Impact Lab – Page 183 – A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience

Franky Zapata Unveils ‘Airscooter’ in His Flying Machine Collection

September 6, 2023

French inventor and thrill-seeker, Franky Zapata, renowned for his daring Channel-crossing on a hoverboard, has introduced an ‘airscooter’ to complement his array of jet-powered innovations.

Presented at the Viva Technology conference in Paris, France, Zapata’s company, aptly named Zapata, unveiled the egg-shaped hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) prototype.

This “personal flying machine” purportedly adheres to Federal Aviation Authority Regulations and qualifies as an “ultralight aircraft” in the US, eliminating the need for a pilot’s license. Featuring a fly-by-wire flight controller and an abundance of safety sensors, piloting the airscooter should be as straightforward as operating a drone. Its market release date remains undetermined.

Space

Britain’s Space Ambitions Soar: Reviving Rocket Launches and Satellite Deployment

September 6, 2023

A weathered metal ring, bearing the scars of space travel, stands proudly at the entrance of Skyrora’s rocket manufacturing facility in Cumbernauld, Scotland. This six-foot-diameter loop, retrieved from the Australian outback after nearly 50 years in space, represents the remnants of Britain’s sole satellite launch, conducted in 1971 via a Black Arrow rocket.

Now, the United Kingdom is poised to reenter the satellite launch arena, with multiple companies competing for a share of this burgeoning industry. Among them, Skyrora has commenced the production of its XL rockets in Cumbernauld, anticipating its inaugural launch next year from the SaxaVord rocket base on Unst, Shetland.

Space

ISRO’s Impressive Space Endeavors: From Moon’s South Pole to Solar Observations and Human Spaceflight

September 5, 2023

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has showcased its technological prowess on a global scale, achieving a remarkable soft landing near the Moon’s South Pole. Now, ISRO is setting its sights on even more ambitious missions that have been in development for several years.

One such mission is Aditya L1, India’s maiden space-based observatory designed to study our celestial host, the Sun. This groundbreaking endeavor is scheduled for launch on September 2, marking a significant stride in solar research.

AI

AI and Blockchain Convergence: Transforming the Music Industry

September 5, 2023

The fusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology holds the potential to revolutionize the music industry by empowering artists’ creativity while upholding transparency and equitable revenue distribution.

AI is increasingly employed as a creative tool, whether for generating original music or replicating existing musical content. Consequently, distinguishing human-created music from AI-generated compositions is growing more challenging.

Furthermore, AI-generated content is often trained on existing materials, frequently without the knowledge or consent of the original creators. This has given rise to numerous ethical and legal dilemmas for which clear solutions remain elusive due to the rapid evolution of technology.

Science & Technology News

Scientists Transfer Longevity Gene from Naked Mole Rats to Mice, Extending Lifespan

September 5, 2023

In a groundbreaking achievement, researchers at the University of Rochester have successfully transplanted a longevity gene from naked mole rats to mice, resulting in improved health and an extended lifespan for the mice. Naked mole rats, renowned for their extended lifespans and remarkable resistance to age-related ailments, have long intrigued the scientific community. By introducing a specific gene responsible for enhanced cellular repair and protection into mice, the Rochester scientists have unveiled promising avenues for unraveling the mysteries of aging and potentially extending human lifespan.

Vera Gorbunova, the Doris Johns Cherry Professor of biology and medicine at Rochester, states, “Our study provides a proof of principle that unique longevity mechanisms that evolved in long-lived mammalian species can be exported to improve the lifespans of other mammals.”

Tesla

Tesla is set to launch its highly-anticipated supercomputer

September 4, 2023

Tesla’s new cluster will employ 10,000 Nvidia H100 compute GPUs, which will offer a peak performance of 340 FP64 PFLOPS for technical computing and 39.58 INT8 ExaFLOPS for AI applications. In fact, Tesla’s 340 FP64 PFLOPS is higher than 304 FP64 PFLOPS offered by Leonardo, the world’s fourth highest-performing supercomputer. With its new supercomputer, Tesla is significantly enhancing its computing capabilities to train its full self-driving (FSD) technology faster than ever. This could not only make Tesla more competitive than other automakers but will make the company the owner of one of the world’s fastest supercomputers.

“Due to real-world video training, we may have the largest training datasets in the world, hot tier cache capacity beyond 200PB — orders of magnitudes more than LLMs,” explained Tim Zaman, AI Infra & AI Platform Engineering Manager at Tesla. While the new H100-based cluster is set to dramatically improve Tesla’s training speed, Nvidia is struggling to meet demand for these GPUs. As a result, Tesla is investing over $1 billion to develop its own supercomputer, Dojo, which is built on custom-designed, highly optimized system-on-chips.

NASA

NASA Aims for Supersonic Passenger Jet Travel at Mach 4

September 4, 2023

NASA is in the development stages of a supersonic passenger aircraft that promises to reach speeds of Mach 4, approximately 3000 mph. This aircraft will not only surpass the Concorde but also outpace the legendary SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, originally designed with a top speed of Mach 3.2, roughly 2500 mph. The anticipated supersonic jet aims to drastically reduce the travel time from New York to London to less than one and a half hours, in stark contrast to the current eight to nine-hour flights on conventional large passenger jets cruising at around 600 mph.

For perspective, the iconic Concorde, which retired two decades ago, could maintain Mach 2, equivalent to 1348 mph. The Concorde faced multiple challenges, including the sonic boom, contributing to its retirement. Supersonic air travel is prohibited in several countries due to the disruptive sonic boom generated when breaking the sound barrier. The United States is one such nation that restricts supersonic travel for civil aviation. Nonetheless, researchers have been diligently working to develop technologies that can effectively mitigate sonic booms. NASA’s Quesst Mission is a prominent research project that encompasses the creation of an experimental quiet supersonic aircraft known as the X-59.

AI

Tomorrow.io Joins Elite Group with Radar Satellites for Space-Based Precipitation Monitoring

September 4, 2023

Tomorrow.io, a weather intelligence firm, announced a significant breakthrough as its radar satellites now possess the unique capability to monitor precipitation intensity from space. This achievement positions Tomorrow.io in esteemed company alongside NASA and JAXA (The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), as one of the few entities to have achieved such measurements from orbit.

These satellites represent a crucial advancement in global weather forecasting, offering real-time radar-based insights for every location on Earth. With billions of people residing beyond the reach of conventional radar coverage, Tomorrow.io aims to close this gap in terms of availability and affordability.

AI

Strap-On ‘Moonwalkers’: AI-Powered Shoes Boost Your Walking Speed

September 1, 2023

Walking just got a turbo boost with “Moonwalkers,” an AI-powered invention by American start-up Shift Robotics. These shoe attachments can increase your walking speed by up to 250%, propelling you at a top speed of 11 km/h, equivalent to the pace of a moving walkway.

Resembling skates but with a vital difference, the “Moonwalkers” won’t leave you careening off balance. Thanks to machine learning algorithms, they synchronize with your steps, halting when you do. They can even lock for stair ascents or descents and automatically adjust speed when going downhill. To engage the brake, lift your right heel and place it down, fully locking the wheels. To resume your brisk pace, unlock them by lifting your right heel in the air and rotating it clockwise while keeping your toe on the ground.

AI

News Agencies Navigate the AI Frontier: Guidelines and Approaches

September 1, 2023

As artificial intelligence (AI) gains prominence, news agencies are exploring its potential in journalism, yet the industry grapples with trust and authenticity issues. The Associated Press (AP) recently outlined its stance on AI, signaling a cautious approach.

AP affirmed that it won’t use AI to create publishable content or images but will continue to experiment with the technology. This stance reflects concerns about audience trust in AI-generated news.

Conversely, Newsquest Media Group’s job listing for an “AI-assisted reporter” underscores a more open embrace of AI. The role involves using AI to create national, local, and hyper-local content while integrating AI-generated material into newsrooms. This mirrors the industry’s division regarding AI’s role in news creation, with specific courses now available to train journalists in AI implementation.

Science & Technology News

AI, robots will never replace humans but can make us more productive and efficient: Thomas Frey

September 1, 2023

Is AI poised to trump humans? What’s the future of work? What’s the role of creativity in an AI-dominated world? Thomas Frey, founder of the DaVinci Institute in Colorado, offers a futuristic perspective. In this conversation, he also reflects on the dramatic shifts caused by technological advances in ecommerce, transport, and healthcare. He also chimes on if intelligence and empathy will remain tough-to-replace skills. “AI, robots, and automation will never replace humans, but they do have the potential to make us far more effective, efficient, and productive than ever before in human history,” Frey says.

Edited excerpts:

Q. The present and the future—how do you perceive the interplay between the two?

The interplay between present and future is dynamic and influenced by various factors such as technology, culture, economy, environment, and individual choices. By understanding these connections, we can create a brighter future for all of us.

Automobiles

Australian Flying Car Manufacturer Secures $250 Million Order for U.S. Market Entry

September 1, 2023

Ace VTOL, an Australian flying car manufacturer based in Perth, has received a substantial $250 million order for its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. These vehicles are destined for American flying car showrooms, marking a significant step in the expansion of this innovative transportation technology.

The order was placed by Aeroauto, a company headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, indicating a growing interest in eVTOL aircraft in the United States.

Ace VTOL’s flagship eVTOL aircraft, named the GT Slipstream, is a two-seater flying car that boasts impressive specifications. It promises speeds of up to 270 mph and a range of 300 miles on a single charge. Often referred to as a ‘flying muscle car,’ the GT Slipstream represents an exciting leap forward in personal transportation.