That is right this moment’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a day by day dose of what’s occurring on this planet of know-how.
Why recycling alone can’t energy local weather tech
The potential to make use of outdated, discarded merchandise to make one thing new sounds a bit of bit like magic. This is the reason, in some circumstances a minimum of, recycling goes to be an important device for local weather know-how.
However there are large challenges forward in materials demand for local weather applied sciences, and sadly, recycling alone gained’t be sufficient to deal with them. Our local weather reporter Casey Crownhart has taken a take a look at why recycling isn’t all the time the reply—and what else may assist as a substitute. Learn the total story.
This story is from The Spark, our weekly e-newsletter overlaying local weather know-how. Join to obtain it in your inbox each Wednesday.
This robotic can tidy a room with none assist
The information: A brand new robotic system known as OK-Robotic might practice robots to select up and transfer objects in settings they haven’t encountered earlier than. A robotic operating the system, which makes use of publicly-available AI fashions, was in a position to choose up and transfer objects round a room with an 58.5% success charge—rising to 82% in rooms that had been much less cluttered.
Why it issues: Whereas robots might simply full duties like these in a laboratory, getting them to work in an unfamiliar atmosphere is an actual problem. OK-Robotic might assist to plug the hole between quickly bettering AI fashions and precise robotic capabilities, because it doesn’t require any further coaching. Learn the total story.
—Rhiannon Williams
Should you’re fascinating in studying extra about residence robots, why not try:
+ Right here’s why everybody’s getting enthusiastic about family robots once more.
+ This new system can educate a robotic a easy family activity inside 20 minutes. The Dobb-E home robotics system was educated in actual folks’s properties and will assist resolve the sector’s knowledge downside. Learn the total story.
+ Watch this robotic prepare dinner shrimp and clear autonomously. Even low-cost {hardware} can carry out advanced duties, and AI helps robots get smarter nonetheless. Learn the total story.
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The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you right this moment’s most enjoyable/essential/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 Mark Zuckerberg apologized to households harmed by social media
Beneath some duress, throughout a Senate grilling. (WP $)
+ X boss Linda Yaccarino acknowledges that the platform wants extra moderators. (Wired $)
+ TikTok’s Singaporean CEO was grilled at size, however not about youngster security. (Motherboard)
+ Dramatic moments had been in plentiful provide throughout the listening to. (NY Magazine $)
+ Little one on-line security legal guidelines will really damage youngsters, critics say. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
2 Autonomous automobile agency Cruise is hemorrhaging cash
To the tune of just about $3.5 billion final 12 months alone. (WP $)
+ What’s subsequent for robotaxis in 2024. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
Three Hackers spied on critics of Jordan utilizing NSO Group’s spy ware
In a concerted marketing campaign focusing on journalists, activists, and attorneys. (Bloomberg $)
four AI startups are placing themselves up on the market
They’re extremely costly to run, and elevated competitors has small companies clamoring to be acquired. (The Info $)
+ One rising startup has ambitions of difficult Google’s search dominance. (NYT $)
+ Make no mistake—AI is owned by Large Tech. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
5 Amazon might quickly be answerable for the security of third-party merchandise
A proposed US authorities order might reclassify it from a retailer to a distributor. (WSJ $)
6 Ovaries might supply clues on how you can prolong our lifespans
Pay attention up, longevity bros. (FT $)
+ Contained in the billion-dollar assembly for the mega-rich who need to reside without end. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
7 Product placement is getting an AI-powered makeover
It’s a sneaky new manner of getting merchandise in entrance of eyeballs outdoors of conventional advertisements. (NYT $)
+ TikTok may very well be about to lose a serious chunk of its music catalog. (Wired $)
eight Life is imitating artwork for Ukraine’s online game makers
Apocalyptic survival sport Stalker 2: Coronary heart of Chernobyl has a brand new resonance for its creators. (The Guardian)
9 The Solar’s magnetic poles are about to reverse 
And communication satellites and our vitality grid again on Earth is susceptible to disruption. (Vox)
+ LED lights are contributing to an entire lot of sunshine air pollution. (The Atlantic $)
10 Tips on how to inform if we’re dwelling in a simulation or not
Simulated and faux aren’t the identical factor. (Ars Technica)
Quote of the day
“Your product is killing folks.”
—US Senator Josh Hawley rounds on Fb boss Mark Zuckerberg throughout a Senate listening to on youngster security, the New York Occasions experiences.
The massive story
Authorities know-how is famously unhealthy. It doesn’t must be.
October 2023
It’s a actuality of politics that’s typically neglected: as soon as a legislation is handed, it must evolve from an concept right into a plan with a funds and employees, and from there it wants to truly attain the lives of thousands and thousands of individuals. Transferring from coverage to implementation has all the time been a tough a part of governing. Right this moment it’s straightforward to imagine know-how could make it simpler. However is that truly true?
New York Metropolis is one thing of a check lab for methods to confront some large issues that plague the fashionable state. And it’s discovering that typically the options are surprisingly low-tech. Learn the total story.
—Tate Ryan-Mosley
We will nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction in these bizarre occasions. (Acquired any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ Crime Pays However Botany Doesn’t is a unbelievable identify for a YouTube channel.
+ It’s known as the world’s biggest stretch for a motive.
+ Street tripping in Saudi Arabia seems suitably surreal.
+ Cease placing it off: right here’s how you can declutter your house, room by room.
+ What can’t The Bear actor Jeremy Allen White reside with out? Momentary tattoos, apparently.
