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The article discusses a humanoid-robot called CHARLI-L (Cognitive Humanoid Autonomous Robot with Learning Intelligence-Lightweight), which was created by researchers at Virginia Tech. Topics include an overview of the U.S. robotics industry, the dominance of Japan and South Korea in robotics, and why humanoid development in the U.S. has been unsuccessful.

The article discusses innovations in engineering. The Chicago Spire building, which uses a circular design to prevent swaying due to wind gusts, will be the tallest residential building in the world. Contractors added metal plates and modified connecting structures on the Golden Gate Bridge to make the bridge earthquake-proof. The design for Wembley Stadium in London, England uses an arch to support the roof, eliminating the need for support pylons.

The article discusses the impact of the 2011 Sendai, Japan, earthquake and tsunami on the Japanese camera industry, focusing on the Japanese camera manufacturers Sony, Olympus, Pentax, Panasonic, Nikon, and Fujifilm. Topics include the temporary shut-down of a Fujifilm factory and a Nikon factory in the Sendai region, as well as comments by the Prime Minister Naoto Kan about the severity of the natural disaster.

A picture is presented of a robot designed by the Tokyo, Japan, Fire Department to rescue people in dangerous environments.

The article reports on a experiment in which paper airplanes will be thrown to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS). The highly durable paper from which the paper airplanes are made is the focus of the experiment, the article indicates. The reasons for this experiment, the paper's Japanese manufacturer, and the paper's characteristics are discussed. Recovery of the paper airplanes is also discussed.

This article reports on innovative automobile technology. Nissan's GT-R features a computer system that logs data such as steering angle and G-force. Four customizable screens lets drivers access key stats like acceleration and turbo boost pressure. The system records all data so anyone can identify trends in their driving.

Presents letters to the editor referencing articles and topics discussed in previous issues of the periodical "Popular Science." "The Low-Risk High-Rise," which suggested the use of titanium in building skyscrapers; "Birth of a Titan," which focused on the A380 airplane; "Biological Warfare," which discussed the expansion of research facilities for biological weapons.