The 9 Best Technology GIFs of 2016
2016 was a big year for technology—virtual reality got more hands-on, robots got a lot smarter, and researchers learned how to study individual human cells with unparalleled precision. How best to visualize some of these wonders? With mesmerizing GIFs. Here are the best ones used in MIT Technology Review articles this year.
The good news: work on housecleaning robots is underway. The bad news: it’s slow going.
2. Mark Zuckerberg Is Funding a Facebook for Human Cells
The billionaire is the first major donor to back the idea of creating an atlas of all human cells.

3. GE’s Bridge Over the “Valley of Death” for Innovation
The manufacturing giant put a $73 million R&D facility next to a 48-year-old turbine factory. The goal is better, faster innovation through processes like additive manufacturing.
4. Oculus Finally Delivers the Missing Piece for VR
New hand controllers make virtual reality much more compelling.
5. Why Google Is Selling Off Some of the Coolest Robots Ever Built
By putting Boston Dynamics up for sale, the search giant may be acknowledging how hard it is to turn impressive humanoid robots into a viable product.

6. A Robot That Sews Could Take the Sweat Out of Sweatshops
A big part of the garment-making process is still done by hand. Now some clothing makers hope to end that.
7. Freeze-Dried Molecules Can Be Used to Whip Up Medicines Anywhere
Just add water. That’s the appeal of a new freeze-dry method that turns DNA and other molecules into small reaction pellets needed to make a wide range of pharmaceuticals.
8. Innovator Under 35: Adam Bry, 27
Adam Bry's company, Skydio, is "building a drone for consumers that understands the physical world, reacts to you intelligently, and can use that information to make decisions."
Fanuc, a company that produces robot arms for factories, is trying to get them to learn on the job.
BONUS
If Apple Builds Smart Glasses, They’d Better Be Spectacular
The company could be gearing up to focus on augmented reality.

Keep Reading
Most Popular
Geoffrey Hinton tells us why he’s now scared of the tech he helped build
“I have suddenly switched my views on whether these things are going to be more intelligent than us.”
ChatGPT is going to change education, not destroy it
The narrative around cheating students doesn’t tell the whole story. Meet the teachers who think generative AI could actually make learning better.
Meet the people who use Notion to plan their whole lives
The workplace tool’s appeal extends far beyond organizing work projects. Many users find it’s just as useful for managing their free time.
Learning to code isn’t enough
Historically, learn-to-code efforts have provided opportunities for the few, but new efforts are aiming to be inclusive.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.