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TECHSWU #76
Welcome to TECHSWU, your go-to destination for all things tech that matter in your daily life!
TECHSWU, Tequila Leday & Michael J Harrison
July 16, 2024
The XREAL Beam Pro, a phone-like device that pairs with XREAL's augmented reality (AR) glasses, aims to provide users with a similar experience to Apple's Vision Pro. However, the Beam Pro falls short of expectations and needs further refinement before it is ready for widespread use.
One major drawback is the device's incompatibility with pre-USB-C iPhones, requiring users to purchase an adapter. Additionally, using the glasses on a phone drains the phone's battery rapidly.
To address these issues, XREAL has created the Beam Pro, a phone-like device that pairs seamlessly with their glasses. The Beam Pro features a dual-camera array for capturing spatial videos and has an impressive battery life.
While the XREAL Beam Pro offers some notable features, it may not be worth it for the average consumer, as it adds an additional device to carry and requires a separate data plan for 5G connectivity.
The global automotive smart antenna market is expected to experience rapid growth in the coming years, with a projected CAGR of 8.8% from 2024 to 2030.
The market study conducted by USD Analytics Research provides valuable insights for industry professionals, analysts, and key stakeholders. The report highlights major players in the market, including Laird, Continental, Kathrein, and Ficosa, among others.
The rise in demand for electric vehicles is expected to drive the growth of the automotive smart antenna market. Countries like the United States and Japan have seen significant sales of electric vehicles, which will impact the market in the future.
The report also covers various components, vehicle types, sales channels, frequencies, and electric vehicle types associated with the automotive smart antenna market. Overall, this comprehensive analysis aims to help stakeholders make well-informed decisions and understand market trends, growth drivers, and upcoming challenges.
In a recent press tour for his film "Twisters," actor Glen Powell appeared noticeably slimmer, sparking speculation from fans. However, it has been revealed that Powell lost weight for his upcoming role in the thriller "Huntington.
" He had to shed 15 pounds within a limited timeframe, which proved to be a challenge for the actor. Powell shared his struggles with controlling his diet to such an extreme extent in a profile by The Hollywood Reporter.
Despite being a fan of hearty meals like chicken-fried steak, he committed to ordering low-carb options and even joked about giving up on the diet multiple times. However, Powell ultimately achieved his goal weight of 175 pounds, crediting bone broth and determination for his success.
As one of Hollywood's rising stars, it seems there's little Powell can't accomplish.
Joby Aviation, an American electric air taxi company, has successfully completed a 523-mile flight using a hydrogen-electric air taxi demonstrator. The flight, completed with water as the only byproduct, demonstrates the potential for emissions-free, regional journeys that do not require a runway.
The aircraft, which takes off and lands vertically, is part of Joby's future technology program and was a result of several years of collaboration between Joby and its wholly-owned subsidiary, H2Fly. The aircraft features a liquid hydrogen fuel tank and fuel cell system that allow for the production of electricity, water, and heat.
Joby plans to start commercial operations in 2025 using its battery-electric air taxi.
Vietnam needs to prioritize the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and data management in order to maintain its competitiveness in the global market. The author, Tran Hung Thien, attended a conference on AI in Singapore and was impressed by the advancements in the technology.
He highlights the importance of data in AI systems, noting that having years of data does not necessarily mean it is usable. Thien emphasizes the need for small and medium enterprises to focus on collecting and analyzing good data in order to make informed decisions.
He also mentions the potential of Da Nang, a city in Vietnam, in science and technology development. Thien concludes by urging companies to take small steps towards embracing AI and understanding its implications in order to avoid becoming obsolete in the rapidly advancing technological landscape.
An academy trust in England that runs nine primary schools is using digital technology to transform teaching and learning for its pupils. Every one of the 5,000 students and 600 staff at the LEO academy trust now has their own device, allowing learning to happen anywhere, any time.
The introduction of technology into the classroom has allowed the school to implement a more inclusive approach to teaching, supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities. It has also helped staff to work together, reducing workload and increasing efficiency.
Under the new approach to education, staff spend virtually nothing on recruitment, as LEO has become an employer of choice. The success of the initiative has seen the academy trust share best practices with other schools through its partnership with Intel.
The Nintendo Switch has become the company's longest-running console without a successor, surpassing the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The hybrid console has been around for over 2,691 days since its release in 2017, breaking the previous record of 2,686 days held by the NES.
Nintendo's president, Shuntaro Furukawa, announced on Twitter that the successor to the Switch will be announced within this fiscal year, which ends in March 2025. This means that the launch of the new console is likely to take place after that.
The Nintendo Switch's record also beats the company's longest-running handheld device, the Nintendo DS. While there are no official details about the next-gen Switch, rumors suggest that it will feature OLED tech, backward compatibility, and an improved processor.
Tesla's highly anticipated presentation on their robotaxi technology has been postponed, signaling that there is still a long way to go before self-driving cars become a reality. The postponement suggests that Tesla is facing significant challenges in developing the technology and ensuring its safety and reliability.
This setback is a reminder that despite all the hype surrounding self-driving cars, there are still many technical, regulatory, and ethical hurdles to overcome before they can become a common sight on our roads. While Tesla has made significant progress in autonomous driving technology, the delay in the robotaxi presentation serves as a reality check for those who have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of self-driving cars.
It's clear that there is still much work to be done in perfecting the technology and ensuring its safety before it can become a mainstream mode of transportation.
Tesla's stock has risen by 1.78% in premarket trading after reports emerged that the company is embarking on a hiring spree for AI and robotics positions.
This comes just a few months after CEO Elon Musk ordered mass layoffs due to disappointing sales figures. In early 2024, Tesla missed vehicle sales expectations, resulting in a 20% drop in quarterly deliveries.
As a response, Musk laid off around 28,000 employees, with the Supercharger division being hit the hardest. However, Tesla is now looking to hire nearly 800 new employees, with a focus on AI and robotics roles, including positions for the Optimus humanoid robot.
This hiring push aligns with Musk's vision of Tesla as more than just an electric vehicle company, but also an AI, robotics, and sustainable energy company. Tesla's stock is currently trading 26.
2% above the average analyst target price, with a market capitalization of $805.719 billion.
Whistleblowers have called on the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate OpenAI’s non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), alleging that the agreements violate SEC rules by discouraging employees and investors from reporting securities violations. The complaint, which was initially filed in June, gained attention through a letter obtained by The Washington Post.
The letter, sent by lawyers representing anonymous whistleblowers, accuses OpenAI of imposing illegal restrictions on employees’ ability to communicate with government regulators. It claims that the NDAs forced employees to waive their rights to whistleblower incentives and compensation and required them to notify the company before communicating with government regulators.
OpenAI spokesperson Hannah Wong stated that the company’s whistleblower policy protects employees’ rights to make protected disclosures and mentioned recent changes to off-boarding papers to eliminate non-disparagement terms. The SEC has acknowledged the complaint but has not yet disclosed any specific actions.
Whistleblowers are highlighting the need for enforcement to discourage similar practices in the AI and tech industries.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are revolutionizing the oil and gas sector, according to a report by GlobalData. The technologies are driving advancements in operational efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability.
The report highlights over 50 real-world applications of AI and robotics in the industry, categorizing them by their impact on sector use cases. The report also explores emerging areas such as generative AI and pipeline inspection robotics.
Saurabh Daga, Project Manager for Disruptive Tech at GlobalData, stated that AI and robotics are fundamentally redefining what is possible in the oil and gas sector. These technologies are transforming exploration, production, refining, and logistics operations, and are setting new benchmarks for efficiency and innovation.
Daga also emphasized the need for collaborative solutions and strategic investments in research and development to overcome challenges and unlock the full potential of AI and robotics in the sector.
Japan's first surgical robot, named "hinotori" or "phoenix," has gained approval for use in various cancer surgeries. The robot, developed by a Japanese company with extensive experience in industrial robots, is revolutionizing the field of surgery.
It is equipped with four arms that act as the surgeon's hands, providing increased precision and safety during procedures. The robot can operate remotely, allowing surgeons to perform surgeries from a distance.
It is also being used to train novice doctors, making complex procedures more accessible and reducing the need for experienced instructors. The development of the surgical robot involved close collaboration between doctors and engineers to ensure it met the needs of surgeons while also being compact enough to fit into Japanese operating rooms.
With advancements in robotics technology, the future of surgery looks promising, with more robots and medical devices expected to enhance human capabilities.