Communications of the ACM
The news archive provides access to past news stories from Communications of the ACM and other sources by date.
August 2021
From ACM News
The U.S. Could Be on the Verge of a Productivity Boom
Rapid adoption of robots and artificial intelligence, combined with a rebound in government investment, is making some economists optimistic.
From ACM News
Waymo Opens Robotaxi Service in San Francisco for Ride Hailing
Google's sister company offers driver-supported rides to some residents in business model test case.
From ACM News
For Robot Trucks, Navigating Highways Is Just One Bump in the Road
Investors have rushed into startups that promise to have big rigs drive themselves, but a path to commercial markets remains a major challenge.
From ACM TechNews
These Robots Can Move Your Couch
University of Cincinnati engineers taught two robots to move a couch together without either robot directing the other.
From ACM TechNews
Imaging, ML Methods Speed Effort to Reduce Crops' Need for Water
New imaging and machine learning tools can analyze the genomic features of plant leaves as a means of increasing water-use efficiency for crops.
From ACM TechNews
Winemakers Tap AI to Salvage Grapes as Wildfires Rage
Software startup Tastry Inc. has developed an artificial intelligence model that can help California winemakers salvage grapes damaged by wildfire smoke.
From ACM TechNews
Tool Could Help Authors Bust Writer's Block in Novel-Length Works
A new semantic frame forecast tool could help authors overcome writer's block by anticipating the future development of an ongoing novel-length story.
From ACM TechNews
Using Your Smartwatch to Reduce Stress
University of Houston researchers have constructed a closed-loop system for smartwatch-type wearables to use in collecting data to monitor and lower stress.
From ACM TechNews
Cutting 'Edge': A Tunable Neural Network Framework Towards Compact, Efficient Models
A sparse convolutional neural network framework and training algorithms can seamlessly integrate CNN models on low-power edge devices.
From ACM TechNews
Inflatable Robotic Hand Gives Amputees Real-Time Tactile Control
Engineers have constructed an inflatable neuroprosthetic hand that restored rudimentary sensation to an amputee's residual limb.
From ACM News
A Peculiar State of Matter in Layers of Semiconductors Could Advance Quantum Computing
Researchers show a superlattice embedded with nanodots may be immune from dissipating energy to the environment, a finding that could benefit quantum computing.
From ACM News
U.S. Government Agencies to Increase Use of Facial Recognition Technology
A new survey shows the controversial systems are poised to play an even bigger role in federal business.
From ACM News
38M Records Were Exposed Online—Including Contact-Tracing Info
Misconfigured Power Apps from Microsoft led to more than 1,000 Web apps accessible to anyone who found them.
From ACM News
Waymo Is 99% of the Way to Self-Driving Cars. The Last 1% Is the Hardest
The world's most famous autonomous car shop has lost its CEO and is still getting stymied by traffic cones. What's taking so long?
From ACM TechNews
Policy Groups Ask Apple to Drop Plans to Inspect iMessages, Scan for Abuse Images
An open letter from more than 90 policy and rights groups worldwide calls on Apple to drop a plan to scan children's messages for nudity and adults' phones for images of child sex abuse.
From ACM TechNews
Answer to Thorny Question Could Unlock Internet Security
Cornell University's Rafael Pass and Yanyi Liu explored the EXP vs. BPP problem, which concerns whether randomness exponentially accelerates computations.
From ACM TechNews
Neural Network Helps Augment 3D Micro-CT Images of Fibrous Materials
Researchers have reconstructed three-dimensional micro-computed tomography images of fibrous materials using machine learning.
From ACM News
How Local Governments are Scaring Tech Companies
Congress has not regulated tech, so states and cities are stepping in with their own approaches to food delivery apps, artificial intelligence regulation, and, yes, privacy.
From ACM News
U.S. AI Policy Still Effectively A Closed Box
Expect a tapestry of federal, state and local policies to take shape.
From ACM News
OpenAI Is Making Coding As Easy As Talking to a Smart Speaker
Plus: The early days of programming, an existential investigation, and bipartisanship before our very eyes.
From ACM News
Tesla Sells 'Full Self-Driving,' but What Is It Really?
As the company deals with government scrutiny of its driver-assistance technology, an add-on kit sold for up to $10,000 is also getting more attention.
From ACM TechNews
Robot Could Operate Docking Station Inside the Gut
A new robotic insulin delivery system can be implanted surgically in the abdomen, and resupplied with insulin via swallowed magnetic capsules.
From ACM TechNews
Novel Resilient State Estimation Method for Process Control in Cyber-Physical Systems
Researchers have developed a method of estimating a cyber-physical system's internal process variables when external sensors have been corrupted.
From ACM TechNews
Partition Function Zeros Are 'Shortcut' to Thermodynamic Calculations on Quantum Computers
Researchers have developed a new technique for calculating the thermodynamic properties of systems using a quantum computer.
From ACM TechNews
China Passes One of the World's Strictest Data-Privacy Laws
China's top legislative body has passed a law requiring those handling the personal data of Chinese citizens to minimize data collection and obtain prior consent.
From ACM TechNews
Harvard's Eardrum-Restoring PhonoGraft Enters Commercial Development
A biomimetic hearing-restoration device developed by researchers at Harvard University has entered commercial development.
From ACM News
The World's Biggest Crypto Exchange Still Lacks U.S. Footing
The founder of Binance, Changpeng Zhao, needs investors for the company's U.S. unit after a recent venture capital deal fell through — a setback that cost him a C.E.O.
From ACM News
Are You Ready for Sentient Disney Robots?
Some of the animatronics at Disney's parks have been doing their herky-jerky thing since the Nixon administration. The company knows that nostalgia won't cut it with today's children.
From ACM News
Toyota to Cut Output as Chip Shortage Finally Catches Up to It
The automaker says it will cut production in Japan by 40% in September.
From ACM News
Facebook's New Bet on Virtual Reality: Conference Rooms
The pandemic has renewed interest in virtual reality. Facebook is trying to capitalize with a new virtual meeting room service.