Demo day for 500 Startups’ newest class has taken a somber turn. Demo day featured not one, but two startups that are in the death business, and one uses the hot tech of the moment — drones.
Robots learn to cook watching YouTube videos
We have seen several robots that can cook but they mostly follow some level of pre-programmed instructions. One of the trickiest things about robotics is telling robots what to do and how to do it. That is especially tricky for the end user. But, now we can all just sit back and let the robots learn things by watching YouTube videos. (Video)
Continue reading… “Robots learn to cook watching YouTube videos”
New battery for portable electronics that lasts twice as long
SolidEnergy, a new startup, has developed a new kind of lithium-ion battery that stores far more energy, that could let portable electronics such as smartphones and smart watches last twice as long between charges. Continue reading… “New battery for portable electronics that lasts twice as long”
Alibaba and Lending Club start new financing program for U.S. businesses
Peer-to-peer financing site Lending Club and have put in place a strategic partnership designed to get more U.S. businesses to buy inventory from the alibaba.com’s wholesale marketplace. They will offer a new financial service called the alibaba.com e-Credit Line that will let U.S. companies apply for credit lines for $5,000 to $300,000, which they can then use to make purchases from the e-commerce giant. Continue reading… “Alibaba and Lending Club start new financing program for U.S. businesses”
Japanese banks to get robot assistants in April
In April, humanoid robots designed by the creator of SoftBank’s Pepper robot will provide assistance to banking customers at Japan’s largest bank, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. Continue reading… “Japanese banks to get robot assistants in April”
Bitcoin alternative NeuCoin designed for microtransactions
NeuCoin, a new cryptocurrency that has been designed specifically to tip content creators and for online micropayments. Neucoin is a new startup currency based in Paris. Currently they have raised over $2 million from partnerships and business angels. Continue reading… “Bitcoin alternative NeuCoin designed for microtransactions”
Will the sharing economy disrupt the banking industry?
In the same way that it has torn apart newspapers, radio and the postal service, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney worries that technology will disrupt the banking and financial services industry. His biggest concern is governments will fail regulate it until it’s too late – “an Uber-type situation,” as he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week. Continue reading… “Will the sharing economy disrupt the banking industry?”
Microsoft’s Eric Horvitz contradicts Musk, Hawking, Gates, says artificial intelligence not a threat
Microsoft head of research Eric Horvitz says, in contrast to what others, such as Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking have said, that even though machines will likely achieve a human-like consciousness but do not pose a threat to the survival of mankind. Continue reading… “Microsoft’s Eric Horvitz contradicts Musk, Hawking, Gates, says artificial intelligence not a threat”
Work anniversaries are the best time to recruit employed prospects
Is there a best time for recruiters and sourcers to contact employed prospects? There are specific times when employees who previously said “no and stop calling me” actually change their mind and are fully receptive to a recruiting call. Continue reading… “Work anniversaries are the best time to recruit employed prospects”
Video of SpaceX plans for largest rocket in the world
Elon Musk’s SpaceX released a new video this week demonstrating its upcoming Falcon Heavy rocket, which is set to launch for the first time later this year. Continue reading… “Video of SpaceX plans for largest rocket in the world”
Millennials are $2,000 poorer than baby boomers at the same age
In 1980 the states with the highest median income were Michigan, Wyoming, and Alaska, and the typical young worker in Detroit or Flint, Michigan, earned more than his counterpart in San Francisco or San Jose. Continue reading… “Millennials are $2,000 poorer than baby boomers at the same age”
The Associated Press wrote 10X more articles using robots
If you thought that journalist was not on the list of professions replaceable by robots, think again. The Associated Press, America’s oldest 24-hour news agency, produced roughly 3,000 articles on company earnings last quarter, 10 times more than it used to, by using automated technology. Continue reading… “The Associated Press wrote 10X more articles using robots”
