Click here to read about SpaceX’s latest launch, the cars of the future, and more. Above is an image of SpaceX’s rocket launching in its first stage of liftoff. Creative commons image from SpaceX from Flickr. 

By Lauren Yang

SpaceX’s Falcon9 rocket lifts off for a launch in March 2015. Creative commons image from SpaceX on Flickr.

1. SpaceX launches again
SpaceX, a manufacturer of low-cost, reusable space rockets aims to launch another rocket on Jan. 8. The company had a failed launch on Sept. 1, in which the rocket exploded due to an unexpected reaction between the cold air and the fuel tank. The problem has since been resolved for this liftoff, which is planned to deliver telephone satellites to space. Read more here.

Self-driving cars are another car of the future. Creative commons image from Pascal Terjan from Flickr.

2. The cars of the future
The cars of the future may incorporate a variety of new technologies, like holographic displays and personal assistants. At the most recent Consumer Electronics Show, BMW displayed a holographic display adjacent to the steering wheel. By utilizing a camera to recognize hand gestures, the car can be regulated with such controls. Other car companies, like Ford, plan to integrate personal assistants into vehicles. With this, users will be able to search for destinations and change music with a voice command. Read more here.
 

Above is an artistic rendition of an asteroid. Creative commons image from Hubble ESA from Flickr.

3. NASA tackles unexplored asteroids

NASA’s two new missions, called Psyche and Lucy, plan to utilize robots to explore new asteroids near Jupiter and in the main asteroid belt. Both are planned to launch in the early 2020s — Lucy in 2021 and Psyche in 2023. Both missions are part of NASA’s larger Discovery Program. Both missions focus on asteroids because many have existed since the universe’s birth, giving us a glimpse into valuable early data. Read more here.

GoPro’s cameras may soon have some modern editing features. Creative commons image from Jasonanaggie from Wikipedia.

4. GoPro’s new features
GoPro’s recently announced a new effort to find a way to upload content more quickly. With the success of social media apps like Snapchat, GoPro is trying to shorten the process from filming to uploading. CEO and Menlo alumnus Nick Woodman announced at the Consumers Electronics Show that the company hopes to release a feature that helps users identify interesting moments within the footage to speed up the editing process. Read more here.

AlphaGo competes with human players in the game Go, shown above. Creative commons image from Chad Miller from Wikipedia.

5. AlphaGo continues to dominate
DeepMind, a company owned by Google, has created an artificial intelligence program that can play humans at the game Go. The program has defeated past and current world Go champions, and recently won 50 out of 51 online Go games against human players. AlphaGo’s accomplishments stand as an achievement for artificial intelligence. Read more here.