Weekly Piece of Future #103
From DeepSeek’s R1 AI to Quantum-Resistant Hardware and Bio-Inspired Robotics
Hey there, fellow future-addicts!
Welcome to this week's edition of Rushing Robotics, where we explore the cutting-edge of artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology. This week, we’ve got a lineup of mind-blowing breakthroughs, industry shifts, and exciting innovations that are reshaping the future as we know it.
🤯 Mind-Blowing
Humanoid robots are no longer a far-off dream. UBTech Robotics is set to mass-produce its Walker S Series robots, with models designed to enhance manufacturing and logistics. Meanwhile, advancements in biotech are pushing boundaries, with lab-grown human eggs and sperm potentially eliminating the need for sex in conception within a decade. Researchers in Germany have also developed magnetic robotic wings that could revolutionize everything from medical applications to search-and-rescue. Finally, a survey reveals many employers would rather hire AI over new Gen Z grads, highlighting the growing gap between education and real-world demands.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, has surpassed major US firms like OpenAI and Meta with its R1 model, sparking discussions on the rise of open-source AI. Meanwhile, SEALSQ, a Swiss semiconductor company, has launched the first quantum-resistant secure hardware, aiming to safeguard against the future rise of quantum computing.
🧬 BioTech
In cancer treatment, the virus-based therapy Talimogene laherparepvec (TVEC) shows promise in shrinking basal cell carcinoma tumors, potentially simplifying surgeries. Additionally, researchers are working on radiotherapy machines that could deliver cancer treatments in less than a second, offering faster and more efficient options for patients.
💡 Products/Tools of the Week
HeyBoss is a no-code platform for building apps and websites without coding skills, while AutoReel lets real estate agents create cinematic property videos powered by AI. Anam.ai brings AI-powered digital humans for lifelike customer service interactions, and Answerly offers a 24/7 AI chatbot to optimize customer support operations.
🎥 Video Section
Check out the latest from DEEP Robotics, Agility Robotics, JSK Tendon Group, and Atomic Frontier, showcasing cutting-edge developments in robotics.
We’re only scratching the surface of what’s to come. These groundbreaking advancements are just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see how they evolve in the years to come. The future is bright, stay hungry, stay futurish!
🤯 Mind-Blowing
Humanoid robots are no longer just science fiction—they may soon be a common part of our everyday lives. One of the biggest robotics companies in China, UBTech Robotics, has announced plans to mass-produce its Walker S Series humanoid robots by the end of this year. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), UBTech aims to manufacture between 500 and 1,000 units, with the Walker S2 model making up more than 60% of deliveries. These robots will be used in a variety of industries, including car manufacturing, logistics, and electronics. While UBTech’s ultimate vision is to bring humanoid robots into homes, its main focus right now is on industrial applications. "Factories need humanoid robots to help them solve the challenge of the shortage of manpower," explained UBTech’s Tam. As the world moves toward automation, these robots could soon become an integral part of factories and businesses, helping solve workforce shortages and improving efficiency.
The landscape of human reproduction is on the brink of transformation, with sex potentially becoming unnecessary for conception within the next decade. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) recently disclosed that scientists are advancing toward laboratory-grown human eggs and sperm. Following their 2023 recommendations for fertility law updates, HFEA acknowledged both the promise and ethical complexities of this breakthrough.
With successful experiments in mice and a documented case of a child born from two biological fathers, researchers suggest human trials could be viable within two to ten years.
A breakthrough in bio-inspired robotics has emerged from Germany, where researchers have designed robotic wings that operate exclusively using magnetic fields. Developed by teams from the Technical University of Darmstadt and the Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf, these wings require no batteries or electronic components, representing a significant step toward ultra-lightweight, energy-efficient robotics. This technology has the potential to transform industries ranging from search-and-rescue to medical applications. Drawing inspiration from the endurance and efficiency of monarch butterflies—renowned for their transcontinental migrations—the researchers engineered wings capable of achieving controlled, energy-efficient flight through a unique combination of active movement and passive bending.
A recent survey reveals that a significant portion of employers prefer hiring artificial intelligence (AI) robots over recent Gen Z graduates. According to the survey conducted by Hult International Business School, approximately 37 percent of employers would choose AI over new graduates. The study sheds light on concerns surrounding the preparedness of Gen Z for the workforce. Gen Z, defined as individuals born between 1997 and 2012, has faced criticism for their perceived lack of reliability and mental health challenges in the workplace. A prior report from the Freedom Economy Index found that 68 percent of small business owners view Gen Z employees as the least reliable, while 71 percent believe they are the most likely to experience workplace mental health issues. 96 percent of employers in the Hult survey believe college education does not adequately prepare graduates for real-world jobs, with 89 percent stating they avoid hiring recent graduates. Interestingly, 77 percent of new graduates reported learning more in their first six months of work than during their four years of higher education. This highlights the growing gap between educational training and industry expectations.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang predicted a future where nearly everything that moves will eventually be robotic. He stated, “Everything that moves will be robotic someday, and it will be soon.” Huang’s bold vision extends to cars and humanoid robots, emphasizing that the technology to make this possible is just on the horizon. This comment came in response to a question from Abram about how people would interact with this technology in the next decade. Reflecting on the past decade, Huang noted that AI has primarily focused on scientific research, but the next ten years will be about applying AI to real-world challenges. “The applied research, the application side of AI now becomes: How can I apply AI to digital biology? How can I apply AI to climate technology? How can I apply AI to agriculture, to fishery, to robotics, to transportation, optimizing logistics?” Huang outlined a future where AI could enhance nearly every sector, including education and media, positioning AI as a central tool in every facet of life.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
This week, Silicon Valley experienced a notable shift as DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, unveiled its R1 model. Benchmarked against leading American firms such as OpenAI, Meta, and Anthropic, DeepSeek's R1 outperformed its competitors, sparking conversations about the growing competition between China and the US in AI development. For Yann LeCun, Meta's chief AI scientist, the key takeaway wasn’t the rise of Chinese AI but rather the increasing dominance of open-source models. LeCun emphasized that it wasn’t China’s AI surpassing the US but rather the power of open-source research outpacing proprietary systems. DeepSeek’s R1 and Meta’s Llama models are both open-source, in contrast to OpenAI’s recent shift towards closed-source models.
LeCun highlighted the importance of open research, noting that DeepSeek benefited from building on previously published open-source work, enabling everyone to profit from it. "That is the power of open research and open source," he remarked.
SEALSQ, a Swiss semiconductor company, is pioneering advancements in post-quantum cryptography with the launch of the "world’s first" quantum-resistant secure hardware. Specializing in integrated semiconductor-based solutions, SEALSQ provides public key infrastructure (PKI) and provisioning services while also developing hardware and software designed to withstand quantum computing threats. Conventional encryption methods act as a lock that quantum computers of the future could potentially break. SEALSQ’s new technology aims to create a security mechanism robust enough to resist attacks from both current and future quantum computers. This innovation is crucial, as the eventual rise of quantum computing could compromise today's secure systems, exposing sensitive data, financial transactions, and critical infrastructure to unprecedented security risks.
Figure AI is taking humanoid robot safety to the next level with its new Center for Humanoid Safety. The company is committed to transparency, sharing product safety updates, testing plans, and results to ensure trust and accountability. Key focus areas include AI stability, human and pet detection, and real-world behavior assessments—all under public scrutiny. With a strong emphasis on rigorous testing, compliance, and third-party certification, Figure AI is setting a new standard for deploying safe, AI-powered robots in homes and workplaces.
Pioneering the next leap in humanoid robotics, Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) introduces the EPC91104 motor drive. Crafted with precision, this drive is the heartbeat of the compact motors enabling lifelike motion in robots, especially in nuanced movements of wrists, fingers, and toes.
Powered by gallium nitride (eGaN) technology, EPC’s drive offers unparalleled efficiency and power compared to traditional silicon, signaling a new era for robotic dexterity and fluidity. EPC’s expertise in eGaN tech spans a transformative range of applications—from electric vehicles and drones to advanced robotics and satellite sensors. The future of robotics is not just intelligent—it’s remarkably agile, thanks to innovations like these.
CEO David Kirtley highlighted the company’s plans to significantly expand U.S. manufacturing capacity, enabling faster production of critical components such as capacitors, magnets, and semiconductors. “This investment advances the construction of the world’s first fusion power plant and future projects,” he stated.
Supported by investors including Sam Altman, Peter Thiel, and Reid Hoffman, Helion is committed to delivering fusion-generated electricity to Microsoft by 2028.
🧬 BioTech
Talimogene laherparepvec (TVEC), a virus-based therapy, has shown potential in shrinking tumors associated with basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. This therapy could simplify surgeries by reducing tumor size and enhancing immune responses. Basal cell carcinoma typically develops in sun-exposed areas, such as the face, and locally advanced cases often present significant surgical challenges, requiring complex procedures such as flaps or skin grafts. A study conducted by researchers from MedUni Vienna and University Hospital Vienna explored the use of TVEC, a genetically modified herpes simplex virus previously approved for treating superficial melanoma metastases. The findings, published in Nature Cancer, suggest that TVEC therapy could help reduce tumor size and improve surgical outcomes by aiding pre-surgical preparation, particularly for patients with tumors in difficult-to-treat locations.
A groundbreaking new cancer treatment aims to address a broader range of cancers while significantly reducing the side effects associated with conventional radiotherapy. Remarkably, this innovative therapy delivers its effects in under a second. In an extensive network of underground caverns located on the outskirts of Geneva, Switzerland, researchers are conducting experiments that could pave the way for a new generation of radiotherapy machines. Scientists hope these advanced devices will offer the capability to effectively treat intricate brain tumors, eradicate cancers that have spread to distant organs, and ultimately minimize the physical burden that cancer treatments impose on patients.
Cornell Engineering is redefining robotics with its latest breakthrough—jellyfish and worm-inspired robots powered by “embodied energy.” Developed by the Organic Robotics Lab and the Archer Group, these modular robots integrate their power source into their structure, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. Evolving from a 2019 lionfish-inspired prototype that utilized “robot blood” for energy circulation, the refined system now boasts higher battery capacity and power density. The jellyfish model achieves longer operational time, while the worm, Cornell’s first terrestrial soft robot, moves dynamically without rigid constraints.
💡Products/tools of the week
HeyBoss is a powerful no-code platform designed for entrepreneurs and small businesses seeking an efficient way to develop apps and websites. Featuring an intuitive interface, customizable templates, and a built-in project-sharing community, it eliminates the need for coding expertise, offering a cost-effective and accessible digital solution.
AutoReel is an advanced AI-powered solution for real estate professionals seeking efficient video creation. By converting property photos into polished cinematic videos, it streamlines marketing efforts. Features include branding, captions, and music customization, all with no editing expertise required. Users receive three complimentary videos and seamless sharing options to enhance their listings.
Anam.ai creates AI-powered digital humans capable of real-time, lifelike conversations. With expressive facial and body movements, these avatars enhance customer service, mental health support, and education. Businesses can scale personalized interactions effortlessly, improving engagement and innovation.
Answerly is a cutting-edge AI chatbot designed to optimize customer support operations. It offers 24/7 automated assistance, seamlessly integrates with knowledge bases, and maintains brand consistency. Key features include a Knowledge Hub for training, real-time conversation tracking, and advanced analytics, enabling businesses to enhance customer interactions, increase efficiency, and scale support while reducing reliance on human agents.