Dezeen Magazine

MIT's robotic fish

This week, robot fish and plans for drone shopping assistants were unveiled

Tech developments that made the news this week on Dezeen included MIT's nimble robotic fish for documenting marine life and Walmart's intentions for a system of drones that could help customers.

Walmart files patent for drone shopping assistants
Walmart files patent for drone shopping assistants

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology designed the soft mechanical fish to swim alongside real sea creatures and capture them with its integrated camera. Retail giant Walmart filed a patent for drone shopping assistants, which could aid with price verification and locating products in stores.

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners to develop Toronto tower
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners reveals visuals for new Toronto skyscraper

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners revealed visuals for a skyscraper in Toronto, while a post-war shopping centre in UK city Coventry was earmarked for preservation in a rare listing move.

Arup and CLS Architetti to build 3D-printed house at Milan design week
Arup and CLS Architetti to build 3D-printed house at Milan design week

In the build-up to Milan design week, the Salone del Mobile furniture fair published a manifesto calling for the industry to promote innovation and sustainability at this year's event, while Arup and CLS Architetti revealed plans to 3D print a one-bedroom house during the festival.

Vatican City's first Venice Biennale pavilion to feature chapels by Foster, Souto de Moura and more
Vatican City's first Venice Biennale pavilion to feature chapels by Foster, Souto de Moura and more

Also gearing up for the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale, Vatican City announced that its debut pavilion will include chapels by Norman Foster, Eduardo Souto de Moura and more.

Los Angeles City Hall
Christopher Hawthorne leaves LA Times to become city's chief design officer

LA Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne took a new job as the city's chief design officer, and B&B Italia appointed Armin Broger as its new CEO.

Moebe creates flexible shelving system that is held together by wooden wedges
Moebe creates flexible shelving system held together by wooden wedges

Popular stories on Dezeen this week included a flexible shelving system, a new building material made from desert sand, and our interview with the set designer for Wes Anderson's movie Isle of Dogs.