• Finite resources could cause a data centre crunch in 2026

    Plans are under way to hyperscale the data centre resource to embrace the demands of AI. But do we have enough resources – power, products and people – to supply this new fleet? The world’s five biggest hyperscalers plan to shell out almost $700bn this year on AI-related capital expenditure. Alongside forecasts from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, Microsoft, Meta and Oracle, there are standalone plans, including the four-year $500bn Project Stargate, specialist investors such as CoreWeave and Lambda, and – mercurial to a fault – Elon Musk and SpaceX/xAI. But will they all be able to spend the money? David Cahn, a partner at leading technology investor Sequoia Capital, US, believes that 2026 could fall short of expectations. “My prediction for 2026 is that it will be a tale of two AIs…

  • Drone ‘numberplate system’ unveiled in £46.5m safety push

    A numberplate system for drones that is designed to make the skies safer has been announced by the government as part of a £46.5m funding package. Drones have the potential to cause major disruption in areas with sensitive airspace such as military facilities and airports. In December 2018, two drones flew into Gatwick Airport’s airspace, forcing the closure of its main runway and causing 48 hours of chaos for thousands of passengers. Anti-drone tech was later installed at the airport in a bid to prevent another incident. A new system called Hybrid Remote ID is set to be deployed. This will see drones sending out their ID and location during flight so nearby devices can pick it up, sharing flight details through an online system that authorised people can access to see historic flight data…

  • Editor's comment: Is AI after your engineering job?

    AI is the technology of our age and that is reflected in every issue of E+T. This is about the tech, like our ‘roboscience’ article in this issue. However, there is an underlying mistrust of a technology that is ultimately seen as a replacement for jobs. Our first feature (dramatically called ‘Job killer?’ on p16) looks broadly at how AI may have a considerable – arguably detrimental – effect on a variety of jobs (including editors’!). Interestingly, while it will certainly have an effect on engineering, technology and science, it doesn’t seem that there is the same trepidation about the impact of AI as exists in other sectors, as discussed in the second article (‘The virtual workforce’, p32). I think there are two key reasons: one is we can see that AI actually has the potential to do a…

  • Job Killer? The Future of Work in the Age of AI

    Is AI about to decimate employment or simply alter the way we work? From scary scenarios to familiar patterns, we sift the data to uncover the true impact of automation on jobs. When UK freelance illustrator Jenny Turner noticed a sudden drop in online sales, she logged into her Etsy shopfront to find out what was up. Scrolling through an item listing, she spotted that the ‘recommended products’ section at the bottom contained an influx of competing goods, many of them AI-generated. “They were all quite a bit cheaper than mine,” says Turner. “Mine were priced around £50 to £100, versus £10 to £20 for the AI alternatives.” That discovery, in 2023, was a precursor of things to come, and today Turner’s workload has diminished to the point of being “non-existent”, a situation she says is…

  • UK airlines given leeway to cancel undersold flights amid jet fuel price surge

    Airlines have been given more flexibility to cancel or consolidate undersold flights as concerns mount over the rising price of jet fuel brought about by the US war with Iran. The government is planning to introduce temporary measures to make scheduling more flexible for flight operators in order to minimise disruption to Britons planning to go on holiday in the summer. As well as moving passengers on to similar services much earlier, airlines will be able to cancel flights that have not sold a significant proportion of tickets in order to reduce wasted fuel from flying near-empty planes. Under normal rules, airlines must use at least 80% of their allocated slots during a season to keep them for the following year. If they fall below this threshold, those slots can be reassigned to another…

  • Vodafone takes full control of Three venture after scrutiny over Chinese ownership

    Vodafone is taking full control over VodafoneThree, the joint firm formed last year with the Three network, after Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison agreed to sell its 49% share. VodafoneThree was formed in June 2025 after a lengthy two-year investigation process by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The combined business hosts more than 27 million users, making it Britain’s biggest network and reducing the number of competing companies in the sector from four to three. The CMA only approved the merger after a series of legally-binding commitments were made. These included spending £11bn on upgrading their combined network, and committing to pre-agreed prices and contract terms to ensure that mobile virtual network operators such as Sky Mobile, Lyca and Lebara could continue…

  • Subtle changes in aircraft flight angle could pave the way for smoother journeys

    Insights into how turbulence forms could pave the way for more stable and efficient high-speed aircraft, according to research. As the cone-shaped nose of an aircraft or missile moves through the air, vortices form behind it. These swirling structures can become large and unstable, often behaving unpredictably. This can cause the aircraft to pull to one side or rotate unexpectedly. In high-stakes environments, particularly military operations, even a slight deviation off-course can mean missing a target or losing control entirely. To better understand the transition from stable to asymmetric vortices, researchers at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering in Florida, US, examined how different angles of flight affect these vortices. They combined experimental testing with advanced computational…

  • Can technology save the world’s coral reefs?

    The ecological marvels that are coral reefs are under threat from the excesses of climate change. Can technology save them? Coral reefs – massive underwater structures built by colonies of tiny creatures called coral polyps – were described as a “jewelled belt around the middle of the planet” by renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle in the 1990s. Many years earlier, Charles Darwin had linked coral reefs to the tree of life, such was their environmental significance. Now, sadly, due to recent increases in sea temperature, coral reefs face an uncertain future. In fact, some experts consider their demise inevitable, should current rates of global heating continue. Coral reefs first appeared on the planet 485 million years ago, although experts believe that most of today’s reefs formed between…

  • Neuralink builds surgical robot to implant its brain chip in humans

    Neuralink has developed a surgical robot to automate the implantation of its brain-computer interface (BCI). The California-based neurotechnology company was founded by Elon Musk in 2016. Over the past decade its team of neuroscientists and engineers has been developing a coin-sized BCI device. Surgically implanted beneath the skull, the device translates neural signals into actions. Human trials of its PRIME (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) study started last year when a woman underwent surgery at the University of Miami Health Centre to be fitted with the chip. While this surgery was performed by human surgeons, Neuralink has also been developing a specialised surgical robot to automate the surgery needed to place the device in the brain. According to the company…

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  • Gemini AI is coming to millions of cars via software update

    Google is bringing its Gemini AI assistant to cars, which will allow drivers to have more natural, conversational interactions with their vehicles. The roll-out will come to new vehicles and those that already have Google Assistant built-in – the firm’s older, less advanced platform that was first introduced in 2018. Assistant is primarily designed for navigation and journey planning, environmental controls such as air conditioning, and playing media. Gemini will be still capable of operating those functions, but is also designed for more complex conversations that are currently available on mobile devices. “When cars with Google built-in first hit the road in 2020, we made a commitment that your car will get better over time,” the search giant said. “That means that Gemini is coming…

  • More than two million EVs now on UK roads in landmark moment

    The number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered on UK roads has surpassed two million for the first time. Latest figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) show that 2,012,000 zero emission vehicles were licensed for use in the UK as of the end of December 2025, an increase of 31.2% on the year before. This represents 4.8% of all licensed vehicles, with 1,874,000 being road using. There were 473,000 zero emission cars registered for the first time in 2025, an increase of 24% from 2024. Zero emission cars also accounted for 23% of all new car registrations, compared to 19% in 2024. These uplifts are driven by manufacturer discounting and government incentives, including the Electric Car Grant (ECG), which was launched in July 2025 to help drivers with the upfront costs of purchasing…

  • Spotify introduces verified badge to separate real artists from AI music

    Spotify is introducing a new ‘Verified’ badge that will help listeners distinguish between AI-generated music and real artists. The new feature is designed to allow users to immediately tell the origin of a track, as the platform becomes increasingly dominated by music generated by AI. While Spotify hasn’t released stats on exactly how much newly uploaded music is AI or not, rival platform Deezer claims that nearly 44% of all daily uploads are not human-made. However, the report also suggested that the AI tracks only accounted for roughly 0.5% of actual streams. The new ‘Verified by Spotify’ badge shows an artist profile has been reviewed and meets Spotify’s criteria “for authenticity and trust”, the firm said. The platform won’t make a judgement on its millions of artists, just those…

  • Ultralight carbon fibre lattices combine aluminium strength with foam-like weight

    Researchers at Seoul National University (SNU), South Korea, have developed a new method for manufacturing strong yet lightweight carbon fibre structures without the need for layered assembly or joints. Carbon fibre composites are typically manufactured by stacking thin layers of material or assembling multiple components. Even newer approaches, such as 3D printing, rely on layer-by-layer fabrication. The challenge is that these methods introduce weaknesses where layers or parts meet, and create internal boundaries that can disrupt load transfer. To overcome this, SNU researchers explored whether they could build a structure by placing a single continuous fibre directly in three-dimensional space. Their process begins with a temporary scaffold that defines nodal geometry. A long carbon…

  • National Grid to expand tech roll-out to boost power line capacity

    The UK’s National Grid is to extend the roll-out of technology to increase power line capacity across a further 585km of transmission routes. Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) technology was first trialled by National Grid on UK transmission lines in 2022. Following its success, by 2025 it had been deployed across more than 275km of its network. Under a new five-year contract, the technology will now be expanded across an additional 585km, potentially saving consumers up to £50m. The three firms delivering the DLR technology are US-based LineVision, Belgium-based Ampacimon and Heimdall Power from Norway. Alice Delahunty, president of National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “Integrating grid-enhancing technologies will deliver significant savings for consumers by reducing constraint costs…

  • Human-hair-thin shielding material blocks both electromagnetic waves and radiation

    An ultra-thin, stretchable and 3D-printable composite material offers both electromagnetic and radiation shielding in extreme environments, according to a study. Shielding materials offer protection from electromagnetic waves and radiation. For instance, they are integrated onto spacecraft, semiconductor equipment and advanced medical devices to protect both equipment and people. With space exploration gaining momentum, the importance of next-generation shielding technology capable of withstanding extreme environments is growing. However, material that is capable of blocking electromagnetic waves and neutron radiation comes with challenges in terms of increasing the weight and structural complexity of equipment. To address this challenge, a research team at the Korea Institute of Science…

  • 350MW battery storage facility near Birmingham to power 1.3 million homes

    EDF’s Hams Hall battery energy storage system (BESS), currently under construction near Birmingham, is expected to begin operations by the end of 2026. Energy firm EDF has partnered with global energy storage developer BW ESS on the first phase of the Hams Hall BESS, a 350MW/1,243MWh grid-scale battery capable of delivering power to 1.3 million homes for up to 3.5 hours. The battery site, which will be connected to the nearby Hams Hall 400kV National Grid substation, will be EDF’s longest-duration battery contract to date. According to EDF, such grid-scale batteries will play a growing role in helping to balance the UK electricity system as wind and solar generation expands. Batteries store excess energy when the wind blows and the sun shines, and then releases it when needed. The system…

  • Oxford partnership to accelerate robot deployment at nuclear sites

    A new partnership between engineering firm AtkinsRéalis and Oxford Robotics Institute (ORI) aims to accelerate the use of autonomous robotic systems for the nuclear and energy sectors. Robots that are able to sense, understand and act autonomously in hazardous environments, such as defunct nuclear sites, offer many advantages, not least of all keeping people out of harm’s way. Known as physical AI, these intelligent systems combine sensors, machines and control systems to enable them to seamlessly interact with and adapt to their surroundings. ORI, part of the university’s department of engineering science, focuses on advancing research into this area of physical AI systems and robotics. Through this new partnership, ORI researchers will collaborate directly with AtkinsRéalis engineers…

  • Japan Airlines trials humanoid robots to tackle baggage handling shortages

    Japan Airlines (JAL) will introduce robotic baggage handlers at Tokyo airport to speed up the process of loading and offloading aircraft. Until now, baggage handling has been exclusively handled by humans alongside a complex suite of conveyor belts and trucks. JAL said that humanoid robots would be needed for the task as the limited space near aircraft requires the full degree of human motion. Being human-shaped also allows the robots to be introduced without significant modifications to existing airport facilities or aircraft structures. In the future, JAL said it could deploy the robots across a range of tasks, from loading baggage to cabin cleaning, and even operating the specialised vehicles and equipment used at airports to service aircraft during turnarounds between flights. The…

  • Almost half of London jobs could see tasks automated by AI

    A report published by City Hall has revealed the jobs in London most at risk from GenAI. The report reveals that London’s workforce is more exposed to GenAI than any other region in the UK. It finds that least 46% of London’s workers (around 2.4 million people) are in roles where GenAI could automate a share of their tasks. This is substantially higher than the UK average of 38%. In the foreword to the report, London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said: “For a city like London – a global centre for finance, the creative industries, professional services and technology – the implications are profound. “AI presents extraordinary opportunities to boost productivity, improve public services and create new, high-quality jobs. But if its adoption is not handled responsibly, it also brings real risks…

  • Boeing tests autonomous drone for midair refuelling of military aircraft

    A drone that can autonomously attach to fighter jets to refuel them mid-flight has been tested by Boeing. The unmanned MQ-25A Stingray completed a two-hour flight where it demonstrated its ability to autonomously taxi, take off, fly, land and respond to commands from mission control. Once airborne, the Stingray stuck to a pre-determined mission plan that showed its capabilities as an aerial refuelling tanker for Boeing’s Super Hornet aircraft. The Stingray is capable of travelling around 930km/h while delivering 7,250kg of fuel in a bid to effectively double the combat radius of the Super Hornet. “Today’s successful flight builds on years of learning from our MQ-25A T1 prototype and represents a major maturation of the programme,” said Dan Gillian, vice-president at Boeing Air Dominance…

  • Magnetic fast-charging system enables electric ships to recharge at sea

    An electromagnetic ‘plug-and-play’ charging technology will allow electric vessels to charge offshore without direct physical connections. Currently, battery-powered offshore vessels rely on charging infrastructure located at ports, limiting how far they can travel between charges. It would make sense if electric service operation vessels (SOVs), such as those used to maintain offshore wind farms, could tap into the electricity directly generated from wind turbines. However, using plug-based connections in harsh, salty waters is very challenging. To address these challenges, Norwegian shipbuilding company Vard launched the Ocean Charger project to develop and test offshore charging technologies. One of its key research partners is SINTEF, a Norwegian independent research institute. …

  • Virgin Media O2 warns of rapid rise in AI fake customer service numbers

    Criminals are using AI-generated fake customer service numbers to scam people, Virgin Media O2 has warned. Those searching online for a company’s contact details can sometimes be shown fake phone numbers, websites and search results. These are created by criminals using AI-powered tools to steal personal data and commit fraud. Virgin Media O2 has warned that this sophisticated fraud is on the rise and is urging consumers to be on their guard. According to the firm, around one in eight (13%) say they have already been shown a fake customer service number via search engines or AI tools, while a further one in five (22%) admit they are unsure if numbers they have found online are genuine. The issue is compounded by a lack of scrutiny of search results, with more than one in 10 consumers…

  • UK’s first orbital launch from SaxaVord Spaceport on track for summer 2026

    German aerospace firm Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has reached another key milestone in preparations for its planned launch from Scotland-based SaxaVord Spaceport this summer. RFA has announced it has submitted its application for a marine licence ahead of its first test flight from SaxaVord Spaceport. This licence will establish maritime exclusion zones to manage debris and ensure safe launch operations. Highlighting the milestone in a LinkedIn post, the firm said: “For the first time, the application also specifies a potential launch window, which will open no earlier than 1 July 2026. This is a legally required step for planning, and a good sign of how far we’ve come – but it’s not a launch date just yet. “We applied for this window because we’re working hard to be ready – and we…

  • Underground rescue teams and robots create dynamic maps without external signals

    A new system enables emergency services to create dynamic maps underground without light, satellite navigation or external communication. Rescue efforts underground pose significant risk to human life. In these emergency situations, the danger of navigating infrastructure underground – such as train stations, tunnels or mines – is compounded if there is no electricity or access to wireless connectivity. A project team, led by researchers at the Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria, has developed a human-robot ‘teaming’ system for such missions. It combines sensor data from human and robot rescue teams with a self-built ultra-wideband (UWB) network to create a dynamic map of the environment. Firstly, a robot equipped with a laser scanner, camera and wheel sensors is sent…

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