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New book by academic experts questions whether humans are ready for the ethical challenges of AI and robots

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As artificial intelligence rapidly advances, robots are becoming smarter and more human-like, presenting new ethical challenges. In a new book, scholars from Japan, Italy, the United States, and other countries examine the legal, policy, and regulatory issues surrounding human-robot interaction.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-enabled robots are becoming a bigger part of our daily lives. Real-time, flexible interactions between humans and robots are no longer just science fiction.

As robots become smarter and more human-like in both behavior and appearance, they are transforming from mere tools to potential partners and social entities.

This rapid evolution presents significant challenges to our legal and ethical frameworks, including concerns about privacy, safety, and regulation in the context of AI and robots. [Read more…] about New book by academic experts questions whether humans are ready for the ethical challenges of AI and robots

Ambi Robotics releases AI ‘foundation software’ for warehouse robots

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Ambi Robotics, a developer of AI-powered robotic sorting solutions for material handling operations, has launched Prime-1, which it says is “the first robotic foundation model to be deployed in real-world commercial warehouse operations”.

Prime-1, which stands for Production-Ready Industrial Manipulation Expert, provides a unified transformer backbone that can be fine-tuned for a variety of robot operations including 3D perception, package picking, and quality control.

Prime-1 significantly increases performance, accelerates product development, and increases reliability and maintainability of AI-powered robotic solutions from Ambi Robotics. [Read more…] about Ambi Robotics releases AI ‘foundation software’ for warehouse robots

Semiconductor market: Top players, emerging trends, and future opportunities

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The semiconductor industry is the backbone of modern technology, powering devices and innovations that are reshaping our world.

From smartphones and laptops to autonomous vehicles and advanced robotics, semiconductors enable the functionality of nearly every modern device.

As the market evolves, so do its key players, technologies, and competitive dynamics. For investors and technologists, understanding these changes is critical to staying ahead. [Read more…] about Semiconductor market: Top players, emerging trends, and future opportunities

Toyota, Aurora and Continental to build autonomous vehicles on Nvidia platform

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Toyota, Aurora and Continental have joined the list of mobility technology providers developing and building their consumer and commercial vehicle fleets on chipmaker Nvidia’s accelerated computing and AI platforms.

Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, will build its next-generation vehicles on Nvidia Drive AGX Orin, running the safety-certified Nvidia DriveOS operating system. These vehicles will offer functionally safe, advanced driving assistance capabilities.

The majority of today’s auto manufacturers, truckmakers, robotaxi, and autonomous delivery vehicle companies, tier-one suppliers and mobility startups are developing on Nvidia Drive AGX platform and technologies. [Read more…] about Toyota, Aurora and Continental to build autonomous vehicles on Nvidia platform

Palladyne AI achieves ‘key milestone’ with first small drone autonomous tracking flight

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Palladyne AI, a developer of artificial intelligence software for robotic and unmanned platforms in the industrial and defense sectors, says its Palladyne Pilot AI software platform has “achieved a key developmental milestone”.

The company says it conducted the successful first flight of a third-party small drone that demonstrated the ability to identify and prioritize terrestrial targets of interest and then interface with the drone’s autopilot software to follow the prioritized target autonomously.

Palladyne AI had previously successfully demonstrated the Palladyne Pilot AI platform’s ability to identify and prioritize targets on stationary nodes and with hovering drones. [Read more…] about Palladyne AI achieves ‘key milestone’ with first small drone autonomous tracking flight

ABB Robotics selects T-Robotics and Mbodi as AI startup winners

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ABB Robotics has selected T-Robotics and Mbodi as the winners of its 2024 ABB Robotics AI Startup Challenge, marking what the industrial giant says is “a significant milestone” in advancing artificial intelligence solutions for industrial robotics.

Selected from over 100 global applicants, these pioneering startups will help transform how industrial robots understand, learn, and adapt to complex manufacturing environments through breakthrough artificial intelligence solutions.

Marc Segura, president of ABB Robotics, says: “Today’s manufacturing challenges demand solutions that combine simplicity with sophisticated AI capabilities. [Read more…] about ABB Robotics selects T-Robotics and Mbodi as AI startup winners

Mantis Robotics raises $5 million to develop ‘human-centric robots’

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Mantis Robotics, a pioneer in “physical AI” for robotic automation, has secured $5 million in new investments led by Emerald Technology Ventures with participation from the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund.

This cash infusion will enable Mantis Robotics to scale its operations, enhance its product portfolio, and expand its presence in the rapidly growing industrial robotics market.

Mantis has entered the next frontier in robotics by creating the first adaptive, human-centered robots. The company makes industrial robotic arms that are inherently safe for human interaction, eliminating the need for costly and complex external safeguards such as fences or laser barriers. [Read more…] about Mantis Robotics raises $5 million to develop ‘human-centric robots’

The Turing Test: Origins, significance, and controversies

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The Turing Test is a concept deeply embedded in the history and philosophy of artificial intelligence. First proposed in 1950 by Alan Turing, the pioneering British mathematician and logician, the test aims to address a fundamental question: Can machines think?

Or can machines convincingly appear to be thinking in human-like ways in their responses to questions asked by humans? Or, in other words, can a chatbot fool humans into believing it is human? [Read more…] about The Turing Test: Origins, significance, and controversies

Predictions for 2025: Generative AI and more technology in factories

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Chris Iveson, CEO and co-founder of FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics, shares four predictions for how he believes smart factory operations will evolve in 2025

The manufacturing industry is often bombarded by tech companies and consultants pushing pipedream technologies nowhere near ready for implementation in most factory settings.

Despite this, the smart factory movement keeps marching on, driven by practical, down-to-earth tools that manufacturers can deploy at scale to deliver rapid return on investment. [Read more…] about Predictions for 2025: Generative AI and more technology in factories

Kuka establishes new software and digital business segment

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The long-established German-based automation company Kuka, which is known worldwide for its orange industrial robots and automation solutions, is expanding its software and digital operations, and establishing a new business unit called Kuka Digital.

The company’s goal is the end-to-end digitalization of a wide range of machines and systems in production, from the first 3D simulation to connectivity and data analysis through to the use of artificial intelligence.

Software is playing an increasingly important role in mechanical engineering. What used to be mostly solved mechanically is now done by electronics and the associated software.

[Read more…] about Kuka establishes new software and digital business segment