VivaTech/Tech for Africa: Finding Africa-specific solutions and empowering new businesses

Researchers in California unveiled a bipedal robot on Wednesday (October 6) that combines walking with flying to create a new type of locomotion, allowing it to jump, skateboard and walk on a slackline. The robot, named LEONARDO or LEO for short, was developed by a team at the California Institute of Technology's Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies. Researchers said LEO is the first robot to use multi-joint legs and propeller-based thrusters to enable it to balance and carry out complex movements.

Caltech researchers have built a bipedal robot that combines walking with flying to create a new type of locomotion, which makes it more agile and capable of complex movements. Part walking robot, part flying drone, the LEONARDO (short for LEgs ONboARD drOne, or LEO for short) can walk on a tightrope like tightrope walkers, jump, and even skateboard. Developed by a team from Caltech’s Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST), LEO is the first robot to uses multi-jointed legs and propeller-based thrusters to achieve a good degree of control over its balance.

Researchers in California unveiled a bipedal robot on Wednesday that combines walking with flying to create a new type of locomotion, allowing it to jump, skateboard and walk on a slackline. The robot, named LEONARDO or LEO for short, was developed by a team at the California Institute of Technology's Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies. Researchers said LEO is the first robot to use multi-joint legs and propeller-based thrusters to enable it to balance and carry out complex movements.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday. ⁣

Star Trek actor William Shatner and his crewmates -- Chris Boshuizen, Audrey Powers, and Glen de Vries -- train ahead of their trip to the edge of space.

The US is leading a two-day, 30-country meeting to discuss the growing threat of ransomware and other cybercrime. Russia, which has often been implicated in cyberattacks, is conspicuously absent.

Togolese women say they are pushing back against sexist cyberstalking more than ever. We also report on women construction workers who are helping to change the landscape of the Central African Republic. And Leptis Magna was once one of the most beautiful towns in the Roman Empire, but the Libyan ruins are now on UNESCO’s list of heritage sites in danger.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Saturday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Saturday.⁣

After the European car industry moved much of its production into Eastern Europe, some believe the next step is Africa, both for production and a growing consumer market. Should Germany's eastern neighbors be worried?

Moscow subway users have started buying tickets using facial recognition technology. Authorities claim queues at ticket counters will be greatly shortened with the system dubbed "Face Pay". This move, however, is already sparking controversy since facial recognition has been used in the past for repressive purposes. In this edition, we explore these technologies that are being deployed in smart cities around the world and whether this means the end of anonymity in public places.

As the world marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we examine the rising rates of breast cancer in Nigeria, Uganda and Malawi. Lifesaving information is often scarce and many patients lack access to adequate treatment.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Tuesday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Tuesday.⁣⁣⁣⁣