Weekend Edition: Robots in disguise... as humans

[New Atlas logo]( This week we highlight yet more developments in the field of human-like robotics, an area of technology that's evolving at super-speed. In a way, it's fitting we also share Loz Bain's fascinating and thought-provoking interview with AI and robotics visionary, Sanctuary founder Suzanne Gildert, who this week stepped down from the company to forge ahead with her pioneering work on AI consciousness. If you'd rather listen to the interview, there's a YouTube link in the article. And we'll be watching Gildert's next moves closely... We hope all the humans and humanoids alike have a great weekend! Bronwyn Thompson New Atlas Robotics [Video of super-fast, super-smooth humanoid robot will drop your jaw]( [The S1's dexterity could make it a great helper in the kitchen]( While it seems that another humanoid robot is being released every week, we've yet to see one move as quickly or with as much precision as the model just released by Chinese company, Astribot. We dare you to not be impressed. [Read more]( Robotics [Interview: Suzanne Gildert leaves Sanctuary to focus on AI consciousness]( [Suzanne Gildert (right) with the Phoenix humanoid robot]( Earlier this month, co-founder and CTO Suzanne Gildert left humanoid robotics company Sanctuary AI and her beloved Phoenix robot to focus full-time on AI safety, ethics and consciousness. We spoke to her just weeks before she departed. [Read more]( Robotics [General-purpose humanoid is faster on the uptake, works for longer]( [Sanctuary AI has unveiled its seventh-generation general-purpose humanoid robot, say hello to the new Phoenix]( The rapid progress of humanoid robot development is nothing short of astounding. Less than 12 months after introducing its 6th-gen general-purpose humanoid, Canada's Sanctuary AI has pulled back the curtains on the next iteration of Phoenix. [Read more]( Military [DARPA’s massive Manta Ray robotic sub hits the sea]( [The Manta ray dwarfs a a small work boat behind it]( DARPA has unveiled more of its mysterious Manta Ray robotic sub, with impressive new images of the prototype Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (UUV) undergoing its first sea trials off the coast of Southern California. And it's somewhat of a beast. [Read more]( Energy [Advanced 'high-density waterless hydro' energy plant gets green light]( [RheEnergise's system uses a super-dense fluid instead of water]( This remarkable project promises to open up zero-carbon energy storage to a broad range of areas without huge hills, delivering 2.5 times the power of water-based hydro. A pilot plant has been greenlit, with full-size, grid-scale projects to follow. [Read more]( Architecture [Aston Martin's sail-shaped skyscraper looks fit for a Bond villain's lair]( [Aston Martin Residences Miami is the automaker's first completed real estate project]( Aston Martin's first completed real estate project wouldn't look out of place as a villain's lair in a Bond movie. The extraordinary skyscraper takes the form of a huge glass sail and rises to a height of 249 m above the Miami coastline. [Read more]( Automotive [1,200-horsepower, 250-mph, V12 quad bike seeks world's fastest farmer]( [Engler claims a 1:1 power to weight ratio for the Super-Quad]( It looks like a Lotus in the middle of unscheduled brain surgery, but the Engler V12 is somehow far more absurd. It's the world's fastest quad bike – a 1,200-horsepower pile of evil, rolling malarkey that no sane person should ride in anger. [Read more]( Good Thinking [Titanium gadget throws a monkey wrench into the world of mini multitools]( [The Ti EDC [everyday carry] Wrench is currently on Kickstarter]( What makes a compact titanium multitool stand out from the kazillion others that are on Kickstarter at any given moment? Well, an adjustable wrench is a definitely a rare feature, and that's just one of the things you'll find on the Ti EDC Wrench. [Read more]( Automotive [Electric MPV Exeed concept is headed for production ... with its ingenious doors]( [The E08's doors can be seen from above, with the driver and passenger doors moved forward and flat with the side of the vehicle.]( Chinese brand Exeed is currently showing the E08 MPV at Auto China. The vehicle uses automation to improve access and optimize space, but its best party trick isn't obvious. [Read more]( Medical [Only half of atrial fibrillation patients survive 10 years after treatment]( [A little over half of people with atrial fibrillation survived to 10 years]( Examining long-term outcomes for people with atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder, a new study found that 55% survived to 10 years. The researchers say it needs to be treated as a chronic illness with serious long-term consequences. [Read more]( Space [Boeing's crewed Starliner launches Monday. Here's why it's a big deal]( [Starliner separating from the Centaur second stage]( The embattled Boeing spacecraft Starliner is scheduled to launch next week, after more than a decade of delays and development. Given the history of the craft and the company's recent scandals, it's a nail-biter – so let's recap CST-100 Starliner. [Read more]( Medical [Bacterial enzyme strips away blood types to create universal donor blood]( [Researchers are a step closer to creating universal donor blood, thanks to a common gut bacteria]( Using enzymes produced by a bacteria that almost everyone has in their gut, researchers have removed the antigens from red blood cells that determine blood type, putting us within reach of producing universal donor blood. [Read more]( Drones [Hybrid rescue drone flies out to swimmers and becomes a lifebuoy]( [The TY-3R can land on water to serve as a lifebuoy, then take off again when no longer needed]( Could you throw a lifebuoy all the way out to a distressed swimmer located one kilometer away? Nope, you couldn't … but you could fly one out to them, in the form of the TY-3R Flying Lifebuoy drone. [Read more]( Robotics [Robot bee swarms fly collision-free in close formation]( [Festo's latest bio-inspired robot is capable of autonomous flight and computer-controlled swarming behavior]( We've seen some impressive nature-inspired flying bots from the creative minds at Festo's Bionic Learning Network over the years, but the autonomous BionicBee is not only the smallest so far but also the first capable of swarming. [Read more]( Outdoors [Nitecore's ultra-slim, 3,000-lumen pocket torch flattens EDC]( [Nitecore's new lighter and brighter EDC25]( Last year, Nitecore put a new emphasis on "flat light" with its EDC27. After a little electronics tinkering, it's bested itself with the EDC25, a slightly lighter flashlight that fires out 3,000 lumens with more throw, intensity and overall runtime. [Read more]( Tiny Houses [Video: Pint-sized Pingora turns tiny house design on its head]( [The Pingora is currently available for purchase, priced at US$89,200]( The Pingora tiny house features a compact interior with an "upside-down" layout that positions the bedroom downstairs and the living room upstairs. It also has a relatively affordable price tag of $89,200. [Read more]( Automotive [World's slipperiest car brings land speed record aero to the big stage]( [The MG EXE181 can run 0-100 km/h in 1.91 seconds, a similar time to the Rimac Nevera (1.81 seconds - 1,888 hp), Pininfarina Battista (1.86 - 1,874 hp), Czinger 21C (1.9 - 1,350 hp) and Koenigsegg Gemera (1.9 - 2,300 hp). Acceleration will not be this car's forte however. With such excellent aerodynamics, it will also be a contender to become the world's fastest production EV.]( One of the most stunning concept cars the world has ever seen was shown for the first time at Auto Shanghai this week. The MG EXE181 concept electric hypercar boasts one of the best drag coefficients ever seen in any registerable, road-going vehicle. [Read more]( Motorcycles [The world’s first million dollar motorcycle?]( [The 1972 Imola 200 Race was Europe's answer to Daytona. It was a new 750cc category in Europe and everyone expected Giacomo Agostini to win on a 750 that was far more 500cc Grand Prix bike than 750 road bike. He led early in the race before the Ducatis of Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari got past and began a personal battle for the ages. Smart won the race. Ducati won the war! The bike currently going to auction was Smart's reserve bike.]( We’ve always said that if one of these came up at the right time, it would become the world’s first million dollar motorcycle. Well, it’s gonna happen next month and … this will be worth watching. [Read more]( Aircraft [Airbus Helicopters’ super-fast, efficient Racer makes maiden flight]( [The Racer can fly 50% faster than other commercial helicopters]( Airbus Helicopters has flown its high-speed concept copter, which dashes 50% faster than other commercial copters, for the first time. The 249-mph (216-kt, 400-km/h) Racer demonstrator is not only fast, but consumes up to 25% less fuel. [Read more]( Automotive [CATL's 1,000-km LFP EV battery super-charges at 1 km/sec]( [The original Shenxing battery CATL detailed last year – and now the company has unveiled an even more powerful version]( Last August, CATL presented the Shenxing battery, an LFP pack capable of adding 400 km of range in 10 minutes. This year, the company has rolled the tech into the Shenxing Plus, which combines four-figure range and even faster charging rates. [Read more]( Bicycles [Plug-and-play bike wearables clip everyday shoes into clipless pedals]( [Commute to work or events without the need for lugging extra shoes around or wearing uncomfortable, unstylish bike shoes off the bike]( Clipless bike shoes are great for cycling but not much else. ClipClap lets everyday cyclists remove those clipless cleats ASAP. Its wearable adapters strap around everyday shoes, clip in during the ride, and immediately stow away after. [Read more]( Technology [Reid Hoffman's AI clone: So 'human' that it wipes a booger on the table]( [Reid Hoffman's AI-generated conversational avatar: Perhaps a little too human in its actions, as it goes to wipe a booger on its own AI-generated desk]( LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman sat down for a video interview with an interactive AI avatar trained on his own knowledge, words and voice. The results – while edited – are surprisingly convincing, right down to the messiest parts of our humanity. [Read more]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for our daily newsletter at [newatlas.com]( (or [gizmag.com]( before August 2016). [Update profile]( | [Unsubscribe]( Copyright New Atlas © 2022