alongside ongoing trash cleanup work along the waterway. The report underscores continuing restoration efforts on the river, which flows through southern Arizona, and the community work aimed at improving habitat and reducing pollution.

Ascension has published its 2026 Ministry in Action report, which the Catholic health system says highlights progress in advancing health and strengthening communities across its network. The report outlines the organisation's work over the past year in patient care and community support initiatives.

An artist is inviting others to spend October redrawing old, abandoned work with their current skills, riffing on the spirit of ghosts for the spooky season. The idea is gaining traction among artists looking for a lower-pressure alternative to daily drawing challenges, with many saying it is a satisfying way to measure their progress over the years.

Thunderbird is offering an update on the native development of its iOS email app, saying the first test version is getting closer. The Mozilla Foundation's email project says current work focuses on account setup, synchronisation and basic functions. The announcement gives iPhone users a first concrete look at a long-awaited app, as Thunderbird has so far been available mainly on desktop and Android.

Brandon Sanderson's Skyward science fiction series is moving forward in its television adaptation, with a reported update on the pilot episode following previous production delays. Fans of the bestselling author have been closely watching progress on bringing the story of Spensa and the battle for humanity's survival to the screen, with the latest news offering a cautiously hopeful sign after the setbacks.

A new fitness guide lays out how to master the pull-up, covering proper form, useful variations and workout tips for building strength. It targets everyone from beginners working toward their first rep to experienced athletes refining technique, with step-by-step pointers on grip, posture and progression exercises.

Crafters are posting photos of their unfinished crochet and tapestry projects, embracing the messy middle stages of intarsia and fiber art work. The images show tangled yarn and half-finished colorwork, framed as a relatable moment for makers. It is part of a broader habit among DIY and fiber art communities of sharing progress pictures rather than only polished final results.

Author Sunflower Marshell says she finally has a 'semi-viable' update on when new work will be available, pointing readers to a blog post titled 'An End in Sight'. The writer, who identifies as a disabled, LGBTQ creator, gave only a partial timeline rather than a firm release date, leaving followers hopeful but still waiting for specifics.