Happy Friday: February 19th, 2016

As we continue to witness rapid advancements in the automobile world, it's hard to believe that getting into and out of a car still relies on one of the oldest technologies around - the key. Many cars use those fancy new wireless proximity fob thingies, but hidden inside the same tech that was used to open dungeon doors and treasure chests, well, that may be about to change. Volvo has announced its intention to do away with traditional keys in favor of a smartphone app, which would work like a fob but also let you track your car's location, vital stats, and more.

This seems like a no-brainer, especially considering that Volvo is also developing autonomous car tech. However, the Swedish car maker has clarified that keys won't be completely going away just yet because it's always possible to lose your phone, and then what are you going to do? This is a practical consideration, as we've all experienced the frustration of losing our phones in the past.

In other news, China is putting the finishing touches on a new radio telescope that will make the giant Aasbo dish look like an inverted tin foil hat. The fast radio telescope is over 1,600 feet wide and costs $184 million to build, with plans to go online later this year. Its primary mission is to look for signs of extraterrestrial life, but we can't help wondering if they've seen Independence Day or simply forgot about it. China needs a big radio silent quiet zone around the new telescope, so they're relocating over 9,000 people across two provinces - both of which are among the poorest in the country.

Families that will be affected by this relocation will receive approximately $1,800 each in compensation, which the communist government claims is about six months' pay for the average peasant. It's hard not to feel a sense of empathy for those who are losing their homes and hope that they might find better deals with ETS ( Extraterrestrial Life Support). Who knows? Maybe being part of an intergalactic community will be the answer to their prayers.

For fans of music, especially those who love playing drums, researchers at Georgia Tech have got you covered. They've created a rather disturbing-looking but fully functional robotic third arm that's rocking some drum kit action. The software learns your movements and is quite good at keeping the beat - all thanks to its ability to keep perfect time.

Initially designed to help one-armed drummers, it seems like the natural progression has been to add another limb to the mix. Can we imagine where this technology might end up? Will we see a future where musicians are equipped with multiple robotic arms, each playing an instrument in harmony? The possibilities seem endless when it comes to innovation.

If you're looking for more tech news to keep you busy over the weekend, be sure to check out Digital Trends' website.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enhappy Friday it's February 19th 2016 and with all the tech advancements made in the automobile world as of late the fact remains that getting into and out of a car still usually requires one of the oldest Technologies around a key sure many cars use those fancy new wireless proximity fob thingies but hidden inside the same Tech that was used to open dungeon doors and treasure chests well that may be about to change Volvo says it's looking to do away with the traditional key in favor of a smartphone app which would work like a fob but also let you track your car's location vital stats and so on seeing how vvo is also developing autonomous cartech this seems like a no-brainer but the Swedish car maker also says that Keys won't quite be going away completely because it's always possible to lose your phone as well and then what are you going to do China is putting the finishing touches on a new radio telescope that will make the giant aasbo dish look like an inverted tin foil hat the fast radio telescope is over 1,600 ft wide and costs $184 million to build it should go online later this year and its primary mission to look for signs of extraterrestrial life do we really want them to do that did they not see Independence Day anyway China needs a big radio silent quiet Zone around the new telescope so they're relocating over 9,000 people across two provinces both of which are among the poorest in the country families will receive a about $1,800 each in compensation which the communist government says is about 6 months pay for the average peasant I'm sure the people losing their homes hope that we indeed hook up with some ETS who will hopefully offer them a better deal got dreams of being the next Neil pair to Phil Collins what you probably need is a third arm if you want to take on parot at least and researchers at Georgia Tech have you covered check out this rather disturbing looking but fully functional robotic third arm rocking some drum kit action the creators say the software learns your movements and is pretty good at keeping the beat because it's a robot that can keep perfect time of course initially designed to help a one-armed drummer the natural progressions seem to be hey if two arms are good right we can only imagine where this might end up anyway we've got the rest of the day's Tech news at digitaltrends.com that's all for DT daily we'll be back again and we hope you have a great weekendhappy Friday it's February 19th 2016 and with all the tech advancements made in the automobile world as of late the fact remains that getting into and out of a car still usually requires one of the oldest Technologies around a key sure many cars use those fancy new wireless proximity fob thingies but hidden inside the same Tech that was used to open dungeon doors and treasure chests well that may be about to change Volvo says it's looking to do away with the traditional key in favor of a smartphone app which would work like a fob but also let you track your car's location vital stats and so on seeing how vvo is also developing autonomous cartech this seems like a no-brainer but the Swedish car maker also says that Keys won't quite be going away completely because it's always possible to lose your phone as well and then what are you going to do China is putting the finishing touches on a new radio telescope that will make the giant aasbo dish look like an inverted tin foil hat the fast radio telescope is over 1,600 ft wide and costs $184 million to build it should go online later this year and its primary mission to look for signs of extraterrestrial life do we really want them to do that did they not see Independence Day anyway China needs a big radio silent quiet Zone around the new telescope so they're relocating over 9,000 people across two provinces both of which are among the poorest in the country families will receive a about $1,800 each in compensation which the communist government says is about 6 months pay for the average peasant I'm sure the people losing their homes hope that we indeed hook up with some ETS who will hopefully offer them a better deal got dreams of being the next Neil pair to Phil Collins what you probably need is a third arm if you want to take on parot at least and researchers at Georgia Tech have you covered check out this rather disturbing looking but fully functional robotic third arm rocking some drum kit action the creators say the software learns your movements and is pretty good at keeping the beat because it's a robot that can keep perfect time of course initially designed to help a one-armed drummer the natural progressions seem to be hey if two arms are good right we can only imagine where this might end up anyway we've got the rest of the day's Tech news at digitaltrends.com that's all for DT daily we'll be back again and we hope you have a great weekend\n"