This Week in New Age Technology: 10_13_2021
Bite sized news on disruptive technology, every week.
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Robotics 🤖
Honda Announces Plans to Expand Beyond Automotive Industry
On Thursday Honda announced ambitious plans to expand beyond the automotive industry
The company hopes to become a key manufacturer in a new type of aircraft that's been on the rise in startups.
eVTOLs, or (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircrafts
Unlike the few eVTOLs in production, Honda's will have a hybrid engine to overcome battery capacity concerns.
They're also expanding the capabilities of their Asimo robotics brand.
The goal is to develop Avatars that can act as a "second self" by allowing people to experience things without being there in person.
Honda hopes for practical applications by 2030.
3D Printing 🖨
Michelin Tire Makes Innovation Headway with Road Tests
Elsewhere in the automotive industry, Michelin Tire made headway on their 3D printed airless tire concept first released back in 2019, with their first official road tests this week.
Called Uptis, for Unqiue puncture proof tire system, the tires are the product of a vision concept to reimagine the tires of the future, -reducing environmental impact, and extending the life of the tires.
Artificial Intelligence 👨💻
Pentagons Ex-Software Chief Says China has Already Won the AI War
In the world of Artificial Intelligence, the Pentagon's ex-software chief is making headlines recently with an alarming quote.
After resigning in protest against the slow pace of technological transformation in the US military, Nicolas Chaillan said,
"We have no competing fighting chance against China in 15 to 20 years. Right now, it's already a done deal; it is already over in my opinion," "Whether it takes a war or not is kind of anecdotal."
He says Chinese companies are obliged to work with their government and are making "massive investment" in AI without regard to ethics.
He claims U.S. cyber defenses in some government departments were at "kindergarten level".
Following his resignation, Frank Kendall, secretary of the U.S. Air Force, had discussed with Chaillan his recommendations for the department’s future software development following his resignation and thanked him for his contributions.