Good morning and happy Humpday!

Everyone’s daily activities are slightly more hazardous today!

The European Space Agency’s ERS-2 satellite will be making an uncontrolled “natural” return to Earth today. That’s a bunch of nerd talk for “the satellite is falling out of the sky today, and we aren’t capable of doing much about it — nor do we really know when it’s going to happen”.

Have no fear, the ESA says that getting hit by space debris is a 1 in 100 billion chance, so you have a greater chance of getting struck by lightning.

-Wally

Key Stories

Speedrun

• Robots delivering food

• On This Day

• Wyze breach allowed thousands of home cameras to be breached

• Headline Palooza

• Decent Destination

Technology

Food Delivery Goes Sci-Fi: Uber's Robotic Leap in Tokyo

Remember those futuristic cities we used to dream about as kids, with robots zipping around, doing all sorts of tasks? Well, buckle up, because we're one giant leap closer to that reality, minus the lightsabers (for now, anyway).

Uber's latest move in Tokyo has sidewalk robots delivering your sushi rolls and ramen bowls right to your doorstep.

In a partnership that feels like the Avengers of tech and logistics, Uber, Mitsubishi Electric, and the robotics wizards at Cartken are rolling out a service that's set to redefine food delivery. By the end of March, parts of Tokyo will see these autonomous robots, fondly dubbed Model C, cruising down sidewalks, their cargo bins packed with delicious eats from the Uber Eats app.

These aren't your average bots; designed by Cartken, a brainchild of ex-Google engineers, these robots are decked out with sensors and advanced software to navigate the urban jungle. And just in case they encounter a tricky spot, there's a human ready to remotely guide them through, ensuring your meal arrives hot and fresh.

But this isn't just about convenience or the cool factor. According to Mitsubishi Electric's Shoji Tanaka, this robot delivery service is a strategic move to tackle the looming logistics crisis. It's an innovative solution that not only makes our lives easier but could also revolutionize delivery services, especially in densely populated cities.

So, while we might not be dueling with lightsabers just yet, ordering a meal through your phone and having a robot deliver it is pretty much the next best thing. Welcome to the future, folks—it's served hot and ready.

On This Day

1965: The Loss of a Leader

A pivotal moment in civil rights history, as Malcolm X, an outspoken advocate for African American rights, was tragically assassinated. His fearless pursuit of justice and his powerful eloquence challenged the status quo and sparked vital conversations about race and equality in America, leaving an indelible mark on the struggle for civil rights.

Economy

When Smart Homes Get Too Smart: The Wyze Wake-Up Call

So, you've decked out your pad with all the smart gadgets, thinking you're living in the future, right? Well, Wyze Labs just handed us all a reality check that's got us rethinking this whole smart home thing. Imagine chilling at home and some stranger's getting a sneak peek into your living room. That's exactly what went down with 13,000 Wyze camera users. A bit too "Black Mirror" for comfort, don't you think?

Due to some tech hiccup involving third-party caching, Wyze cams got their wires crossed, and suddenly, folks were getting thumbnails from cameras that weren't theirs. Not cool.

Wyze is on it, though—they've thrown in some extra verification layers to make sure your feed stays yours. But it's a bit of an "oops" moment that's got us all thinking about the fine line between smart and too smart.

This whole mess is a nudge for us to keep an eye on who's keeping an eye on our homes. It's great that Wyze is stepping up their game, but it also makes you wonder what other surprises our smart homes might have in store. Let's just hope it's more about making life easier and less about giving us accidental tours of someone else's crib.

Headline Palooza

Decent Destinations

Centuripe, Italy

From the skies above, Centuripe, Italy, unveils its extraordinary secret: a layout that mirrors the shape of a human figure. This remarkable town, perched on a Sicilian mountain, is not just a feast for the eyes but a journey through time, where ancient streets and ruins whisper tales of a rich, bygone era.