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Read time: 7 min

Today’s Slate

• Grok is quite literally unhinged

• Perplexity teases their own web browser - Comet

• Meta brings Horizon Worlds creation tools to desktop

• New humanoid robot announcements like Neo Gamma, Borg 01 and Vanar

• Microsoft makes a breakthrough with the creation of the Majorana quantum chip

• China achieves 2-way communication with brain-computer interface

• The. Future. Is. Here.

Artificial Intelligence

At a glance

• Voice Mode Launched: xAI’s Grok 3 rolls out a voice mode on its iOS app, letting users talk to the AI with real-time speech.

• Personality Options: It offers unique modes like “unhinged,” “romantic,” and “genius” for varied conversational styles.

• User-Friendly Features: Includes a voice toggle, volume alerts, data export, and image editing tools previously limited to X.

• Premium Access: Available now to X Premium+ and SuperGrok subscribers, with broader rollout planned after beta testing.

• Competitive Edge: Aims to rival ChatGPT and Gemini with personalized, dynamic voice interactions.

Our vision

Grok 3’s voice mode could redefine how we chat with AI, moving beyond stiff text exchanges to something more lively and tailored. With quirky personalities like “unhinged” or “romantic,” it’s poised to make interactions feel less robotic and more human—think less HAL 9000, more chatty companion. As xAI refines this beta, it might just set a new bar for AI engagement, pushing the boundaries of what we expect from our digital assistants in the near future.

At a glance

• Comet Browser Teased: Perplexity AI announces plans for “Comet,” an AI-powered web browser, set to launch soon with “agentic search” capabilities.

• Sparse Details: No release date or full feature list yet, but a sign-up list is open for early access.

• Crowded Field: Enters a competitive space alongside Chrome, Edge, and other AI-enhanced browsers from Google and Microsoft.

• Rapid Expansion: Follows recent Perplexity releases like Deep Research, an Android assistant, and a search API.

• Big Backing: With a $9B valuation and over 100M weekly queries, Perplexity aims to leverage its AI search expertise.

Our vision

Perplexity’s Comet could shake up the browser wars by blending AI smarts with web surfing, potentially outpacing rivals like Google’s Chrome or Microsoft’s Edge, which already dabble in AI. While details are thin, its “agentic search” hints at a proactive, task-handling twist—imagine an assistant that doesn’t just find info but acts on it. Fresh off Deep Research and Android assistant wins, Perplexity’s momentum might give it an edge over xAI’s Grok or OpenAI’s ChatGPT in the race to redefine how we navigate the digital world. This could be a bold leap toward a smarter web—if it delivers.

Spatial Computing

At a glance

• Desktop Editor Released: Meta’s Horizon Worlds Desktop Editor is now in early access, available to anyone 13+ in 23 supported countries.

• Advanced tools: It offers asset importing and TypeScript coding, replacing the simpler in-VR creation system for building detailed worlds.

• AI features (U.S. only): Includes generative AI for sound effects and scripts, with 3D model and texture generation planned for later in 2025.

• Creator incentives: Meta launches a $50M Horizon Creator Fund to reward engaging worlds based on playtime, retention, and purchases.

• Platform shift: In-VR tools are being phased out, pushing creators toward desktop development for richer experiences.

Our vision

Meta’s Horizon Worlds Desktop Editor opens the door to more sophisticated virtual spaces, giving creators the power to craft high-fidelity worlds with pro-level tools. The shift to desktop, paired with a hefty creator fund, signals a push to elevate the platform beyond its simpler roots. With AI enhancements on the horizon, this could spark a wave of immersive experiences—think sprawling digital playgrounds—potentially reshaping how we play and work in the metaverse, all within a few years.

Robotics

At a glance

• NEO Gamma Debuts: 1X Technologies introduces a humanoid robot built for household tasks and personal assistance.

• Smooth mobility: With AI trained on human motion, NEO walks and moves naturally, handling uneven surfaces with ease.

• Dexterous hands: Five-fingered grippers, powered by neural networks, adapt to pick up objects in cluttered spaces.

• Conversational AI: A custom language model enables natural dialogue, enhanced by “Emotive Ear Rings” for a touch of personality.

• Safe and quiet: Soft materials and tendon-driven joints keep it gentle and hushed—10 dB quieter than its predecessors.

• Audio upgrade: Chest and pelvis speakers plus microphones deliver immersive sound, doubling as a smart home hub.

Our vision

NEO Gamma marks a leap toward practical, everyday robotics, bridging the gap between industrial machines and home helpers. Its ability to navigate, grab, and chat could transform how we tackle chores or assist loved ones, hinting at a future where humanoid bots are as common as smartphones. Picture a quiet companion that learns your space and lends a hand—less Star Wars droid, more reliable sidekick. If 1X scales this tech, we might see robotics quietly reshape daily life faster than we think.

Borg 01 - Modular Humanoid Robot System

The Borg 01 also hits the scene in the past week. It’s an interesting shapeshifting take on the humanoid robot form. Compared to NEO Gamma the Borg 01 seems more fit for work in a warehouse. It’ll be interesting to see the inside of a factory in 5-10 years and see a bunch of Borgs running and wheeling around.

At a glance

• Vanar Gen 1 Teased: Vanar Robotics, an Indian research lab, unveils its first-generation humanoid robot prototype, aimed at enterprise and home use.

• Biomechanical design: Dubbed a “biomechanical humanoid intelligence,” it prioritizes function, efficiency, and adaptability for real-world tasks.

• Strength in focus: A custom actuator, weighing just 1 kg, delivers 350 Nm of torque—built to carry humans during disasters or emergencies.

• Affordable vision: The company hints at pricing it like a motorcycle, making it accessible compared to high-end robotics.

• Sparse details: Still in development, with limited info on features or release timelines shared so far.

Our vision

Vanar Generation 1 signals India’s entry into the humanoid robotics race, aiming for practical, disaster-ready helpers that could one day rival the likes of industrial pioneers or home-focused designs like 1X’s NEO Gamma. Its lightweight yet powerful actuator suggests a focus on resilience, echoing the kind of rugged utility we might imagine in a sci-fi collective—think Borg 01’s relentless adaptability, but for saving lives instead. If Vanar nails affordability and scalability, this could be a game-changer, bringing humanoid assistance to homes and businesses faster than a transporter beam. For now, it’s a promising prototype, but the road from lab to reality is long.

This robotic bike looks straight out of Terminator.

Quantum Computing

At a glance

• Majorana 1 chip: Microsoft unveils a breakthrough quantum processor using topological qubits for greater stability and scalability.

• Path to industrial-scale quantum: The new Topological Core architecture aims to enable quantum computers to solve real-world problems in years, not decades.

• Key breakthrough – topoconductors: The chip uses Majorana particles and a new superconducting material to create more stable and error-resistant qubits.

• Massive scalability: Designed to fit a million qubits on a single chip, making quantum computing commercially viable.

• Potential applications: Includes self-healing materials, microplastic breakdown, advanced chemical research, and AI-driven material discovery.

• DARPA-backed progress: Microsoft’s approach is being evaluated by the U.S. government for its potential to accelerate quantum advancements.

Our vision

Quantum computing has long been stuck in the lab, but Microsoft’s Majorana 1 could unlock the next era of practical, large-scale applications. By moving away from fragile qubits and embracing error-resistant topological qubits, this breakthrough brings us closer to quantum-driven innovations in materials science, sustainability, and AI-powered problem-solving. If successful, quantum computers may design new materials, revolutionize chemistry, and optimize industries in ways classical computers never could.

Biotech

At a glance

• Two-Way BCI Unveiled: Chinese researchers from Tianjin University and Tsinghua University debut the world’s first two-way adaptive brain-computer interface, boosting efficiency 100 times over traditional systems.

• Dual-Loop Design: Features a machine learning loop to adapt to brain signals and a brain learning loop to refine user control via real-time feedback.

• Energy Efficiency: Uses a memristor chip, cutting power use by 1,000 times compared to standard BCIs, ideal for wearables.

• Enhanced Control: Offers four movement dimensions (up from two), with 20% better accuracy in six-hour tests on 10 participants.

• Practical Potential: Targets medical rehab (e.g., stroke recovery) and consumer uses like hands-free tech.

Our vision

This two-way BCI could shift brain-machine interaction from a one-sided conversation to a true partnership, paving the way for seamless integration into daily life. Unlike Neuralink’s focus on invasive implants for direct brain control, China’s non-invasive approach prioritizes efficiency and adaptability, potentially making it more accessible. If this scales, we might see BCIs evolve from niche medical tools to everyday enhancers—think thought-driven drones or rehab aids—faster than traditional paths suggest.

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