Co.Design

You’re already being watched by facial recognition tech. This map shows where

Digital rights nonprofit Fight for the Future has mapped out the physical footprint of the controversial technology, which is in use in cities across the country.

Peak startup culture is here—and it draws blood

Rowan wants to modernize the rite of passage of getting your ears (or belly button) pierced, by letting nurses moonlight as contractors who can pierce customers at home.

The fascinating thing our airports reveal about the natural world

The world’s runways are like a weathervane, revealing wind patterns around the world.

The ambitious plan to publicly track every new garment we buy

The fashion industry is far from sustainable, but a radical new platform called CircularID aims to make it easier for brands to recycle, repair, and resell fashion products.

A first look at Minecraft Earth, Microsoft’s new attempt to bring gaming to the real world

Microsoft’s hotly anticipated AR version of Minecraft is here. Move over, Pokémon Go.

See ‘The Simpsons’ house revamped in 2019’s most cliche design trends

Supersonic travel is on the verge of a comeback—here’s why

New plane designs would limit the noise created by supersonic booms, pointing toward a new era of supersonic flight.

The world’s most-advanced AI can’t tell what’s in these photos. Can you?

Researchers from UC Berkeley, the University of Washington, and the University of Chicago are building the ultimate archive of photos that confuse AI.

Inside the luxury industry’s fight for millennials’ hearts, minds, and wallets

Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Hermès are battling for young consumers. Will their strategies—which include everything from podcasts to video games—pay off?

Arby’s is betting $3.9 billion that its customers don’t want fake meat

In an interview with Fast Company, Arby’s says that it can’t imagine any point in our future when meat alternatives would make sense on its menu.

This fascinating graph shows how life in America has changed since 2003

We travel less and cook more, for starters.

The quest to bring urinal culture to women

Ladies, have you ever wanted to have a face-to-face conversation with your bathroom mate?

Sorry Wall-E, this is now the world’s cutest robot

But it’s not just totes adorbs. This robot may one day save your life.

This cozy apartment can be dropped onto existing buildings, and it only costs $11K

Aptly, it’s called the Parasitic house.

The best camping gear for people who hate camping

These things will help make being in the great outdoors a bit more bearable.

The world needs more penis drawings (really)

Do Not Draw a Penis is an interactive game, funded by Mozilla, that’s collecting thousands of drawing of penises to train AI. It sounds like a joke, but it’s data the world could really use.

This site will show you exactly how ashamed you should be of flying

Designer Victor Muller built this interactive to help him understand the impact of his own cross-continental commuting. Now, anyone can try it.

H&M, Gap, and Tommy Hilfiger are pledging to clean up toxic denim

This is what our jeans need to look like if we want to save the planet.

Airlines are finally fixing the middle seat

The FAA just approved a landmark seat design that you’ll want on your next flight.