Meet Phoenix: The new humanoid robot built for general-purpose tasks

Plus: NASA performs fastest data transfer ever in space via laser link Sponsored by Prepare for a leap into the future, as we introduce you to Phoenix, a humanoid robot that's more than just a sci-fi concept! Standing at five feet seven inches, Phoenix is a remarkable creation from Sanctuary Cognitive Systems that could redefine our understanding of robotics as it's designed to handle general tasks with the same ease as a human. Phoenix shows us a glimpse of a world where robots are not just exotic machines, but have become an integral part of our everyday lives. And it looks the part too. We delve deeper into this fascinating development below. But first, here’s [your video of the day](. Good morning. I’m Tim, an Editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s see what's new today. Last Sunday, Blueprint subscribers learned how new antiobiotics and therapeutics can be extracted from ancient bacteria. Don't miss out — [subscribe to IE+]( to receiv e exclusive interviews, features, and much more. VIDEO OF THE DAY [Phalanx CIWS]( [Greeting your enemies with 75 bullets per second: Meet the Phalanx CIWS]( The Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) is a rapid-fire, radar-controlled gun system used by navies around the world to defend against incoming threats. MUST READ [Meet Phoenix]( [Meet Phoenix: The new humanoid robot built for general-purpose tasks]( Sanctuary Cognitive Systems' humanoid robot, Phoenix, is breaking new ground in robotics. Phoenix is designed for general tasks, a significant shift from specialized robots. The sixth-generation humanoid, Phoenix, boasts of a payload capacity of 55 pounds and a top speed of three miles per hour, similar to an average human. In a week-long trial at a store in Vancouver, Phoenix successfully completed 110 retail-related tasks at both the front and the back end of the store. These included picking and packaging merchandise, labeling, tagging, folding, and cleaning up the store. Sanctuary say the hero of the achievement is not the robot but the AI system — which they call Carbon — that drives it. Sanctuary predicts that these versatile robots could soon become as common as cars, ready to assist when human resources are scarce. To learn more and watch a video of Phoenix in action, click below. [Read More]( INNOVATION NASA uses laser system to perform fastest data transfer ever in space Doubling the data transfer rate it achieved less than a year ago, NASA's golden, tissue box-sized satellite, TBIRD, has set a new record for the fastest data transfer rate ever performed in space. TBIRD, which stands for TeraByte InfraRed Delivery, demonstrated a 200 gigabit per second (Gbps) space-to-ground optical link speed on April 28, NASA revealed. [Read More]( THE SPONSOR OF THE DAY [Ugears]( [In a fast-paced world, how do you relax and unwind?]( Humans function almost mechanically in between their jam-packed work schedule, constantly about their future. If you're searching for ways to relieve stress other than binge-watching TV show, building 3D puzzles can be a great hobby to embrace. They can help you relax, while also improving your cognitive skills and critical brain functions. Ugears produces mechanical 3D puzzles for adults and kids. When assembled, these wooden models drive, walk, and spin, powered by metal springs, rubber bands, or gravity. You can take a look at some of their bes puzzles - [Hexapod Explorer]( [Sky Watcher Tourbillon Table Clock]( and [Mad Hornet Airplane]( - to see how engag ing and fun they can be to build! Improve your cognitive and memory skills by getting a [Ugears 3D puzzle]( [LEARN MORE]( CULTURE Elon Musk thinks work-from-home for tech workers is 'morally wrong' Elon Musk has called “work-from-home” a morally wrong concept and referred to tech workers as “laptop classes living in a la-la-land”. He added that it was “messed up” that tech workers wanted such a privilege when others around them did not enjoy it. [Read More]( SCIENCE Microsoft paper claims GPT-4 has common sense and can reason like humans In a recent paper, researchers at Microsoft assert that large language models (LLMs), such as GPT-4, can demonstrate common sense and reasoning akin to human abilities. During an experiment where GPT-4 was asked to draw a unicorn over the span of a month, the team observed a clear progression in the sophistication of the drawings. This suggests the AI's capability for learning extends beyond simple memorization. However, some are skeptical about this claim. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS How would you feel about encountering a general purpose robot working in your local supermarket? [I'd be impressed]( [I'd be worried]( [I'd feel sorry for the person whose job it took]( [It will never happen]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS The prospect of long-haul travel through space appealed to more than half of you, though the cost was a crucial factor for 40%. Only 9% thought it too risky. 40% Maybe. How much more? 38% No, too expensive 14% Yes, take my money! 9% No, too risky QUOTE OF THE DAY Some of the biggest questions related to AI and robotics are not technology or engineering related, but societal and cultural. Guy Hoffman, Assistant Professor, Cornell University. 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