Ferrari appeals to traditional base with two new V12 cars

Luxury sports car manufacturer Ferrari has introduced two new models, the 12Cilindri and the 12Cilindri Spider, targeting enthusiasts of high-performance petrol engines. Unveiled at an event in Miami, these models signify Ferrari’s initial releases of the year, following five launches in 2023, as the company continues its strategy of introducing new models to engage its affluent clientele. Despite the industry’s push towards electrification, Ferrari remains … Continue reading Ferrari appeals to traditional base with two new V12 cars

US government shows off massive AI-powered robot tank with green eyes

Engineers at the Pentagon have developed a formidable autonomous tank as part of the Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) program. This 12-ton behemoth boasts impressive features including glowing green eyes, a top speed of 25 miles per hour, and the ability to navigate rough terrain autonomously. Standing at 20 feet in length, the tank is equipped to traverse challenging landscapes like heavy … Continue reading US government shows off massive AI-powered robot tank with green eyes

Microsoft taps Sanctuary AI for general-purpose robot research

Microsoft is expanding its involvement in general-purpose robotics AI through strategic investments and partnerships. Following a substantial Series B funding round for Figure, the tech giant has now announced a collaboration with Sanctuary AI, a key competitor in the field. This partnership underscores Microsoft’s focus on artificial general intelligence, aiming to develop humanoid robots capable of learning and reasoning like humans. Sanctuary’s expertise in designing … Continue reading Microsoft taps Sanctuary AI for general-purpose robot research

Sam’s Club to roll out AI checkout technology across all stores soon

Sam’s Club is revolutionizing the checkout experience by introducing AI-powered technology to verify purchases as members exit, replacing traditional receipt checks. This innovation has been implemented in 120 Sam’s Club locations nationwide, with over half of customers opting to use it, resulting in a 23% faster exit process. Initially showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show, the AI technology is slated for installation in all nearly … Continue reading Sam’s Club to roll out AI checkout technology across all stores soon

Mysterious, incredibly powerful AI system appears on the internet then disappears

A powerful chatbot, dubbed gpt2-chatbot, briefly surfaced on the LMSYS Org website, catching the attention of users due to its remarkable capabilities comparable to OpenAI’s GPT-4. Despite its brief appearance, the origins of this mysterious AI system remain unknown, fueling speculation and intrigue among enthusiasts. LMSYS Org attributed the system’s disappearance to unexpected high traffic, hinting at a possible broader release in the future, the … Continue reading Mysterious, incredibly powerful AI system appears on the internet then disappears

Ukraine unveils AI-generated foreign ministry spokeswoman

Ukraine has introduced an AI-generated spokeswoman named Victoria, who will deliver official statements on behalf of its foreign ministry. Despite being digitally created, the statements will be written and verified by humans. Victoria Shi, dressed in a suit, was unveiled in a social media presentation, gesturing and speaking with lifelike movements. While her appearance and voice are based on a real person, Rosalie Nombre, she … Continue reading Ukraine unveils AI-generated foreign ministry spokeswoman

US to give Israel $1.2B for Iron Beam laser weapon

President Joe Biden signed a bill into law on Wednesday that allocates funding for Israel to acquire a directed energy system known as Iron Beam. The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 provides $26.4 billion to support Israel’s defense efforts against Iran and its proxies, as well as to reimburse U.S. military operations in response to recent attacks. Of this amount, $1.2 billion is … Continue reading US to give Israel $1.2B for Iron Beam laser weapon

Boston Dynamics Pushes Lawmakers To Ban Weaponization Of Robots

Advocates gathered at the Massachusetts State House to rally support for a bill aimed at prohibiting the weaponization of robots and drones. Among them was Boston Dynamics, showcasing their robot dog, Spot, to demonstrate its capabilities. In 2022, Boston Dynamics and five other robotics firms committed to a pledge against weaponizing their advanced-mobility robots, setting the stage for the current legislative push. The proposed responsible … Continue reading Boston Dynamics Pushes Lawmakers To Ban Weaponization Of Robots

Sanctuary’s new humanoid robot learns faster and costs less

Sanctuary AI, a Canadian robotics company, is making strides in the humanoid robotics field with its seventh-generation Phoenix line. Unlike some competitors focused on mechatronics, Sanctuary emphasizes the humanoid robot’s upper body movements and learning capabilities. While current robots may not possess “general intelligence” akin to humans, they can rapidly learn new tasks, with Sanctuary claiming its latest Phoenix model can automate tasks within 24 … Continue reading Sanctuary’s new humanoid robot learns faster and costs less

Hisense Unveils New 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector For Home Theater 

Hisense, known for its innovative Laser TV concept, is also making waves with standalone ultra short throw (UST) projectors. The brand introduces its latest model, the PX3-PRO, as a premium UST projector for the 2024 season. Equipped with a TriChroma triple-laser projection system and Hisense’s advanced laser processing engine, the PX3-PRO boasts features like real-time Pro AI Algorithms for brightness enhancement, contrast fine-tuning, and noise … Continue reading Hisense Unveils New 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector For Home Theater 

Principal framed with AI-generated voice, police say

Former Pikesville High School athletic director, Dazhon Darien, was arrested by Baltimore County Police for using artificial intelligence to impersonate Principal Eric Eiswert, leading to the circulation of racist and antisemitic comments attributed to Eiswert. Darien was apprehended at BWI Airport while attempting to board a flight to Houston, initially stopped for carrying a gun, where officials discovered a warrant for his arrest. He was … Continue reading Principal framed with AI-generated voice, police say

TikTok forced to sell or face ban

The Senate approved legislation on Tuesday that compels TikTok’s Chinese parent company to sell the social media platform or face a ban, a move expected to be legally contested and disrupt the livelihoods of content creators reliant on the app for income. The measure, part of a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel, passed 79-18 and heads to President Joe Biden for … Continue reading TikTok forced to sell or face ban

Flying car makes world’s first flight with passenger

KleinVision’s groundbreaking AirCar has achieved a historic milestone by conducting the world’s first flight with a passenger. Music icon Jean-Michel Jarre soared through the skies in the half-plane hybrid, showcasing its capabilities at Piestany international airport in Slovakia. Designed by Professor Stefan Klein and Anton Zajac, the AirCar received flight approval in 2022 after numerous successful takeoffs and landings. Previously, it made history as the … Continue reading Flying car makes world’s first flight with passenger

Cops testing AI body camera that writes its own police reports in minutes

Law enforcement agencies are testing a new AI technology called Draft One, designed to generate police reports swiftly by analyzing body camera footage. Developed by security tech company Axon, the system aims to streamline report-writing processes, freeing up officers’ time for other duties. Axon’s CEO, Rick Smith, believes AI-powered solutions like Draft One will revolutionize law enforcement by enhancing efficiency. Initial trials have shown promising … Continue reading Cops testing AI body camera that writes its own police reports in minutes

Flamethrowing robot dog that can shoot fire up to 30ft goes on sale

A company in the United States has developed a flame-throwing robotic dog called the Thermonator, capable of delivering fire on demand. Priced at $9,420 (£7,600), the remote-controlled device, created by Ohio-based firm Throwflame, is marketed for various purposes including wildlife control, snow and ice removal, and entertainment, rather than as a weapon. Equipped with a laser sight, flashlight, and light-sensitive mapping capabilities, it can shoot … Continue reading Flamethrowing robot dog that can shoot fire up to 30ft goes on sale

4-legged robot to help deter wildlife strikes at Alaska airport

The Alaska Department of Transportation has hired a unique candidate, Aurora, a four-legged robotic animal created by Boston Dynamics, to patrol Fairbanks International Airport. Aurora’s task is to keep wildlife off the airport runways to enhance aviation safety and gather data on animal behavior. Outfitted with coverings mimicking foxes and coyotes, Aurora will work alongside handlers and wildlife biologists. With over 270,000 wildlife strikes reported … Continue reading 4-legged robot to help deter wildlife strikes at Alaska airport

After chip breakthrough, Huawei launches fresh lineup of phones to challenge Apple in China

Huawei unveiled its latest smartphone lineup, the Pura 70 series, signaling its comeback in the Chinese market and its direct challenge to Apple’s dominance. This new series replaces Huawei’s “P series” and showcases the company’s growing confidence after facing U.S. sanctions in recent years. Despite these challenges, Huawei’s smartphone shipments in China surged by 64% in the first six weeks of 2024, while Apple saw … Continue reading After chip breakthrough, Huawei launches fresh lineup of phones to challenge Apple in China

Apple pulls WhatsApp, Threads from China app store after Communist order

Apple complied with a Chinese government order to remove Meta Platforms’ WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China due to national security concerns. The removal also included Telegram and Signal, indicating China’s increasing intolerance towards certain foreign messaging apps. While Meta’s other apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger remained accessible, it’s unclear how WhatsApp or Threads posed security risks. Apple stated its obligation … Continue reading Apple pulls WhatsApp, Threads from China app store after Communist order

Water Facilities Warned to Improve Cybersecurity As Hackers Pounce

The water sector faces increasing pressure to enhance cybersecurity measures due to rising hacking threats. The Environmental Protection Agency and the White House urged governors to develop plans by June 28 addressing major cybersecurity risks in their state’s water systems. Proposed legislation by Reps. Rick Crawford and John Duarte seeks to establish a governing body to set cybersecurity mandates and collaborate with the EPA for … Continue reading Water Facilities Warned to Improve Cybersecurity As Hackers Pounce

Anonymous claims to have hacked Israeli Defense Forces

Anonymous claimed responsibility for hacking into the IDF and announced its possession of over 233,000 documents, including PDFs and PowerPoint presentations. While the authenticity of the showcased documents remains uncertain, the IDF downplayed the likelihood of a significant breach, suggesting it might be a psychological warfare tactic. The IDF’s computer systems are tightly secured, making direct access improbable, the Jerusalem Post has reported. Earlier, the … Continue reading Anonymous claims to have hacked Israeli Defense Forces

Boston Dynamics debuts all-new electric humanoid

Atlas, Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot, undergoes a transformation from its hydraulic predecessor to a sleek electric version. The new Atlas exhibits fluid movements and a redesigned appearance, departing from its top-heavy build and armored look.  This “All New Atlas” retains its name for now, a departure from the company’s trend of renaming products for commercialization.  The robot’s movements, powered by custom actuators, showcase agility and … Continue reading Boston Dynamics debuts all-new electric humanoid

‘Quantum Internet’ Connection Achieved In Historic Breakthrough

Quantum computing is transitioning from a distant concept to a tangible reality, with recent advancements paving the way for a “quantum internet.” Researchers have achieved a breakthrough by creating an interface that enables two quantum machines to exchange information, using wavelengths compatible with current optical fiber systems. This development brings us closer to a future where data can be transmitted securely and computations executed rapidly. … Continue reading ‘Quantum Internet’ Connection Achieved In Historic Breakthrough

UK may transfer DragonFire laser weapons to Ukraine

Ukraine is poised to potentially receive prototypes of the United Kingdom’s cutting-edge “DragonFire” high-power laser weapon, as it continues to defend itself over two years into Russia’s invasion. The U.K. has been developing this directed energy weapon for over seven years, with its first successful test firing on an aerial target taking place in January. With precision akin to hitting a £1 coin from a … Continue reading UK may transfer DragonFire laser weapons to Ukraine

Tech Firm Looks to Use AI-Powered Robots for Road Repairs

A groundbreaking Autonomous Road Repair System (ARRES) has been developed by Robotiz3d, Hertfordshire City Council, and the University of Liverpool. This system comprises three innovative technologies aimed at revolutionizing road maintenance. The centerpiece of ARRES is the ARRES Eye technology, strategically installed on various vehicles like trucks and maintenance cars. These vehicles traverse city streets, employing advanced imaging to detect road surface issues such as … Continue reading Tech Firm Looks to Use AI-Powered Robots for Road Repairs

Apple’s next-generation of Mac chips will have an A.I. focus

Since introducing its in-house chips for Macs, Apple has experienced significant performance boosts across its product lineup. Following the launch of its third-generation M3 chip in October 2023, Apple is now preparing for the release of its next-generation M4 chip later in 2024. These chips are expected to power every Mac model, prioritizing increased performance and artificial intelligence capabilities. The M4 lineup will likely include … Continue reading Apple’s next-generation of Mac chips will have an A.I. focus