It's time to build the armor and weapons for WIRED's giant robot mech and give it a paint job with realistic battle scarring. Watch as Stan Winston School and the artists from Legacy Effects turn our hulking friend into an incredible work of art ... a work of art that you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley.

The WIRED giant robot mech is STANDING TALL and looking good after it's assembly and paint job ... now it's time to BRING IT TO LIFE with Arduinos, radio controls, servos, lighting effects, voice modulators, and hidden surprises. Watch as Stan Winston School and Legacy Effects put the finishing touches on the mother of all mechs just days before it's big unveiling ...

The Transformer known as Bumblebee keeps changing his alternative automobile form, and Chris Baker is issuing a moving violation. Is the Autobot a VW Bug? Or a mustang? A station wagon? A Zamboni?! Stop the madness!

Health-conscious folks wondering if it’s politically correct to don a dust mask while in Beijing needn’t worry about causing a cultural offense. Mr. Know-It-All gives the dirt on how to avoid the dirt—and pollution—when in a foreign country.

Passion and optimism often go hand-in-hand, which couldn’t be truer for Bill Gates and President Bill Clinton when it comes to their outlook on the future. The two share their thoughts on the rapid pace and excitement of today’s innovations, and how humanity’s balance between conflict and cooperation will continue to fuel economic opportunity for years to come. For more from Bill Gates and President Clinton, check out the December 2013 issue of WIRED.

It’s the time of the year for counting blessings and giving thanks. And the Angry Nerd is most thankful for the cancellation of Futurama—because it let the show go out on a high note (and avoid a slow decline, like so many other one-time favorites).

As the largest producer and consumer of milk in the world, India faces a serious problem when it comes to off-grid dairy farmers. In this World Economic Forum discussion, Promethean Power Systems co-founder Sam White describes his approach to ensuring that milk is properly refrigerated and not spoiled by bacteria.

Consider it sound you can see. Find out how Ashik and Jenelle Mohan of Born of Sound are using audio recordings to create works of art, bringing to life a child’s laugh or heartbeat in a fluid, vibrant print. Brought to you by Intel.

David Eisenberg, co-founder and CEO of Floored, explains how his company transforms real estate floor plans into 3D experiences using Intel's agile technology, allowing consumers to skip the walkthrough and take a virtual 3D tour instead. Brought to you by Intel.

Can you reduce an earthquake’s impact before it strikes? In this World Economic Forum discussion, Japan’s director of land and real property market, Satoru Nishikawa, explains how better planning for natural disasters can help us manage catastrophic risk, enabling quicker recovery times.

In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Jamie Foxx stars as Electro, the glowing antagonist to Andrew Garfield’s Spidey. In this video, learn how Sony Pictures Imageworks used a combination of makeup and CGI to turn the Academy Award winner into a blue, electrically-charged villain--with inspiration from lightning, neurological networks, and nebulas.

Remember when Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were the new kids on the block? In the early ’80s they debuted the Apple IIe, blowing away the competition. RetroGrade takes a look at the “modern” technology that helped set the industry benchmark for personal computing.

The fellows who’ve moved into the campus house start to settle in—all the while gearing up for orientation. In this episode, the teens hear advice from current and past fellows on the challenges they'll face, including how to make the most of their $100,000 grants.

As technology pioneers, we are inundated with new gadgets, services, apps, messaging, games, and media. We’re doxing, vaping, and Lyfting. And that means there are new rules for how to behave. Is it ok to answer an email during dinner? Is Google Glass ever cool? We got some help from Jerry Seinfeld, keen observer of social mores and foibles, on how to cope with modern technology… and whether it’s ok to “Like” a Facebook posting that someone died.

The color is striking, but beauty is more than skin-deep with the JVC GR-C7U camcorder. You can record picture and sound in one unit and watch your masterpiece immediately on instant-playback. Watch out, John Hughes—there’s a new era of filmmakers on the horizon.

At San Diego Comic-Con 2013, WIRED debuted a giant robot mech. This year, a new version of the larger-than-life beast will be revealed at the ultimate fan convention. Watch a preview of what’s in store for the colossal creature, created in collaboration with the Stan Winston School, Legacy Effects, Stratasys, and WIRED. From design to tech and prototype to finished product, see how the ultimate cosplay creation came to life.

In the latest incarnation of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Andy Serkis and Toby Kebbell deliver human motion-capture performances to help bring the realistic apes to life. Shot with a combination of high-speed cameras, Mike Seymour breaks down the tech behind shooting the motion-capture scenes on location versus on a sound stage.

Watch Matt Winston and the crew assemble the giant creature on Hollywood Boulevard before its big reveal on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Plus, watch Kimmel and his sidekick Guillermo take the nearly 14-foot tall, 2,000-pound creature for a ride. Watch the Kimmel segment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plmBWOL5LBw

How do you transport a 2,000-pound, 14-foot-tall beast? Find out, as the giant creature makes its way from the Stan Winston School facilities to Hollywood for its big debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Angry Nerd is hungry for some new material. Instead of force-feeding us cinematic souvlaki with CGI blowouts of Greek-inspired story lines, maybe it's time to look beyond the Peloponnesian lore. And no, Brett Ratner, we will not be entertained with your upcoming Hercules starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Just how does a giant creature get its realistic, custom fur? Find out, as we break down the process of fur fabrication for this year's massive beast.

Architect Michelle Kaufmann explains the convergence of technology and building design, and the importance of using software and data to create green, affordable homes for the global population.

It spans 52 parallel universes, featuring characters like a nazi Superman and a vampire Batman. And although you'll need an infographic to keep track of everything, Grant Morrison's new, mind-bending mini-series The Multiversity encompasses everything that's right in the alternate reality comic book world.

You commented, we listened. Find out if your gadget was chosen as one of our next tech tests on Battle Damage.

Apple recently announced its new timepiece, but the tech giant was hardly the first to make a foray into smartwatches. In the early '80s Casio debuted a dual watch-calculator, paving the way for multipurpose, wearable gadgets.

Star Wars Rebels is Disney’s latest foray into the Star Wars universe, but will this animated installment use the power of the force for good, or take a trip to the dark side? Angry Nerd Chris Baker reviews all of the animated renditions of Star Wars to uncover what worked, and what was a steaming pile of Sith.

Signet, created by the design firm Ziba, is a visionary concept for changing the way we send mail.

The Array of Things project in Chicago, led by the University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, the Computation Institute, and the School of the Art Institute Chicago, is installing hundreds of sensors across the city, in hopes of providing a new breed of data-fueled urban planning.

Dava Newman and Gui Trotti at WIRED by Design, 2014. In partnership with Skywalker Sound, Marin County, CA To learn more visit: live.wired.com

Sarah Stein Greenberg at WIRED by Design, 2014. In partnership with Skywalker Sound, Marin County, CA. To learn more visit: live.wired.com

Just down the road from Facebook and Google, Dr. Phil Wagner runs a laboratory dedicated to optimizing the performance of some of the world’s top athletes.

Stanford researcher Mark Denny used models from the animal world to examine just how much faster we might get in the future. Here, he explains his work.

Dan Winters at WIRED by Design, 2014. In partnership with Skywalker Sound, Marin County, CA. To learn more visit: live.wired.com

Commune at WIRED by Design, 2014. In partnership with Skywalker Sound, Marin County, CA. To learn more visit: live.wired.com

The new Will Forte TV show “The Last Man on Earth” is sort of a funny version of “I Am Legend,” without the vampire zombies. But science fiction comedy has a grim history on American television, as even fans of “Alf,” “Mork & Mindy,” or “3rd Rock from the Sun” would have to admit. Angry Nerd hopes Forte’s approach escapes the curse.

Instagram wants to make it easier for users to find what they want. Mike Krieger acknowledged that the discovery opportunities for finding new stuff on Instagram is still somewhat limited, but they're developing their search functionality (and explore tab) with Facebook to help users.

California is in an unprecedented drought, but you gotta eat, right? Well, some foods use way more water than others. We chewed through a ton of data to make this bite-sized video. For you! -Brent

Why do humans make robots in their own image? At the 2015 Darpa Robotic Challenge, most of the robots competing to open doors, walk over rubble, and drive a vehicle walked like humans. And they fell over a lot. WIRED writer Matt Simon looks at why two-legged robots seem like a good idea.

These cars introduced new forms of beauty---many of them clever solutions to vexing technological problems---that lived on for years and even decades.

With sturdy, spiral trunks and deep roots that intertwine with neighboring trees, a live oak is a force to be reckoned with. Find out how architects and engineers are starting to think like a tree when designing safe and resilient structures.

Hippos are tough animals with tough hides. So tough that there's a species of leech that has evolved to live and feed in the only part of the hippo where the sun don't shine. Ladies and gentlemen, the life and times of the hippo butt leech.

NASA dropped a 1974 Cessna 172 airplane tail-first from 100 feet up to test emergency locator transmitters, or ELTs. Data from the drop, including high-speed video, will help researchers test ELT performance and robustness.

With a massive engine and no creature comforts like back seats to weigh it down, the Shelby GT350R is a candidate for the most fun Mustang ever. WIRED associate editor Alex Davies takes it for a spin on the famed Laguna Seca racetrack.

Polish up that telescope! This weekend night owls will enjoy the sight of a total lunar eclipse which will just happen to occur during a supermoon, when the moon passes closest to earth's surface.

For years, scientists have known that Mars has ice. More elusive, though, is figuring out how much of that water is actually in liquid form. Now, NASA scientists have found compelling evidence that liquid water—life-giving, gloriously wet H 20—exists on Mars.

Dr. Euan Ashley and his team are gathering DNA samples from the most elite endurance athletes on the planet to find the genetic reasons that they are so fit.

The 360fly is a water-water-resistent virtual reality action sports camera that works with your phone and Google Cardboard. We tested the $400 camera at the California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium.

The world was treated to the newest Star Wars The Force Awakens trailer on Monday. WIRED senior editor Peter Rubin breaks down what we know and don't know about the new film.

Sous vide machines can make tasty fare but the technique often leaves meat gray and unappetizing. WIRED's Adam Rogers fires up the $159 Sansaire Sear home blowtorch to add a little sizzle to a steak.

MIT Media Lab's Hugh Herr explains how he looks to nature when developing new bionic appendages. The amputee and avid rock climber discusses how his biomechatronics division is pioneering the technologies that aim to augment human physical capabilities.