Humanoid Robots, Neuralink, + the Missing iPhone 15 Chip

Hi Friends,

Today we are going to learn about:

• A boom in the manufacturing of humanoid robots
• Neuralink's new clinical trials
• Why the iPhone 15 is missing a billion dollar chip

The Influx of Humanoid Robots Begins!

While we've seen simple robots streamline manufacturing for a while, more advanced robotic innovations, like Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, remained largely confined to research labs. But, things are shifting! Agility Robotics just finished building a 70,000-square-foot factory in Salem, Oregon, dedicated to their humanoid "Digit" robot. With a production capacity of 10,000 robots annually, the first humanoid batch will roll out in 2024 for early birds, and by 2025, everyone can order their own. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, and resembling something from a Pixar movie, Digit can tirelessly work for 16 hours, lifting boxes and totes with its bird-like legs and emotive "eyes".

The history of Agility Robotics traces back to Oregon State University's Robotics Laboratory and was founded in 2015. Its original version, the Cassie, was a mere pair of legs, but the company added arms and a range of sensors by 2020, positioning Digit as a versatile robot capable of more than just moving packages. As Agility revs up its factory, aptly named "RoboFab", it faces the grand challenge of scaling production and securing consistent quality. If they play their cards right, and with backing from giants like Amazon, Digit could find itself as a prominent member of future workforces—perhaps even delivering your next order!?

You Can Now Use Your Phone with Your Thoughts

Neuralink, Elon Musk's audacious brainchild, is making waves as it ushers in its maiden clinical trial, beckoning human participants to be a part of this monumental venture. With a nod of approval from the FDA, the trial’s intent is laser-focused: using the N1 Implant, a coin-sized piece of innovative tech, to potentially gift paralyzed individuals the ability to operate devices purely with their thoughts. This isn't just a casual procedure. An advanced surgical robot, equipped with precision technology, will be at the helm, embedding this groundbreaking device.

To those bold enough to participate, there's a roadmap of commitment. The journey begins with nine in-person visits - a mix of home and clinic rendezvous - over the first 18 months. Then, the research gears up, with participants engaging in two sessions each week, each lasting an hour, allowing Neuralink to gather valuable insights. This is followed by an extensive follow-up period, involving 20 more touchpoints spread over 3.5 years. It's a long road, but for the pioneers involved, the only tangible reimbursement is the coverage of travel expenses. Still, the chance to be part of what might redefine human-tech interaction is surely priceless.?

iPhone 15's Missing Chip

Apple recently launched the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro without a specially developed silicon chip, a project costing billions for the company. The absence of this chip, intended to diminish Apple’s dependency on supplier Qualcomm, came after tests revealed issues with overheating and slow performance, according to The Wall Street Journal.

This launch follows a six-year license agreement between Apple and Qualcomm established in 2019, further solidified by a recent deal extension for 5G modem supplies. While the iPhone 15 release was eagerly awaited, some fans were left underwhelmed by the new features, overshadowed by the anticipated, but missing, silicon chip that remains a significant talking point post-launch. This setback for Apple not only underscores the challenges of in-house hardware development but also points to the company's ongoing, complicated dance with Qualcomm. It seems Apple's quest for technological independence is still a work in progress.

?Top Tech Innovation News This Week

• Photo giant Getty took a leading AI image-maker to court. Now it’s also embracing the technology
• CIA builds its own ChatGPT-style AI tool to rival Chinese intelligence
• Amazon invests $4B in Anthropic to boost AI capabilities
• Deepfake election risks trigger EU call for more generative AI safeguards

Thanks for reading, friends!

Yours Truly,

V Ray

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