Popular Mechanics and National Instruments put national mail carriers to the test, concealing accelerometers inside packages to see what pressures the boxes were subjected to. USPS was gentlest, but USPS packages fly express via FedEx, so it's a little inconclusive. This is the finding that I'll remember: "Our package received more abuse when marked Fragile or This Side Up."
Mail carriers will abuse your package more if it's marked as "Fragile"
Your handy guide to how much stuff it takes to kill you, maybe!
LIKE BOING BOING BUT NOT THE ADS? CLICK HERE TO GO AD-FREE! When scientists want to understand how dangerous a toxic substance is, they use something called the "median lethal dose"… READ THE REST
Bird-like drone hops into the air
An innovative new drone design takes a cue from bird anatomy. RAVEN, the Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments, has bird legs and articulated feet, enabling the drone to jump… READ THE REST
AI-powered robot rats fit right in with real rats
Researchers have developed a robotic rat that is able to imitate rat behavior well enough to to be accepted by the real thing. The AI-powered robo-rats were able to have… READ THE REST
Best children's 3D printer lets kids create endless toys
TL;DR: The Toybox kid-friendly 3D printer deluxe bundle is on sale for $329.97 (reg. $439) until December 22. Gift shopping for a child is completely different from shopping for an adult. There's SO… READ THE REST
The Seido Japanese Master Chef's 8-Piece Knife Set is on sale for $109.97 until January 12.
TL;DR: The Seido™ Japanese Master Chef's 8-Piece Knife Set is on sale for $109.97 until January 12. Alright, so you're in the kitchen, right? It's a big dinner affair. Maybe it's the holidays.… READ THE REST
Rock around the Christmas tree (and everywhere else) with the JBL Flip 6
TL;DR: Head to checkout to get this new, open-box JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker on sale for just $74.99 (reg. $129) through December 15, with delivery in time for Christmas. What's… READ THE REST
