Opinion: from drones to driverless buses, robots are seen as a replacement for workers who do society's "dirty, dangerous and dull" jobs. But robotic infrastructure has much wider implications for how our cities work, says Dan Hill. More about "Robots may force us to confront how we treat the people that currently make our cities tick"
Advances in genetic technology mean that creating synthetic animals has become just another branch of industrial design, according to Daisy Ginsberg. More about Synthetic biology is turning into industrial design, says Daisy Ginsberg
Future Makers: Alessandro Zomparelli of Italian design studio MHOX, which produces customised 3D-printed fashion accessories, says designing with computer algorithms is like exploring a new material (+ movie). More about Using computer algorithms in design is like "sculpting with a new material"
MIT Media Lab graduate Will Patrick has designed a prototype desktop bioreactor that could enable the production of pharmaceutical drugs at home. More about Will Patrick's Farma bioreactor could let owners brew their own drugs
Apple has unveiled its own Smart Battery Case that slides onto the back of the iPhone 6 or 6s to provide additional power. More about Apple extends iPhone 6 battery life with slip-on rechargeable case
Electric car manufacturer Tesla plans to produce fully self-driving cars to compete with Google, the brand's CEO Elon Musk has revealed. More about Tesla to design fully driverless cars
Google's latest approved patent is for a flexible heads-up display that could be the next version of Google Glass. More about Google granted patent for bendy Google Glass-style device
Google has patented a system that could see its driverless vehicles use object sensors, flashing exterior signage and robotic hands to help make them safer for pedestrians. More about Google's self-driving cars could use robotic hands and eyes to communicate with pedestrians
After initial tests with flying robots, online retail giant Amazon has launched a video showing the latest version of its self-piloted delivery drones at work (+ movie). More about Amazon unveils video of its Prime Air delivery drones in action
Self-driving cars could disrupt the airline and hotel industries within 20 years as people sleep in their vehicles on the road, according to a senior strategist at Audi. More about Driverless cars could spell the end for domestic flights, says Audi strategist
Paranoid parents can remotely track their child's temperature using this lightning bolt-shaped thermometer that connects to a smartphone app by San Francisco studio New Deal Design (+ movie). More about New Deal Design's Fever Scout child thermometer allows parents to monitor temperature remotely
A portable circuit-board printer that could dramatically reduce prototyping and production time for designers has been awarded the 2015 international James Dyson Award. More about Laptop-sized Voltera V-One circuit-board printer wins 2015 Dyson Award
Future Makers: London designer Rachel Harding has created a balloon-like chair by inflating Corian, a solid surface material more commonly used for kitchen or bathroom countertops (+ movie). More about Rachel Harding's Corian chair is inflated "like a balloon"
Wearable technology company Doppler Labs has developed a set of wireless earbuds that connect with a smartphone app to augment the user's real-world audio experience. More about Doppler Labs' in-ear listening system features a remote control for your ears
San Francisco start up Minna Life has launched a portable device that men can sit on to exercise their pelvic muscles and "amplify their sexual fitness" (+ slideshow). More about KGoal Boost is a pelvic training tracker to help men improve their orgasms
Opinion: controversial computer game Prison Architect offers a grim lesson for real-world architects, whose good intentions often count for nothing, says Will Wiles. More about "Prison Architect is a graveyard for the utopian spirit where noble ambitions go to die"
Dutch Design Week 2015: British designer Allison Crank has created a virtual reality shopping centre that allows users to commission bespoke objects within a world of floating neon signs and stray zoo animals (+ movie). More about Virtual reality mall lets consumers shop alongside digital giraffes and zebras
Skype co-founders Janus Friis and Ahti Heinla are trialling a fleet of six-wheeled self-driving robots designed to deliver shopping to consumers' doorsteps. More about Grocery-delivering robots by Skype co-founders to be tested in London next year
German manufacturer Audi is adapting gesture-control technology used in the gaming industry to make its vehicle design processes more efficient. More about Audi uses gaming technology to test vehicle designs in the virtual world
Product design company Native Union has developed a charging dock for the Apple Watch that combines a block of marble with a rotating metal mounting arm (+ slideshow). More about Native Union designs marble charging dock for the Apple Watch