Disney’s latest robot combines art and technology to convey emotions through dynamic movements, showcased at IROS 2023.
In a captivating evening keynote address at the 2023 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems.
A legacy of emotion-driven robotics
Continue reading “Emotion-infused robots: Disney’s breakthrough” »
The Center for Artificial Intelligence at King Khalid University embraces AI-driven innovation by using and creating advanced digital technologies to help fulfill Vision 2030 objectives. With that as the main driver, Nada Saeed Al-Qahtani, student and inventor at the College of Computer Science at King Khalid University, developed a robot called “Eve”. Eve is tailored to students with Down Syndrome, being equipped with machine learning curriculum adaptations that make completing tasks easier.
Generative AI, dominated by proprietary models locked inside big tech companies, is being disrupted by a new wave of open-source models.
Advocates argue open sourcing has vital benefits like enabling wider access, fostering innovation, and promoting transparency. Many people argue that open source will win in the marketplace.
But that conclusion is not obvious.
Continue reading “Generative AI Throwdown: Open Source Vs. Proprietary Models” »
According to Fioretto et al. [9], whole organ pancreas transplantation is a viable therapeutic option, since it improves the patient’s quality of life and promotes regression of some late complications associated with T1D. However, this procedure constitutes a major surgical intervention, which requires a strict immunosuppressive regimen and heavily depends on properly functioning of the donor pancreas for a successful treatment, being recommended only for patients with brittle/labile T1D who also need a kidney transplant [10]. Pancreatic islets transplantation, introduced in Brazil by our research group [11, 12], has been shown to be a promising alternative to whole organ pancreas transplantation, since it is a simpler and less invasive procedure. According to Hering et al. [13], transplantation of pancreatic islets is a safe and efficient treatment option for T1D patients with hypoglycemia. Nevertheless, there are still some factors that limit this procedure, such as the low availability of pancreas donors and the requirement for constant patient immunosuppression [10, 14].
Chronic usage of immunosuppressant medication becomes necessary for immunological acceptance of the islet allograft; however, this regimen is associated with various side effects, such as oral sores, gastrointestinal diseases, hypertension, dyslipidemia, anemia, increased infection susceptibility, cancer and systemic toxicity [15]. Therefore, encapsulation of pancreatic islets has emerged as a promising strategy to avoid the need for these immunosuppressive drugs. Production of semipermeable microcapsules for biological application, containing cells or proteins, was initially suggested in the 90’s [16], but considerable progress has been achieved in the field since then, with a major increase in application possibilities, including as an alternative for T1D treatment.
To avoid using steroid-based agents that damage β-cells and are known to be diabetogenic or induce peripheral insulin resistance, a glucocorticoid-free immunosuppressive protocol was developed by the Shapiro’s Group [17], for usage in islet transplantation trials. This protocol includes sirolimus, low dosage of tacrolimus and a monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-2 receptor (daclizumab). Their findings, in a study with T1D patients, indicate that islet transplantation alone is associated with minimal risks for the patient and results in good metabolic control, with normalization of glycated hemoglobin values and restricted requirement for exogenous insulin [17]. This protocol, known as the Edmonton Protocol, was considered as a breakthrough, becoming the standard procedure for islet transplantation, constituting a promising step toward the development of a cure for T1D [18]. However, the standard procedure for pancreatic islets transplantation is based on isolation and purification of islet cells from deceased donors, a process that requires two to four donors per patient, since the efficiency of islet isolation is well below 100% and, additionally, only about 50% of the implanted islets survive after transplantation [19]. In addition, several factors interfere with the viability of the graft after transplantation, such as quality of the donated organ, viability and functionality of the purified islets and the patient’s own immune response [20]. Although many advances have been reached in the field, the need for a large number of viable islets, along with the low availability of donors, is still an important factor that compromise the viability of this methodology.
At Google, we care deeply about the power of technology to change people’s lives for the better. We’re particularly passionate about the ways in which it can impact users with a range of disabilities. In this video, Danny’s daily experiences and challenges living with cerebral palsy help us understand how the innovation happening both inside and outside of Google could close the gaps and make a fundamental difference in people’s lives. Learn more about accessibility at Google (https://www.google.com/accessibility/) and the Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities (https://www.google.org/impactchallenge/disabilities/).
Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in understanding and overcoming the challenges associated with Ni-rich cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries.
While these materials can reach high voltages and capacities, their real-world usage has been limited by structural issues and oxygen depletion.
Their study revealed that ‘oxygen hole’ formation – where an oxygen ion loses an electron — plays a crucial role in the degradation of LiNiO2 cathodes accelerating the release of oxygen which can then further degrade the cathode material.
ABSTRACT breaks down mind-bending scientific research, future tech, new discoveries, and major breakthroughs. Scientists have presented a compelling explanation for a mysterious population of radiant galaxies…
Generative AI was the explosive breakout tech trend of 2023, capturing the attention of not only techies and futurists but mainstream audiences, too, with its ability to create seemingly human-like content.
With tech giants including Microsoft, Google and Meta pouring their apparently limitless resources into the technology, we can expect equally game-changing innovation in 2024.
Generative AI is an incredibly powerful tool that will play an important role in democratizing access to the transformative potential of AI. And I believe everyone needs to be aware of what’s coming in order to carefully consider the impact it will have on our lives.
Continue reading “The 10 Biggest Generative AI Trends For 2024 Everyone Must Be Ready For Now” »
The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has agreed to provide £85 million in funding to build what has been called “the world’s most powerful laser.”
The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has awarded £85 million (roughly $103 million) to the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Central Laser Facility (CLF) to build what will become the world’s most powerful laser. The investment will support a major upgrade to the CLF, including the centerpiece “Vulcan 20–20 laser.”
UKRI
Continue reading “UK to build world’s most powerful laser than to £85m cash injection” »
NASA has officially called upon companies to submit designs for a so-called U.S. Deorbit Vehicle (USDV) for the International Space Station (ISS). This pioneering spacecraft would have the crucial mission of safely bringing the ISS back to Earth, marking the ISS’s planned retirement.
The unprecedented project comes with an estimated price tag “a little short of about $1 billion,” as reported earlier this year by Kathy Lueders, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations.
Although initial considerations revolved around employing Russian spaceships for this monumental task, NASA, in a strategic shift, opened the floor this month to proposals from U.S. industry. The deadline for these innovative submissions is set for November 17, following the initiation of the call for designs on September 20.
