Impact Lab – Page 192 – A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience

AI

Saildrone: Pioneering Autonomous Ocean Exploration with Nvidia’s AI Technology

July 30, 2023

While self-driving autonomous vehicles on land have become more familiar, an exciting frontier lies in autonomous vehicles for ocean exploration. US-based startup Saildrone is leading the charge, crafting uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) equipped with cutting-edge nautical data collection technology. These autonomous ocean explorers are revolutionizing marine research, weather tracking, ocean floor mapping, and much more.

Saildrone’s USVs have already achieved impressive feats, including tracking hurricanes in the North Atlantic, discovering a 3,200-foot underwater mountain in the Pacific Ocean, and mapping previously uncharted ocean floors. “We’ve sailed into three major hurricanes, and right through the eye of Hurricane Sam, and all the vehicles came out the other side — they are pretty robust platforms,” said Blythe Towal, vice president of software engineering at Saildrone.

Robots

Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute Pioneers Autonomous Exploration Robots

July 30, 2023

A groundbreaking research group within Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute is revolutionizing exploration with their cutting-edge robotic systems. The Autonomous Exploration Research Team has developed a suite of autonomous robots and planners that enable advanced exploration, rapid mapping, and accurate navigation through unknown environments—all without the need for human intervention.

Led by Ji Zhang, a systems scientist at the Robotics Institute, the team’s robotic systems boast incredible versatility. The robots can be deployed in various environments, ranging from department stores to disaster-stricken residential buildings, to explore and map in real-time. This autonomous approach eliminates the need for human presence on-site, making exploration more efficient and safe.

Robots

Revolute Robotics Unveils Mesmerizing Hybrid Mobility Robot: A Game-Changer for Confined Space Inspections

July 30, 2023

A remarkable startup hailing from Arizona, Revolute Robotics, has introduced a groundbreaking creation known as the Hybrid Mobility Robot (HMR). This fully autonomous bot showcases an impressive combination of rolling and flying capabilities, making it an ingenious solution for inspecting confined spaces. Designed to enhance safety and efficiency in challenging environments like oil rigs and deep mine shafts, the HMR has the potential to revolutionize the inspection process.

The core idea behind the HMR’s development is to automate inspections in spaces where human presence poses significant risks. Traditionally, inspections in such areas can halt operations for extended periods, resulting in increased costs for businesses. However, Revolute Robotics’ innovative solution utilizes a pair of gyroscopic gimbal rings, enabling the bot to roll in any direction. When faced with obstacles or inaccessible zones during inspections, it effortlessly switches to flying mode using its four propellers.

Tesla

Tesla Commences Production of Dojo Supercomputer for Autonomous Vehicle Training

July 28, 2023

In its second-quarter earnings report for 2023, Tesla revealed its ambitious plan to address vehicle autonomy at scale with four key technology pillars: an extensive real-world dataset, neural net training, vehicle hardware, and vehicle software. Notably, the electric vehicle manufacturer asserted its commitment to developing each of these pillars in-house. A significant milestone in this endeavor was announced as Tesla started the production of its custom-built Dojo training computer, a critical component in achieving faster and more cost-effective neural net training.

While Tesla already possesses one of the world’s most potent Nvidia GPU-based supercomputers, the Dojo supercomputer takes a different approach by utilizing chips specifically designed by Tesla. Back in 2019, Tesla CEO Elon Musk christened this project as “Dojo,” envisioning it as an exceptionally powerful training computer. He claimed that Dojo would be capable of performing an exaflop, or one quintillion (10^18) floating-point operations per second, an astounding level of computational power. To put it into perspective, performing one calculation every second on a one exaFLOP computer system would take over 31 billion years, as reported by Network World.

AI

Microsoft Teams Introduces AI-Powered Beauty Filters with Maybelline Collaboration

July 28, 2023

In the era of video conferencing, many people have felt the urge to disable their webcams on days when they don’t feel their best. Understanding this common concern, Microsoft has unveiled a new AI-powered beauty feature aimed at making video calls more pleasant. Partnering with cosmetics giant Maybelline, Microsoft Teams is introducing a set of “virtual makeup” filters that allow users to enhance their appearance with a variety of unique looks.

The Maybelline Beauty app, integrated into Microsoft Teams, will offer users 12 different makeup looks to choose from. These filters will include various blurring effects and digital makeup color options. Interestingly, each look will provide a detailed breakdown of the real-world Maybelline products and shades used in the filter, empowering users to recreate the makeup look in their daily lives.

Science & Technology News

Unveiling Nature’s Microbe Killer: The Cicada Wing’s Antibacterial Secret Unraveled Through Nanoscale Simulations

July 28, 2023

Over the last decade, collaborative teams of engineers, chemists, and biologists have diligently studied the physical and chemical properties of cicada wings, driven by the quest to unlock the enigmatic ability of these wings to eliminate microbes on contact. The hope is that if science can replicate this natural function, it may lead to the development of products with inherently antibacterial surfaces, surpassing the effectiveness of current chemical treatments.

At Stony Brook University’s Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, researchers made significant progress when they developed a simple technique to replicate the nanostructure of cicada wings. However, they still lacked a crucial piece of information – the exact mechanism by which the nanopillars on the wing’s surface exterminate bacteria. Fortunately, their answer came in the form of assistance from Jan-Michael Carrillo, a researcher at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences in the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Medicine

Innovative Cryoneurolysis: Regenerating Damaged Nerves for Pain Relief

July 27, 2023

Exciting new research, to be presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston, reveals a groundbreaking technique called interventional cryoneurolysis, capable of regenerating damaged nerves using a frozen needle under advanced imaging guidance. This cutting-edge method offers hope to patients suffering from persistent pain following traumatic injuries and may provide a non-opioid alternative for pain management.

Conducted by researchers at Emory University, the study focused on treating eight patients with chronic nerve pain resulting from prior traumas. CT-guided interventional cryoneurolysis employs imaging to precisely place a needle and freeze the damaged nerves, leading them to degenerate and lose function. The remarkable part of the process is the potential for regeneration—if the nerve is exposed to the right amount of cold over the correct area and time, it can be replaced with a healthy nerve.

Medicine

AI Tool Revolutionizes Brain Lesion Quantification on MRI Scans

July 27, 2023

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio have developed a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) tool capable of accurately counting brain lesions on MRI scans within seconds. This innovative tool is expected to play a vital role in helping neuroradiologists assess patients’ brain diseases at earlier stages.

Led by researcher Mohamad Habes, PhD, from the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, the team demonstrated the AI tool’s effectiveness in identifying and counting enlarged perivascular spaces (ePVS’s). These spaces, filled with cerebrospinal fluid, surround arteries and veins and serve as a marker for cerebral small-vessel disease, which can lead to stroke and dementia. The study involved a follow-up analysis of 1,026 individuals who participated in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Medicine

Soft Robotics: Revolutionizing Minimally Invasive Surgery

July 27, 2023

A recent paper published in Science delves into the world of medical robots and their application in artificial intelligence (AI). Among the groundbreaking research, Professor Kaspar Althoefer’s work stands out, exploring the potential of flexible and adaptable surgical robots to transform surgical procedures.

Robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (RAMIS) has made significant strides in recent years, offering improved ergonomics and 3D vision to surgeons operating through small incisions. However, rigid component designs in current RAMIS platforms can pose limitations and increase the risk of tissue injuries, hindering their full potential.

new technology

Cixi Unveils Innovative E-Crankset Technology: Paving the Way for Chainless and Beltless Biking

July 25, 2023

French e-drive innovator Cixi is revolutionizing the biking world with its Pedaling Energy Recovery System (PERS), an electronic crankset system that eliminates messy and noisy bike chains. Partnering with Look Cycle, they showcased this cutting-edge technology in the Rover 45 concept speed pedelec, demonstrating its incredible potential for electric vehicles and ebikes.

The PERS technology utilizes onboard electronics controlled by custom algorithms to set resistance at the pedal. The energy from rider input is then recovered and used to propel the vehicle forward via the hub motor. This system offers various pedal effort levels, with automatic torque adjustment for hill climbs and customizable power output. Regenerative braking is integrated, effectively replenishing the battery while reducing wear on the brake pads.

Culture

Striking the Right Chord: Embracing the Harmony of Hybrid Work

July 25, 2023

The pandemic delivered a complex puzzle that transformed the way we work, leading researchers from Stanford University, University of Chicago, and the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México to explore new insights in a white paper. This comprehensive meta-analysis delves into the world of remote and hybrid work, unveiling intriguing findings about productivity, communication, and overall efficiency.

Fully remote work, though convenient for self-motivated individuals, presented some discordant notes. Productivity stumbled, facing an 8% to 19% reduction, and challenges in communication and innovation arose, impacting the quality of output. In the cluttered kitchen of remote work, creativity struggled to shine, and employees occasionally deviated from their tasks—a phenomenon known as “shirking from home.”

Science & Technology News

Quantum Drum: A Quantum Supersensor Finding Its Way Into Our Devices

July 25, 2023

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a groundbreaking “quantum drum,” a thin vibrating membrane capable of measuring various influences with unparalleled precision. Originally requiring extreme cooling with liquid helium, the researchers have now achieved the same accuracy at room temperature, making the quantum drum feasible for practical applications, even potentially in consumer devices like smartphones.

The heart of the quantum drum lies in its ultra-fast vibrations governed by the laws of quantum physics. By reading changes in these vibrations, researchers can detect a wide range of factors, including temperature variations, gas presence, and even the presence of a single virus. Moreover, by adding tiny magnets or pieces of metal to the drum, they can measure electric and magnetic fields with exceptional accuracy.