Weekly Piece of Future #81
From Biocomputers to DNA Instant Damage Repair and Self-Improving AI Algorithms
Hey there, fellow future-addicts!
Welcome to this week's edition of Rushing Robotics, your gateway to the most groundbreaking advancements and intriguing insights shaping our world! Dive into our curated sections to discover the latest in technology and innovation.
🤯 Mind-Blowing
In this issue, we're diving into the realms of science fiction turned science fact. Imagine renting biocomputers made of human brain cells or decoding thoughts into text with a tiny brain-machine interface. From Swiss biocomputers and revolutionary DNA-based data systems to solar-powered water generators and advanced robotics, our exploration covers the most mind-blowing innovations of today.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
Catch up on the latest industry trends and updates! Elon Musk has given us a sneak peek into Tesla’s new AI supercluster, Cortex, promising groundbreaking advancements in AI training. Meanwhile, Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman hints at a future where software engineers might need to adapt as AI increasingly takes over coding tasks.
🧬 BioTech
In the world of biotech, innovations continue to impress. Researchers are harnessing the self-improving power of AI to enhance 3D printing of biomedical devices and organs, with remarkable results. MIT neuroscientists have pinpointed brain regions involved in processing language, using advanced methods to observe neural activity with unprecedented precision.
💡 Products/Tools of the Week
Explore this week’s standout products and tools that are making waves in technology. Hermes 3, an open-source AI model from NOUS RESEARCH, boasts features like long-term context retention and advanced role-playing capabilities, making it a powerful tool for various AI applications. Zed, a high-performance code editor, integrates large language models to enhance collaborative programming and code generation. Quick Magic Mocap, an AI-driven tool, simplifies the motion capture process for animations by automatically identifying keyframes from uploaded videos, increasing productivity.
🎥 Video Section
Don’t miss our featured videos showcasing these innovations in action. Watch “Boardwalk Robotics: Meet Alex” to get acquainted with an advanced robotics solution. Explore “Kinisi Robotics: AI-Powered Robot” to see the latest in AI robotics technology. Finally, check out “JSK Tendon Group / Kento Kawaharazuka” for a look at cutting-edge object recognition and flexible hand control.
These innovations are setting new benchmarks—stay informed and pass on the excitement! Stay hungry, stay futurish!
🤯 Mind-Blowing
Biocomputers made of human brain cells are now available for rent as FinalSpark, a Swiss technology firm, recently introduced a program allowing scientists to rent cloud access to these "biocomputers." The company asserts that its biocomputers, or organoids, offer a low-energy alternative to traditional AI models and can last up to 100 days. Although this lifespan is relatively short, AI systems must be trained on organoids, which may require periodic transfers to new clusters to prevent degradation. Training these organoids is a complex process involving two setups: positive dopamine rewards and negative electrical stimulation. These methods have enabled organoids to form new pathways, similar to those in a living human brain. The biocomputers, composed of human brain cells, are available for $500 a month.
Researchers from Western University have identified a protein with a groundbreaking ability to halt DNA damage instantly. This discovery could lay the groundwork for developing a range of innovations, from vaccines targeting cancer to crops that can endure the increasingly severe conditions caused by climate change. The protein, found to withstand extreme conditions that damage DNA—such as 5,000 to 10,000 times the radiation lethal to normal human cells—offers unprecedented protection. Lead researcher Robert Szabla notes that Deinococcus, the protein in question, also excels at repairing DNA that has already been damaged.
A new, highly miniaturized brain-machine interface (BMI) has been created that could enable the translation of thoughts into words. This advancement holds significant promise for individuals with severe motor impairments, offering them the ability to communicate more freely. Researchers at EPFL have developed this advanced Miniaturized Brain-Machine Interface (MiBMI), using silicon chip technology. This tiny chip is capable of decoding complex neural signals and transforming them into readable text. The MiBMI enables the conversion of intricate neural activity into text with high accuracy and minimal power consumption. This development represents a major step toward practical, implantable solutions that could greatly enhance communication for everyone.
San Francisco-based startup Aquaria Technologies is pioneering a new technology that generates clean, affordable drinking water directly from the air. Their solar-powered device can produce 264 gallons of drinking water daily. Founded in 2022, the company focuses on providing clean water to regions impacted by climate change. The technology captures moisture from the air, bottling it for home use, while larger units can supply entire communities, offering much-needed relief in drought-stricken areas.
A new technology developed by researchers leverages DNA to store data and execute computing tasks, marking a significant departure from conventional electronic systems. Unlike previous DNA-based technologies that could only handle single tasks like storage or computation, this new system integrates multiple functions, including erasing and rewriting data. Created by scientists at North Carolina State University and Johns Hopkins University, this innovative approach is capable of tackling basic sudoku and chess problems.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
Elon Musk shared a video on Monday showcasing the interior of Cortex, Tesla’s new AI training supercluster, currently under construction at the company’s headquarters in Austin, Texas. In a post on X, the CEO described Cortex as “the giant new AI training supercluster being built at Tesla HQ in Austin to solve real-world AI.” The 20-second video provides a glimpse inside the sprawling facility, where rows of servers are packed with Nvidia H100 GPUs.
Software engineers might need to acquire new skills as artificial intelligence increasingly takes over coding tasks. This was the insight shared by Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services, during an internal fireside chat held in June. A recording of the meeting, obtained by Business Insider, reveals Garman’s perspective: “"If you go forward 24 months from now, or some amount of time — I can't exactly predict where it is — it's possible that most developers are not coding,” Garman, who assumed the role of AWS CEO in June, stated.
Modern robotics innovations are making it possible for machines to work alongside humans in new ways. For example, ADAM, a humanoid robot, is now serving cocktails at the Texas Rangers’ Major League Baseball stadium. This marks the first time a humanoid robot has been introduced into a major league sports arena. Developed by Richtech Robotics, ADAM is designed to improve efficiency, freeing up stadium workers to focus on creating engaging and memorable experiences for fans.
A breakthrough in quantum computing has been realized by MIT researchers with the creation of a new algorithm capable of allowing quantum machines to efficiently break existing encryption methods that protect digital data. This development emphasizes the importance of developing encryption methods that are resistant to quantum attacks. The research, led by Vinod Vaikuntanathan and graduate student Seyoon Ragavan, seeks to enhance the feasibility of quantum factoring.
🧬 BioTech
Self-improving AI is set to revolutionize the 3D printing of biomedical devices and organs. Recent findings show that an artificial intelligence algorithm can enhance the effectiveness of 3D printing. Researchers from Washington State University have demonstrated that this novel AI algorithm can aid in creating everything from artificial organs to bendable electronics and wearables. In their study, they employed the algorithm to print models of various human organs, such as kidneys and prostates. The AI generated 60 consecutive outputs, each surpassing the previous one, proving its capability for ongoing improvement.
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), MIT neuroscientists have identified various brain regions involved in processing language. However, determining the specific roles of neurons in those areas has been difficult, as fMRI measures changes in blood flow but doesn’t offer the high resolution needed to observe what smaller populations of neurons are doing. Now, utilizing a more precise method that records electrical activity directly from the brain, MIT neuroscientists have discovered different clusters of neurons that seem to process different levels of linguistic context.
Known for its self-cleaning and water-repellent properties, the lotus leaf has a surface that causes water droplets to appear as if they are floating. This phenomenon is attributed to the leaf’s unique texture, which traps air in its microscopic ridges and folds. At Rice University, bioengineers have applied the lotus effect to develop a novel system for culturing cancer cell clusters, aiming to uncover challenging tumor properties. The new culturing surface, made from zinc oxide, replicates the lotus leaf’s surface structure, providing a versatile platform for creating three-dimensional nanoscale tumor models efficiently.
💡Products/tools of the week
Hermes 3 is an open-source AI model from NOUS RESEARCH, designed to push the boundaries of individual alignment, artificial consciousness, and decentralization. It boasts advanced features like long-term context retention, multi-turn dialogues, complex roleplaying, internal monologue functions, and enhanced agentic function-calling. Developed by fine-tuning Llama 3.1 across different sizes and trained with synthetic responses, Hermes 3 is crafted for tasks requiring accurate instruction adherence and adaptability, catering to users seeking superior reasoning and creativity from their AI.
Zed is a cutting-edge code editor designed to enhance collaborative programming with both human partners and AI tools. Engineered for exceptional performance, Zed utilizes multiple CPU cores and GPUs and is written in Rust. It integrates large language models (LLMs) for advanced code generation, transformation, and analysis. Key features include multibuffer editing, interactive programming, multilingual support, and a native terminal equipped for task management.
Quick Magic Mocap is an advanced AI tool designed to make motion capture for animations easier. It eliminates the need for cameras, self-shot footage, or motion capture suits by letting users upload videos directly for motion capture. The AI automatically identifies keyframes, enabling the rapid creation of fluid, high-quality animations and boosting productivity by 30%.
Leonardo.AI is an advanced tool that employs AI technology to craft visually stunning game assets such as items, environments, helmets, buildings, and concept art. It provides users with a fast way to ideate, develop custom AI models, and produce unique assets ready for production, all within an artist-friendly interface.
