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

If you’re worried about a robot uprising, there’s one less potential threat. A South Korean office assistant robot at the Gumi City Council has dramatically “died” in what local media call the nation’s first robot suicide. Appointed in August 2023, this robot was integral to daily operations and even had a civil service officer card. Despite being the pride of the council, the robot apparently … Continue reading Korean Robot Throws Itself Down the Stairs to Escape the 9-to-5 Grind

Major record labels, including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group, have jointly filed lawsuits against AI music-making companies Suno and Udio, citing concerns over their AI programs that generate songs from text prompts. These lawsuits, coordinated by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), were filed in federal courts in Massachusetts and New York. The music industry is grappling with the … Continue reading U.S. record labels are suing AI music generators, alleging copyright infringement

The San Francisco Police Department is contemplating the addition of robot dogs to its fleet and plans to expand its arsenal of military gear, as per a recent report released quietly earlier this month. The department’s inaugural annual military equipment report for 2023, published on June 11 on its website, details the acquisition of new semi-automatic and automatic rifles, additional robotic tools, and long-range acoustic … Continue reading SFPD considers robot dog named ‘Spot’ in new military equipment plan 

NOAA and Honeywell have partnered to develop the High-Altitude LiDAR Atmospheric Sensing System (HALAS), a ground-based weather system that uses laser pulses to measure wind speed, direction, humidity, and temperature up to 100,000 feet above the Earth’s surface. HALAS gathers atmospheric data by focusing on specific points, similar to how stargazing works, and can collect information over periods ranging from five minutes to an hour. … Continue reading New Technology Uses Lasers to Measure the Atmosphere

Congress is concerned about the potential use of robot dogs with machine guns on the battlefield. During discussions on the annual defense authorization bill, House lawmakers included a provision requiring the Defense Department to assess the threat posed by “rifle-toting robot dogs used by China.” This issue gained attention after Chinese military officials showcased armed robotic quadrupeds in recent drills with Cambodia. A video released … Continue reading Chinese military’s rifle-toting robot dogs raise concerns in Congress

House of ALIO will provide an open gym environment for independent training, while Unhireable Lounge will feature cold brews, cold press juice, pre-workout cocktails, meal prep, and a unique cocktail program. A standout feature of the lounge will be a robot bartender, one of only three in the U.S., capable of serving any drink with fresh mixers prepared on-site. Although both establishments will be next … Continue reading Robot bartender to serve up drinks at San Antonio’s newest bar

Researchers collaborating with DARPA have secured a $1 million grant to develop an unprecedented quantum laser technology. This laser will utilize quantum entanglement to bind light particles together, enhancing its concentration significantly. Expected to be integral in future military applications, such as satellite communications, lidar mapping, tracking systems, and targeting technologies, the quantum laser aims to surpass traditional lasers by entangling photons to achieve greater … Continue reading DARPA’s new military-grade quantum laser is like nothing we’ve seen before

A consortium of NATO allies has announced the first set of companies to receive funding from its €1 billion ($1.1 billion) innovation fund. Launched in the summer of 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) aims to invest in technologies enhancing defense capabilities. Supported by 24 of NATO’s 32 member states, including recent members Finland and Sweden, the NIF has … Continue reading NATO targets AI, robots and space tech in $1.1 billion fund

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy urged on Monday for health warnings on social media platforms targeting younger users, likening the mental health crisis among youth to an emergency requiring immediate action. In an op-ed in The New York Times, Murthy emphasized that social media significantly contributes to this crisis and called on Congress to mandate surgeon general’s warning labels on these platforms, similar to … Continue reading Surgeon general calls for social media warning labels

Ukraine’s use of aerial drones and robot boats is significantly disrupting Russian naval operations in the Black Sea, changing the strategic approach to maritime conflicts. Following the loss of its naval headquarters and much of its fleet in 2014, and the near destruction of its navy in 2022, Ukraine turned to uncrewed weapons out of necessity. Employing missiles and increasingly sophisticated drones, Ukraine’s Navy and … Continue reading Ukraine’s robot boats are rewriting the rules of naval warfare

Incredible footage captures the debut of a humanoid robot scaling the Great Wall of China, showcasing its agility and intelligence. The XBot-L, crafted by Robot Era, adeptly navigates the rugged terrain, even demonstrating tai-chi moves atop the wall’s guard towers. Reinforced learning technology empowers the robot to adapt to varied landscapes, while advanced navigation and balancing systems ensure its stability. Despite makeshift fixes like duct … Continue reading Beijing’s ‘unstoppable’ robot walks Great Wall of China

Apple will introduce new AI features across its products in upcoming software updates, including its native “Apple Intelligence” and a partnership with ChatGPT. Announced at its developer conference, Apple Intelligence aims to deliver a personalized AI experience, enhancing capabilities like notification prioritization and language rewriting in emails, notes, and messages. These features will debut with iOS 18 and updates for Mac and iPad in the … Continue reading Apple launches new AI ‘Intelligence’ feature, partners with ChatGPT