Rodent-inspired artificial whiskers enable touch-based drone flight

us.headtopics.com Sep 18, 2026

Rodent-inspired artificial whiskers enable touch-based drone flight

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 18, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Researchers at Delft University of Technology have equipped a sub‑100‑gram drone with a pair of rodent‑inspired artificial whiskers that provide real‑time tactile feedback. Each whisker contains three miniature pressure sensors at its base, detecting minute deflections, vibrations, and pressure changes when the whisker contacts a surface. An onboard processing pipeline, using only 34 kilobytes of memory, filters out propeller turbulence to deliver millimeter‑precision depth data. Flight tests showed the drone navigating pitch‑black enclosures, mapping unknown rooms, and locating exits without visual input, demonstrating a lightweight touch‑based navigation system for micro‑drones.

💡 Why It Matters

· By replacing bulky cameras or bumpers, this tactile approach enables ultralight drones to operate safely in low‑visibility environments such as smoke, dust, or darkness, expanding their utility in search‑and‑rescue and industrial inspection.

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Download the iPhone Duo’s official light and dark wallpapers here

Apple omitted the iPhone Duo’s wallpapers from iOS 27, but included them in Xcode 27.1 beta’s iPhone simulator, enabling users to download the device’s official light and dark mode images. The iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable phone, features dunes and mountain range artwork. Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 27.0 RC with wallpapers for the iPhone 18 Pro, but not for the Duo. The beta now supplies four Duo wallpapers—two for each mode—available for download and full‑resolution use.

💡 The availability of Duo wallpapers outside the operating system demonstrates Apple’s willingness to support its foldable line through developer tools, offering early adopters a way to personalize the new device before official system integration.

androidcentral.com · Sep 18

If you’re wondering, no, tablets aren’t dead: Honor surges for Android in…

Honor announced a 25.3% year‑over‑year increase in Android tablet shipments in Q2 2026, according to an IDC report covering the EMEA market. The region’s overall tablet market fell 10.5% YoY to 5.9 million units, yet Honor’s MagicPad 4, featuring a new OLED display and 5,320 Hz PWM dimming, drove the brand’s growth. Samsung remains the market leader, while Xiaomi saw only 3.4% growth. Honor’s performance underscores its expanding presence beyond smartphones.

💡 Honor’s surge demonstrates that Android tablets can still capture significant market share, challenging Samsung’s dominance and signaling renewed consumer interest in high‑quality, feature‑rich tablet devices.

appleinsider.com · Sep 18

Developers finally get Xcode tools to prepare apps for iPhone Duo

Apple released Xcode 27.1 beta on Friday, granting developers tools to build for the upcoming iPhone Duo foldable. The beta includes Swift 6.4, iOS 27.1 and iPadOS 27.1 SDKs, a new Display group for previewing content on the device’s alternative screen, and an iPhone Duo Simulator runtime. Limitations exist: StandBy is unavailable, most app extensions cannot be debugged, and simulator launches are slow. Developers have roughly one month before the iPhone Duo’s October 23 launch to adapt apps to its multiple orientations and screen sizes.

💡 The tight window forces major app makers to prioritize fold‑screen compatibility, potentially reshaping the iOS ecosystem’s design standards. Swift‑based developers must quickly integrate new APIs to leverage the Duo’s unique hardware features.

tomsguide.com · Sep 18

3 reasons why the Pixel Watch 5 Stephen Curry edition is totally…

Google released a Stephen Curry‑branded Pixel Watch 5, available only in a 45 mm case with LTE connectivity. The edition adds a custom watch face and an upgraded woven sports strap that wicks moisture, stretches, and breathes during workouts. The model carries a $50 premium over the standard 45 mm LTE version. This is the second collaboration between Google and the NBA star, following a similar partnership with Fitbit Air that added a $30 price tag for a comparable sports loop. The watch is sold through retailers such as Best Buy.

💡 The price hike underscores the growing trend of celebrity‑branded wearables, turning a functional device into a status symbol. It also signals Google’s intent to differentiate its smartwatch line in a crowded market.

androidcentral.com · Sep 18

Moto’s teases Snapdragon for Signature 27, and it’s giving nothing but Elite

Motorola posted a short video on X on September 18 teasing the Signature 27, the successor to the ultra‑thin flagship launched at CES 2026. The clip shows a moss‑green device and a leather‑like finish, and includes the tagline “Every material. Obsessed.” The post confirms the model name and a reveal date of September 22, 2026, coinciding with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit (September 22‑24). Qualcomm has hinted that the event will feature “Dual 8 Elites,” suggesting a new high‑end Snapdragon chip that would replace the mid‑range Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 used in the original Signature. Analysts expect the Signature 27 to adopt this flagship‑grade SoC, turning the premium design into a true flagship offering. The teaser also hints at camera modules and gaming support, aligning with Qualcomm’s connectivity and upgrades for the chipset.

💡 A flagship‑grade processor would finally match Motorola’s premium design, positioning the Signature 27 as a serious contender against established high‑end Android flagships.

eurogamer.net · Sep 18

Sony execs behind iconic game-sharing meme recreate it, but fittingly, without a…

Former PlayStation executives Shuhei Yoshida and Adam Boyes revived their 2013 “how to share games on PS4” clip at Tokyo Game Show 2026, posing without a disc in hand. The original video, which showed Yoshida handing Boyes a copy of Killzone: Shadow Fall before abruptly ending, amassed 21 million views and became a hallmark of the PS4 launch. Yoshida posted a photo of the reunion on Twitter, noting the irony that neither holds a physical game now that Sony has announced it will cease disc production for new titles beginning in 2028. The repost sparked fan jokes about “sharing games in 2028” and revived discussion of Sony’s shift to an all‑digital ecosystem.

💡 It underscores how Sony’s move away from physical media is reshaping gamer culture and branding, turning a nostalgic meme into a commentary on the console maker’s digital‑only future.