Weekly Piece of Future #98
From Quantum Teleportation to 3D Physics Engines and Hearing Solutions
Hey there, fellow future-addicts!
Welcome to this week's edition of Rushing Robotics, where the future unfolds before our eyes! We’re diving deep into the latest developments across AI, robotics, biotech, and cutting-edge tools that are set to reshape the world. Whether it's OpenAI's potential leap into humanoid robotics or new breakthroughs in medicine and quantum technology, there’s no shortage of mind-blowing innovations to explore.
🤯 Mind-Blowing
OpenAI might be venturing into humanoid robotics, a move that could revolutionize industries like warehouse management and in-home assistance. Meanwhile, breakthroughs in medical technology, such as a microneedle designed for treating hearing loss, and the potential for quantum teleportation to integrate with the internet are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Plus, OpenAI’s new reasoning AI models are setting a new standard in problem-solving.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
In the robotics space, Chinese firm Agibot is leading the charge with mass production of humanoid robots, setting a fast pace ahead of competitors like Tesla. Plus, universities are introducing new technologies, such as miniature VR headsets for deeper insights into neural activity and the launch of AI boards like Sparsh, which offer innovative, battery-efficient solutions for on-device AI.
🧬 BioTech
Revolutionary advances in biosensing are coming from MIT with a new wireless, light-based technology to monitor electrical signals in biological systems. This breakthrough is set to impact the study of diseases like Alzheimer’s and arrhythmia. Meanwhile, inspired by desert ants' navigational abilities, Chinese researchers have developed a tiny photodetector chip with a wide range of potential applications in medicine and imaging.
💡 Products/Tools of the Week
This week, we spotlight a few game-changing tools: Backflip AI, which simplifies 3D creation, HeyGen, an AI-powered platform for creating talking avatar videos, and Lambda, which uses AI to optimize investment management. These tools are pushing the limits of what AI can do, making it easier and more efficient to bring your ideas to life.
🎥 Video Section
In this week’s video spotlight, we have some exciting developments in robotics and AI. Pudu Robotics showcases its PUDU D9, the first full-sized bipedal humanoid robot, while Engineai Robot introduces the ENGINEAI PM01, the ultimate embodied intelligent humanoid hardware. CBS News highlights South Korean researchers’ work on a wearable robot designed to assist people with disabilities in walking. Meanwhile, Boston Dynamics brings us some festive cheer with their Happy Holidays | 2024 video. Lastly, PUT Mobile Robots Laboratory demonstrates a robotic Christmas demo in their Mobile Robots Lab 2024 video.
As technology evolves, so does our understanding of what’s possible. Stay curious and keep your eyes on what’s next. Stay hungry, stay futurish!
🤯 Mind-Blowing
OpenAI may be preparing to venture into humanoid robotics, according to a recent report that suggests the company has been internally discussing such a project. The report, which cites two individuals with "direct knowledge" of the discussions, indicates that OpenAI is considering the development of its own humanoid robots. However, specifics regarding the project's timeline and intended applications are currently unavailable. Humanoid robots present vast potential across a range of industries, including warehouse management, in-home assistance, and industrial process optimization.
This super-thin and sharp device is set to transform how precise treatments are delivered to the inner ear. Columbia University’s ENT surgeon Anil Lalwani and mechanical engineer Jeffrey Kysar, who designed the microneedle, believe it will revolutionize therapies for hard-to-reach areas in the cochlea. The cochlea, a fluid-filled spiral in the inner ear, plays a key role in hearing. This development is especially timely as gene therapy offers hope to restore hearing by repairing damaged cells, though safely delivering such treatments remains a major challenge due to the cochlea’s intricate structure.
Engineers at Northwestern University have made a significant breakthrough by demonstrating quantum teleportation over a fiber optic cable that is already carrying regular Internet traffic. This achievement suggests that quantum communication could be seamlessly integrated into existing Internet infrastructure, removing the need for separate networks. It also simplifies the technology required for quantum computing and sensing applications. The experiment showed that quantum information can be transmitted alongside conventional data without interference, paving the way for more efficient and secure communication technologies.
OpenAI has unveiled its new reasoning AI models, o3 and o3 mini, designed to address complex challenges. CEO Sam Altman revealed that the o3 mini model will be released by the end of January, followed by the full o3 model. The goal is to enhance performance and attract new users and investments. During a livestream on Friday, Altman shared that these models represent the next phase of AI, capable of tackling increasingly complex tasks that require significant reasoning. The o3 model achieved an impressive 96.7% accuracy on the AIME 2024 math competition, missing only one question, and scored 87.7% on the GPQA Diamond for scientific reasoning, outperforming PhD-level experts who score around 70%.
One of o3’s standout achievements is solving 25.2% of the problems on EpochAI’s Frontier Math benchmark, a massive improvement from the previous model’s 2% accuracy. Additionally, it scored 87.5% on the ARC-AGI benchmark, surpassing human performance in conceptual reasoning.
Academic institutions are now open-sourcing Genesis, a groundbreaking 3D physics engine designed for robotics. This innovative engine merges ultra-fast simulations with generative features to create dynamic 4D environments ideal for both robotics and physics applications. Genesis addresses the challenges of accessibility, efficiency, and complexity, unlocking new possibilities for researchers and developers worldwide.The field of robotics has often been restricted by the need for expensive hardware, technical expertise, and time-consuming processes to create realistic simulations. Traditional tools often lack the speed, accuracy, and ease of use required for widespread adoption. Genesis is different. Its simplified installation process, intuitive API, and flexible design make it accessible to both newcomers and experienced professionals.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
Chinese robotics firm Agibot has launched mass production of humanoid robots for general use, setting a new pace ahead of US companies like Tesla, which plans to reach this milestone by 2026. Agibot revealed that it is on track to produce 1,000 units by the end of the year, showcasing footage of its manufacturing facility. Founded in February 2023 by Peng Zhihui, a former Huawei “Genius Youth” program participant, the company introduced its first humanoid robot, Raise A1, in August 2023. These robots are designed to collaborate with human workers on tasks such as inventory shelving and component testing. In addition, Agibot has launched a "data collection factory" to gather real-world data through practical scenarios like folding clothes, organizing, and cleaning—paving the way for the future of humanoid robotics in everyday life.
Researchers from Cornell University have developed miniature VR headsets called MouseGoggles, designed to immerse mice more deeply in virtual environments. This innovation helps reveal neural activity related to spatial navigation and memory function. The headsets are made from low-cost, off-the-shelf components, including smartwatch displays and tiny lenses. Additionally, MouseGoggles can track the mouse's eye movements and changes in pupil size.
This technology has the potential to provide valuable insights into neural activity, particularly in understanding spatial navigation and memory. It could lead to breakthroughs in studying disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and its potential treatments.
Ambient Scientific has introduced the Sparsh board, an AI module that operates on a simple coin cell battery, opening up endless possibilities for on-device AI applications. From human activity recognition to voice control and acoustic event detection, the Sparsh board is designed to empower developers to create innovative solutions with minimal power consumption.
Its standout feature? Months of continuous operation on a single battery, removing the need for frequent replacements. With motion sensors, a digital microphone, and a Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) module, the Sparsh board is a game-changer for quickly prototyping AI applications that run on battery power.
The Fusion Energy Innovation Alliance has been established to accelerate the commercialization of fusion energy and build a strong domestic industrial ecosystem. The alliance, a consultative body comprising industry, academia, and research sectors, was formally launched at an inauguration ceremony held on December 16 at the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy in Daejeon. With 206 experts from 91 institutions, including companies, universities, and government-funded research institutes, the alliance is led by Vice President So Byeong-sik of Samsung C&T, who serves as the standing chairman. Its mission is to propose policy recommendations for technology development, regulatory responses, and human resource training, as well as to support the creation of startups and help them expand internationally.
🧬 BioTech
Electrical signal monitoring is essential for understanding cellular communication and advancing the diagnosis and treatment of diseases like arrhythmia and Alzheimer’s. Devices that capture these signals in cell cultures and liquid environments often rely on wired connections between electrodes and amplifiers. This wired setup limits the number of recording sites and, as a result, constrains the amount of data collected. Researchers at MIT have developed an innovative biosensing method that eliminates the need for wires. Instead, tiny wireless antennas detect electrical signals by using light to observe minute changes in the surrounding liquid. These antennas, each just one-hundredth the width of a human hair, measure electrical activity by how the liquid alters the light they scatter. By using an array of such antennas, the researchers achieved high spatial resolution in tracking cell-to-cell communication. The devices can record these signals for more than 10 hours, opening new possibilities for understanding cellular responses to environmental changes.
MIT researchers have introduced a breakthrough biosensing technique using miniature, wireless antennas that capture electrical signals in biological systems with unprecedented precision. This innovation bypasses the need for wires and amplifiers, paving the way for simpler and more accurate cellular studies. It has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of conditions like arrhythmia and Alzheimer’s and open doors to more effective, targeted treatments. With organic electro-scattering antennas (OCEANs) capable of wirelessly recording electrical signals from thousands of sites with micrometer-level precision, this technique offers vast opportunities to explore fundamental biology, altered signaling in disease, and the effects of various treatments, ultimately advancing the future of medical research and care.
In a breakthrough inspired by nature, Chinese researchers have developed a tiny, on-chip polarization photodetector, mimicking the navigational prowess of desert ants. These remarkable ants can navigate vast and barren landscapes by sensing the polarization of sunlight, allowing them to find their way home with incredible accuracy. Drawing from this biological ability, the team has designed a miniaturized polarization photodetector with a wide range of potential applications. From navigation and fingerprint detection to cancer tissue identification and de-hazing images, this innovative chip could revolutionize various fields. Its bio-inspired design makes it possible to create affordable, highly sensitive polarization imaging systems.
💡Products/tools of the week
Backflip AI revolutionizes 3D creation by transforming your ideas into physical parts with ease. Describe, draw, or photograph an object, and our AI generates a 3D model ready for printing in materials like metal, carbon fiber, or plastic. Ideal for designers and engineers, Backflip AI streamlines prototyping and accelerates innovation.
HeyGen is an advanced AI-powered tool for creating realistic talking avatar videos online. It enables users to generate professional-quality video content for marketing, e-learning, presentations, and social media. By customizing the avatar’s appearance, voice, and script, HeyGen provides a personalized touch that enhances customer engagement and ensures consistent messaging. Ideal for businesses and individuals, this versatile platform reduces video production time and costs while offering scalable solutions for communication and content creation, eliminating the need for live actors or extensive technical expertise.
Lambda leverages AI to deliver cutting-edge investment management. Analyze holdings, dividends, and risks with precision. Classify assets by stock, sector, or country, and access dividend schedules, historical data, and yields powered by time-series analytics. Stay informed with real-time insights from Lambda's intelligent chatbot.
PopShort.ai leverages cutting-edge AI to transform your ideas into high-quality short videos in minutes. From generating scripts and storyboards to producing animations, voiceovers, and special effects, our tool ensures a seamless journey from concept to completion. With customizable characters and styles, PopShort.ai adapts to your workflow, making AI-powered storytelling accessible to everyone.
Pudu Robotics: PUDU D9: The First Full-sized Bipedal Humanoid Robot by Pudu Robotics
Engineai Robot: Introducing ENGINEAI PM01 – The Ultimate Embodied Intelligent Humanoid Hardware
CBS News: South Korean researchers develop wearable robot that helps people with disabilities walk
PUT Mobile Robots Laboratory: Robotic Christmas Demo - Mobile Robots Lab 2024