This Week in Tech 52

Scientists discover new form of magnetism, Genesis world builder debuts while Pimax and Halliday challenges spatial computing giants

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Read time: 8 min

Today’s Slate

  • Humans are actually starting to be replaced by AI and robotics

  • A new form of magnetism exists apparently

  • Genesis world engine is a new physics engine simulating reality

  • Pimax teases a new headset - can it deliver something great?

  • Digital twins show promise in biology replicating your body

  • The. future. is. here.

Artificial Intelligence

At a glance

  • Provocative Campaign: AI company Artisan launched a bold outdoor billboard campaign in San Francisco with phrases like “Stop Hiring Humans” to generate attention and spark discussion.

  • Massive Reach: The campaign went viral across social media, gaining tens of millions of impressions, coverage in major outlets, and a surge in brand awareness.

  • Business Impact: Artisan achieved its highest growth months ever, adding $2M in new annual recurring revenue (ARR) and significantly increasing brand searches and sales meetings.

  • Mixed Reactions: The campaign drew both backlash and praise, with Artisan acknowledging the controversy while emphasizing its mission to automate tedious tasks and enhance human jobs.

Our vision

While this campaign did get mixed reactions it is a prime example of the near term impact of AI integration into the workforce. Notice how I mention integration, not replacement. While longer term (not so long with exponential innovation) the replacement of entire workforces in areas like copywriting and marketing is probable.

For now you shouldn’t worry necessarily about AI replacing you, rather a person that is very skilled in using AI to enhance their workflow and output as your potential replacement.

At a glance

  • Genesis is a cutting-edge AI physics engine that creates realistic simulations at unmatched speed and accuracy.

  • Unprecedented Speed: Genesis can simulate a wild 43 million frames per second, making it 430,000 times faster than real-time

  • Key Features:

    • Simulates various physical materials (rigid bodies, fluids, gases).

    • Supports robotics, soft robots, drones, and more.

    • Runs on multiple platforms (Linux, macOS, Windows) and hardware.

    • Built entirely in Python for easy use and integration.

  • Applications for Everyday Life:

    • Robotics: Trains machines to perform tasks like cooking or assembling products.

    • Virtual Reality & Gaming: Enhances realism in physics-based games.

    • AI Research: Improves interaction with real-world scenarios, making AI smarter and more responsive.

  • Comparison with OpenAI Sora & Google Veo 2:

    • While Genesis focuses on physics accuracy for simulations and robotics applications while Sora and Veo 2 are geared toward video creation.

Our vision

Genesis has the potential to significantly improve our interactions with technology:

  • Smarter Robots: Expect robots that can handle everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, or even assisting in surgeries with unprecedented precision.

  • Enhanced Virtual Experiences: Games, VR, and AR will feel more realistic, with accurate physics simulations bringing virtual worlds closer to reality.

  • Improved AI Training: AI can learn faster and more effectively, resulting in better voice assistants, smarter home devices, and safer autonomous vehicles.

  • Medical Advancements: Simulating real-world physics will aid in creating lifelike prosthetics and improving rehabilitation tools.

Genesis is paving the way for a future where digital and physical worlds blend seamlessly, enhancing convenience and efficiency in everyday life. Will we see Genesis take the main stage and rival platforms like Unreal Engine, Unity and in-house engines that movie studios and video games use? Only time will tell.

Spatial Computing

At a glance

  • Compact Design: Pimax unveils the Dream Air, a lightweight VR headset (200g) with a smaller footprint compared to its typically bulky, wide-field-of-view models.

  • Unique Features: Includes an automatic strap-tightening system (a VR industry first) and automatic IPD adjustment for user-friendly comfort.

  • High-End Specs: Micro-OLED displays with 13MP resolution per eye (3,840 × 3,552), 102° field-of-view, inside-out tracking, hand tracking, motion controllers, on-board audio, and optional prescription lenses.

  • Standalone Option: Promises a modular ‘Cobb’ compute puck with a Snapdragon XR2 chip and battery, allowing the Dream Air to operate as a standalone headset.

  • Pricing & Availability: Priced at $1,900, with pre-orders open and an expected shipping date of May 2025.

  • Track Record Concerns: Announcement comes amid delays in other Pimax products, such as the Crystal Super headset, now pushed to Q1 2025.

Our vision

The Pimax Dream Air embodies a bold leap towards compact, feature-rich VR solutions that combine the aesthetics of the Apple Vision Pro with the potential usefulness of a Meta Quest 3/3s. With innovative features like auto-tightening straps and modularity, it aims to set new standards for comfort and versatility in high-end VR. As compact headsets gain traction, Pimax’s entry signals an exciting evolution in VR accessibility and user-centric design.

At a glance

  • Inspired Naming: Halliday is named after James Halliday, the visionary behind the "Oasis" in Ready Player One, symbolizing the harmonious blend of reality and virtual experiences.

  • Retro-Futuristic Vision: Drawing from retro-futurism, Halliday smart glasses merge vintage aesthetics with cutting-edge tech to balance innovation with humanity.

  • Core Philosophy: Halliday champions the integration of reality and the virtual world, enriching human lives by complementing rather than replacing authentic experiences.

  • Brand Mission: Focused on human-centric, intelligent wearable technology, Halliday aims to enhance life through seamless tech integration, prioritizing simplicity and ease of use.

  • Market Aspirations: By 2025, Halliday envisions a community of users embracing its smart glasses as essential tools for connection, precision, and confidence.

Competitor Landscape: Halliday enters a competitive market with players like Google's AndroidXR, Apple's Vision Pro, and Meta's Quest line, all vying to define the future of mixed-reality wearables. Halliday differentiates itself through its nostalgic yet forward-thinking aesthetic and its emphasis on human-centric design.

Our vision

Halliday embraces the retro-futuristic vibe that’s been going around to stand out among giants like Google, Apple, and Meta. Inspired by Ready Player One’s vision of blending reality and imagination, we’re creating tech that feels less like a gadget and more like a partner for navigating the world. It’s not just about looking at the future; it’s about looking good while living it.

Will these glasses be the ones that join the Meta Ray-Bans as a socially acceptable pair of smart glasses? Or will we have to wait a few more years for the technology to keep advancing. Let’s see how they are received on launch and revisit this after that.

Digital Twins

At a glance

  • Digital Twins in Healthcare: Virtual replicas of human organs, such as hearts, brains, and retinas, are being developed to revolutionize medical treatments, from personalized surgeries to drug testing.

  • Applications in Surgery: Digital heart models help surgeons plan complex procedures like pacemaker implantation or treatment for atrial fibrillation, improving precision and outcomes.

  • In Silico Clinical Trials: Researchers use digital twins for virtual testing, creating synthetic patients to evaluate medical devices and treatments without involving real humans, advancing research for diverse populations.

  • Long-Term Vision: Scientists aim to create full-body digital twins, integrating multiple organ systems for comprehensive healthcare applications.

Our vision

The development of digital twins in healthcare represents a transformative leap toward personalized medicine. These technologies empower clinicians to test treatments virtually, minimizing risks and enhancing precision. As digital twins evolve, they promise to make healthcare more predictive and proactive, tailoring solutions to individual patients.

While challenges around data ownership and ethics remain, this innovation could democratize access to advanced medical tools and improve outcomes globally. The future of healthcare is digital, dynamic, and deeply personal.

Science

At a glance

  • A new kind of magnetism: Scientists discovered "altermagnetism," a mix of traditional magnet types that could change how we think about magnets and their uses in everyday tech.

  • Sharper tech for clearer results: Advanced imaging tools let researchers map and adjust magnetic spin in a crystal, opening doors to more precise and efficient technologies.

  • Better storage for your devices: This discovery could make your phones, laptops, and SSDs faster and able to hold more data with less risk of errors.

  • Supercool possibilities: These materials could improve superconductors, which are key to making super-fast computers and next-gen electronics a reality.

Our vision

The confirmation of altermagnetism represents a pivotal moment in material science, with the potential to redefine how we store and process information at the quantum level. By unlocking the ability to control magnetic spin patterns with unprecedented precision, this discovery paves the way for revolutionary advancements in electronics, data storage, and superconducting technology. The future of nanotechnology and spintronics just got brighter.

Robotics

At a glance

  • Dazzling Acrobatic Feats: The Unitree B2-W robot dog performs advanced moves like a 3.5-spin handstand, Tomas flare, side flips, and high jumps from over 6 feet, showcasing its agility and balance.

  • All-Terrain Mastery: Features high-power wheels for seamless navigation on rough surfaces, hills, water bodies, and even climbing 45° slopes with ease.

  • Load-Bearing Capabilities: Carries up to 264 pounds (120 kg) while standing and efficiently transports items, including a mid-sized adult, across challenging terrain.

  • Rugged Design: Withstands temperatures from -4°F to 131°F, is IP67 rated for dust and water resistance, and functions in extreme environments with durability.

  • Extended Endurance: Travels up to 31 miles (50 km) on a single charge, even with an 88-pound (40 kg) load, making it ideal for long-distance tasks.

Our vision

Unitree’s B2-W feels like the Swiss Army knife of robot dogs, bridging the gap between sci-fi’s dream pets and real-world utility. With agility rivaling Olympic gymnasts and durability worthy of a Terminator cameo, it’s poised to transform search and rescue missions, logistics, and disaster response.

If Boston Dynamics' robots were the sci-fi prequel, B2-W is the blockbuster sequel where robots carry your groceries, save you from a flood, and maybe do a handstand to celebrate.

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