Weekly Piece of Future #76
From Living Robots to Robotic Exoskeletons Carrying Olympic Flames and Quantum Computing Progress
Hey there, fellow future-addicts!
Welcome to this week's edition of Rushing Robotics! Prepare to have your mind expanded as we dive into the latest and most astonishing advancements in the world of artificial intelligence. From revolutionary AI systems solving complex mathematical problems to groundbreaking developments in living robots and quantum computing, this issue is packed with game-changing news.
🤯 Mind-Blowing
Google DeepMind's AlphaProof and AlphaGeometry 2 have achieved a historic milestone by solving problems at the International Mathematical Olympiad, while the world watches as the field of ‘living robots’ prompts urgent calls for ethical oversight. We’ll also explore PsiQuantum’s ambitious plans to build the largest quantum computing facility in the US, and introduce you to Llama 405B—the first GPT-4-class model available for download.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
Google is revolutionizing weather forecasting with NeuralGCM, a hybrid machine learning and physics-based model delivering more accurate and efficient weather predictions. This advance could transform how we prepare for and respond to climate variations.
🧬 BioTech
On the biotech front, we showcase innovative breakthroughs, including an exoskeleton-carrying Olympic flame, advancements in brain-computer interfaces, and promising new research on extending lifespan. Plus, get the scoop on cutting-edge products and tools designed to streamline AI integration and development.
💡 Products/Tools of the Week
Explore BuildShip for low-code chatbot creation, MarsCode for AI-enhanced software development, Atlas for personalized academic assistance, Scade.pro for no-code AI integration, and Dough for crafting AI-generated animations with precision.
🎥 Video Section
Catch the latest on AI robots with human-like brains, task learning tests from NAVER LABS, precision home robotics from MIT CSAIL, and a cooking demo by Moley Robotics.
Dive in and stay ahead of the curve with the latest industry insights, biotech breakthroughs, and cutting-edge products and tools designed to push the boundaries of what's possible. Stay hungry, stay futurish!
🤯 Mind-Blowing
Google DeepMind announced that its AI systems, AlphaProof and AlphaGeometry 2, reportedly solved four out of six problems from this year's International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), earning a score equivalent to a silver medal. The tech giant claims this is the first time an AI has performed at this level in the prestigious math competition, though the claims come with typical AI-related nuances. According to Google, AlphaProof employs reinforcement learning to prove mathematical statements in the formal language called Lean. The system trains itself by generating and verifying millions of proofs, progressively tackling more difficult problems.
Scientists are calling for urgent regulation of ‘living robots.’ Engineers are increasingly creating artificial robots using real, living tissue and cells. These robots, which rely on both artificial components and lab-grown living tissues, harness the capabilities of living cells. However, a team of multidisciplinary researchers has warned in a significant intervention that the rapid advancement of this technology has outpaced the understanding of the ethical and governance concerns it presents.
PsiQuantum is planning to build the largest quantum computing facility in the US. The company has partnered with the State of Illinois, Cook County, and the City of Chicago to establish the fault-tolerant quantum computing facility at the former US Steel South Works property in Chicago. Experts agree that a utility-scale quantum computer will require 1 million qubits to achieve the necessary threshold for quantum error correction. The commissioning of such a system will provide highly precise answers to computational problems that conventional computers cannot solve.
The first GPT-4-class AI model available for download has arrived: Llama 405B. Llama 3.1 405B is the first openly accessible model that competes with top AI models in state-of-the-art capabilities, including general knowledge, steerability, math, tool use, and multilingual translation.
For the first time ever, an athlete using a robotic exoskeleton has carried the Olympic flame. On Tuesday, French para-athlete Kevin Piette carried the flame in front of the Temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia, Greece. Approximately 11 years ago, an accident left Piette, a former French tennis star, paraplegic. Despite this, he returned to tennis as a para-athlete. A clip of his historic moment is now going viral on social media, drawing millions of views.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
Google researchers have achieved a major milestone in weather forecasting with the development of NeuralGCM, a new machine learning (ML) approach designed to simulate Earth's atmosphere. NeuralGCM integrates traditional physics-based modeling with ML to achieve better simulation accuracy and efficiency. Google reports that this technique delivers 2–15-day weather forecasts that are more accurate than existing top physics-based models and provides a more accurate representation of temperatures from the past 40 years compared to traditional models.
Researchers from the Center for Quantum Nanoscience (QNS) in South Korea and Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany have developed an MRI-like tool designed for quantum materials. This quantum sensor provides detailed information about properties such as electron spin and quantum entanglement, similar to how MRI captures high-resolution images of body parts. The interest has moved from basic atomic structures to the quantum realm, as scientists aim to grasp electric and magnetic fields within atoms to advance technologies like quantum computing.
Engineers at the University of Michigan have developed OptoGPT, an AI algorithm that uses the architecture of ChatGPT to rapidly design optical multilayer film structures. These structures, made from thin layers of various materials, are crucial for applications such as solar cells, telescopes, semiconductor manufacturing, and smart windows. Unlike current inverse design methods, which struggle with diverse targets and structures, OptoGPT dramatically speeds up the design process, generating designs in just 0.1 seconds. Its ability to create designs with fewer layers simplifies manufacturing and reduces costs, making advanced optical technologies more accessible.
BMW is redefining electric vehicle technology with an innovative in-wheel electric motor, developed in collaboration with Munich-based tech company DeepDrive. This motor, which is currently undergoing testing, features a novel dual-rotor design. It aims to significantly improve the efficiency, range, and performance of electric vehicles. This new approach contrasts with traditional motors that use a single rotor, as DeepDrive’s design enables both internal and external rotors to operate simultaneously.
🧬 BioTech
A team of researchers at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Sciences and Imperial College London has made significant progress by inhibiting the IL-11 protein, which extended the healthy lifespan of mice by almost 25%. This finding could potentially translate to similar benefits for humans. Collaborating with Duke NUS Medical School in Singapore, the scientists created genetically modified mice lacking the IL-11 gene. This modification led to a lifespan increase of more than 20% on average.
Inbrain Neuroelectronics, a startup from Barcelona, has designed an innovative brain implant that can read and stimulate brain impulses. Their new brain-computer interface (BCI) employs graphene, a remarkable material that enables a high-resolution connection with the brain. Graphene, characterized by its one-atom-thick, steel-like strength and honeycomb lattice structure of carbon atoms, represents a significant leap forward in brain interface technology.
Researchers at Tohoku University in Japan have unveiled a groundbreaking system that can restore blood circulation in an injured heart within three minutes. The development was inspired by the tragic shooting of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022. This innovative system is intended to provide crucial support during emergencies, such as terrorist attacks and other public crises.
💡Products/tools of the week
BuildShip enables users to develop chatbots and backend APIs through a low-code visual builder powered by AI. It provides pre-built nodes, templates, and integrations with various AI models and services such as OpenAI, Stable Diffusion, and Google Vision. Users can effortlessly connect their own databases or utilize built-in options, schedule tasks, and securely manage API keys.
MarsCode is an AI-powered cloud-based IDE that enhances software development by offering a full range of features, including AI-driven code completion, generation, explanation, and debugging. It enables developers to write code more efficiently through natural language interaction, provides various tools for plugin development and deployment, and simplifies project setup with schema management and one-click deployment.
Atlas is a school AI assistant created to offer students precise and personalized assistance by analyzing their specific class materials, including lectures, textbooks, readings, homework, and tests. It can solve problems, assist with concept learning, help draft documents like memos, support math tasks, and enhance study and collaboration. Students can use Atlas to get reliable, coursework-specific answers, save time on homework, and improve their grasp of difficult topics.
Scade.pro is a no-code platform designed to simplify the integration of AI models for audio, image, text, and video into projects. By using Scade.pro, users can accelerate their project timelines and reduce costs by up to 90%. The platform offers access to more than 1,500 AI models, featuring a unique LLM router to help users compare and select the most effective language models for their needs. Additionally, it provides tools for various specific tasks, making the creation of AI features effortless.
Dough is an open-source tool tailored for crafting AI-generated animations with exceptional control and precision. Users can steer video generation using a blend of images through the Steerable Motion feature and example videos via Motion Director, offering detailed motion settings for every frame.
