Weekly Piece of Future #99
From Nvidia’s Robotic Vision to Breakthrough Cancer Therapies and Humanoid Robots
Hey there, fellow future-addicts!
Welcome to this week's edition of Rushing Robotics, your ultimate source for the latest and most exciting developments in the world of artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, and cutting-edge innovations. In this issue, we bring you a closer look at some truly game-changing advancements that are shaping the future of technology and science. From Nvidia’s bold and strategic move into the robotics sector, to a groundbreaking new cancer therapy that challenges traditional treatments, to fresh insights into the human brain’s astonishing ability to process information, the stories in this newsletter are nothing short of mind-blowing.
🤯 Mind-Blowing
We kick things off with Nvidia’s major leap into robotics, marking their ambition to establish a leading platform for humanoid robots with the upcoming release of Jetson Thor. Meanwhile, we also explore a fascinating new study that reveals just how fast (or rather, slow) the human brain actually processes information—surprising findings that challenge what we thought we knew about brain power.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
This section is filled with the latest developments from the world of robotics and AI. AgiBot has launched the largest humanoid manipulation dataset ever, providing a new tool to supercharge AI training for robots, while Samsung has made a significant investment in Rainbow Robotics, signaling their intent to build the next generation of humanoid robots capable of following complex commands. We’ll also dive into the pioneering work being done on hydrogen-powered rescue trucks and batteries that promise to change the future of clean energy and heavy-duty vehicles.
🧬 BioTech
The biotech world is brimming with exciting breakthroughs, including a revolutionary new method for treating skin cancer, particularly in organ transplant recipients who face an increased risk. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have also made a major discovery in the battle against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, providing new hope in the fight against these deadly infections. Additionally, we’ll take a closer look at a fascinating study that could potentially turn colon cancer cells into normal, healthy cells—transforming cancer treatment as we know it.
💡 Products/Tools of the Week
In this section, we showcase the latest tools designed to push the envelope in AI and development. From Lecca.io’s customizable AI agent platform that allows for seamless integration of web search and phone call functions, to Coval’s automated testing framework that simplifies the process of developing reliable voice and chat agents, these tools are reshaping how developers build and test AI systems. Also, we’ll explore how Postshot is making 3D modeling more accessible by transforming videos into high-quality 3D models with AI-powered technology.
🎥 Video Section
Our video section brings you the latest demonstrations of cutting-edge robotics in action. Watch Unitree Robotics unveil its latest humanoid robot, get a glimpse of Sanctuary AI’s new tactile sensors that enable robots to interact with the world in more lifelike ways, or see Ekso Bionics push the boundaries of wearable exoskeletons for improved gait.
This issue is packed with stories, updates, and innovations that are pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible, taking us closer to a future where AI and robotics are an integral part of our daily lives. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a developer, or someone fascinated by the latest in scientific discovery, you’ll find something here to inspire and spark your curiosity. Stay hungry, stay futurish!
🤯 Mind-Blowing
After dominating the GPU and AI accelerator markets in the wake of the AI boom, Nvidia, now valued at over $3 trillion, is turning its attention to robotics. Deepu Talla, VP of Robotics, likens this new phase to “The ChatGPT moment for physical AI and robotics.” According to the Financial Times, Nvidia will debut a specialized robotics computer, Jetson Thor, in early 2025 as part of its Jetson platform. This compact and powerful device is aimed at establishing Nvidia as the leading platform for humanoid robots, marking a strategic push into the robotics space. Talla explained that this initiative stems from two significant technological advancements: the swift progress of generative AI and enhanced simulation capabilities that enable training robots in more sophisticated virtual environments. “The shift is a calculated move based on our technological progress and market readiness,” Talla stated. Through this venture, Nvidia seeks to enable developers to fully leverage generative AI and advanced simulations, positioning the company as a key player in the robotics sector.
How fast does the human brain actually work? Scientists have now measured its processing speed, discovering it operates at just 10 bits per second when handling sensory input. This figure is millions of times slower than the rate at which the body’s sensory systems gather data—approximately a billion bits per second. Markus Meister, a study co-author, described this processing speed as surprisingly low, explaining that the brain uses these 10 bits to interpret the world and make decisions despite the overwhelming input from sensory organs.
“This creates a paradox,” Meister added. “How does the brain decide which information to process and which to ignore?” The brain’s immense complexity includes over 85 billion neurons, with one-third dedicated to high-level thinking within the cortex, according to the researchers.
In a pioneering breakthrough in cancer therapy, researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a revolutionary method to transform colon cancer cells into normal-like cells, without harming them. This game-changing approach, spearheaded by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, challenges traditional cancer treatments that focus on killing cancer cells, which often cause severe side effects and increase the risk of recurrence. The ability to revert cancer cells to a normal state is an extraordinary discovery, and this study demonstrates that such a transformation can be systematically induced. The researchers used a digital twin of the gene network involved in the differentiation of normal cells, creating a computational model to simulate and analyze the gene interactions that regulate cell differentiation. Through their simulations, the team identified key molecular switches that could guide colon cancer cells back into a normal-like state. These findings were validated through experiments, cellular studies, and animal trials, confirming the effectiveness of this innovative method.
OpenAI and Microsoft have reportedly established a secret definition for "AGI" (artificial general intelligence), designating it as the point when a system can outperform humans across most tasks. Leaked documents from The Information reveal that in 2023, both companies agreed that AGI would be achieved once OpenAI develops an AI system capable of generating at least $100 billion in profits. The definition of AGI has been a topic of ongoing debate within the AI community, with questions surrounding whether machines will ever surpass human capabilities in most fields, potentially leading to significant economic disruptions. Some have speculated that OpenAI might soon declare AGI in order to gain a competitive edge over Microsoft. However, this agreement suggests that Microsoft could have access to OpenAI’s models for many years, potentially up to a decade or more.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
Chinese robotics company AgiBot has launched the largest humanoid manipulation dataset to date, aiming to significantly enhance AI training for robots. Called the AgiBot World Alpha, this dataset includes over one million trajectories collected from 100 robots across more than 100 scenarios in five domains. The dataset focuses on improving robot manipulation, tool usage, and collaborative capabilities. The AgiBot ecosystem encompasses not only the dataset but also foundational models, standardized benchmarks, and a collaborative framework designed to make high-quality robotic data accessible to a broader range of developers. Notably, the dataset is freely available to AI humanoid developers, encouraging widespread innovation in the field.
Samsung is taking a significant step toward the development of humanoid robots designed to follow complex instructions, navigate through difficult environments, and interact naturally with humans. During a recent event, Samsung Electronics announced a major increase in its investment in Rainbow Robotics, a prominent South Korean robotics company. This move raises Samsung’s stake in Rainbow Robotics to 35%, establishing the company as the firm’s largest shareholder. The strategic partnership aligns with Samsung’s ambitions to create humanoid robots capable of understanding and executing intricate commands, adapting to evolving environments, and engaging with humans in an intuitive and natural manner. Samsung’s aspirations extend beyond the current robotics trend. The company intends to integrate Rainbow Robotics’ collaborative robots into its manufacturing facilities to enhance efficiency and innovation.
The hydrogen fuel cell electric truck, named H2Rescue, set the record for the longest distance traveled without refueling, showcasing its potential for emergency response operations. During the record-breaking run, the truck covered an astounding 1,806 miles (2,906 kilometers) using just 386 pounds (175 kilograms) of hydrogen. A Guinness World Records adjudicator ensured the fuel tank was sealed prior to the journey to validate the achievement.
Researchers at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) in South Korea have developed an innovative triple-layer solid polymer electrolyte that contains a lithium-ion battery capable of self-extinguishing if it catches fire and is resistant to explosions. This new battery also boasts a longer lifespan compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, according to a recent press release. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries play a crucial role in the global transition to clean energy, replacing fossil fuels with renewable and carbon-free alternatives. Sourced from abundant lithium, these batteries offer the highest energy density available today, powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles and more.
🧬 BioTech
A milestone in minimally invasive surgery was achieved with the first-ever successful procedure using two separate robotic systems. At the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, a urologist removed a prostate gland with the assistance of state-of-the-art robotic technology. The surgery incorporated Levita’s MARS platform, which uses a magnetic positioning system to manipulate internal organs. This technology allowed for precise tissue retraction, improving surgical visualization and safeguarding the vital nerves responsible for sexual function and urinary continence. These nerves, which control erectile function and bladder control, are located adjacent to the prostate gland.
Researchers at the University of Queensland are achieving notable progress in the creation of a revolutionary topical cream aimed at preventing and treating skin cancers, with a special focus on organ transplant recipients. The development of this innovative treatment has been bolstered by $344,000 in funding from the National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation. At the heart of this breakthrough is a unique drug that demonstrates remarkable potential in inhibiting the formation of skin cancers. This drug is unparalleled, offering the possibility not only to prevent skin cancer but also to treat early-stage cases specifically in organ transplant patients.To avoid organ rejection, these patients must rely on immunosuppressive medications, which, while life-saving, significantly increase their risk of developing skin cancers, particularly squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and Kaposi’s Sarcoma.
The growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is poised to become an even greater crisis, with deaths projected to double by 2050. Currently, these infections kill over 1 million people annually, fueling the urgent need for alternative solutions. Scientists at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) have made a critical discovery in the fight against resistance. Their research delved into why antibiotic-resistant strains fail to dominate over non-resistant bacteria and uncovered a potential method to disrupt resistance without antibiotics or harmful chemicals. Unexpectedly, the team found that antibiotic resistance exacts a significant toll. While it provides survival benefits, it also imposes physiological limitations, diminishing the bacteria’s ability to thrive and compete.
💡Products/tools of the week
Lecca.io offers a versatile solution for building and customizing AI agents powered by your preferred LLM models. It features an expanding toolkit that includes web search, phone call integration, Gmail connectivity, and calendar management. The platform provides flexibility by allowing you to bring your own API keys or utilize platform credits. Its modular framework supports building custom tools, selecting AI providers, and enhancing agent functionality with ease. As a source-available platform, Lecca.io allows you to host it on your infrastructure and tailor its features to suit your specific operational needs.
Coval is designed to help developers build reliable voice and chat agents more efficiently, offering seamless simulation and evaluation tools. With Coval, developers can create custom metrics, run thousands of scenarios, trace workflows, and integrate directly into CI/CD pipelines for actionable insights and enhanced agent performance. Traditional methods of manually testing agents through calls or chats are inefficient. Coval automates this process by integrating with CI/CD pipelines to run thousands of simulations automatically with every prompt change, saving time, expanding test coverage, and ensuring greater confidence in production performance.
Postshot, developed by Jawset, is an AI-powered 3D scanning tool that converts video footage into high-quality 3D models using advanced technologies such as Neural Radiance Fields and Gaussian Splatting. Users only need to capture a video of an object with their smartphone, import it into the Postshot desktop app, and let the software process it into a detailed 3D model. This tool is designed for designers, engineers, researchers, and 3D modeling enthusiasts, offering ease of use, sophisticated AI-driven capabilities, and flexibility for a wide range of applications. With its innovative technology and free beta access, Postshot delivers an accessible solution for creating professional-grade 3D models without requiring specialized hardware.
Monkt enables the conversion of PDFs, Word files, Excel sheets, PowerPoint presentations, and web pages into structured Markdown or JSON while ensuring that the semantic structure of the content is preserved. It supports the application of custom schemas, facilitates batch processing, and allows the use of predefined templates. Users can interact with Monkt through a REST API or a web interface. The tool was designed to meet practical needs, offering features such as converting files and URLs to Markdown or JSON, applying custom JSON schemas for validation, processing documents in batches, using predefined templates for common patterns, and integrating seamlessly through a simple REST API.
