February 2013 Robots To The Rescue

Features

How To Build A Hero

Humans regularly lose their lives rushing into disaster zones. Now engineers are racing to build robots that can take their place. By Erik Sofge

Staying Power

** Extreme storms such as Hurricane Sandy have pushed the U.S. electrical grid to its breaking point. The technology exists to keep the lights on–we just need to implement it.** By Kalee Thompson

Plus: How To Create A More Resilient Grid

The Dazzling, Sometimes Absurd, Always Playful Genius of Erik Demaine

** Could the secret to breakthrough science be as simple as having fun?** By Daniel Engber

Derailed

** Long-overdue upgrades to America’s rail system could prevent the next big train catastrophe. So why are the railroads so reluctant to make them?** By Dan Baum

What’s New

Physical EducationThe Goods: February 2013’s Hottest GadgetsHot-WiredNetwork EffectsSimple Snow RemoverThe Long ShotYou Are Here

Headlines

Will This Fish Transform Medicine?Fire FlightAnt TrackerThe Leech Detective, And Zoology’s Most WantedMoon WalkerData Diet

How 2.0

You Built What?!: The World’s Fastest Baby Carriage Bogus BullionDoorbell Spy CamBright IdeasRewire Your File-Transfer Routine

FYI

What’s The Worst Pollutant In The World?How Do You Make The Perfect Snowball?

From The Archives

Robot Workman