First fully automated robotic dental surgery completed, and other technology news you need to know

The first fully automated dental procedure on a human has been completed in Barranquilla, Colombia. US-based company Perceptive used a robotic arm, artificial intelligence and 3D imaging to complete the work.

Its suite of technologies scanned the patient’s mouth, analyzed the data and used a series of tools to complete the dentistry, the Independent reports.

“We’re excited to successfully complete the world’s first fully automated robotic dental procedure,” Dr Chris Ciriello, CEO and founder of Perceptive, said in a statement. “This medical breakthrough enhances precision and efficiency of dental procedures, and democratizes access to better dental care, for improved patient experience and clinical outcomes.”

While the start-up expects regulatory approval in the US to take several years, it says it can replace crowns in around 15 minutes, compared with the two hours it takes most dentists.

Two NASA astronauts in orbit continue to face delays to their return home following technical faults on Boeing’s Starliner 'Calypso' capsule.

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams travelled to the International Space Station in June and were initially scheduled to spend just over a week onboard. However, after two months, the pair remain in orbit with no return date set.

The mission is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which partners the US space agency with American private industry and has seen investment in multiple companies to support transportation to and from the International Space Station.

The space economy is expected to be worth $1.8 trillion by 2035, with space-based and/or enabled technologies such as communications; positioning, navigation and timing; and Earth observation services expected to be the key drivers of this growth, according to the World Economic Forum's report 'Space: The $1.8 Trillion Opportunity for Global Economic Growth'.

A broader set of investors – including state and non-state actors – are investing in space, with investments reaching all-times highs of more than $70 billion invested in 2021 and 2022.

With Boeing still looking to identify the root cause of faults that affected Calypso's thrusters, the astronauts may need to travel back to an alternative craft, such as SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.

Speaking to CNBC, a Boeing spokesman said the company “remain confident in the Starliner spacecraft and its ability to return safely with crew”.

He added: “We are supporting NASA’s requests for additional data, analysis and data reviews to affirm the spacecraft’s safe undocking and landing capabilities."

While they faced technical difficulties and helium leaks during the docking, it was seen as a key milestone in private space travel.

Tesla will begin using humanoid robots in its factories next year, according to CEO Elon Musk. He unveiled the Optimus prototype in 2022 and has stated that the car company will put “genuinely useful humanoid robots in low production for Tesla internal use next year and, hopefully, high production for other companies in 2026”, The Guardian reports.

Toyota has revealed plans to build an electric vehicle battery plant in Fukuoka, Japan to supply batteries for its luxury car division, Lexus. The company is looking to sell 3.5 million EVs annually by 2030.

Researchers have invented solar-powered technology that can extract several litres of drinkable water from the air in a single day. The device was built by a team from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia.

Could battery-powered, weedkilling robots replace the need for pesticides on farms? Agricultural technology companies Greenfield and Aigen are among businesses developing machines that hope to reduce the use of chemicals in farming.

A proposed Spacecraft Cybersecurity Act would protect NASA missions by integrating cybersecurity from the design stage, addressing gaps in the space agency's current measures, according to Jo Adetunji, Editor at The Conversation.

While 85% of countries support transitioning away from fossil fuels, enabling a fast transition is not the only challenge. Ensuring change is equitable is vital. This article explores why we must tread carefully to ensure some groups are not left behind.

Aviation accounts for around 3% of emissions but is often considered one of the most challenging industries to decarbonize. This piece considers how hybrid-electric aircraft could form part of the solution.