Issue #219 - crafty robots; AI looks for cancer; UPS uses driverless trucks; Chinese police robots; and more

Aug 16, 2019

This week - crafty robots; AI looks for cancer; UPS uses driverless trucks; Chinese police robots; and more!

MORE THAN A HUMAN

Where Death Ends and Cyborgs Begin, With Futurist Zoltan Istvan

Singularity Hub sat down with Zoltan Istvan - vocal transhumanists, author and futurist to discuss his ideas on technological implants, religion, transhumanism, and death.

Neuralink guide: How wearables will play their part in Elon Musk's brain tech
Here is yet another article explaining what is Neuralink, how will it work, why we need it, who else is working on advanced brain-computer interfaces and what can we expect next from this field.

Tomorrow's bionic eyes will have 'Predator' vision
Second Sight revealed the details of the Argus II bionic eye successor - Orion Visual Cortical Prosthesis System. Unlike its predecessor, which was stimulating the optical nerve, Orion will be connected directly to the brain. The company plans to put more electrodes as well as face- and object-recognition features. Plus they are looking into integration thermal camera to give Predator-like vision and see the world in infrared.

An Implant for Weight Loss, Powered by the Stomach
Researchers have created a prototype implant that attaches to the outside of the stomach and uses power generated by stomach movements to subdue feelings of hunger. The idea is that the device will aid weight loss and is less invasive than surgery and potentially more effective than diets and exercise regimens.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

A.I. rivals expert eyes at reading breast tissue biopsies
Let's add another area where AI is better than humans - reading and analysing biopsies to detect breast cancer. It can reduce diagnosis errors and help doctors assign the correct treatment. The AI can be trained to diagnose other kinds of cancers, with skin cancer being next on the list.

Artificial Intelligence Sniffs Out Unsafe Foods
Researchers trained machine-learning algorithms to read Amazon reviews for hints that a food product could contain harmful ingredients and would be recalled by the FDA.

Forget the Robot Singularity Apocalypse. Let's Talk About the Multiplicity
Roboticist Ken Goldberg thinks that we should forget about the Singularity and instead embrace the idea of multiplicity - the idea of humans and machines working together.

ROBOTICS

‘MacGyver’ robot builds tools with what’s on hand
This robot, named MacGyver, was trained to build tools from whatever is available around. Right now, the robot builds tools based on shape and attachment of the objects at hand and does not take into account their material properties. But still, it was able to figure out how to build a screwdriver from pliers and coin, just like true MacGyver.

China Deploys Its First Robot Traffic Police
Robots joined the police force in northern China to help keep order on the roads through monitoring the traffic, advising and warning drivers.

This Robot Ostrich Can Ride Around on Hovershoes
Cassie, a bipedal robot also known as robotic ostrich, shows off its balancing skills by riding around UC Berkeley's campus on hovershoes better than many humans. Here is the video showing how the robot learned to ride the them.

UPS Has Been Delivering Cargo in Self-Driving Trucks for Months And No One Knew
UPS revealed that since May TuSimple autonomous trucks have been hauling UPS loads on a 115-mile route between Phoenix and Tucson. TuSimple claims it can cut the average cost of shipping in a tractor-trailer by 30 percent.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Gene Editing Using CRISPR: Zebrafish as a Model System for Research
Over the last few decades, zebrafish has become increasingly popular as a model system for understanding vertebrate gene function as well for studying human genetic diseases. Since it’s recent discovery, CRISPR-Cas9, a groundbreaking technology, has quickly become a method of choice for genome engineering in zebrafish and other model organisms.

EVENTS

The Case for Transhumanism - 21st September, London
Transhumanism is the radical idea that our species can transform and enhance itself using technology - from living forever to uploading our minds into machines. Is this humanity's next step? Warwick sociologist and author of Humanity 2.0 Steve Fuller lays out his vision for the future.

The Brainstorms Festival - 27th & 28th September, Vienna
Two days on business, science and cutting-edge human oriented technology from the top experts of the world.

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