Dave & Busters is offering people the chance to score a diamond engagement ring by participating in a “Human Crane” game at certain locations this Valentine’s Day. 

Based on videos of the ride available online, it is a twist on the classic game in which players attempt to use a claw to try to pick up prizes. But in this case, players themselves act as the claw and grab prize items from the pit.

Taking a shot at playing to win a ring costs money.

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A Dave & Buster’s restaurant on June 10, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

“The Human Crane is the brand’s full-body arcade experience that turns guests into the action by lowering them into a pit of oversized prizes where they can grab an iconic prize,” the company noted, explaining that “Human Crane” rides start at $20 per person.

“The brand is transforming its viral Human Crane into a one-of-a-kind engagement moment by placing five $15,000, 3-carat diamond engagement rings designed by Platinum Days inside the game at select stores for couples that are ready to take their relationship to the next level,” the company declared in a press release.

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An oval cut diamond engagement ring (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The company noted that the actual rings will not be in the game itself, but will be awarded to players later.

“In five (5) select stores, guests will have an opportunity to win an engagement ring from human crane ride (in Times Square/NYC and W. Nyack, NY and Los Angeles/Hollywood, Carlsbad and Folsom, CA stores only),” the company noted. 

“Must be at least 18 years old to win and redeem ring. Actual ring will not be in human crane,” the business explained. 

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A Dave & Buster’s in the Gateway Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York on March 30, 2024. (Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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“Winner must enter contact information into QR code to redeem. Winner will be contacted by 2/17 with prize fulfillment information. Ring size, quality, and value has no minimum and may vary by location. Ring may not be traded for cash or other consideration. Rings will be sent to winners at a future date,” the company added.

Robots have long been portrayed as advanced, man-made technological creations designed to support and enhance human capabilities. As robotics becomes increasingly globalized, it is rapidly moving toward mainstream adoption across multiple industries. Today, enterprises worldwide are implementing robotics in industrial, healthcare, and commercial applications. While robotics has experienced periods of slow adoption, it has steadily secured a strong position in the digital and industrial landscape.

When discussing robotic applications, the industrial sector stands out as a primary beneficiary. Over the years, robots have become more affordable, intelligent, and productive. Industries such as agriculture, construction, warehousing, logistics, and customer service increasingly rely on robotic systems. By investing in robotics, enterprises can solve operational problems with greater accuracy and efficiency while closing productivity gaps that human labor alone cannot fill.

As time progresses, technological advancements continue to reshape robotics. These developments act as catalysts for enterprise growth and productivity. However, before implementing robotics, organizations must evaluate certain key parameters to ensure successful adoption.

Key Parameters to Consider Before Implementing Robotics

Customization Based on User Needs

Previously, robots required extensive training and highly skilled operators, making them accessible primarily to large enterprises. Smaller businesses often lacked the resources to invest in such systems. Today, advances in robotics have lowered this barrier significantly. With intuitive interfaces, IoT connectivity, and wireless controls, robots can now be programmed through task demonstrations rather than complex coding. A wide range of robots is available to handle multitasking, allowing enterprises to select solutions tailored to their specific industrial needs.

Easy Compatibility

Unlike traditional large-scale industrial robots, collaborative robots (cobots) are designed to work safely alongside human workers. Earlier, assigning specialized manpower to repetitive tasks was costly and inefficient. Cobots resolve this issue by assisting employees directly. Their compact design and flexible deployment make them particularly valuable for enterprises seeking efficiency without major infrastructure changes.

Simplified Development and Programming

In the past, programming robots was difficult due to incompatibility between hardware and user interfaces. Today, the Robot Operating System (ROS) has become a dominant framework in the robotics industry. As an open-source platform, ROS enables developers to program and reprogram robots efficiently across different hardware setups. This flexibility has accelerated innovation and adoption across industries.

Expanding Applications of Robotics

The 21st century is defined by rapid technological adoption across sectors. While most industries have already been disrupted by technology, robotics continues to expand rather than stagnate. In recent years, both robotic capabilities and their real-world applications have grown significantly. Below are key areas where robotics is transforming enterprises.

Supporting Enterprises Through Robotics

Cobots: Assisting Human Workers

Collaborative robots are specifically designed to work with employees rather than replace them. Their compact size, safety features, and affordability make them especially beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Unlike traditional industrial robots, which prioritize speed and scale but pose safety risks, cobots operate as service robots, reducing workplace hazards and employee strain.

To qualify as service robots, cobots must meet strict standards related to safety, compatibility, ease of control, and processing speed. Currently, cobots are widely used for machine tending, packaging, and material handling. Beyond industrial environments, they are also deployed in agriculture, healthcare facilities, laboratories, and hospitals, often under robot-as-a-service business models.

Cloud Robotics

Cloud robotics represents a shift toward robots that rely less on local programming and more on shared intelligence. Instead of being manually programmed for each task, robots can access task-specific code and data from the cloud. Through machine learning and deep learning, robots can analyze environments, identify problems, and propose solutions in real time.

As robots share data with centralized cloud systems, knowledge gained by one robot can benefit others. Functions such as vision processing, object recognition, lifting, and navigation can be collectively improved across networks. This shared intelligence allows enterprises — both large and small — to manage complex data more efficiently while accelerating robotic learning and performance.

Hefestus Food Automation for Ground Meat Packaging

The Hefestus food automation machine streamlines ground meat packaging through precision dosing, hygienic handling, and consistent sealing. Designed for high-volume food production, it reduces labor dependency while improving speed and accuracy. Automated portion control minimizes waste and ensures compliance with food safety and quality standards.

Conclusion

With continuous advancements, robotics is rapidly approaching new performance and intelligence thresholds. This era of robotics is unlikely to stagnate, as innovation continues to accelerate rather than plateau. Enterprises must adapt quickly to remain competitive. Robotics is no longer limited to warehouses or factory floors — it is becoming integral to everyday enterprise operations. The future points toward increasingly robot-driven industries, and the time to adopt is now.

The rise of online bingo is one of the most notable success stories in digital entertainment. Once rooted firmly in physical halls and community venues, bingo has transitioned seamlessly into the online world, attracting millions of players globally. This success has not happened by chance. Instead, it is the result of carefully crafted player experiences that prioritise accessibility, enjoyment, and social connection. To understand what has made online bingo sites so successful, it is essential to look beyond surface level popularity and focus on the experience they offer to players. From intuitive design to strong community features, online bingo platforms have aligned closely with what modern users value most.

One of bingo’s greatest strengths both offline and online is its simplicity. Online bingo sites have preserved this core appeal by ensuring that games remain easy to understand and quick to pick up. Clear interfaces, visual prompts, and guided onboarding help new players feel comfortable almost immediately. Many platforms even include beginner-friendly explanations on how to get started, ensuring that learning how to play bingo online feels approachable rather than intimidating. This low barrier to entry has played a major role in expanding bingo’s audience.

Accessibility has been another major driver of success. Online bingo sites allow players to join games at any time, removing the limitations of location and schedule that existed with traditional bingo halls. This flexibility fits perfectly with modern lifestyles, where people often seek entertainment in short bursts throughout the day. Whether on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, players can access bingo games whenever it suits them, making the experience both convenient and adaptable.

The widespread use of smartphones has significantly influenced the success of online bingo. Bingo translates exceptionally well to mobile platforms due to its clear visuals, straightforward mechanics, and limited need for complex controls. Successful bingo sites invest heavily in mobile friendly design. Large numbers, responsive layouts, and touch optimised controls ensure that games are easy to follow on smaller screens. A smooth mobile experience helps retain players and encourages regular engagement.

Bingo has always been a social game, and online platforms have embraced this aspect rather than losing it in the digital transition. Many online bingo sites feature live chat rooms where players can interact during games. This sense of community is a key factor in long term success. Players can engage in light conversation while playing, fostering a sense of community. Moderators often help maintain a welcoming atmosphere, making bingo feel less like a solitary activity and more like a shared event.

Another reason online bingo sites have thrived is the relaxed nature of the experience they provide. Unlike fast paced or strategy heavy games, bingo allows players to enjoy gameplay without intense concentration or constant decision making. Features such as automatic number marking reduce pressure further, ensuring players don’t miss out if they’re chatting or multitasking.

The introduction of themed rooms, special events, and creative visual styles keeps the experience fresh without overcomplicating it. Players can explore new variations while still relying on familiar mechanics, striking a balance between novelty and comfort.

Modern online bingo platforms pay close attention to design. Clean interfaces, bright colours, and uncluttered layouts help players focus on the game while enjoying an attractive presentation. Visual clarity is especially important in bingo, where players must track numbers and patterns. Successful sites ensure that information is easy to read and that important moments such as winning patterns are clearly highlighted.

Online bingo sites often include features specifically designed to build player confidence. Tutorials, practice modes, and clear instructions allow users to learn at their own pace. These tools help new players feel supported rather than overwhelmed, increasing the likelihood that they will return. Confidence building features are a subtle but powerful contributor to player satisfaction and long-term engagement.

Bingo’s success online is also due to its broad appeal. The game attracts players of different ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. Online platforms have leaned into this inclusivity by offering a welcoming environment that doesn’t rely on advanced gaming knowledge. The combination of simple rules, social interaction, and flexible pacing makes bingo accessible to people who may not engage with other forms of digital gaming.

While innovation is important, online bingo sites have succeeded by maintaining consistency. Players know what to expect when they log in: familiar formats, reliable game flow, and recognisable community features. This sense of familiarity builds trust and comfort, encouraging repeat visits. Over time, bingo becomes part of a player’s routine rather than a one off activity.

The success of online bingo sites is rooted in their ability to deliver a player first experience. By combining accessibility, simplicity, social connection, and thoughtful design, these platforms have transformed a traditional game into a modern digital success. Rather than chasing complexity, online bingo sites have focused on what players value most: ease of use, a sense of community, and enjoyable, low-pressure entertainment. As technology continues to evolve, the foundations of this success strong user experience and inclusivity are likely to keep online bingo thriving well into the future.

This article was written by

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The mechanical engineering student has already raised thousands of pounds for the idea, and secured premises

A young entrepreneur who is studying at Newcastle University has launched an animal health tech start-up that has raised £40,000 early stage funding.

Henrietta Newble, a 19 year-old mechanical engineering student who is originally from Cambridge, is now in the process of raising a further £80,000. Her company, AnFiTest, provides rapid diagnostics for vets and aims to prevent major nutrition-based animal diseases.

The horse and livestock-focussed start-up aims to address what it says is a lack of fast, accessible and reliable on-site diagnostics for animal health. Its portable device intends to replace slower laboratory testing and more subjective assessments by vets.

Ms Newble has been building businesses since primary school, with her ventures including a computer-aided design company and the launch of a T-shirt business when she was just 10 years-old. What began as an A-level project, AnFiTest is now ready to market.

She said: “It was a rudimental project, but it gave me time to do initial market research, then I was told I should keep going with it.”

Ms Newble’s introduction to engineering came via a scholarship and work experience placements, for which she earned awarded. Having briefly considered architecture as a career she chose mechanical engineering at Newcastle University because of its specialist masters pathway, along with the city’s wider reputation for innovation.

She attended a Newcastle University START UP Pitching workshop, where she chose to present her A Level idea. It grabbed the attention of the START UP team and from there she found mentors across the university – including chemists who helped her develop early prototypes.

Ms Newble added: “Newcastle University’s START UP team gave me the confidence and the structure to turn an idea into a real company. I’ve built networks, accessed labs, secured funding and been supported every step of the way.”

About 12 months ago, she took part in Innovate UK’s Growth and Scale programme, raising £40,000. She has now secured premises with laboratory space and offices.

AnFiTest has also created work experience opportunities for other Newcastle University students, taking on four interns through the NCL Internships programme. The firm has now appointed a research and development director with a PhD from Oxford University.

Claire Adamson, senior manager for entrepreneurship and start-up at Newcastle University, said: “Henrietta is a fantastic example of what can happen when early curiosity is matched with the right support. From the moment she pitched her idea, it was clear she had both technical ability and the drive to build something impactful. Our role is to help students like Henrietta turn promising ideas into viable businesses, and she has embraced every opportunity.

“As a female STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) student launching an innovative product into a growth sector, Henrietta serves as an important role model to others. We’re incredibly proud to support her journey.”

Prof Jane Robinson, Newcastle University’s pro-vice-chancellor business, partnerships and place, added: “We are proud of Henrietta’s success – she is an example of what is possible when talent, purpose and ambition come together. With the right support in a university setting, ideas grow and budding entrepreneurs can discover what they’re capable of.

“We encourage our students and graduates to take the first step and are here to support them to turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Their drive and ambition positively benefit our communities, industries and the North East economy.”