The future of transportation may be arriving sooner than many people expected.

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng says it is on track to begin large-scale deliveries of its highly anticipated flying cars in 2027. Company President Brian Gu shared the update ahead of the Beijing Auto Show, outlining the company's ambitious plans for both flying vehicles and humanoid robots.

According to Gu, Xpeng expects to start producing flying cars at scale next year, with early customer deliveries potentially beginning as soon as late 2026. Interest in the futuristic vehicles is already strong, with more than 7,000 orders reportedly placed, most of them from customers in China. The company is currently working with aviation regulators to secure the approvals needed to bring the vehicles to market.

But flying cars are only part of Xpeng's vision.

The automaker also plans to launch large-scale production of humanoid robots in the fourth quarter of 2026. Initially, these robots will serve in customer-facing roles such as receptionists and sales assistants, helping businesses interact with customers. Looking further ahead, Gu believes humanoid robots could become an even bigger business than automobiles within the next two decades.

"There's a much wider range of potential applications for humanoid robots in everyday life," Gu suggested, highlighting the company's long-term confidence in the technology.

Xpeng is also pushing forward with autonomous transportation. The company plans to begin robotaxi testing in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou this year and expects 2027 to be a pivotal year for global testing efforts through partnerships around the world. Over the next 12 to 18 months, Xpeng could manufacture anywhere from hundreds to thousands of robotaxis.

Partnerships are another key part of the company's growth strategy. Gu pointed to growing collaboration opportunities with German automaker Volkswagen, which recently started mass production of its first electric vehicle developed jointly with Xpeng. He also noted that the company remains open to working with additional automakers in different regions.

As Xpeng continues expanding internationally, its global footprint is becoming increasingly important. The company now operates in roughly 60 countries outside China. Last year, overseas markets accounted for about 10% of vehicle sales and approximately 15% of revenue.

Looking ahead, Xpeng expects international growth to play an even larger role in its future. Gu predicts that within the next five to ten years, more than half of the company's revenue could come from markets outside China.

With flying cars, humanoid robots, robotaxis, and a growing international presence, Xpeng is positioning itself as more than just an electric vehicle company—it's aiming to become a major player in the next generation of transportation and robotics.

California Voters Head to the Polls in High-Stakes Election Day Showdown

Election Day has arrived across California, and voters are casting ballots in several closely watched races that could shape the state's future for years to come.

From the race to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom to key local contests like the Los Angeles mayoral race, Californians are making decisions on some of the most important issues and candidates on the ballot.

Polls are open until 8 p.m., and election officials are encouraging anyone who hasn't voted yet to make their voice heard before the deadline.

Governor's Race Takes Center Stage

One of the biggest contests drawing statewide attention is the California gubernatorial primary. With Governor Gavin Newsom term-limited and unable to seek another term, voters are choosing which two candidates will advance to the November general election.

The crowded field features nearly 60 candidates, though a handful have emerged as the leading contenders.

Among the frontrunners are former California Attorney General and U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, and conservative commentator Steve Hilton.

Other notable candidates include former Congresswoman Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

Under California's primary system, the top two vote-getters will move on to face each other in November, regardless of party affiliation.

Free Metro Rides Offered to Help Voters

To make it easier for residents to get to the polls, Los Angeles Metro is offering free transportation throughout Election Day.

Voters can ride Metro buses, trains, Bike Share services, and Metro Micro without paying a fare. Metro has also expanded voter access by placing ballot drop boxes at select transit stations, including Union Station and several other major transit hubs.

Officials hope the free rides will help increase voter participation across Los Angeles County.

Polling Centers Open Until 8 p.m.

Voting centers throughout Southern California opened early Tuesday morning and will remain available until 8 p.m.

Residents who still need to vote can visit any authorized voting center to cast their ballot in statewide and local races.

Election officials are reminding voters that ballots must be submitted before polls close in order to be counted.

Measure ER: Voters Decide on Healthcare Funding

Los Angeles County voters are also weighing in on Measure ER, a ballot proposal that would temporarily increase the county sales tax by one-half cent.

Supporters say the measure is needed to help fund healthcare programs and other essential public services after federal funding cuts led to the closure of six county-operated health clinics.

If approved, the tax increase would remain in effect for five years and is expected to generate roughly $1 billion annually for county services.

While tax increases often face resistance from voters, advocates argue that Measure ER could provide critical funding for healthcare access and public health programs throughout the county.

Results Expected After Polls Close

As voting continues throughout the day, attention will soon shift to the first wave of election results once polls close at 8 p.m.

With major statewide races, local contests, and important ballot measures on the line, California's Election Day promises to be one of the most closely watched political events of the year.

Stay tuned as results begin to roll in and the picture of California's political future starts to take shape.

Image Credit: MIT on YouTube

MIT Scientists Develop Tiny “Molecular Camera” That Could Detect Bladder Cancer Earlier

A team of researchers at MIT has created a breakthrough sensor that could change the way doctors detect and monitor bladder cancer — one of the most common and expensive cancers to treat in the United States.

Every year, roughly 85,000 Americans are diagnosed with bladder cancer. While many patients respond well to treatment, the cancer has an alarming tendency to return. About half of patients experience tumor recurrence within five years, leading to constant monitoring, repeated procedures, and rising healthcare costs.

Now, MIT researchers say they may have found a way to catch those returning tumors much earlier using a futuristic catheter-based sensor system that acts almost like a “camera for molecules.”

A New Way to Spot Cancer Before It’s Visible

The new technology uses carbon nanotubes — microscopic hollow cylinders made of carbon — that naturally glow under laser light. Scientists coated these nanotubes with specially designed polymers that behave like synthetic antibodies, allowing them to detect specific cancer-related proteins.

For this study, the team focused on a bladder cancer biomarker called NMP-22, a protein already approved by the FDA for bladder cancer screening.

Normally, NMP-22 is detected through urine tests, but there’s a problem: by the time the protein shows up in high enough amounts in urine, tumors may already be more advanced.

MIT’s new approach skips the waiting game.

Instead of looking for diluted biomarkers in urine, researchers designed a catheter coated with nanosensors that can detect the protein directly inside the bladder — right where cancer cells are producing it.

The device also includes a tiny rotating ball lens that shines laser light onto the sensors and reads the fluorescent signals they emit. Those signals create what researchers call a “chemical image,” helping doctors identify not only whether cancer is present, but exactly where it’s hiding.

“It’s like a camera for molecules instead of light,” said MIT chemical engineering professor Michael Strano, senior author of the study.

Nearly 50,000 Times More Sensitive

According to the researchers, the sensor system is dramatically more sensitive than traditional urinalysis methods.

In animal testing, the technology proved about 180 times more sensitive because it measures biomarkers directly at their source instead of relying on diluted urine samples. Overall, the researchers estimate the system could be nearly 50,000 times more sensitive than standard urine testing approaches.

That level of precision may allow doctors to detect tumors as small as 16 square millimeters — potentially long before they become visible during routine examinations.

The fluorescent nanosensors essentially create a map of suspicious activity inside the bladder lining, allowing physicians to pinpoint tumors earlier and more accurately.

Making Cancer Monitoring Faster and Less Invasive

Currently, bladder cancer survivors often undergo regular cystoscopy procedures, where doctors insert a camera into the bladder to visually inspect for recurring tumors. These screenings can happen yearly — or even more often for high-risk patients.

The MIT team hopes their technology could eventually make monitoring easier, faster, less invasive, and more affordable.

Researchers are already working on shrinking the prototype so it can fit into existing cystoscopes commonly used in doctors’ offices.

The goal is to identify tumors before they grow large enough to be seen with conventional imaging.

Beyond Bladder Cancer

Scientists say this technology may have applications far beyond bladder cancer.

Because the nanosensors can be customized to detect different molecules, the same system could potentially be adapted to identify other cancers or diseases involving hard-to-see biomarkers.

Researchers believe the technology could someday assist in detecting gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions through endoscopic procedures.

“The beauty of polymer chemistry is that we can develop new sensors tailored to different diseases,” said MIT researcher Wonjun Yim.

The study was published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology and funded by organizations including the Koch Institute, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, the National Science Foundation, and Schmidt Science.

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National Burger Day 2026 deals with free food, discounts on Thursday

Happy 2026 National Burger Day to all who celebrate — and really, don't we all celebrate burgers, like, every day of the year, especially on Thursday, May 28?

Another question I need answers to: Why is May 28th marked as National Burger Day? We're not here to answer that. We know what you're here for to find out about free or discounted burgers, and we want to get to that as fast as possible so you can eat your food fresh.

So here's a partial list of joints that we’ve found who will give something away or sell you burgers for less than the usual price on Thursday, May 28:

Carl's Jr.

If you're a rewards member, you can get a Famous Star and a second one for just one cent.

Checkers

They've got a BOGO deal on their classic burger.

Burger King

If you're in their loyalty program, you can get a free burger if you spend $3 or more by using their site and app.

Dairy Queen

Rewards members can get $1 off a Stackburger.

Smashburger

You can get a single patty Smash Burger for $5 using the code 528SINGLE.

Jack in the Box

Spend $1 or more and you can get a free Jr. Jumbo Jack.

Shake Shack

Use the code FREEBURGER and you can get a free ShackBurger if you spend $10 or more.