pilots

California is studying solar panels installed over irrigation canals, an approach that generates renewable energy while shading water to reduce evaporation. Early results from pilot projects are offering lessons on costs, maintenance and how much water and power such installations can realistically save as the state weighs wider rollout.

The US Air Force has taken delivery of its first 'robot wingman' drones, aircraft designed to fly alongside crewed fighters and be controlled autonomously. The delivery marks the start of trials into autonomous warfare, testing how unmanned jets can scout, jam or fight in tandem with human pilots.

The Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act has passed the US Senate, advancing legislation that addresses mental health support and reporting for pilots and aviation professionals. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process. Attention to pilots' mental health has grown in recent years amid concerns over stigma, medical certification rules, and safety reporting.

After the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor lost access to Microsoft services under US sanctions, the Netherlands is moving forward with DAWO, a sovereign workplace for public authorities built on NixOS. The system uses open source code, replaces GitHub with Forgejo, and is designed to connect with openDesk. A pilot is underway in municipalities, with officials citing stability and digital independence from US providers.

Israel's Economy Ministry has decided to end the 'Israel's Basket' pilot program, citing the upcoming elections as the reason. The move halts what was an initiative under ministry oversight, and the timing has drawn attention because it ties a consumer-oriented economic program directly to the electoral calendar. It remains unclear whether the program will be revived after the vote.

The US Senate has passed legislation addressing mental health support for pilots and air traffic controllers. The measure aims to reduce barriers that discourage aviation professionals from seeking mental health care, a long-standing concern in the industry. Reporting by Reuters, the bill is drawing attention amid broader debate over aviation safety and workforce well-being.

Google is piloting the ability to purchase products from Flipkart, the Indian e-commerce platform owned by Walmart, directly through its Gemini AI assistant and AI Mode in Search. The test, reported in India, would let users complete purchases without leaving Google's AI interfaces, deepening the company's push into AI-powered commerce and tightening its ties with Flipkart.

A study published in JAMA finds that pilots and flight attendants have the highest radiation-related cancer mortality of any occupation, pointing to elevated exposure to cosmic radiation at cruising altitudes. The findings are drawing attention to occupational health risks in aviation and prompting discussion about whether crew members receive adequate monitoring and protection from cumulative radiation exposure over their careers.

The US Senate has approved legislation aimed at updating mental health guidance for pilots and air traffic controllers. The measure addresses long-standing concerns that strict medical certification rules discourage aviation professionals from seeking mental health care, for fear of losing their licenses. Supporters say the bill could modernize how federal regulators assess and support the psychological wellbeing of safety-critical aviation staff.

Walmart has launched a pilot health program for customers, with details about what services it includes drawing attention in early coverage. The retailer has been expanding into healthcare in recent years, and the new initiative is being reported as another step in that strategy. Early reports focus on what the program offers and which customers it is meant to serve, though full details remain limited while the pilot is underway.

The US Senate has passed the Hauser Aviation Act, legislation focused on pilot mental health and the medications pilots are allowed to take. The bill is framed as a step toward easing rules that have long discouraged pilots from seeking treatment for fear of losing their medical certification, a concern that has drawn growing attention after high-profile aviation safety debates.

TSMC has reportedly begun pilot production of chips on its A14 node, a 1.4nm-class process, with volume production targeted for 2028. The A14 line would succeed the current 2nm generation and keep the Taiwanese foundry ahead of rivals Samsung and Intel in the race for ever-smaller transistor sizes, with major customers such as Apple expected among early adopters.

A column in The Virginian-Pilot argues that backing for coastal resilience should be a deciding factor for voters in upcoming elections. It calls on residents of coastal Virginia to evaluate candidates' commitments to protecting shorelines, flood defenses and communities from rising seas and storm damage before casting their ballots.

The US Senate has passed two bills related to pilot mental health, one year after the second season of Nathan Fielder's HBO series The Rehearsal, which focused heavily on mental health among pilots. Commentators have noted the timing, suggesting the show helped bring public attention to the issue, though the bills' specific provisions remain unclear.

St. Petersburg's City Council is looking into allowing robots to deliver food on the city's streets, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The idea would put small sidewalk delivery robots to work carrying orders from local restaurants to customers. Council members want the city to explore the concept before any rules or pilot programs are considered.