Weekly Piece of Future #124
From Cardiac Rejuvenation to Lab-Grown Tissues and Advanced Teleoperation
Hey there, fellow future-addicts!
Welcome to this week's edition of Rushing Robotics! This week, we’re taking you beyond the headlines to the cutting-edge labs, startups, and minds that are bending biology, hacking genomes, and crafting the AI and robotics revolution. This isn’t science fiction. It’s happening right now.
🤯 Mind-Blowing
Discover revolutionary research that could reverse cardiac aging without altering cells, decode the human genome at unprecedented scale, and protect brain cells from degeneration. Plus, learn about innovative ways to turn plastic waste into essential medicines and explore cutting-edge AI robotics that function completely offline.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
From South Korea’s push into humanoid robot components to a startup unveiling a surgical imaging breakthrough and potential collaborations between Nvidia and Foxconn in robot-assisted chip manufacturing — get the inside scoop on the moves reshaping the tech landscape. Also, witness Japan’s leap forward with the world’s most advanced quantum-classical hybrid supercomputing system.
🧬 BioTech
Explore exciting advances in tissue engineering with lab-grown vascularized liver organoids, the repurposing of toxic fungi into anti-cancer drug factories, and the first successful gene editing of mitochondrial DNA—offering new hope for previously untreatable diseases.
💡 Products/Tools of the Week
Boost your productivity with AI-powered platforms like Zola for financial data analysis, LLM Browser for stealthy AI web automation, New.website for effortless site creation, and Drawer AI to automate electrical estimating — designed to save you time and streamline complex workflows.
🎥 Video Section
Experience the future in motion with immersive full-body interfaces, early previews of versatile AI models, jet-powered humanoid robots, and breakthrough robotic teleoperation — a glimpse into tomorrow’s technology brought to life today.
What’s next isn’t just inevitable—it’s fascinating. Let’s explore the innovations that will shape how we live, heal, and build for decades to come. Stay hungry, stay futurish!
🤯 Mind-Blowing
Researchers may have discovered a method to reverse cardiac aging without altering the cells themselves. Led by Assistant Professor Jennifer Young from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the team has developed a novel lab-grown material that holds potential to slow or even reverse age-related decline in heart function. Instead of targeting cardiac cells directly, the team focused on the heart’s extracellular matrix (ECM)—a dense, protein-rich network that provides structural support and biochemical signals to surrounding cells. As the ECM stiffens with age and its signaling becomes disorganized, this contributes to fibrosis, reduced elasticity, and deteriorating heart performance. To address this, the researchers engineered a hybrid material by combining natural cardiac tissue with a synthetic gel. This platform accurately replicates the stiffness and biochemical environment of the ECM, enabling precise manipulation of its properties for experimental and therapeutic purposes.
AlphaGenome, is redefining our ability to interpret the human genome. Launched on Wednesday, this powerful AI model can read DNA sequences and predict how a single mutation might influence the incredibly complex systems that govern gene activity. AlphaGenome analyzes both the coding and non-coding genome, offering a seamless, holistic view of how variants impact biology. With the ability to process 1 million base pairs in one pass, it can predict thousands of molecular outcomes—like gene expression changes, splicing shifts, protein-binding affinities, and chromatin structure—across diverse cell types.
At its core, AlphaGenome blends convolutional neural networks to catch local DNA patterns with transformers that understand the genome’s long-range relationships. It's the first time so many regulatory elements can be modeled in harmony, opening new doors to how we decode and treat genetic disease.
Researchers at Macquarie University have uncovered a remarkable anti-aging function in a common cellular protein, disulphide isomerase (PDI), which appears to act as a molecular "glue" by repairing damaged DNA and protecting brain cells from degeneration. While PDI is typically found in the cytoplasm assisting with protein folding, the team discovered that it can migrate into the nucleus—the cell’s command center—where it plays a critical role in mending breaks in DNA strands. This ability becomes increasingly vital with age, as DNA repair mechanisms weaken, contributing to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, and motor neuron disease. By demonstrating that PDI can help preserve genomic integrity, this research offers a promising path toward therapies that slow biological aging and protect neural function over time.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s Wallace Lab have developed a groundbreaking method to synthesize paracetamol (acetaminophen) from plastic waste within 24 hours, marking a major advance in sustainable pharmaceutical production. Traditionally, paracetamol is manufactured using fossil fuels such as crude oil through energy-intensive processes that emit significant carbon dioxide. In contrast, the new technique employs genetically engineered E. coli bacteria to convert terephthalic acid—a key component of PET plastic bottles—into paracetamol at room temperature, with minimal environmental impact. Using a fermentation process akin to brewing, the team successfully transformed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into paracetamol with high efficiency, offering a low-emission, cost-effective alternative for drug manufacturing.
Google DeepMind has introduced a powerful on-device iteration of its Gemini Robotics AI model, enabling robots to operate independently of cloud connectivity for the first time. This release marks a significant milestone in the deployment of general-purpose, low-latency robotics capable of functioning in real-world, offline environments. The system—dubbed Gemini Robotics On-Device—integrates the multimodal reasoning capabilities of Gemini 2.0 directly into physical robots. Optimized for latency-sensitive scenarios and use in connectivity-limited settings, the model excels in task generalization, natural language comprehension, and precise motor control. These capabilities allow robots to perform complex operations entirely on-device. Developers are now able to request access through Google’s trusted tester program, with a comprehensive software development kit (SDK) also available to facilitate further experimentation and customization.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
South Korea’s leading electronics parts manufacturers, Samsung Electro-Mechanics and LG Innotek, are intensifying efforts to establish an early lead in the emerging market for camera modules in humanoid robots—a sector widely regarded as a “blue ocean” opportunity due to the absence of a clear dominant player. According to industry sources on Tuesday, LG Innotek is currently in discussions with U.S.-based humanoid robotics startup Figure AI to supply camera modules for its upcoming robots. The two companies are expected to finalize pricing and supply volume agreements in the second half of this year, with mass production projected to begin in early 2026. Figure AI, which counts Amazon founder Jeff Bezos among its backers, plans to manufacture 100,000 humanoid robots over the next four years. Should the deal proceed, LG Innotek will become the official camera module supplier for Figure AI—marking a significant milestone in LG’s expansion into the robotics sector.
Ocutrx Technologies, based in California, has introduced HemoLucence, a proprietary imaging solution designed to render blood translucent during procedures. This advancement could significantly enhance visibility in surgical environments, enabling clinicians to better identify tissue and anatomical structures typically obscured by bleeding. Heralded as the world’s first technology of its kind, HemoLucence is set to be incorporated into the company’s OR-Bot 3D Surgical Microscope. In preclinical tests, the system successfully visualized through approximately three millimeters (about one-quarter inch) of whole human blood, including all major blood components. Ocutrx anticipates that future iterations will allow visualization through at least half an inch of blood. The technology is currently undergoing laboratory testing and awaits patent approval.
An American company known for producing high-performance GPUs is currently in discussions with Foxconn regarding the deployment of humanoid robots at a manufacturing facility. The initiative is anticipated to involve the development of Nvidia’s upcoming GB300 AI servers, with humanoid robots assisting in the process at a newly planned Foxconn facility in Houston. Should this move come to fruition, it would mark the first instance of a Nvidia product being developed with the aid of humanoid robotics. While no final agreement has been reached, sources suggest that a deal may be confirmed in the coming months. The integration of humanoid robots in chip manufacturing has the potential to accelerate production timelines and reduce overall manufacturing costs.
Japan has become home to the world’s most advanced quantum–classical hybrid computing system, combining IBM’s latest quantum technology with one of the planet’s fastest supercomputers. On Tuesday, IBM and Japan’s national research institute RIKEN announced the deployment of the first IBM Quantum System Two outside the United States, now fully integrated with Fugaku, Japan’s premier supercomputer. This milestone represents a critical advancement in the pursuit of “quantum-centric supercomputing,” an emerging paradigm in which quantum and classical systems collaborate to address problems that are intractable for either system independently.
🧬 BioTech
Scientists have successfully created lab-grown liver tissue capable of forming its own blood vessels—a breakthrough in the field of tissue engineering. A collaborative team from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Japanese researchers engineered liver organoids that spontaneously developed vascular systems, addressing a critical barrier in regenerative medicine. The self-vascularizing liver tissue holds promise for future transplantable grafts and novel treatment strategies for patients with hemophilia and other coagulation-related disorders. Historically, most lab-grown organoids have lacked internal vasculature, restricting their size, functionality, and clinical relevance. In contrast, the vascularized organoids in this study not only resembled natural liver tissue structurally but also functionally, producing perfused, sinusoid-like vessels that enabled fluid flow—closely mimicking natural hepatic circulation.
Researchers have repurposed Aspergillus flavus—a fungus historically known for its lethal toxicity—into a source of a promising anti-cancer compound. The study centers on a rare class of molecules known as RiPPs (ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides). These compounds are initially assembled by ribosomes and then chemically altered to enhance their bioactivity, including anti-cancer properties. Remarkably, Aspergillus flavus—notoriously associated with mysterious deaths among archaeological teams exploring ancient tombs—has now been harnessed for therapeutic innovation. The toxic fungus has been engineered to produce RiPPs with enhanced cancer-fighting potential, marking a significant step in drug discovery from unlikely biological sources.
Scientists in the Netherlands have achieved the world’s first successful gene editing of mitochondrial DNA in patient-derived cells. Using a precision gene-editing tool, the researchers corrected pathogenic mutations, offering new hope for conditions previously deemed untreatable. Mitochondria—cellular organelles responsible for energy production—possess their own genetic material, separate from nuclear DNA. Mutations in mitochondrial DNA, which are inherited exclusively through the maternal line, can lead to a wide spectrum of disorders, including severe metabolic, developmental, and neurological conditions. While CRISPR has transformed the treatment landscape for many genetic diseases, it has been largely ineffective in addressing mitochondrial disorders due to its inability to access mitochondrial DNA. This study represents a pivotal step forward by overcoming that barrier.
💡Products/tools of the week
Zola is an AI-powered financial data platform designed to transform natural language queries into professional-grade charts and reports within seconds. By automating data analysis and visualization tasks, it eliminates the need for manual Excel work, enabling users to concentrate on extracting insights rather than spending time on formatting. The platform enhances collaboration through live, shareable dashboards that automatically update, ensuring that all team members operate from a unified, real-time data set. Zola offers access to over 100 financial data sources through a single, streamlined interface and includes AI agents capable of performing complex, analyst-level workflows. Tailored for finance professionals, Zola delivers rapid, accurate insights without the inefficiencies of switching between multiple tools.
LLM Browser is a cloud-based agentic browser purpose-built for large language models and AI agents, offering undetectable web automation at scale. Equipped with robust anti-detection technology, it includes automated CAPTCHA solving and zero network leaks, ensuring that AI systems can browse the web without triggering anti-bot defenses. The platform allows users to deploy anywhere from 1 to over 1,000 browser instances in parallel via a fully managed cloud infrastructure—requiring no server configuration or setup. For organizations developing AI agents that require dependable web browsing functionality, LLM Browser provides a seamless way to bypass advanced anti-bot systems while eliminating the burden of managing browser infrastructure.
New.website is a streamlined digital tool that simplifies website creation for non-technical users. It combines intuitive drag-and-drop functionality with AI-powered design assistance to help entrepreneurs, small businesses, and content creators launch professional websites without coding knowledge. Users choose this platform for its time-saving templates, affordable pricing model, and ability to create responsive, visually appealing sites that would otherwise require hiring a web developer or learning complex software.
Drawer AI is an advanced, web-based platform engineered to automate the process of electrical takeoffs and estimating. It rapidly extracts and quantifies devices, fixtures, and circuits from PDF electrical drawings, reducing the time required from hours to mere minutes. The software automates key tasks such as device counting, branch circuit routing, wire sizing, and the generation of detailed reports. This empowers electrical contractors and estimators to complete bids up to 70% faster while maintaining high levels of accuracy. By leveraging Drawer AI, professionals in the electrical industry can significantly increase bid volume, minimize costly mistakes, and gain a strategic advantage through more efficient and precise estimating workflows.
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