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š Worldās first flying car, 100 times sharper laser spy camera, Figure unveils humanoid brain
Plus: China's breakthrough nickel superconductor works above -387Ā°F

Microsoft has made a giant leap in quantum computing with the development of the Majorana 1, the worldās first quantum chip powered by a revolutionary new class of materialsātopological superconductors or topoconductors. This breakthrough enables stable and scalable qubits, pushing quantum computing to the next level. |
Once a science fiction dream, flying cars are now becoming real. Alef Aeronautics, a US-based sustainable transportation company, has successfully tested its flying car in a real-world urban environment.
Alef released a video showcasing their car driving on a city street and executing a vertical takeoff. Interestingly, strong market demand for the company's new mode of transportation is evident through the 3,330 pre-orders received through its website.
This event marks a significant milestone in the evolution of transportation technology. Let's take a closer look at this Must Read.
Todayās job of the day as featured on jobs.interestingengineering.com:
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> Senior Software Engineer (SAP Development ā OTD Billing)
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For this test, Alef utilized a special ultralight version of their Model Zero. The company has spent the last year working to reduce the vehicle's weight and enhance its structural integrity for improved performance and safety.
Reflecting on the achievement, Alef's CEO, Jim Dukhovny, stated: "This drive and flight test represents an important proof of technology in a real-world city environment. We hope it will be a moment similar to the Wright Brothers' Kitty Hawk video, proving to humanity that new transportation is possible."
Alef's flying car is designed to be 100% electric, capable of driving on public roads, and equipped with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities.

Chinese scientists have achieved a notable advancement in optical imaging technology. The newly unveiled laser system is capable of producing extremely detailed images across great distances.
The powerful system could redefine global surveillance capabilities, potentially enabling Beijing to observe foreign military satellites in unprecedented detail or even identify human faces from low-Earth orbit.
A team from the Aerospace Information Research Institute has demonstrated millimeter-level resolution from distances exceeding 100 km (62 miles).

California-based Figure has revealed Helix, a generalist Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model that unifies perception, language understanding, and learned control to overcome multiple longstanding challenges in robotics.
Brett Adcock, founder of Figure, said that Helix is the most significant AI update in the companyās history.
āHelix thinks like a humanā¦ and to bring robots into homes, we need a step change in capabilities. Helix can generalize to virtually any household item,ā Adcock said in a social media post.
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Is it possible to create an entirely new state of matter? One that isn't a solid, liquid or gas. The curiosity for this question led the team at Microsoft to create the world's first topological superconductors, or topoconductors.
Microsoft has shattered the boundaries of physics with Majorana 1, the worldās first quantum chip powered by topoconductors. This breakthrough introduces an entirely new state of matter, unlocking qubits that are stable, scalable, and shielded from disturbances.
Microsoft is now scaling up towards a large-scale quantum computing future that could redefine technology as we know it. The quantum era is hereāare you ready?
HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY

SCIENCE
> A phase 1 clinical trial suggests personalized mRNA vaccines hold promise for treating pancreatic cancer. (More)
> After being lost for centuries, an 18th Dynasty tomb has been unearthed in the Valley of the Kings. (More)
> A new study says that mountain ranges could hold vast reserves of natural hydrogen. (More)

ENERGY
> Princeton researchers have developed a sodium-ion battery that utilizes a new organic cathode material, which has shown remarkable energy performance. (More)
> A New Jersey-based firm has launched the latest upgrade of the worldās first nailable solar shingle. (More)
> A study of over 250 used electric vehicles (EVs) carried out by an automotive auction house in Australia has found that battery packs last much longer and have reasonably good health even after vehicles have been used extensively. (More)

INNOVATION
> A new technology that transforms fog into potable water is raising hopes for communities in the world's most arid regions. (More)
> Physicists in China report the creation of a new nickel-based high-temperature superconductor at room pressure. (More)
> A Polish startup, Clone Robotics, has unveiled a lifelike synthetic human prototype. (More)

VIDEO
> Microsoftās Majorana 1 chip is changing quantum computing with topological superconductors, creating scalable, stable qubits. (More)
> From 1989 to 1999, Las Vegas transformed from neon-lit glamour to family-friendly resorts with castles, pyramids, and rollercoasters. Casino giants demolished half the Strip to build this new Vegas but why, how so fast, and was it worth it? (More)
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Additional Reads
āļø Mechanical:Explore the wonders of mechanical engineering.
š©ļø Aerospace: The latest on propulsion, satellites, aeronautics, and more.
š§š»āš§ Engineer Pros: The latest in engineering news, career updates, and insider knowledge.
š§ AI Logs: Insights into the intricacies and developments within the realm of artificial intelligence.
š¬ IE Originals:Weekly round-up of our best science, tech & engineering videos.
š© Sustainability: Uncover green innovations and the latest trends shaping a sustainable future for the tech industry.
ā”Electrical: From AI to smart grids, our newsletter energizes you on emerging tech.
š IE Academy: Master your field and take your career to the next level with IE Academy
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