Today’s AI chatbots are not considered sentient by most researchers. They can write, reason through problems and hold convincing conversations, but there is no solid evidence that they have feelings or experiences. At the same time, scientists do not fully agree on what consciousness is, so the question is debated more seriously than it was … Read more
Many stars do not live alone. A binary star is a pair of stars bound by gravity, orbiting a common center of mass. Roughly half of Sun-like stars have at least one companion, and the share is higher for massive stars. Types by how we detect them Visual binaries: both stars can be seen separately … Read more
Brakes are the most important safety system on a motorcycle. Technology has improved enormously, but the rider’s technique still decides how much of that potential is used. Disc brakes Almost all modern motorcycles use disc brakes, at least at the front. A caliper squeezes pads against a disc attached to the wheel. Discs cool well, … Read more
Car safety used to be about surviving a crash: seat belts, airbags, crumple zones. Most recent progress is about avoiding the crash in the first place. Here is what the main systems do and what we know about how well they work. Automatic emergency braking Automatic emergency braking (AEB) uses cameras and radar to detect … Read more
Car thieves look for easy opportunities: an unlocked door, a key left inside, a car whose model is known to be easy to steal. Making your car a little harder to take than the one next to it is often enough. The basics still work A surprising share of stolen cars are left unlocked or … Read more
New cars change faster than ever, mostly through software. Some of the new features genuinely make driving easier; others are expensive options you will rarely use. Knowing which is which helps you choose the right car and trim. Phone integration Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now available on almost every new car, and wireless … Read more
Most burglaries are opportunistic: someone sees an easy target and takes the chance. Good security makes your home look and be harder to get into than the house next door. Start with the basics, which cost little, before buying technology. Doors: the most common way in Windows Lock windows, especially ground-floor and basement ones. Add … Read more
