Simulated robot performs realistic acrobatics and other news

Humanoid robot Pepper has been turned into what is thought to be the world’s first robotic squash coach, by researchers at National Robotarium and Heriot-Watt University. The aim is to see how robotics could improve a player’s performance and motivation between sessions with their human coach. BBC Click’s Paul Carter reports.

China’s President Xi Jinping had a “hidden message” about Taiwan in his speech marking 100 years of the Communist Party, Prof Shaun Breslin has said. The author of China Risen told BBC World News that China’s leader was warning other countries to steer clear of issues about Taiwan. “I think there is also a hidden…

Infecting mosquitoes with Wolbachia bacteria has reduced the insect’s ability to spread dengue fever by 77% in a trial, scientists have said. The Wolbachia bacteria persists in the mosquito population meaning the intervention only has to be done once to give a community protection from dengue for many years, the lead researcher on the project,…

The former boss of the Japanese car maker Nissan, who fled the country in a daring escape while under house arrest, has been talking about his experience. Speaking exclusively to BBC’s Business editor Simon Jack, from his home in Beirut, Carlos Ghosn said he had to disguise himself, take a fast train to a regional…

A narrative of Indian exceptionalism led people to believe they were more immune to Covid-19, resulting in them taking fewer precautions and allowing the virus to spread rapidly in the country, the director of the Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy has said. The country avoided a crisis last year due to a lockdown…

BBC Click’s LJ Rich looks at some of the best technology news stories of the week including: Apple unveils a new iPad and colourful iMacs containing its new M1 chip Instagram says it will let users filter out abusive messages using a new tool Software which helps scientists quickly develop DNA-based structures complete with rotors…