Air travel in cities is being strongly researched with about 200 companies developing vertical takeoff and landing VTOL aircraft. Almost all will fail because this is a very difficult, long term task in the face of inadequate batteries, tightening regulations and other impediments.

Using a robotic submarine CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, has provided the first ever global estimate for microplastics on the seafloor, with results suggesting there are 14 million tonnes in the deep ocean.

Founded: 2012. Completed the purchase of the bankruptcy estate after Saab Automobile on August 31, 2012.

Totally new forms of transportRobot shuttles are specifically designed for use in smart cities. Symmetrical so no U turns. Large doors and rapid reconfiguration...

It is entirely possible that a smart city could make more food than it needs and do it without emissions. Even if the city then imports food, the capability for independence gives it security and an income from export of food. This is the dream.

Researchers have developed a robotic fabric, a breakthrough that could lead to such innovations as adaptive clothing, self-deploying shelters, or lightweight shape-changing machinery.

Exoskeletons for neurological disorders, physical therapy and rehabilitation are wearable robotic devices placed on the user's body to augment, reinforce, or restore motor and/or cognitive function.

CMR Surgical Ltd announced the introduction of Versius, a next-generation surgical robot at Frimley Health. Frimley Health is a well-established surgical robotics centre and has become the first hospital in the UK to use Versius in Urology, as well as in Colorectal surgery, expanding the number of patients receiving the benefits of robotic assisted minimal access surgery.

The type of radical advances we cite may seem like unattainable science fiction but the following examples show how this is not true.

Vertical farming is growing quickly. The recent IDTechEx report, "Vertical Farming 2020-2030" explores the technologies and market factors that are shaping this rapidly expanding industry.

Biofilms -- microbial communities that form slimy layers on surfaces -- are difficult to treat and remove, often because the microbes release molecules that block the entry of antibiotics and other therapies. Now, researchers have made magnetically propelled microbots derived from tea buds, which they call "T-Budbots," that can dislodge biofilms, release an antibiotic to kill bacteria, and clean away the debris.

In 2012, IDTechEx analysed newly demonstrated transparent OLED television from LG and Samsung. They told us that these inventions were far too expensive to launch commercially at that time.

Smart cities are an approach - a trend, rather than a precisely definable product.

Floating LIDAR surveys wind for the now very popular off-shore wind turbines. It works up to 200 meters or so, the height of the largest such turbines.

Lockheed Martin will provide a study for a proven, integrated and capable payload ship, able to patrol for extended durations, as part of the US Navy's Large Unmanned Surface Vessel competition.

Many of the leading patentors of sensors do not sell sensors. Their motivation is to provide uniques for their equipment. Consider Samsung, now number three in number of sensor patents worldwide from nowhere ten years ago.

A team of researchers is working to improve telepresence robots and the algorithms that drive them to help children with disabilities stay connected to their classmates, teachers and communities.

Keolis launched a new autonomous self-driving, electric minibus trial in Stockholm, Sweden, using 5G technology to remotely control and supervise the vehicle. This trial aims to explore the safe introduction of self-driving autonomous electric vehicles in complex urban areas with a view to optimising route planning and traffic.

Autonomous shuttles could be a key element that connects the public transportation systems to reduce private car ownership in the future. The autonomous shuttle total market size will be over $18 million by 2040, according to IDTechEx's report Robot Shuttles and Autonomous Buses 2020-2040.

Versius is portable, modular, and designed to be easily moved between operating theatres. Once in an operating theatre, it takes an average of 15 minutes to set up the system. This allows it to be used frequently, with one Versius robot capable of performing hundreds of operations each year.