Weekly Piece of Future #82
From Neural Implants to Quantum Error Reductions and Lab-Grown Stem Cells
Hey there, fellow future-addicts!
Welcome to this week's edition of Rushing Robotics! Dive into this edition where groundbreaking discoveries and technological marvels are shaping tomorrow. From revolutionary advances in brain-computer interfaces to record-breaking achievements in quantum computing, we’ve got a lot to unpack. Here’s what’s lighting up the tech world:
🤯 Mind-Blowing
Get ready to have your mind expanded! China’s latest brain-computer interface technology, which leverages genetic modification, could be a game-changer in the world of neural tech. Meanwhile, the world’s fastest supercomputer has solved a major mystery in nuclear physics, and lab-grown blood stem cells are paving the way for personalized treatments in bone marrow transplants. Plus, IQM Quantum Computers has reached a milestone in quantum computing with record-low error rates, and Tesla’s new Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system is showcasing its prowess in urban navigation.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
Stay updated with the latest from the tech industry! Intel has unveiled its Core Ultra 200V series processors, promising unprecedented performance and efficiency. Meanwhile, China’s graphite purity breakthrough sets new standards, and Hypermotive Limited’s XM-1 hydrogen fuel cell platform aims to revolutionize maritime transport. LG is also making strides with its 4680 battery technology, potentially transforming the electric vehicle market.
🧬 BioTech
Explore the cutting edge of biotechnology! Google’s new AI technique predicts sickness through audio cues, while a revolutionary bio-material for osteoarthritis treatment is showing promise. Scientists have also introduced nanowarming technology to extend the storage time of transplant organs, offering new hope for more efficient transplants.
💡 Products/Tools of the Week
Discover tools designed to streamline your workflow and enhance creativity. Taipy offers an intuitive way to build data-driven web applications, Bricks simplifies report creation with AI-powered tools, Shortspilot automates video content creation for social media, and Storyteller.ai enables seamless 3D content creation.
🎥 Video Section
Check out our featured videos showcasing the latest in robotics and technology. See the NEO Beta humanoid robot, AgileX Robotics’ PiPER lightweight robotic arm, Kawasaki Robotics’ affordable educational robot, and more.
Buckle up and get ready to explore the innovations that are driving us toward an exciting future! Stay hungry, stay futurish!
🤯 Mind-Blowing
China’s latest brain-computer interface (BCI) technology could challenge Elon Musk’s Neuralink, thanks to a groundbreaking approach involving genetic modification. Chinese researchers have developed a new implantable electrode designed to enhance neuron health and enable thought-controlled device operation. By influencing surrounding neurons, this device aims to improve the interaction between the brain and external objects. Tests on mice, where electrodes were implanted on both sides of the brain, showed that blocking certain genes increased neuronal activity and signal quality, representing a significant leap forward in mind-controlled technology.
The world's fastest supercomputer has helped solve a decade-long mystery surrounding the magnetic properties of calcium-48, inching closer to resolving a long-standing disagreement in nuclear physics. The research aims to improve our understanding of magnetism within atomic nuclei and resolve a debate sparked by conflicting experimental results regarding calcium-48’s magnetic behavior. This breakthrough could shed light on subatomic interactions within supernovae, the massive stellar explosions responsible for dispersing heavy elements across the universe.
Lab-grown blood stem cells that closely mimic natural human cells have been successfully developed, presenting a promising advancement for bone marrow transplants. Researchers have achieved the ability to reprogram any patient’s cells into these stem cells, which can then be turned into specifically matched blood cells for transplantation. This personalized approach holds the potential to significantly impact patients requiring bone marrow transplants, providing a customized treatment option that could enhance outcomes and reduce complications.
Finland-based IQM Quantum Computers, a company that develops, builds, and sells superconducting quantum computers, has reached a major milestone by improving two critical metrics in quantum computing. The firm achieved a record low error rate for two-qubit operations, demonstrating a CZ gate between two qubits with a fidelity of (99.91 ± 0.02) %, confirmed by interleaved randomized benchmarking. High two-qubit gate fidelity is a challenging yet essential feature for quantum processors, as it is crucial for creating entangled states between qubits and executing complex algorithms.
Tesla has launched a new promo video that showcases the latest advancements in its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature. This advanced system is now being rolled out to a growing number of Tesla owners who opted to purchase or subscribe. In the video, FSD (Supervised) is shown handling city streets with little human intervention. Scenarios such as detours, narrow gaps, and difficult turns were featured to highlight how well the system performs under challenging conditions during urban drives.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
On September 3, Intel unveiled its highly efficient Intel Core Ultra 200V series processors at an event in Berlin. As stated in the company's press release, this processor family offers remarkable performance, unprecedented power efficiency in x86 systems, a huge leap in graphics capabilities, and uncompromised application compatibility. These processors are designed to power next-generation AI PCs, with enhanced security and superior AI performance. Intel has partnered with more than 20 top manufacturers, including Acer, Dell, Lenovo, and Samsung, to release over 80 consumer designs featuring this new technology.
A Chinese company has successfully developed graphite with a purity exceeding 99.9%, marking a significant achievement in bringing China’s graphite products to world-leading standards. This ultra-high pure graphite, containing over 99.99% carbon, offers superior self-lubrication, conductivity, resistance to corrosion and high temperatures, as well as chemical stability. The higher the graphite's purity, the better its lubricity. These materials are widely utilized in advanced industries like aerospace, superconductors, integrated circuits, and semiconductors.
Hypermotive Limited has introduced XM-1, a cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell platform designed to revolutionize power generation for ships, ferries, boats, and yachts. This innovation, supported by Honda, marks the company's entry into hydrogen fuel cell technology within Europe. With the transportation sector responsible for 20% of global CO2 emissions, XM-1 aims to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels and promote cleaner maritime transport.
LG is positioning itself as a key player in the competitive race for 4680 battery production, challenging major players like CATL, Samsung, SK, Panasonic, and Tesla. The 4680 battery, featuring a 46mm diameter and 80mm length, represents a significant advancement in battery technology. Industry analysts highlight that it delivers five times the energy density and six times the output compared to the traditional 2170 battery, while also boosting electric vehicle range by at least 20%.
🧬 BioTech
Google is pushing forward by adopting a groundbreaking technique that uses audio cues to predict the onset of sickness. The tech giant has trained its AI foundation model with 300 million audio samples, including sounds like coughs and heavy breathing, to identify early symptoms of illnesses like tuberculosis. To further develop this technology, Google has partnered with Salcit Technologies, an AI startup in India focused on respiratory health, to bring this capability to smartphones.
A new bio-material developed by scientists in China could significantly advance the treatment of osteoarthritis by slowing down its progression. This joint disease, marked by the gradual degradation of cartilage, results in reduced lubrication and increased friction. The promising technique uses "hydrogel microspheres" in conjunction with an antibody to reestablish cartilage lubrication, potentially offering a substantial benefit in managing the disease and preserving joint health.
Scientists at the University of California, Riverside, have introduced nanowarming, a technique that employs magnetic nanoparticles to safely rewarm tissues intended for transplants. This development could significantly extend the storage time of organs by enabling more efficient thawing. Donor organs are stored in cold conditions to slow down metabolism and reduce oxygen demand, and nanowarming uses magnetic fields to rewarm these tissues just before they are transplanted.
💡Products/tools of the week
Taipy is a Python-based tool designed to streamline the creation of data-driven and AI web applications. It allows developers to build intuitive graphical user interfaces (GUIs) directly on Python code, facilitating the transition from simple pilot projects to production-ready applications. With features like caching control, selective graphical updates, built-in data decimators, and integration with major data platforms, Taipy offers optimized performance and robust support for large data sets. It’s ideal for data scientists, Python developers, decision-makers, and business analysts looking to enhance productivity and simplify the development process.
Bricks is an advanced AI-powered spreadsheet tool that makes it easy to create reports, presentations, charts, and visuals directly from your data. By simply describing your needs, Bricks can generate these elements in seconds, streamlining data analysis and reporting. This tool is perfect for users looking to simplify their workflow and generate professional-quality outputs without requiring extensive expertise in spreadsheet manipulation.
Shortspilot offers an AI-powered solution for creating faceless, auto-generated videos with a single click, specifically designed for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. It includes features like AI video generation in diverse niches, Reddit stories conversion, fake chat simulations with AI voiceovers, and automated posting schedules. This tool is perfect for users who want to efficiently generate content and build their social media presence without extensive personal filming or editing.
Storyteller.ai is an advanced AI-based 3D creation engine that operates as a complete digital film studio. It allows users to easily create and animate 3D scenes, equipped with features like facial and body motion capture, voice conversion, and diverse artistic style transformations. Ideal for independent filmmakers and content creators, Storyteller.ai streamlines the filmmaking process, offering a full suite of tools to bring creative visions to life without requiring significant physical resources or advanced technical skills.