Japanese Government

The home of robotics technology plans to introduce robot attendants and self-driving cars to the streets of its capital in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, putting it far ahead of its more cautious fellow capitals.

Ringing Bells

The Indian telecommunications company developed the Freedom 251. At around $4 per handset, it is by some distance the cheapest smartphone in the world, bringing connectivity to some of the world’s most deprived areas.

Xiaomi

With its increasingly recognisable smartphones, Xiaomi has the potential to be the first Chinese consumer brand to go global, stepping out of the iPhone’s shadow to become a true low-cost alternative.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The discovery of quantum spin liquid – an entirely new state of matter – may have brought us closer than ever to practicable quantum computations. Oak Ridge’s research could transform computing over the next few years.

Iceland

As a nation, Iceland has capitalised on its significant natural opportunities in terms of size and location, and now meets an impressive 85 percent of its primary energy needs with renewable sources.

Supplements

2016

Japanese Government

Ringing Bells

Xiaomi

Oak Ridge National Laboratory