Federal regulators have cleared the path for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to share U.S. airspace with planes and helicopters — a win for the burgeoning industry and a timely decision for startups like Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation that are expected to launch air taxi networks commercially in 2025. 

The Federal Aviation Administration published Tuesday its much-anticipated final ruling on the integration of “powered-lift” vehicles, a category the FAA revived two years ago to accommodate eVTOLs and one that describes aircraft that can take off and land like helicopters but then transition to forward flight like airplanes. 

“Powered-lift aircraft are the first new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years and this historic rule will pave the way for accommodating wide-scale Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations in the future,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement. Whitaker announced the rule during the NBAA-Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas. 

The ruling also contains guidelines for pilot training and clarifies operating rules. For example, aside from a new type of powered-lift pilot certification, the ruling includes an expanded ability for operators to train and qualify pilots using flight simulation training devices. 

The operating rules are tailored specifically to powered-lift vehicles and, as such, allow eVTOLs the flexibility to switch between helicopter and airplane rules as needed.

Joby, Archer, Beta Technologies, and Wisk Aero — which are building aircraft for urban air taxi networks, defense, cargo, and medical logistics — have worked closely with the FAA since 2022 to develop this new set of rules for training, operations, and maintenance. 

“[The ruling] aligns with all the hopes that we had been designing for,” Greg Bowles, head of government affairs at Joby Aviation, told TechCrunch. “So the way that we’ve designed the operating system, the cockpit we’ve designed, the way we’ve designed for energy reserves, all align with the FAA rule.”

Bowles also noted that Joby will be able to begin commercial operations once it receives its type certification from the FAA, which means the design of the startup’s aircraft and other major aircraft components meet required safety and airworthiness standards. Joby is in the fourth of five stages of type certification, and recently received a $500 million capital injection from Toyota to help it get across the finish line.

Thousands of creatives, including famous actors like Kevin Bacon and Kate McKinnon, along with other actors, authors, and musicians, have signed a statement warning that the unpermitted use of copyrighted materials to train AI models threatens the people who made those creative works. 11,500 names are on the list of signatories so far.

Here is the one-sentence statement:

“The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted.”

The statement was published by Fairly Trained, a group advocating for fair training data use by AI companies. Fairly Trained CEO Ed Newton-Rex told The Guardian that generative AI companies need “people, compute, and data” to build their models, and while they spend “vast sums” on the former two, they “expect to take the third – training data – for free.” Newton-Rex founded Fairly Trained after he quit Stability AI, accusing generative AI of “exploiting creators.”

There are also some notable names not appearing among the signatories. Scarlett Johansson, who had a high-profile spat with OpenAI after accusations it modeled GPT-4o’s voice after her, isn’t on the list. Neither are actors like Dame Judi Dench and John Cena, who signed up to have Meta AI’s voice chat system replicate them.

Thousands of creatives, including famous actors like Kevin Bacon and Kate McKinnon, along with other actors, authors, and musicians, have signed a statement warning that the unpermitted use of copyrighted materials to train AI models threatens the people who made those creative works. 11,500 names are on the list of signatories so far.

Here is the one-sentence statement:

“The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted.”

The statement was published by Fairly Trained, a group advocating for fair training data use by AI companies. Fairly Trained CEO Ed Newton-Rex told The Guardian that generative AI companies need “people, compute, and data” to build their models, and while they spend “vast sums” on the former two, they “expect to take the third – training data – for free.” Newton-Rex founded Fairly Trained after he quit Stability AI, accusing generative AI of “exploiting creators.”

There are also some notable names not appearing among the signatories. Scarlett Johansson, who had a high-profile spat with OpenAI after accusations it modeled GPT-4o’s voice after her, isn’t on the list. Neither are actors like Dame Judi Dench and John Cena, who signed up to have Meta AI’s voice chat system replicate them.

Qualcomm debuted its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset at Snapdragon Summit 2024, and various phone makers have since come forward to confirm that their upcoming flagships will be powered by the all-new (and all-powerful) mobile platform. Qualcomm flew TechRadar to Hawaii and hosted us at the Snapdragon Summit to hear all of the latest news.

Both Xiaomi and Honor joined Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon on stage in Hawaii to announce that the Xiaomi 15 and Honor Magic 7 series, respectively, will launch this month (likely in China) with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.

PROBA-3 (Project for On-Board Autonomy-3) is an innovative initiative spearheaded by the European Space Agency (ESA) aimed at revolutionising space observation through advanced formation flying technology. Scheduled for launch in November 2024, this mission exemplifies a significant international collaboration, bringing together expertise and cutting-edge technologies from multiple European countries and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The PROBA-3 mission has passed its final test and is now ready to be sent to India, where it will be launched by the ISRO. PROBA-3 will be transported to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre later this month and the mission will be launched using ISRO’s trusted PSLV-XL rocket.

What is the PROBA-3 mission?

PROBA-3 is the ESA’s first mission dedicated to precision formation flying. “In this mission, two satellites will operate together in a coordinated manner, maintaining a set distance and alignment in space as if they were part of a single, large structure. The goal is to test, and demonstrate, advanced technologies for formation flying and conduct experiments related to spacecraft rendezvous the meeting, or docking, of two spacecraft,” said space expert Girish Linganna.

ALSO READ: Solar exploration: A sunrace of significant global missions

The mission will showcase formation flying as part of a major scientific experiment. The two satellites will work together as a single unit to carry out the experiment, demonstrating how closely coordinated satellite systems can function in space. Both the satellites will combine to create a 144-metre-long solar coronagraph, a special tool designed to study the Sun’s faint outer atmosphere, or the corona. A solar coronagraph works by blocking out the bright light from the Sun’s surface, creating an artificial eclipse.

ALSO READ: NISAR, Mars and Venus missions in 2024: Top ISRO projects slated for the Year of Gaganyaan

“The faint corona is usually hidden by the Sun’s intense brightness, but this setup will allow scientists to observe, and analyse, the corona much closer to the Sun’s surface than ever before, providing new insights into solar activity. The coronagraph helps in studying solar activity, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections which can affect space weather without waiting for an eclipse,” added Linganna.

The core objective of PROBA-3 is to create an artificial eclipse by precisely coordinating two independent satellites. This capability will enable scientists to observe the Sun’s corona, a region typically obscured by the intense brightness of the Sun. By blocking out sunlight, the satellites will facilitate unprecedented studies of solar phenomena, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Understanding these phenomena is crucial, as they can have significant effects on space weather, which in turn impacts satellite communications, navigation systems, and power grids on Earth.

“In addition to demonstrating high-precision formation flying, PROBA-3 is set to validate new technologies essential for maintaining the satellites in close proximity. The mission aims to reach Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL 9), showcasing advancements in metrology systems, control logic, and manoeuvring capabilities. This will allow for precise manoeuvres necessary for the mission’s success and for future space exploration endeavours,” explained Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, which is into design, fabrication and launch of small satellites, spacecraft and ground systems.

How is PROBA-3 different from other solar observation projects?

A key aspect that sets PROBA-3 apart from traditional solar observation projects is its innovative approach to utilising smaller, agile satellites equipped with advanced sensors. Many conventional solar missions involve large, complex spacecraft, which can be expensive and challenging to manoeuvre. In contrast, PROBA-3’s use of two smaller satellites operating in a highly coordinated formation demonstrates that complex observational tasks can be accomplished efficiently and cost-effectively without the need for oversized equipment. This flexibility paves the way for more versatile missions, allowing space agencies to maximise their scientific output while operating within constrained budgets.

The collaborative nature of the PROBA-3 mission further enhances its significance. It involves contributions from various ESA member states, including France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, alongside ISRO. This international partnership not only facilitates the sharing of technological expertise but also fosters a collaborative spirit in addressing common challenges in space exploration. Such partnerships are increasingly important as space missions become more ambitious and complex, requiring a diverse range of skills and knowledge.

As the launch date approaches, extensive testing and simulations are being conducted to ensure the mission’s success. The excitement surrounding PROBA-3 reflects the scientific community’s anticipation of potential breakthroughs, particularly in solar physics and its implications for understanding space weather. The data collected during this mission could transform our understanding of solar activity, leading to improved forecasting models for space weather events. This is especially crucial for mitigating risks to both civilian and military satellite operations and for protecting critical infrastructure on Earth from the effects of solar storms.

“By creating an artificial eclipse, this mission promises to enhance our understanding of the Sun’s behaviour and its broader impacts on the solar system. This mission not only advances our knowledge of the cosmos but also sets a precedent for future collaborations in space exploration, paving the way for a new generation of scientists and explorers dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of our universe,” said Kesan.

As part of the mission the occulter spacecraft is a satellite designed to block, or ‘occlude’, the Sun’s bright light so that other instruments, such as the coronagraph, can get a clearer view of the Sun’s outer atmosphere (the corona). By positioning itself in front of the Sun, it creates an artificial eclipse, making it easier to study the faint details of the corona without interference from the Sun’s intense brightness.

Both the coronagraph spacecraft (weighing 340-kg) and the occulter spacecraft (weighing 200kg) will operate in a high Earth orbit, taking 19.7 hours to complete one orbit. At its highest point, the orbit will reach 60,530km and, at its closest point, it will be 600km above Earth. The primary instrument on board is an external coronagraph. The mission’s communication will be supported by an antenna located at Santa Maria in the Azores, with a ground station in Redu, Belgium.

These days, almost every single device out there can connect to the internet, and if you have an older router, then you may be struggling with things like slow speed or the connection dropping regularly. Luckily, a modern router can fix a lot of these issues, especially those that come with the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard and later, since those are made specifically to handle multiple connections. Not only that, but another great option is to grab a mesh router system, which is great if you want coverage for a larger house without having to create access points or use repeaters.

Of course, there are a lot of routers to pick from out there, and if you don’t have a lot of tech-savvy, it can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve gone out and found our favorite router deals that will give you the best bang for your buck, and that includes mesh router deals too. So if you’ve just picked up some smart home devices from Google Nest deals or Amazon Echo deals, or you need to lower your ping so you can enjoy gaming PC deals and gaming console deals to their fullest, check out the options below.

Best Router Deals

Linksys AX3000 Mesh — $80 $180 56% off

Another great option that can run at the combined speed of 3Gbps, the Linksys AX3000 Mesh has a bit more coverage, up to 2,000 square feet, and is a solid option if you need a bit more performance out of your router. It follows the Wi-Fi 6 standard and can connect up to 30 devices, which should be more than enough for the average home, especially if you use a smart bridge or smart hub for your smart home devices. Also, one benefit of the Linksys AX3000 Mesh is that you can also use it as a mesh system if you buy more than one. It’s worth noting that the only way to get this deal is if you have a My Best Buy Plus or Total subscription.

TP-Link Archer AX3000 — $111 $130 15% off

Upgrading to the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, especially if you aren’t planning to use it for anything as intense as gaming, which is where the TP-Link Archer AX3000 comes in. It can hit a combined speed of 3Gbps over its two bands and will work wonderfully if you mostly plan to use it to stream content or connect your tablet and phone. It also comes with OFDMA technology, which essentially lets you connect to a lot of devices without experiencing issues, so if you have a lot of smart home devices, this will work great for that too.

Linksys Hydra Pro AXE6600 — $150 $280 46% off

If you want to get the latest Wi-Fi standard, that’s going to be Wi-Fi 6E, which is optimized for connecting with lots of devices using MU-MIMO technology so that you can connect up to a whopping 55 devices at the same time. Not only that, but this comes with a 5 Gigabit WAN port, so its also another great option if you rely heavily on your network for sharing files or watching content on something like a Plex server. That said, coverage isn’t as expansive as some of the cheaper options, coming out to around 2,700 square feet, which is still pretty good if we’re being honest.

ASUS AX5700 — $205 $250 20% off

If you have a larger home and need a lot more coverage, then you’ll want to go for the ASUS AX5700, which has a massive 5,000 square-foot coverage and is one of the biggest you’ll find on the market. It can go up to 6000 Mbps combined across all its bands, and even better, it has a 2.5 Gigabit ethernet port, so if you heavily rely on something like a network-attached storage, this is a solid solution. It’s also a great router if you want to game, since it can prioritize gaming connections to help keep lag and other forms of latency down.

ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro — $327 $400 18% off

If you take your gaming very seriously, then you may want to consider going for the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro, which certainly looks like it’s come out of a sci-fi game set in a few hundred years. It has a very impressive 5,400 square feet of coverage, which even rivals some mesh routes, can handle a whopping combined speed of 11,000 Mbps, and even has a 2.5 Gigabit ethernet port, so it can go incredibly fast. It’s also optimized to provide a clear signal and try its best to decrease latency so that you have a smooth gaming experience. It is worth noting that you need a My Best Buy Plus membership to get this discount.

Best Mesh Router Deals

TP-Link Deco M5 Mesh WiFi System (2-pack) — $99 $115 13% off

A good starter set of mesh routers is this 2-pack of TP-Link Deco M5 which can cover an impressive 3,800 square feet and is great if you have a plan that can reach up to 450Mbps. Even better, each of the Deco M5s comes with a 2.5 Gigbit ethernet port, so you can get faster transfer speeds inside your home, which is very handy. Beyond that, this mesh system can connect up to 100 devices which should be more than enough for the average home, even one that is chock full of smart home devices.

TP-Link Deco X20 WiFi 6 Mesh System (3-pack) — $140 $180 22% off

If you want to ensure fast wifi speeds, these TP-Link Deco X20s support wired ethernet backhaul, and with a 2.5 Gigabit ethernet port, you can keep your Wi-Fi speeds pretty fast. In terms of coverage, this 3-pack can cover 5,800 square feet and can connect to a whopping 150 different devices, so it’s very forward-facing if you plan to add a bunch of extra smart devices.

Linksys Atlas Pro 6 (3-pack) — $228 $350 20% off

Luckily, if you’re trying to cover a huge area, you don’t need to spend several hundred dollars, as this three-pack from Linksys can manage a whopping 8,100 square feet of coverage. It has a combined top-speed of 5.4Gbps for Wi-Fi and 1Gbps for wired, although it’s worth noting you won’t likely be getting anywhere near those Wi-Fi numbers, especially as you get further away from the base stations. Even so, if you have a gigabit internet connection, you should be able to use it to capacity on this mesh network.

NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 System (2-pack) — $399 $450 11% off

If you have a really fast internet connection in the Gigabit range, then you’ll want a high-end mesh router system like the NETGEAR Orbi, which can handle up to 4,200 Gbps across all its bands. It also has an impressive 5,000 square feet of coverage for just two devices, and you could always get the 3-pack which covers up to 7,500 feet if you need a lot more coverage. That said, the 2-pack can only connect up to 40 devices, which is still a lot, but if you plan to add a lot more smart home devices or other things that need internet, that may be a problem.

NETGEAR Nighthawk AXE5700 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi System (3-Pack) — $358 $550 35% off

If you have a really large space that you need to cover, this 3-pack of the NETGEAR Nighthawk AXE5700 can handle a space up to 7,500 square feet, as well as a combined speed of 5,700 Gbps, so it’s pretty fast for internal networking needs. They also come with 2.5 Gigabit ethernet ports if you’d like to go for the wired option as well, so there’s a lot of versatility you can take advantage of. The NETGEAR Nighthawk AXE5700 can also handle connecting up to 100 devices, which is a lot, although it would have been nice if it could match the TP-Link Deco X20 for this price point.

How to Choose the Right Router

Another thing to consider is the sort of technology it has under the hood. For example, as mentioned earlier, if you’re buying a new router, you really should opt for Wi-Fi 6 or the newer Wi-Fi 6e, although the latter might be a bit harder to find. You should also check for things like MU-MIMO, a connectivity tech that allows several devices to connect simultaneously without impacting the speeds or quality of the internet.