Plus: Los Angeles protestors set Waymos alight whereas opposing Trump’s immigration raids
That is in the present day’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a day by day dose of what is going on on on this planet of expertise.
How a Nineteen Eighties toy robotic arm impressed trendy robotics
—Jon Keegan
As a baby of an digital engineer, I spent quite a lot of time in our native Radio Shack as a child. Whereas my dad was finding capacitors and resistors, I used to be within the toy part. It was there, in 1984, that I found the perfect toy of my childhood: the Armatron robotic arm.
Described as a “robot-like arm to help younger masterminds in scientific and laboratory experiments,” it was a legit robotic arm. And the daring look and performance of Armatron made fairly an impression on many younger youngsters who would someday have a profession in robotics. Learn the complete story.
In case you’re occupied with the way forward for robots, why not take a look at:
+ Will we ever belief robots? If most robots nonetheless want distant human operators to be secure and efficient, why ought to we welcome them into our houses? Learn the complete story.
+ Once you may begin chatting with robots. Google is simply the newest to fuse giant language fashions with robots. Right here’s why the development has large implications.
+ How AI fashions let robots perform duties in unfamiliar environments. Learn the complete story.
+ China’s EV giants are betting large on humanoid robots. Technical know-how and present provide chains give Chinese language electric-vehicle makers a major head begin within the sector. Learn the complete story.
Why we nonetheless want AM radio
Probably the most dependable option to maintain us knowledgeable in occasions of catastrophe is being threatened. Try Ariel Aberg-Riger’s lovely visible story illustrating AM radio’s significance in unsure occasions.
Each of those tales are from the latest version of our print journal, which is all about how expertise is altering creativity. Subscribe now to get future copies earlier than they land.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you in the present day’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 Protestors set Waymo robotaxis alight in Los Angeles
The teams clashed with police over the Trump administration’s immigration raids. (LA Instances $)
+ A lot of the expertise that fuels deportation orders is error-ridden. (Slate $)
+ Immigrants are utilizing a swathe of recent apps to remain forward of deportation. (Remainder of World)
2 What’s subsequent for Elon Musk and Donald Trump
A full breakdown in relations might be a lot worse for Musk in the long term. (NY Magazine $)
+ Trump’s backers are quickly turning on Musk, too. (New Yorker $)
+ The most important winner from their fall out? Jeff Bezos. (The Info $)
3 DOGE used an inaccurate AI device to terminate Veteran Affairs contacts
Its code regularly produced obvious errors. (ProPublica)
+ Undeterred, the division is on a hiring spree. (Wired $)
+ Can AI assist DOGE slash authorities budgets? It’s complicated. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
4 Europe’s shrinking forests might trigger it to overlook net-zero targets
Its timber aren’t absorbing as a lot carbon as they used to. (New Scientist $)
+ Contained in the controversial tree farms powering Apple’s carbon impartial purpose. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
5 OpenAI needs to embed ChatGPT into school campuses
The last word purpose? A customized AI account for each pupil. (NYT $)
+ In the meantime, different universities are experimenting with tech-free lessons. (The Atlantic $)
+ ChatGPT goes to alter schooling, not destroy it. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
6 Chinese language regulators are pumping the brakes on self-driving vehicles
They’re creating a brand new framework to evaluate the security of autonomous options. (FT $)
+ The nation’s robotaxis are quickly catching up with the west. (Remainder of World)
+ How China is regulating robotaxis. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
7 Desalination is lastly changing into a actuality
Eradicating salt from seawater is one option to fight water shortage. (WSJ $)
+ If you can also make it by means of tons of plastic, that’s. (The Atlantic $)
8 We’re getting higher at combating most cancers
Deaths from the illness within the US have dropped by a 3rd since 1991. (Vox)
+ Why it’s so arduous to make use of AI to diagnose most cancers. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
9 Teenage TikTokers’ pores and skin regimes provide just about no profit
And will even be doubtlessly dangerous. (The Guardian)
+ The struggle for “Instagram face” (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
10 Tech’s layoff teams are offering much-needed assist
Employees who’ve been let go by their employers are forming little communities. (Insider $)
Quote of the day
“Each tech firm is doing comparable issues however we have been open about it.”
—Luis von Ahn, chief government of the language-learning app Duolingo, tells the Monetary Instances that his firm is much from the one one adopting an AI-first technique.
Yet another factor
break freed from Spotify’s algorithm
For the reason that heyday of radio, the branding of sound has advanced from broad genres like rock and hip-hop to “paranormal darkish cabaret afternoon” and “synth house,” and streaming has turn out to be the default.
In the meantime, the ritual of discovering one thing new is now neatly packaged in a 30-song playlist. The one rule in music streaming is personalization.
What we’ve gained in comfort, we’ve misplaced in curiosity. But it surely doesn’t need to be this manner. Learn the complete story.
—Tiffany Ng
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Acquired any concepts? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Comfortable birthday to Michael J Fox, who turns 64 in the present day!
+ Each time it is advisable play the world’s smallest violin, these scientists will help you out 🎻
+ An early JMW Turner oil portray has been rediscovered.
+ Watching robots try to kickbox is fairly amusing.