Weekly Piece of Future #113
From Biological Computers to 50-Year Batteries and Self-Improving AI
Hey there, fellow future-addicts!
Welcome to this week's edition of Rushing Robotics! The world of AI, robotics, and biotechnology is evolving at an astonishing pace, bringing us closer to a future once thought to exist only in science fiction. This week’s breakthroughs showcase mind-blowing advancements across multiple fields—from biological computing to AI-driven medical breakthroughs and next-generation robotics.
🤯 Mind-Blowing
The CL1 biological computer is here—integrating lab-grown human neurons with digital processing to push the boundaries of neurobiological research and computation. Google’s Dreamer AI has mastered Minecraft without prior training, while a revolutionary 50-year atomic battery is set to redefine long-term power storage.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
The robotics revolution is in full swing. Boston Dynamics and Hyundai are deepening their partnership, humanoid robots are being tested in warehouses, and China is launching its first humanoid robot training center, paving the way for AI-powered automation across industries.
🧬 BioTech
AI-driven medical advancements are making history. Scientists have developed a cancer-detecting blood test with 81% accuracy, 3D-printed human-like skin for ethical biomedical testing, and an AI-powered IVF system that successfully fertilized an egg without human intervention, opening a new frontier in reproductive medicine.
💡 Products/Tools of the Week
AI-powered tools are transforming productivity. Andi redefines search with direct, conversational answers. Aviator optimizes software development workflows, and KaraX.ai automates meeting notes and insights, making collaboration smarter and more efficient.
🎥 Video Section
See cutting-edge robotics in action! Unitree Robotics, BMW, 1X, and Pudu Robotics showcase the latest advancements in humanoid and service robots, offering a glimpse into the future of AI-driven automation.
The future is unfolding before our eyes, and each breakthrough brings us closer to a new era of intelligence, efficiency, and possibility. As AI, biotech, and robotics continue to evolve, the way we live, work, and interact with technology will never be the same. Stay hungry, stay futurish!
🤯 Mind-Blowing
The CL1 biological computer, developed by Australian company Cortical Labs, marks a breakthrough in bio-computing by integrating lab-grown human neurons with digital processing. Designed primarily for biomedical research, this system offers a high-speed, energy-efficient computing alternative while advancing our understanding of neurobiological processes. As the first commercially available biological computer, the CL1 is positioned to transform both computational biology and neuroscience. The CL1's functionality is rooted in its ability to study neuronal activity, particularly in drug development, where it enables researchers to observe how neurons react to specific compounds. Additionally, the system aids in exploring neural information processing and real-time learning mechanisms. Its potential applications extend to the study of neurodegenerative and cognitive disorders, providing deeper insights into disease pathology.
The computer operates using a proprietary biological intelligence system called bioS, which allows users to execute computational tasks through living neurons. A microprocessor serves as the interface, enabling seamless communication between biological neurons and digital processing components via electrical signals.
Researchers have developed an innovative AI-powered blood test capable of detecting the molecular “fingerprints” of cancer using pulses of infrared light. According to a recent study published in ACS Central Science on April 9, this cutting-edge technique can differentiate between blood samples from lung cancer patients and those from healthy individuals with up to 81% accuracy. The test works by analyzing the molecular composition of blood plasma—the liquid component of blood responsible for transporting proteins, hormones, and other biomolecules. When exposed to bursts of infrared light, these molecules vibrate and interact with the energy in unique ways. The resulting infrared molecular patterns are then analyzed by artificial intelligence to identify cancer-specific markers, offering a promising new approach to early cancer detection.
Google's AI Dreamer has demonstrated the ability to self-improve over time by mastering Minecraft. A team of AI researchers from Google DeepMind, in collaboration with a colleague from the University of Toronto, has reported that Dreamer, an advanced AI algorithm, can autonomously enhance its performance by playing Minecraft. Their findings, published in Nature, highlight that Dreamer achieved an expert level in the game within just nine days—without prior training. Over the past several years, advancements in deep learning have enabled AI systems to perform complex tasks, including answering questions and playing games at a superhuman level. The researchers observed that Dreamer's self-improvement capability could contribute to broader AI applications, particularly in robotics, where rapid adaptation and learning are crucial for real-world performance.
A Chinese battery manufacturer has made a significant breakthrough, triggering a global race in compact nuclear energy development. The innovation centers on a miniature, coin-sized battery powered by a radioactive nickel isotope that decays into stable copper. While the initial prototype is modest in power, it is easily scalable by layering to provide sustained energy output for up to 50 years.
The introduction of the BV100, a miniaturized atomic energy battery, marks a transformative milestone in energy storage. Produced by Beijing Betavolt New Energy Technology, this atomic battery offers a unique advantage: it can provide power for up to 50 years without the need for recharging or maintenance. Furthermore, this nuclear battery boasts an energy density more than ten times that of conventional ternary lithium batteries, storing 3,300 milliwatt-hours per gram. It is also highly resilient to extreme environmental conditions, functioning within a temperature range of -60°C to +120°C without self-discharge, fire risks, or explosions.
Google has introduced Ironwood, its most advanced Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) to date, boasting an unprecedented 42.5 exaflops of computing power—making it 24 times faster than conventional supercomputers. This next-generation AI chip serves as the backbone for Google's latest AI models, including Gemini 2.5. Unlike its predecessors, which were primarily designed for training AI models from the ground up, Ironwood is specifically optimized for inferencing—the process of enabling AI systems to make real-time predictions and perform complex reasoning tasks with greater speed and efficiency.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
Boston Dynamics Inc. and Hyundai Motor Group have announced plans to expand their partnership, with Hyundai set to purchase "tens of thousands" of robots over the next few years. As part of this deepened collaboration, Hyundai will also assist Boston Dynamics in growing by integrating its manufacturing expertise with the robot manufacturer. Hyundai has already begun using Spot robots for industrial inspection and predictive maintenance within its facilities. Looking ahead, the automaker intends to deploy the Atlas robot across its manufacturing plants. Boston Dynamics will collaborate closely with Hyundai to identify specific manufacturing needs where robotics can enhance productivity and operational efficiency.
The leading e-commerce logistics provider is currently testing humanlike robots from three different robotics firms as it explores advanced technologies to enhance the efficiency of its warehouse operations. Adrian Stoch, Chief Automation Officer at GXO, expressed optimism about humanoid robots, stating in an interview with Business Insider that they are the first type of robots capable of handling multiple warehouse tasks. This is made possible by increasingly sophisticated AI models that enable greater adaptability. One such robot, Digit, developed by Agility Robotics, is currently deployed at a GXO-operated Spanx warehouse in Atlanta. Its role involves transporting heavy containers from a 6 River Systems robot to a conveyor belt, demonstrating its potential for real-world warehouse applications.
China’s first heterogeneous humanoid robot training facility is set to officially begin operations in July. This advanced center will train a diverse range of humanoid robots for deployment in various daily life and workplace scenarios. It is expected to facilitate large-scale data sharing and enhance the utilization of heterogeneous humanoid robots, contributing to the advancement of the entire robotics industry. Operated by the National and Local Co-built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center, the facility is situated in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang area and spans over 5,000 square meters. It will house and train more than 100 different types of robots—the largest variety in the country—sourced from over a dozen enterprises. Through simulated everyday and workplace environments, the facility will generate and collect training data, establishing a comprehensive database to support the development of additional robots and large-scale AI models. These innovations will be widely applied across industrial, service, medical, agricultural, and other sectors.
Google has publicly acknowledged that it lacks a complete understanding of why AI systems sometimes develop unexpected behaviors, likening this uncertainty to the complexities of human cognition: "We don't fully understand how the human mind works either." AI models process and store information within their so-called “black boxes,” making it difficult to track exactly how they learn and evolve. However, researchers at Anthropic, the creators of the Claude language model, claim to have made a significant breakthrough in this area. Their study provides new insights into the mechanics of AI learning, exposing previously unknown patterns. Some of these findings, while illuminating, have also raised new concerns about the nature and unpredictability of advanced AI systems.
🧬 BioTech
A research collaboration between Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria and the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in India is advancing the development of 3D-printed skin imitations that closely replicate the native three-layer structure and biomechanics of human skin. These artificial skin models are created using hydrogel formulations combined with living cells, making them a viable alternative to animal testing. The first functional skin models have now been produced and are ready for nanoparticle testing. Designed for biomedical and cosmetic applications, these engineered tissues provide an ethical and effective platform for evaluating nanoparticle-containing formulations, such as those used in cosmetics. The introduction of living cells into these 3D-printed structures enhances their biological accuracy, bringing them closer to mimicking real human skin.
Researchers have developed a miniature, flexible robot capable of navigating through earthquake debris to locate survivors or traveling inside the human body to deliver targeted medicine. These soft robots, designed from materials that replicate the movement of living organisms, provide a safer and more adaptable alternative to rigid machines. However, integrating electronics into such flexible systems has historically posed significant challenges. A research team at Pennsylvania State University has addressed this issue by embedding magnetic materials into the robots, allowing them to move in response to external magnetic fields. By adjusting the field’s strength and direction, researchers can precisely control actions such as bending, twisting, and crawling—eliminating the need for wires or onboard power sources. Through strategic design, they minimized magnetic interference with electronic components, ensuring reliable sensor operation even in strong electromagnetic fields. As a result, these soft robots can now be remotely controlled using electromagnetic fields or even portable magnets, requiring minimal human intervention.
In a historic breakthrough for assisted reproduction, a fully automated and digitally controlled intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) system has successfully facilitated fertilization, leading to the birth of a baby—an unprecedented achievement in reproductive medicine. This advancement highlights the growing role of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) in in vitro fertilization (IVF), a field undergoing rapid technological evolution. ICSI, introduced in the 1990s, is a widely used fertilization technique in which an embryologist manually injects a single sperm cell into a mature oocyte. The AI-driven system developed by Conceivable Life Sciences—operating in New York and Guadalajara, Mexico—automates all 23 steps of this intricate process. By removing human intervention, this platform offers unparalleled precision and repeatability, setting a new standard for IVF procedures.
💡Products/tools of the week
Andi is a cutting-edge, AI-powered search assistant that revolutionizes online search by delivering direct answers in a conversational format instead of traditional search result lists. By integrating semantic search technology with an intuitive user interface, Andi ensures accurate, contextually relevant responses without tracking personal data or displaying advertisements. Users of all ages and professional backgrounds choose Andi for its speed, precision, and commitment to privacy, making it an ideal solution for those seeking a secure and user-friendly alternative to conventional search engines.
Aviator is a cutting-edge developer productivity platform designed to optimize software development workflows by automating repetitive tasks, streamlining code merges, enhancing code reviews, and delivering insightful analytics. Developed by former Google engineers, Aviator supports both monorepo and microservice architectures while integrating effortlessly with existing toolchains. Engineering teams rely on Aviator to remove workflow inefficiencies, enhance code quality, and significantly accelerate development cycles—enabling developers to focus on solving complex problems rather than managing operational overhead.
Sleek Design enables users to create AI-generated landing pages simply by describing their product or company, such as an AI startup or SaaS application. Using this input, it constructs structured landing pages tailored to various business needs. Sleek Design supports exporting production-ready code in frameworks like Next.js, Tailwind, and shadcn/ui, making it particularly valuable for developers seeking efficient front-end scaffolding. It includes essential components such as pricing sections, roadmaps, and waitlists. By minimizing manual layout creation, Sleek Design delivers functional code that can be seamlessly integrated or customized for deployment, ensuring a streamlined development process with minimal input and rapid results.
KaraX.ai is an advanced AI meeting assistant that automates the transcription of conversations, generates concise summaries, extracts actionable items, and highlights key takeaways from virtual meetings. Designed for seamless integration with platforms such as Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom, KaraX.ai provides searchable transcripts and structured meeting insights. Professionals and teams use it to eliminate manual note-taking, enhance accountability through action item tracking, and maintain comprehensive meeting documentation. Additionally, KaraX.ai ensures enterprise-grade security with 256-bit encryption and compliance with industry standards such as GDPR and HIPAA.
