OpenAI is launching GPT-4o Mini, a more affordable and lighter model for developers, which is priced lower than full-sized models and offers improved capabilities over GPT-3.5. This move aims to make AI more accessible to a broader range of users and developers, who often face high costs with existing models. Starting today, GPT-4o Mini will be available to ChatGPT users on Free, Plus, and Team … Continue reading OpenAI is releasing a cheaper, smarter model

Tokyo Robotics has released a new video showcasing its humanoid robot, Torobo, skillfully hammering a nail into wood. Standing 1660 mm tall with a reach of 680 mm, Torobo’s arm payloads are 8 kg in typical use and up to 20 kg at maximum force. The robot’s advanced features include torque sensors for precise force control and safe interaction, along with a 7-axis dual-arm system … Continue reading Torobo humanoid robot accurately hammers nail, shows potential for industrial use

Cigarette butts, the second most common form of litter globally, are problematic due to their toxicity and environmental impact. With over 4 trillion butts discarded annually, they leach harmful chemicals and contribute to ecosystem damage. To address this, researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) have developed VERO, a quadrupedal robot designed for cleaning cigarette butts. VERO, based on Unitree’s AlienGo, features vacuums on … Continue reading Robot Dog Cleans Up Beaches With Foot-Mounted Vacuums

CrowdStrike’s latest update to its Falcon Sensor software caused a major global tech outage on Friday due to inadequate quality checks. The faulty update disrupted systems for banks, airlines, hospitals, and government offices using Microsoft Windows, leading to widespread crashes. Security experts noted that the flawed code, which affected configuration or malware detection signatures, likely slipped through quality assurance. The update’s rapid deployment without thorough … Continue reading CrowdStrike update that caused global outage likely skipped checks

Hellen Obiri, the Kenyan distance runner and two-time Olympic silver medalist, will make history at the 2024 Paris Olympics with her revolutionary footwear. She will be wearing the Cloudboom Strike LS, a spray-on sneaker from sportswear company On. The “LS” stands for LightSpray, a trademarked technology that creates the shoe’s upper part by spraying a continuous filament onto a foot form held by a robotic … Continue reading Spray-on sneaker created by robot in 6 minutes will make history at 2024 Olympics

All cars in the EU must now be equipped with speed-limiting AI technology due to new regulations. The Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems, which became mandatory on July 7, use AI, GPS data, and onboard cameras to monitor and control vehicle speed. If a driver exceeds the speed limit, the system can automatically slow down the vehicle. ISAs determine speed limits by analyzing road markings … Continue reading All cars in EU to be fitted with speed-limiting AI tech

The artificial intelligence boom has significantly impacted big tech companies, leading to a surge in their energy consumption and carbon emissions. The success of large language models like ChatGPT has driven this increased energy demand. According to the Electric Power Research Institute, AI queries require about 10 times the electricity of traditional Google searches, with ChatGPT requests consuming 2.9 watt-hours each. Emerging AI capabilities, such … Continue reading AI Boom Wreaking Havoc On Electrical Grids Across USA

Meet Athena, a cutting-edge security robot developed by Kody Robots, designed for round-the-clock surveillance. With advanced AI, Athena adapts to various security challenges, operating in any weather or time. It features four 18x zoom cameras, thermal imaging capable of detecting temperatures from 50 to 1022°F, and 360° Ultra HD recording for detailed monitoring. Standing about 4 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 121 pounds, Athena … Continue reading Athena: The Next-Gen Security Robot Revolutionizing Surveillance with AI

AT&T has revealed that a hacker has stolen records of calls and texts from nearly all of its wireless customers, as stated in a recent financial filing. The compromised data does not include call or text content, personal information, or Social Security numbers, but identifies phone numbers involved in interactions and summarizes call durations. In response, AT&T has implemented additional cybersecurity measures and closed the … Continue reading AT&T says hacker stole some data from ‘nearly all’ wireless customers

Tesla is playing a key role in China’s ambitious expansion of computing power, which aims to increase from 230 exaflops to 300 exaflops by next year. Yovole Network, a Shanghai-based cloud computing data center service provider, has partnered with Tesla to address the significant energy demands of this endeavor. Yan Gang, Yovole Network’s technical director, highlighted their adoption of Tesla Megapacks for energy storage, complementing … Continue reading Tesla to help China power its computing expansion with Megapacks

Ukraine is prioritizing the development of unmanned land systems as part of its strategy to enhance domestic weapons manufacturing, announced Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraine’s minister for strategic industries. During a briefing at the NATO summit, Kamyshin emphasized plans to deploy more of these systems on the frontline within the next year. These land robots will serve various roles including medical evacuation, logistics, de-mining, and combat tasks. … Continue reading Ukraine bets on land robots for next phase of war 

Researchers at the University of Michigan are exploring the potential of artificial intelligence in understanding dog communication. They are developing tools to differentiate between playful and aggressive barks, aiming to extract details like the dog’s age, breed, and sex from its vocalizations. Rada Mihalcea, director of U-M’s AI laboratory, highlights the use of speech processing models originally trained on human speech to delve into the … Continue reading AI to decode what dog barks mean

American Rounds, a vending machine company, is pioneering a new approach to ammunition sales using artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology to verify buyers’ ages. This advanced method aims to ensure compliance with U.S. regulations that mandate purchasers be at least 18 or 21 years old, depending on the type of firearm ammunition. The company’s machines, equipped with AI, card scanning, and facial recognition software, … Continue reading AI-Powered Vending Machines Selling Bullets

China is reportedly set to deploy autonomous killer robots in combat within two years, according to defense analysts. The country has unveiled robotic dogs armed with machine guns, developed by Unitree Robotics, during recent military exercises. Analysts suggest that China’s rapid advancement in autonomous systems, unencumbered by AI concerns, allows them to innovate in military technologies like new ship, submarine, and fighter aircraft designs at … Continue reading China set to release killer robots into battle

Several companies are currently grappling with the issue of scrapers attempting to harvest their text, marking the latest battleground in a growing conflict between websites that host textual content and AI firms eager to use it for training their algorithms. The surge in artificial intelligence development has spurred a demand for large amounts of text, essential for training advanced AI models like ChatGPT. This demand … Continue reading The intense battle to stop AI bots from taking over internet

At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2024, experts highlighted the transformative potential of humanoid robots in various industries, marking a new era in AI development. Hosted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Humanoid Robots Forum gathered AI and robotics specialists to unveil cutting-edge innovations and discuss their applications and future challenges. Wang Xiangyun, managing partner of Peakview Capital, emphasized that humanoid … Continue reading Humanoid robots in the spotlight at technology conference

Tesla unveiled its second-generation humanoid robot, Optimus, at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. This marked a rare appearance of an American AI product at China’s premier AI event. Optimus, powered by Tesla’s proprietary neural network and computer vision technology, represents the future of robotics with its versatile capabilities. During Tesla’s shareholder meeting, CEO Elon Musk suggested that Optimus, though not yet in full-scale … Continue reading Tesla shows its humanoid robot Optimus at China AI conference

Last week, Microsoft’s AI chief sparked controversy by likening public web content to “freeware,” implying unrestricted use of content published online to bolster its premium products. The remark triggered significant backlash, prompting a reevaluation of content creators’ relationships with tech giants like Microsoft, who profit from their work without compensation. In response, Cloudflare, a major global internet service provider known for safeguarding 20% of web … Continue reading Cloudflare goes to war with Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI’s bots

A woman, Kayleen Tresedder, 35, faces a domestic battery charge after allegedly striking her boyfriend with a thrown Apple Watch during an argument about relationship issues at their Gulfport, Florida home. The incident, which occurred around 1 AM, resulted in a small cut on the victim’s ear and damage to his clothing. Tresedder was arrested and later released on her own recognizance. She has a … Continue reading Woman arrested for domestic battery with Apple Watch

META is ending support for the original Meta Quest VR headset, prompting user outcry and pleas for reconsideration. In an email to owners, the company announced that as of August 31, the headset will no longer receive bug fixes or security updates. Users can still download and use apps as long as developers support them, but META warned that future security vulnerabilities could compromise private … Continue reading META kills off virtual reality headset

Clear Robotics, a start-up founded by two university graduates, is addressing the issue of floating trash and debris in waterways with autonomous robot boats. Their creation, the Clearbot, is designed to clean harbors, lakes, and canals by collecting floating waste into onboard storage bins. The company is now expanding its fleet with a new Class 3 autonomous marine vessel, which has five times the storage … Continue reading Autonomous trash-gobbling robot boat wages war on waterway waste

A six-legged robot “guide dog” developed by a research team in Shanghai could help vision-impaired individuals live more independently. Currently being field-tested, this robot navigates its environment using cameras and sensors, including the ability to recognize traffic light signals, which traditional guide dogs cannot do. About the size of an English Bulldog but wider, the robot can communicate with users through AI-enhanced voice recognition and … Continue reading Chinese robot ‘guide dog’ aims to improve independence for visually impaired

A Republican lawmaker, Rep. Vern Buchanan, is raising concerns about AI robot dogs armed with rifles, a recent development showcased by China’s military during joint drills in Cambodia. These 110-pound autonomous robots can carry and fire automatic rifles, representing a significant advancement in drone warfare. Buchanan, emphasizing the strategic importance of AI in military and economic domains, authored an amendment in the National Defense Authorization … Continue reading Chinese military AI in focus as lawmaker sounds alarm on threat

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking Tilaser on a chip at Stanford University, marking a significant advancement from traditional models. Typically known for unmatched performance in fields like quantum optics, spectroscopy, and neuroscience, Tilasers are large, cubic feet in size, and costly, often requiring additional expensive lasers for adequate energy supply. However, the new chip-based prototype is 10,000 times smaller and 1,000 times less expensive than … Continue reading Chip-scale titanium-sapphire laser puts powerful technology in reach

Japanese startup Groove X, founded by a former SoftBank robotics unit member, unveiled its first creation, the Lovot, a companion robot designed to make users happy. The Lovot, combining “love” and “robot,” is not for housework but aims to evoke affection. It uses AI to interact, resembling a penguin with human-like eyes, and has interchangeable outfits. The robot shows affection by becoming warm when touched, … Continue reading SoftBank alum unveils ‘affectionate’ companion robot in Japan