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Are we really this close to iRobot?

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Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter, filled with details about the latest strides in artificial intelligence and the noticeable surge in humanoid robot innovation. As we gear up for Apple's WWDC, rumors swirl about potential integrations of OpenAI’s technology into iOS, possibly redefining AI interactions on mobile devices. Meanwhile, at the 2024 Abundance Summit, luminaries like Elon Musk and Ray Kurzweil debated AI's vast potential and perils, echoing the growing significance of ethical AI development.

Not to be outdone, MKBHD reviews Disney's foray into immersive experiences with their HoloTile introduces a sci-fi twist to real-world entertainment, suggesting thrilling possibilities for both theme parks and home entertainment.

As we explore these transformative developments, stay tuned for how they will continue to reshape our interactions with technology in daily life.

Artificial Intelligence

As Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) approaches in June we are patiently (anxiously) awaiting what announcements will be made with a focus on AI. There have been previous reports but it’s now again making headlines that Apple and OpenAI are in talks about a potential partnership that could result in core integrations between their technologies. That being said, there has been news that Apple is also in talks with Google to bring Gemini to their iPhone.

With these talks in progress it begs the question - What about Siri? - especially with this upcoming WWDC being teased as an AI focused presentation. Seems like we’ll have to wait the remaining 6 weeks to know for sure. But something is definitely coming and it’s sure to bring Apple closer to the competition.

At the 2024 Abundance Summit, thought leaders including Elon Musk, Ray Kurzweil, and Geoffrey Hinton debated the transformative potential of AI, marking it as humanity’s greatest hope and its direst threat. Discussions ranged from Musk’s analogy of AI as a super-genius child needing ethical guidance, to Kurzweil's predictions of achieving human-level AI by 2029, and the prospect of indefinite lifespans thanks to AI advancements in healthcare.

The summit also tackled the ethical and practical challenges of AI, highlighting the need for responsible innovation. Dive into the blog for a comprehensive look at these industry-shaping insights.

The Metaverse and Spatial Computing

MKBHD tries out Disney’s Ready Player One 360 Treadmill

Marques Brownlee explores the innovative realm of Disney Imagineering Labs, where the cutting edge of theme park attractions and technology merge. Among these wonders, he encounters advanced animatronic robots, including droids that navigate like Boston Dynamics' Spot robot.

The highlight of his visit is the HoloTile, a unique 360-degree treadmill that adjusts to the direction of walking, offering a glimpse into future VR applications straight out of Ready Player One. This experimental platform, which Marques tests, could revolutionize virtual mobility, suggesting new possibilities for interactive theme park experiences and home VR setups.

Scheduled for late 2026, the Vision Pro 2 is Apple's next big venture in VR headsets, but the company faces challenges in producing a more affordable model beforehand. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is exploring options to reduce costs, possibly by using an iPhone chip and omitting the EyeSight feature.

Meanwhile, Apple's efforts to cut costs are hindered by the high price of micro-OLED displays, essential for the headset's visual quality. The company is testing alternative suppliers to increase production and reduce prices, hoping to make the technology more accessible.

Robotics

A leading AI robotics company has announced their take on a humanoid robot named Stardust Smart S1. In the Hello World demonstration, the robot demonstrates that it is quite capable of completing complex tasks like cooking and opening a bottle of wine and pouring it into a decanter. These innovations are based on advancements in computer vision and object recognition that allows the Astribot S1 to understand and interact with it’s environment.

This is yet another entry into the competitive humanoid robot landscape and it shows this product and industry isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Personally, I’m not mad about it. Imagine having a $10,000 humanoid robot to take care of all the chores you already try to automate (Roomba, Dishwasher, AI Lawn Mower, etc) except now this innovation takes it to the next level. Each of these other robots are designed for a specific purpose. This new class of humanoid robots are general purpose.

So, you’re telling me there’s a chance by 2030 we have humanoid robots hanging out with us around our house like iRobot and Star Wars. Where taking out the trash, doing the laundry, cleaning the house, cooking dinner and making drinks after work are all taken care of by your Astribot, Boston Dynamics latest Atlas, Tesla’s Optimus, or Figure 01. Pretty cool. Sorry Will Smith.

From zero to this in 21 months - Figure.ai

Biotech

Life Biosciences recently shared exciting results from their research, showing that a new gene therapy they developed can restore visual function in monkeys with a condition similar to one that causes sudden vision loss in humans, particularly older adults. This therapy involves a technique called partial epigenetic reprogramming, which rejuvenates aging cells.

The successful tests in monkeys are a promising step towards potential treatments for vision loss in humans due to aging or disease, offering hope that such conditions could be reversible in the future.

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