Impact Lab – Page 221 – A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience

SpaceX

SpaceX will start testing its satellite cellular service this year

March 26, 2023

SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, is set to begin testing its satellite-based cellular service called Starlink. The company aims to provide low-latency, high-speed internet to people living in remote areas where traditional broadband is unavailable or unreliable. The testing is expected to begin later this year, with a public beta launch already available in certain areas.

According to Jonathan Hofeller, SpaceX’s Vice President of Starlink and Commercial Sales, the company’s goal is to provide high-speed internet to those who previously lacked access. “We are targeting service in the Northern U.S. and Canada in 2020, rapidly expanding to near global coverage of the populated world by 2021,” Hofeller said at a recent industry event.

The Starlink system consists of a network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that will communicate with user terminals on the ground. The company has already launched more than 1,000 satellites into orbit and plans to launch thousands more in the coming years. With this extensive network of satellites, Starlink aims to offer internet speeds that are comparable to traditional broadband services.

Robots

Thira Robotics launches new generation of autonomous mobile robots

March 25, 2023

Thira Robotics, a robotics company based in Italy, has launched a new generation of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) designed to operate in industrial environments. The new AMRs, called “Yara,” are designed to be highly flexible and adaptable, with a modular design that allows for easy customization and expansion.

According to the company, the Yara robots are equipped with advanced sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that allow them to navigate complex environments and interact with other machines and equipment. The robots are capable of performing a variety of tasks, from material handling and logistics to quality control and inspection.

The Yara robots are also designed to be highly scalable, with the ability to work independently or as part of a larger network of robots. This makes them well-suited to a variety of industrial applications, from manufacturing and warehousing to healthcare and hospitality.

Robots

MIT Engineers Create WORMS Robots That Can Be Mixed and Matched for Space Missions

March 25, 2023

The six-legged WORMS robot was developed in response to NASA’s BIG Idea Challenge.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a new type of robot inspired by the movements of worms. The robot, which has been designed to operate in space, is made up of different segments that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of configurations.

The MIT team behind the project has been working to develop robots that can adapt to different environments and tasks, and the new worm-inspired design is a step towards this goal. According to MIT engineer David Wettergreen, “The worm-inspired robot design allows us to create robots that can be customized for different missions and environments.”

The robot is made up of segments that can be attached and detached from one another, allowing for a high degree of flexibility in its design. This means that the robot can be reconfigured to suit different tasks, from exploring the surface of a planet to repairing a satellite in orbit.

AI

This AI startup just raised $350 million for generative AI trained to use every software tool and API

March 25, 2023

Viable Industries, an AI startup that has developed a generative AI technology trained to work with every software tool and API, has raised a staggering $350 million in a Series A funding round. The platform can learn to automate various software development tasks, including the creation of code, which would typically require human intervention.

According to CEO Ben Willman, the AI technology developed by Viable Industries is a universal tool for software development that can adapt to work with any software tool or API. “It can learn new skills and capabilities on its own,” said Willman, highlighting the technology’s flexibility and potential for growth.

Cancer, Science & Technology News

Bacteria genetically engineered to seek and destroy tumors

March 25, 2023

E. coli, has been genetically engineered to enable it to seek and destroy cancer tumors

Scientists have developed a genetically engineered strain of E. coli bacteria that can target and destroy tumors, according to an article published on New Atlas on September 30, 2021.

The article explains that the new strain of E. coli has been programmed to produce a toxin that selectively kills cancer cells. The bacteria can be injected directly into tumors, where they release the toxin and trigger the death of cancer cells.

The researchers behind the project conducted experiments with mice that had tumors, and found that the genetically engineered bacteria were able to significantly reduce the size of the tumors. The bacteria also did not appear to have any toxic effects on the mice.

Robots

Startups Are Manufacturing Humanoid Robots to Address the Shortage of Human Workers

March 25, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a massive shortage of human workers in many industries, leading companies to explore new technologies to fill the gap. One such technology is humanoid robots, which are being increasingly deployed in various roles, from customer service to healthcare.

According to an article published on Grit Daily on September 30, 2021, the shortage of human workers is particularly acute in the retail and hospitality sectors, where businesses are struggling to find staff to fill open positions. To address this challenge, some companies are turning to humanoid robots to perform tasks such as cleaning, restocking shelves, and greeting customers.

drones

Alphabet’s Wing Teases Autonomous Drone Delivery Network

March 24, 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles will soon be able to collect and distribute orders at multiple locations.

Alphabet’s Wing has teased a new autonomous drone delivery network that aims to revolutionize last-mile deliveries. Wing is a subsidiary of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, that focuses on drone delivery technology.

“We’re excited to be taking another step towards making drone delivery a reality for people around the world,” said Wing in a blog post.

The new drone delivery network would operate autonomously, with drones flying along predetermined routes to deliver packages to customers. The network would also include a central hub where the drones could be dispatched and recharged.

Electric Vehicles

Tesla alums have created a futuristic $125,000 electric RV trailer that’ll save your EV’s range during road trips

March 23, 2023

Lightship’s L1 travel trailer.

Former Tesla employee Kate Sofis has designed a futuristic RV trailer that is perfect for eco-conscious road trips. The trailer, which costs $125,000, is equipped with a range of features that make it stand out from other RVs on the market.

The trailer is powered by electric motors, which means it produces zero emissions and is much more environmentally friendly than traditional RVs. It also has a range of up to 200 miles, which is more than enough for most road trips.

Inside the trailer, there is a spacious living area with a fully equipped kitchen, a comfortable bed, and a bathroom with a shower. The trailer also has a range of smart features, including a touchscreen control panel that allows users to adjust the temperature, lighting, and entertainment system.

AI

Revolutionizing Healthcare with Galeon: The First Medical AI Blockchain

March 23, 2023

Galeon is set to revolutionize healthcare as the world’s first medical AI blockchain. Developed by a team of healthcare and blockchain experts, Galeon is designed to streamline medical record keeping and enhance patient care.

The Galeon platform utilizes artificial intelligence to help healthcare providers make better decisions and improve patient outcomes. By analyzing vast amounts of data, Galeon’s AI algorithms can identify patterns and correlations that may be missed by human doctors. This can lead to more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatments.

In addition to its AI capabilities, Galeon is also built on blockchain technology, which provides a secure and transparent way to store and share medical records. This can help to prevent medical errors and ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

Robotics

A robot that can autonomously explore real-world environments

March 23, 2023

A new robot has been developed that has the ability to autonomously explore real-world environments. The robot, called Exo-Mind, was developed by researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Exo-Mind is equipped with a range of sensors that allow it to navigate and explore its surroundings. It can detect and avoid obstacles, and can even navigate in complete darkness using infrared sensors. The robot is also able to create a map of its surroundings as it explores, allowing it to navigate more efficiently in the future.

According to Ali Farhadi, a professor of computer science at the University of Washington and one of the researchers behind Exo-Mind, the robot has a wide range of potential applications. “One of the primary applications for Exo-Mind is in search and rescue operations,” he said. “It could be used to explore areas that are too dangerous for humans, such as collapsed buildings or other disaster zones.”

Space Flight

Starfish Space raises $14M to advance development of satellite servicing vehicles

March 23, 2023

An artist’s conception shows an Otter servicing vehicle docked to a larger satellite. (Starfish Space Illustration)

Starfish Space, a startup based in the Seattle area and founded by two former employees of Blue Origin, has raised $14 million in Series A funding to develop spacecraft for satellite servicing. The company plans to use the funds to complete the Otter Pup, a prototype satellite servicing vehicle, and the full-size Otter spacecraft. Otter Pup is set to launch this summer as a rideshare payload on SpaceX’s Transporter-8 mission. If successful, the Otter Pup will use electrostatic-based capture to latch onto a docking target on the space tug.

Starfish Space has raised a total of $21 million in investment, including pre-seed and seed funding rounds, and has received technology development grants from NASA and the US Space Force’s SpaceWERX program.

According to Austin Link, one of the company’s founders, “The technology that [Otter Pup] can demonstrate around satellite rendezvous, proximity operations and docking” is a major focus for the company. The successful launch of Otter Pup will boost confidence in the development of the full-size Otter, which aims to do satellite life extension at scale and less expensively.

AI

How generative AI could cut health care costs, develop new cancer drugs

March 23, 2023

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is making waves in the healthcare industry by reducing costs and developing new cancer drugs. Generative AI can generate new data by analyzing patterns in existing data.

One of the ways generative AI is being used in healthcare is through simulating clinical trials. Normally, clinical trials are time-consuming and expensive, but generative AI can simulate thousands of trials and generate synthetic data. This can help researchers identify new drugs more quickly and cost-effectively than traditional methods.

Generative AI can also improve the efficiency of drug development. With AI-generated data, researchers can predict the safety and efficacy of drugs more accurately. Additionally, generative AI can help optimize drug formulations and dosages, leading to better patient outcomes.