This Week's Technology, Business and Science Highlights

Robots Now Transport 100,000 People Weekly

According to a LinkedIn announcement by Tekedra Mawakana, Co-CEO of Waymo, the company is now providing over 100,000 paid robotaxi rides per week in the United States. This figure is double the 50,000 weekly paid rides reported in May. This development reflects the progress Waymo has made in autonomous vehicle technology and its goal of transforming urban transportation. Waymo's robotaxis, easily hailed via an app, are in high demand in major cities. These autonomous vehicles, powered by environmentally friendly electric motors, have the potential to reduce carbon emissions and make urban transportation more sustainable. The company plans to continue enhancing its service to reach more users and expand to other cities.

Humanoid Robots Enter Mass Production: Soon in Your Home

Unitree has begun mass production of its advanced humanoid robot G1, starting at a price of $16,000. The G1 weighs 77 pounds, stands 4.3 feet tall, and features 3-fingered hands, a 3D LiDAR system, a depth-sensing camera, and a 2-hour battery life on a full charge. In recent tech demos, the robot showcased its ability to dance, jump, spin, and climb stairs filled with debris. With 23 degrees of freedom in its joints, the G1 can walk at a speed of 4.5 miles per hour. Currently available for order from Unitree, the robot is expected to gain significant interest if developed for household chores.

Linux Market Share Reaches New Peak

The Linux operating system has reached a market share of 4.45% in desktop operating systems as of July 2024, marking a significant milestone. This rise highlights the growing influence of Linux and the open-source community. Linux showed consistent growth, rising from 3.22% in November-December 2023 to 3.83%, and surpassing 4% in February 2024. Factors such as the approaching end of Windows 10 support in 2025 and increased interest in Linux due to new devices like the Steam Deck have contributed to this growth. Additionally, Linux's performance on older hardware and more user-friendly interfaces are accelerating this transition. With this momentum, Linux is projected to reach a 5% market share within 2024.

Interest in Airbnb Declines as Customers Turn to Hotels

Airbnb has lowered its revenue expectations as customers increasingly choose hotels over its offerings. High cleaning fees, rising prices, and inconsistent quality control have negatively impacted demand for the short-term rental platform. This shift has led many customers to prefer the more consistent services provided by hotels. The company has reduced its third-quarter revenue expectations to between $3.67 billion and $3.73 billion. To compete with hotels, Airbnb plans to expand its services and offer hotel-like amenities. The decline in demand for short-term rentals, especially in urban and suburban areas, is contributing to the growing appeal of hotels. Airbnb may need to reassess its strategies to retain customers as it moves away from the post-COVID-19 surge in demand.

Microplastics Found in Human Brains

Scientists have discovered microplastics in human brain tissue, further raising concerns about the widespread presence of microplastics in nearly every part of the human body. The study found that brain tissue contains 20 times more plastic than the liver and kidneys. Particularly, dementia patients were found to have significantly more microplastics in their brains compared to healthy individuals. The findings highlight the alarming increase in environmental pollution's impact on human health. Researchers noted that this discovery underscores the growing accumulation of microplastics in our environment and bodies. This finding is supported by data showing a steady increase in microplastics from 2016 to 2024.

China Finds a Solution to Sand Shortage: Building the Future with Artificial Sand

The world is running out of sand. Approximately 50 billion tons of sand and gravel are extracted annually, most of which is used in construction activities. This poses a problem for two reasons: it is unsustainable, and continuing to extract sand at this rate will cause irreversible damage to the environment. A new study suggests that China may have found a solution to the sand mining problem. The Chinese are using artificial sand, created by crushing rocks and mining waste, in many construction projects. This simple technique has allowed them to significantly reduce their reliance on natural sand without slowing down massive construction projects. This technique involves using machines to crush and screen rocks or mining residues (mining waste) into smaller particles with properties similar to natural sand. Since this process does not involve extracting sand from rivers and beaches, it is both cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

World's First Lung Cancer Vaccine Administered to 67-Year-Old Patient; Human Trials Begin

The world's first lung cancer vaccine trials have begun in the United Kingdom. Janusz Racz, a 67-year-old lung cancer patient, is the first person to receive this innovative vaccine. He is part of a clinical trial conducted in multiple countries. BioNTech, a German biotechnology company, developed this mRNA-based vaccine, named BNT116. The vaccine works by activating the immune system to recognize and combat cancer cells. This experimental cancer immunotherapy is designed to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), one of the most common types of lung cancer. Patients will receive multiple vaccines, each with a unique RNA sequence, over several weeks. The study will involve approximately 130 participants across 34 research centers in seven countries, including six in the United Kingdom. Other participating countries include the United States, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Spain, and Turkey.

Scientists Achieve Major Breakthrough in Unlimited Energy Quest

Research in fusion energy, with the potential to revolutionize the energy sector, has achieved a significant milestone. The Wisconsin HTS Axisymmetric Mirror research team successfully trapped plasma using high-temperature superconducting magnets, creating a magnetic field of 17 Tesla. This achievement is considered a critical milestone in fusion energy research. The project is supported by a public-private partnership between Realta Fusion and the University of Wisconsin. This development raises hopes for economically viable and zero-carbon energy production. However, it is noted that widespread availability of fusion energy may still be years away.

YouTube Surpasses TV Channels, Breaks Viewing Record

In July, platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video reached record levels in TV usage, capturing 38.7% of total viewing time. YouTube, in particular, attracted significant attention from users, playing a major role in viewing habits. Older content outperformed new originals in attracting viewers; for example, the series Suits reached 18 billion minutes watched, achieving the highest figures of all time. During this period, YouTube offered a wide range of content, from sports to drama, drawing viewer interest and reaching all-time high viewing figures alongside other platforms. As TV viewing habits are expected to shift seasonally with the start of the NFL season in the fall, YouTube's strong position in this area is noteworthy.

X Shuts Down Operations in Brazil

Social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, has decided to "immediately" halt its operations in Brazil. The company cited censorship orders from Brazilian Judge Alexandre de Moraes, which required the removal of certain content from the platform, and threatened to arrest an X representative in Brazil if the company did not comply. X stated that it made this decision to protect the safety of its employees. The Brazilian Supreme Court declined to comment on the matter. The platform announced that the service will remain accessible to the Brazilian public. This development is seen as part of Musk's longstanding criticism of legal decisions in Brazil.

ElevenLabs Launches Text-to-Speech Reader App Globally

ElevenLabs has launched its AI-powered text-to-speech app, Reader, globally. The app offers significant convenience for those who want to listen to books, articles, and other written content aloud. Supporting content in different languages, Reader allows users to adjust the tone and speed of the voice, providing a personalized listening experience. The advanced AI technology delivers a natural and smooth reading experience, closely resembling a human voice. ElevenLabs aims to maximize user satisfaction with the app's user-friendly interface and continuously updated features. The global rollout is seen as a strategic step to strengthen the ElevenLabs brand and reach a broader audience.

Telegram Founder Durov Arrested in France

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been arrested in France. Durov was detained at Le Bourget Airport immediately after disembarking from his private jet, arriving from Azerbaijan. French authorities issued an arrest warrant for Durov, citing Telegram's lack of oversight and facilitation of illegal activities. The charges include aiding and abetting terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud, and pedophilia. Durov, who had previously been declared persona non grata in France, typically avoided traveling in Europe. He is now expected to appear before a prosecutor. Durov's exile is primarily due to censorship and freedom of expression disputes with the Russian government during his tenure as CEO of VKontakte. During the 2011-2012 anti-Putin protests, Russian officials demanded that Durov hand over the personal data of protest organizers and shut down opposition groups on VK.

X Launches Passkey Support for Android Devices

X (formerly known as Twitter) has rolled out passkey support for Android devices. This update follows the platform's introduction of passkey support for iOS users in April. Passkey logins allow users to access their accounts without the need for a username and password combination, using methods like Face ID, Touch ID, PIN, or a physical security key, thereby enhancing protection against remote access. X has now joined major tech companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, and PayPal in offering passkey support. This feature could provide an additional security layer, especially for free X users who no longer have SMS-based two-factor authentication. To enable this feature, users can go to the "Your Account" section in the X app, select "Security and account access," and then choose "Passkey" under "Additional password protection."

Zoom Raises Revenue Forecast Amid Increased AI Demand in Hybrid Work

Zoom Video Communications has raised its annual revenue forecast, driven by growing demand for AI-powered collaboration tools. The company announced that these tools' popularity in hybrid work models has fueled its growth and led to the biggest single order deal in the second quarter. Zoom's large accounts, representing customers generating more than $100,000 in revenue over the past 12 months, increased by 7.1%. Following the announcement that CFO Kelly Steckelberg would be stepping down, Zoom began searching for her replacement. The company expects fiscal year 2025 revenue to be between $4.63 billion and $4.64 billion, surpassing previous forecasts.

Telecom Company Fined $1 Million for Biden Deepfake Voice Calls

Lingo Telecom has been fined $1 million by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for transmitting AI-generated voice calls mimicking President Biden. These calls, which targeted voters ahead of the New Hampshire primary in January, used the cloned voice of the president to tell people not to vote. The company has also agreed to an FCC compliance plan that mandates strict adherence to caller ID authentication frameworks. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel emphasized the need for transparency in AI usage. Robocall operator Steve Kramer faces a separate $6 million fine and 26 charges in New Hampshire for voter intimidation and impersonating candidates.

AFAD to Analyze Istanbul's Earthquake Risk Using AI

AFAD has implemented AI-supported systems to minimize the impact of a potential earthquake in Istanbul. The system, called AFAD-RED, can predict casualties, injuries, and building damages that may occur after an earthquake. Seismic activities in the region are monitored in real-time through earthquake observation stations set up in the Marmara Sea, and these data are used for risk assessments. AFAD officials stated that such technological innovations have become even more critical, especially after the February 6 earthquakes. They also noted that early warning systems like those in Japan could be used in Turkey, but these systems need to be managed correctly.

AMD to Acquire ZT Systems for $4.9 Billion

AMD plans to acquire server manufacturer ZT Systems for $4.9 billion to expand its AI chip and hardware portfolio. AMD will pay 75% of the purchase price in cash and the remaining in stock. AMD CEO Lisa Su stated that ZT Systems' engineering team would enable the company to test its AI graphics processing units (GPUs) more quickly and launch them at scales that meet the needs of major cloud computing giants. ZT Systems reportedly generates approximately $10 billion in annual revenue, and AMD plans to spin off the server manufacturing business as a separate unit following the acquisition. The deal is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025, and AMD forecasts that this merger will accelerate revenue growth in 2026.

100,000 Websites at Risk Due to WordPress Plugin Vulnerability

A high-severity security vulnerability discovered in the popular GiveWP donation and fundraising plugin for WordPress has left over 100,000 websites vulnerable to remote code execution attacks. Tracked as CVE-2024-5932, this flaw affects all versions of the plugin before 3.14.2. The vulnerability allows untrusted inputs to be injected as PHP objects via the "give_title" parameter. Users are strongly advised to update their plugins to the latest version to mitigate this risk. Such security flaws can lead to malicious code being uploaded to sites and sensitive information being stolen.

Energix Signs Long-Term Solar Power Deal with Google

Energix Renewables announced that it has signed a long-term agreement with Alphabet's Google. Under this agreement, Energix will supply electricity and renewable energy credits from its solar projects to power Google's growing AI data centers. Energix has committed to developing 1.5 gigawatts of solar energy by 2030 and has the option to expand the partnership further. As part of the deal, Google will also offer tax equity to support the transfer of Renewable Energy Credits. This move promotes the development of clean energy storage projects across the United States. Morgan Stanley served as Energix's sole financial advisor for the agreement.

Toyota Confirms Customer Data Breach Following Leak

Toyota has confirmed that customer data was exposed due to a third-party data breach after a threat actor leaked 240 GB of stolen data on a hacking forum. The company stated that the scope of the incident was limited and that the data was stolen from a third-party organization "misrepresented as Toyota." The threat actor, known as ZeroSevenGroup, claimed to have hacked a Toyota branch in the United States and obtained files containing information on employees and customers, contracts, and financial data. This incident has once again brought Toyota's data security challenges to the forefront.

EU Approves €5 Billion German Aid for TSMC Semiconductor Plant in Dresden

The European Union has approved €5 billion in state aid for Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC's $11 billion semiconductor plant in Dresden, Germany. This investment will be TSMC's first project in Europe and will provide a crucial supply source for the continent's automotive and industrial sectors. TSMC will execute the project through a joint venture called the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC). The plant is expected to begin production in 2027, focusing on microcontroller units (MCUs) used in automotive applications. This approval marks the largest support granted under the EU Chip Act, which aims to strengthen Europe's semiconductor supply chain.