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• Why Amazon Echo is the future of every home

  Amazon surprised everyone Thursday by unceremoniously launching a product called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/oc/echo">Echo</a>.

• One code to rule them all: Dronecode

  Drones have just found their new best friends: coders. On Oct. 13, the Linux Foundation unveiled a nonprofit organization called the Dronecode Project, an open-source development initiative uniting thousands of coders for the purpose of building an aerial operating system for drones. Hopeful that the project will bring order to the chaos that has surrounded software developers as they sprint to carve out a share of the bourgeoning market for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), UAS operators are now asking whether Dronecode will finally provide the horsepower and industry-wide support needed to launch a universal drone operating system.

• AI researchers say Elon Musk's fears 'not completely crazy'

  High-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk made headlines when he said artificial intelligence research is a danger to humanity, but researchers from some of the top U.S. universities say he's not so far off the mark.

• Cleveland Clinic uses IBM's Watson in the cloud to fight cancer

  The Cleveland Clinic is beginning a pilot program with a cloud service based on IBM's Watson cognitive computing technology to aid its research into new cancer treatments.

• Big Data digest: Rise of the think-bots

  It turns out that a vital missing ingredient in the long-sought after goal of getting machines to think like humans -- artificial intelligence -- has been lots and lots of data.

• Google teams with Oxford on artificial intelligence

  Google, the search company that's investing heavily in robotics, is teaming with Oxford University researchers to work on artificial intelligence.

• Calling Dr. Algorithm

  Imagine that almost every household had an inexpensive, easy-to-use, handheld gadget capable of automatically measuring key vital signs (blood pressure, blood oxygen level, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature) as well as accurately diagnosing more than a dozen serious illnesses (including anemia, diabetes, hepatitis A, pneumonia, tuberculosis and stroke). This device would also be able to instantly share the information it collects with professional caregivers when appropriate.

• Astronauts to make robotics repairs during 6.5-hour spacewalk

  Two astronauts today began what is expected to be a six-and-a-half-hour spacewalk to repair a robotics system, along with cooling pump and a television camera on the International Space station.

• The Navy is building robotic weaponized boats

  As a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, loaded with 60 aircraft and more than 6,000 sailors, heads toward port, it's protected by a group of 10 or more small boats.

• Smart gun inspires smart mouse

  Glenn Kaufman, a cybersecurity engineer at defense contractor Raytheon, had been searching for ways to improve computer authentication. He read about an effort to use pressure sensitive gun grips to authenticate a gun owner, and wondered if something similar might work for a computer mouse.

• Researchers hope to diagnose deadly Ebola virus with nanotech

  With more than 6500 cases of the Ebola virus in West Africa, 3000 deaths and now one confirmed case in the United States, scientists are trying to find a way to detect the deadly virus more quickly, cheaply and easily.

• Mercedes-Benz shows off self-driving 18-wheeler

  Mercedes-Benz showed off an autonomous semi-trailer truck that will be available in a decade and allow long-haul drivers to relax and tend to paperwork and other duties other than driving.

• Smarter algorithms will power our future digital lives

  Researchers are working on a new version of an algorithm that will power better search, autonomous cars, smarter smartphones and the Internet of Things.

• Forget passwords -- the Nymi wristband uses your heartbeat for security

  Imagine one day strapping on a wristband in the morning and then opening your smartphone and laptop without passwords, getting into your car without a key and even boarding a plane without your ID or a boarding pass.

• IBM's solar concentrator can produce energy, clean water and AC

  IBM Research and Switzerland-based Airlight Energy today announced a new parabolic dish that increases the sun's radiation by 2,000 times while also producing fresh water and air conditioning.