A Hong Kong apartment was the workspace of an inventor who built a lifelike robot that seems to be inspired by Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson. His pet project took one and a half years to complete and had a total cost of $50,000. The Mark I prototype is an android that includes a 3D printed skeleton and silicone skin that covers the electronic and mechanical parts that bring the machine to life.
Microsoft just announced at its Build developers conference that it is now offering new artificial intelligence (AI) tools so developers can build bots that are able to decipher natural language. The two features available in the Cortana Intelligence application program interfaces (APIs) allow robots to hear, speak, and understand by using natural communication. Meanwhile, the second tool allows developers to use any programming language to build smart chatboxes that let customers use natural language to communicate using platforms including SMS, Skype, and the web.
The Internet of Things revolution is starting to be felt in the wine industry. On March 28, Boston-based startup Kuvee launches the world’s first ever smart wine bottle which keeps the wine fresh for up to 30 days and provides a wine list that could easily rival those available from top restaurants.
Toyota's Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid car that is a total remake of the fourth-gen Prius. Major alterations to the new green car include different front and rear ends, and major changes to the auto's powertrain. Toyota engineers reviewed feedback and research from Prius customers such as blog posts to learn about their biggest complaints.
Microsoft's HoloLens augmented reality (AR) headsets were recently featured in new demoes that included virtual forests and caves, and holographic communication like in Star Wars movies. The new tech allows people to talk to a live hologram of someone who is in another room. 3D cameras are used to capture the real-time speech and movements of a person, then transmits them to the room where the HoloLens user can see them.
Nanotechnology could be used to clean laundry automatically in the future by hanging clothes outside in bright sunlight, based on a new study. Australian researchers claim they have found a way to change fabric so coffee stains and other discoloring disappear after a couple minutes of sun exposure.
Microsoft has built a Twitter chat box named Tay that talks like the Millennial generation including its sayings and text message abbreviations. The OS giant's artificial intelligence (AI) bot not only uses modern vocabulary that might be added to future dictionaries, but also has a little attitude.
Apple not only introduced the iPhone SE, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, iOS 9.3, and new Apple Watch straps at its March event, but also a recycling robot. The 29-arm machine disassembles old iPhone units so the materials in the smartphones can be used in other devices. Liam the bot uses several operations to collect metals from the old-school smartphones
Modern cars are becoming increasingly technologized, and this can turn out to be a serious problem for drivers. It means that hackers have new challenges, an they will attempt to enter these cars through available backdoors.
Toyota Motor Corporation has announced that nearly all Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in the United States will be equipped with an automatic braking system by the end of next year. The Japanese automaker shared the news on March 21, Monday just days after the US government announced a deal it made with several car companies representing 99 percent of light vehicle sales, which would make automatic brakes a standard feature by 2022.
