Lots has happened this past week in the tech world! With shocking new updates on the stranded astronauts in space, BYD launching a new Seal EV version, the world’s largest 3D-printed neighborhood almost complete in Texas, and more, there’s much to catch up on. So, let’s get started!
Shocking New Updates on Stranded Astronauts
NASA is considering sending Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth aboard a SpaceX craft—owned by Elon Musk—instead of the Boeing tech capsule originally planned. NASA and Boeing have attempted to bring the astronauts home three times using the Starliner capsule, but some NASA staff have concerns about its safety.
This could mean that Williams and Wilmore may have to watch the Starliner return to Earth without them. The next SpaceX mission, scheduled for September, will deliver astronauts to the space station using the Crew Dragon capsule, which has a capacity of four astronauts. However, it may only take two to make space for Williams and Wilmore.
The Crew Dragon is expected to return to Earth in February next year.
BYD Launches New Seal EV Version
On Thursday, China’s electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD unveiled a new version of its Seal EV, marking the company’s first model to be equipped with lidar sensors. The 2025 Seal will have a starting price of 175,800 yuan ($24,515.41), according to a statement from BYD on its social media account.
Massive YouTube Outage in Russia
On Thursday, Russian internet monitoring services reported widespread tech outages on YouTube, as Russian authorities intensified their criticism of the platform. The monitoring service Sboi.rf noted thousands of reported disruptions to YouTube access in Russia, with users stating they could only reach the site through virtual private networks (VPNs).
World’s Largest 3D-Printed Neighborhood Almost Complete
This summer, ICON’s robotic printer is completing the final few of 100 3D-printed houses in Wolf Ranch, a community in Georgetown, Texas, about 30 miles from Austin.
ICON began printing the walls of what it claims is the world’s largest 3D-printed community in November 2022. The company states that 3D printing homes are faster, more cost-effective, require fewer workers, and reduce construction material waste compared to traditional methods.
New Drone Network Deployed Across Switzerland
Nokia has partnered with Swisscom to launch a drone network across Switzerland aimed at enhancing emergency response and infrastructure inspection, the companies announced in a joint statement on Thursday. The Finnish telecom equipment manufacturer will provide 300 unmanned vehicles, which Swisscom will manage through a drones-as-a-service (DaaS) network across the country.
