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Welcome to the cutting edge ⚔️ 

Read time: 5 min

Today’s Slate

• Apple obviously needs to build a better Siri to stay competitive

• A slew of new GenAI tools get released for images, video and 3D objects

• Can Meta have it’s Wii sports moment?

• Microsoft makes a Digital Twin of the Earth for Flight Simulator

• Neuralink opens the door to controlling prosthetic limbs

• Tesla posts a job for teleoperation of Robotaxis

• The. future. is. here.

Artificial Intelligence

At a glance

• AI Upgrade for Siri: Apple is developing "LLM Siri," an advanced AI-powered assistant to compete with ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini Live.

• Enhanced Features: Expected improvements include conversational abilities, text summarization, app integration via App Intents, and screen-aware actions.

• Timeline: Full rollout of the AI-enhanced Siri is anticipated by spring 2026, with some features arriving next year.

• Focus on Practicality: Unlike ChatGPT, LLM Siri aims to excel at local, device-specific tasks like opening apps, sending texts, and interacting with smart devices.

Our vision

Apple’s LLM Siri represents a step toward integrating conversational AI into everyday tech. By focusing on practical, device-centered functions, this innovation could make AI more accessible and seamlessly integrated into daily tasks, enhancing productivity without compromising simplicity.

Latest GenAI Tools

NVIDIA introduces a new AI model to generate 3D objects from text or image inputs which could drastically accelerate game development and potentially make it easier to create these assets in websites and apps as well. Runway shows of the potential of their new Expand feature that can quite literally expand the big screen view of a movie to a vertical format filling in the gaps.

Our last highlight is DaVinci Resolve that can track and manipulate objects in a scene. This is demonstrated with a fast moving Porsche racing through a winding road.

Spatial Computing

At a glance

• Launch Announcement: Home Sports, the first multi-sport mixed reality (MR) game, will release for Quest 3S and Quest 3 on December 11 for $19.99.

• Game Features: Includes five sports—pickleball, mini golf, hockey, bowling, and badminton—adapting play to your physical space and enabling advanced mixed reality with boundaryless movement.

• Holiday Appeal: Designed as a social, active, and beginner-friendly experience, perfect for family gatherings and new VR users during the holidays.

• Resolution Games’ Vision: Continues to innovate in immersive gaming, blending physical and digital experiences to engage players globally.

Our vision

As mixed reality transforms entertainment, Home Sports bridges the gap between VR technology and everyday social fun. By integrating accessible gameplay with physical movement, it encourages players to connect, compete, and stay active. Resolution Games’ approach reflects the evolving role of VR and MR as tools not just for gaming but for shared, impactful experiences in our lives.

At a glance

• Game Overview: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 delivers unmatched realism, offering a breathtaking digital twin of Earth with real-time weather, authentic biomes, and live land, air, and sea traffic.

• Gameplay Features: Free Flight mode enables exploration of iconic skylines and personal landmarks, while new career paths, Red Bull Air Racing, and on-foot exploration expand the experience.

• Challenges at Launch: Initial server connection issues and some bugs in Career Mode slightly marred the debut, but updates are anticipated to refine the experience.

Our vision

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 redefines virtual aviation, showcasing how advanced AI, real-time data integration, and immersive technology can transcend traditional gaming. By enabling exploration, learning, and innovation, it exemplifies the power of digital twin technology to make the extraordinary accessible and inspire new heights of creativity and ambition.

At a glance

• Valve’s New Controller: Models of the "Roy" controllers for the upcoming Valve Deckard headset were found in SteamVR driver files.

• Key Features: Ringless design with bumpers, a D-pad, thumbsticks, buttons, index and grip triggers, and system buttons, suggesting dual functionality for VR and flat-screen gaming.

• Tracking Innovation: Likely to use onboard cameras for computer vision tracking, eliminating the need for external base stations.

• Gaming Focus: Optimized for wireless PC content streaming and possibly acting as a versatile device for both VR and flatscreen gaming.

Our vision

Valve’s Deckard and Roy controllers being leaked signal a bold move towards their attempt to redefine immersive gaming and productivity - and keep up with the competition. By combining advanced tracking, gamepad-like versatility, and seamless integration with Steam, Deckard could bridge the gap between high-performance VR and everyday digital interactions similar to the highly popular Quest line of devices that have captured over 50% of SteamVR usage.

Biotech

At a glance

• New Study: Neuralink's PRIME Study is testing a fully-implantable, wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) designed to allow individuals with quadriplegia to control assistive robotic arms and other external devices with their thoughts.

• Core Functionality: The implant interprets neural activity in the brain's motor planning area, enabling precise control of robotic devices without physical movement or wires.

• Primary Goal: To evaluate the safety of the implant and surgical robot while assessing the functionality of the BCI for enabling robotic arm control and restoring lost capabilities in daily tasks.

• Eligibility: People with limited or no use of both hands due to cervical spinal cord injuries or ALS may qualify for participation.

Potential for patients

The PRIME Study opens the possibility for individuals with severe motor impairments to regain independence by controlling robotic arms for tasks like eating, typing, or grasping objects, transforming the lives of those affected by paralysis or degenerative conditions.

Benefits of this progress

Neuralink’s work represents a major milestone in assistive technologies, combining neuroscience and robotics to empower patients with groundbreaking tools. Success in this study could pave the way for broader applications of brain-computer interfaces, advancing autonomy and accessibility for individuals with disabilities worldwide.

Robotics

Futurist Peter Diamandis describes a potential future where Humanoid Robots could cost as little as 10 dollars a day, 300 dollars a month. If and when these robots become that cheap the world as we know it will no longer exist.

We have designed a world and society around our human form. While there will be many consequences of this change, any job that is dangerous or undesirable for humans could be replaced by these cheap robots and potentially usher in an age of abundance that we’ve never seen before.

Transportation

At a glance

• Remote Control for Autonomy: Tesla's Teleoperation team is developing VR-based systems to remotely manage robotaxis and humanoid robots in challenging environments.

• Integrated Ecosystem: Focus on creating a seamless hardware-software stack for optimized performance and reliability.

• Interactive Operation: Utilizing Unreal Engine and advanced VR rigs for immersive control of complex robotic tasks.

• Scalability: Leveraging cloud infrastructure and cost-efficient solutions to expand Tesla's autonomous fleet globally.

• Future-Proof Technology: Incorporating advanced monitoring, low-latency data streaming, and innovative AI systems for real-world applications.

Our vision

Tesla envisions a world where robotaxis and humanoid robots seamlessly integrate into daily life, operating autonomously with minimal human intervention. By developing cutting-edge teleoperation systems, the company aims to bridge current gaps in AI autonomy, ensuring safety and reliability while preparing for large-scale adoption of intelligent machines.

Tesla’s approach prioritizes scalability, user-friendly interfaces, and immersive control, making advanced robotics an accessible and transformative part of modern living.

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