Today I learned: Exotic support animals are a thing. See ya later, alligator.
Carmakers fight a rule that could save thousands of lives
I want you to stay ahead of the tech stories the mainstream media won’t touch. The other day I watched a Waymo speed up to run a red light. No matter how safe the autonomous car industry says they are, I still won’t get in one. I’d rather trust my own eyes.
Car companies have a long history of fighting life-saving tech. It happened with seat belts and airbags. Now they’re at it again.
It’s called Automatic Emergency Braking
This tech hits the brakes up to 62 mph when your car’s cameras and radar predicts you’re going to crash into another car or hit someone.
You’ve probably used or seen AEB in action. Many cars already have it, especially higher-end models that slow down in certain situations. The latest versions work at higher speeds, in darkness, and detect cyclists and large animals. It scans up to 800 feet ahead.
AEB reacts faster than any human can
- It takes a human driver about 1.5 seconds to perceive a hazard and react.
- AEB? It can detect a threat and apply the brakes in as little as 0.2 to 0.5 seconds.
Americans are three times more likely to die in car crashes than drivers in the UK, Germany, and Japan. Why? It could be that this advanced braking tech is standard there. But here, U.S. major carmakers are suing to keep it off the roads.
Follow the money
Federal regulators voted to require AEB in all new cars and light trucks by 2029. Automakers are fighting back, saying it’ll cost too much. It’s about $354 million or $82 per vehicle.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing GM, Toyota, and Volkswagen, calls it “practically impossible.” Translation: they don’t want to pay. They’ve filed a lawsuit to stop it.
NHTSA says AEB could save at least 362 lives a year, likely more. It could also prevent 24,000 injuries and save $5 billion in property damages. When you do the math, $82 per car is a bargain.
The best way to keep an eye on your pets inside and out
Pets are notorious for causing a stir when their owners are away. When you drive off, dogs might bark so loudly they bother the neighbors. Cats might scratch the sofa to punish you for leaving.
Animals have many methods for messing up the house when you’re away. Sometimes, you may return home and walk into such an outrageous mess you can’t help but wonder, “How on Earth did that happen?”
Let the games begin
🎉 Here’s what you need to keep the good times rolling.
- Level up with a gaming controller ($56) that’s fast and smooth.
- A Toniebox speaker (30% off) tells kids’ bedtime stories and more.
- Help your child learn to swim with a back belt floater (18% off).
- Fetch! This oddly shaped dog ball ($8) bounces in some cool ways.
- Watch your cat chase this laser cat toy ($25) in random directions.
🧸 Catch ’em all: Toss your kid’s stuffed animals into a hanging net ($29) for later.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Free smiles: Check out Explore.org’s beluga cam. That smile is so dang cute! They have live feeds of other animals and places, too. There’s a bald eagle cam, an aurora borealis cam, a cat rescue cam and lots more.
'Find My iPhone' directs strangers to man's house, tax prep site delivers malware & Google Drive’s sneaky file limits
Plus, for all the future social media superstars, I have the best times to post on Instagram. Matt gives you a pro tip on how to set up your phone to be a second monitor. And want to see more pics of your loved ones? Allie’s got a way to name your favorite people and animals in your photo app to find them easy.
$16 per month
Gets you access to Snapchat Platinum, including its new AI video Lenses. Think of it as a filter where you can see yourself cuddling up with cute virtual animals on screen. So far, there’s a raccoon and fox, plus spring flowers. People need to cool it with the age filter. It’s getting old.
🐶 For pup’s sake: Want to help shelter animals but can’t bring one home? Try virtual fostering. You’ll be matched with a pet and share their updates on social media to help them get adopted. Search “[your city] virtual fostering” for programs near you.
Can sponges ‘think’ using light?
Sponges are some of the simplest animals on Earth. They are very basic creatures that survive by eating whatever food passes through. Here’s a surprising revelation. Recent studies have shown that they may think and not in the way that WE think. They use light.
115,000 years old
Age of footprints found in Saudi Arabia. These are the oldest ones ever uncovered on the Arabian Peninsula. They turned up in a dried-up watering hole in the Nafud Desert, right next to animal tracks. The area was wetter back then, and early humans were likely taking a water break alongside other animals, like a prehistoric rest stop.
The largest animal migration on Earth
When you think of animals migrating, you probably picture massive herds traveling across the African Savanna or large flocks of birds heading south for winter. In reality, the largest animal migration takes place underwater. The kicker? It happens every single night.
The beautiful science of Iridescence
If you have ever seen a hummingbird, you may have noticed the bright colors on its stomach or how it appears to change shades in the light. This is called Iridescence, and many animals have it. The change of color comes from how light is reflected off their bodies. But why do animals have this ability, and what makes it an evolutionary benefit?
Why do we find things cute?
Why do we find certain animals and other things adorable? There’s a complex science behind cuteness and how it affects our behavior and emotion. From baby animals to round, chubby faces, uncovering the evolutionary and psychological reasons why we find certain things cute is astounding.
Spider eyes are more powerful than you think
Spiders are some of the smallest invertebrates on Earth, but these tiny creatures have a remarkable skill. They can see better than most animals 10 times their size. The trick is that their eyes are tiny little telescopes that allow them to focus on things in extraordinary detail. Some scientists even claim spiders can see the details of the moon. The real question is, why do they need to be able to do this?