Backcountry Hut Company has created off-grid dwellings that can be assembled in a week like 'Ikea furniture'. They say their Surf Shack model can be built almost anywhere with materials dropped in by helicopter. www.thebackcountryhutcompany.com

Singapore will stop issuing new vehicle permits starting February 2018. The government points to limited space available in the city-state as the reason for the halt in vehicle growth. They plan to reduce the vehicle growth rate from 0.25 percent per year to 0 percent for cars and motorcycles. Due to the limited space available, Singapore controls the number of vehicles on the road to a great degree. https://futurism.com/singapore-will-stop-adding-new-cars-to-its-roads-in-2018/

Just saw this creative sign at toast cafe in Surry Hills Sydney, encouraging us to talk to each other rather than focus on our phones.

Saudi Arabia recently granted citizenship to Sophia, a humanoid robot. It's the first time a country has granted a robot the same basic status and privileges as humans. This clever idea could lead to more recognition of women's rights in some countries. http://metro.co.uk/2017/10/27/robot-becomes-first-in-the-world-to-be-given-citizenship-7031214/

The FDA has recently cleared Senhance, a robotically assisted surgical device for use in minimally invasive surgeries. Senhance enhances surgeons? capabilities through a screen with a 3D HD view of the surgical field, where they remotely control three separate arms, each equipped with surgical instruments. Senhance?s camera can follow their eye movements and show what they'd be looking at if they were manually performing the surgery on screen. The machine's controllers can also make surgeons feel the stiffness of the tissue they're operating on. https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/15/fda-approves-senhance-robotic-surgical-assistant/

Terry Lifts are offering an alternative to relocating when stairs become a problem. They design and manufacture a complete range of lift solutions for?domestic and public use The domestic solution could be a 1-2 person elevator or a wheelchair accommodating model. https://www.terrylifts.co.uk