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Archive for the ‘robotics/AI’ category

Jul 18, 2024

Is OI the Key to AI?

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, robotics/AI

It takes an incredible amount of energy to both train and operate artificial intelligence software, as we explored last week in The Bleeding Edge – AI’s Thirst for Power.

OpenAI’s GPT-4 generative AI, which powers its ChatGPT, required about 10 megawatts (MW) of electricity to train. That’s roughly equivalent to the power requirements of 10,000 average homes.

It’s also about 833,000 times the electricity required to power the human brain.

Jul 18, 2024

Visualization and Quantitative Evaluation of Functional Structures of Soybean Root Nodules via Synchrotron X-ray Imaging

Posted by in categories: information science, robotics/AI

Published in Plant Phenomics:Click the link to read the full article for free:


The efficiency of N2-fixation in legume–rhizobia symbiosis is a function of root nodule activity. Nodules consist of 2 functionally important tissues: (a) a central infected zone (CIZ), colonized by rhizobia bacteria, which serves as the site of N2-fixation, and (b) vascular bundles (VBs), serving as conduits for the transport of water, nutrients, and fixed nitrogen compounds between the nodules and plant. A quantitative evaluation of these tissues is essential to unravel their functional importance in N2-fixation. Employing synchrotron-based x-ray microcomputed tomography (SR-μCT) at submicron resolutions, we obtained high-quality tomograms of fresh soybean root nodules in a non-invasive manner. A semi-automated segmentation algorithm was employed to generate 3-dimensional (3D) models of the internal root nodule structure of the CIZ and VBs, and their volumes were quantified based on the reconstructed 3D structures. Furthermore, synchrotron x-ray fluorescence imaging revealed a distinctive localization of Fe within CIZ tissue and Zn within VBs, allowing for their visualization in 2 dimensions. This study represents a pioneer application of the SR-μCT technique for volumetric quantification of CIZ and VB tissues in fresh, intact soybean root nodules. The proposed methods enable the exploitation of root nodule’s anatomical features as novel traits in breeding, aiming to enhance N2-fixation through improved root nodule activity.

Jul 18, 2024

Space mission that maps forests in 3D makes an early comeback

Posted by in categories: mapping, robotics/AI, space

Call it the force’s doing, but it has been surprises galore for the GEDI mission.

In early 2023, the lidar mission that maps the Earth’s forests in 3D was to be burned up in the atmosphere to make way for another unrelated mission on the International Space Station. A last-minute decision by NASA saved its life and put it on hiatus until October 2024. Earlier this year, another surprise revealed itself: the mission that replaced GEDI was done with its work, effectively allowing GEDI to get back to work six months earlier than expected.

That’s how, in April, a robotic arm ended up moving the GEDI mission (short for Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation and pronounced “Jedi” like in the Star Wars films) from storage on the ISS to its original location, from where it now continues to gather crucial data on aboveground biomass on Earth.

Jul 18, 2024

Army approaches industry for prototype artillery cannon for future Hypervelocity Gun Weapon System (HGWS)

Posted by in categories: cybercrime/malcode, futurism, robotics/AI

Related: High-G data recorder helps Air Force munitions testing

The Army wants a company to build and deliver MDAC prototypes using existing fielded and mature technologies. MDAC will be air-, rail-, and sea-transportable per MIL-STD-1366; will be able to move rapidly for survivability; have automated high rates of fire with HVP; and have emote weapon firing; have deep magazine capacity, rapid ammunition resupply, and high operational availability. Companies interested also will demonstrate supportability, safety, and cyber security.

Jul 18, 2024

Army wants to develop hypervelocity artillery shells for air defense against manned and unmanned aircraft

Posted by in categories: military, robotics/AI

Officials of the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) at Fort Belvoir, Va., issued a request for information on Monday for the Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP) project.

Army officials want a company able to deliver HVP prototypes no later than fall 2027 for operational demonstrations in 2028, and later for possible deployment. Hypervelocity projectiles fly through the air at speeds of 8 or 9 times the speed of sound.

Jul 18, 2024

How Europe’s next-generation combat jet aims to catch the AI wave

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

The signature air-power program aims to be first such effort with artificial intelligence fully baked into every aspect.

Jul 18, 2024

Now in 2024, Futurist Ray Kurzweil Does Not Play When It Comes to the Singularity

Posted by in categories: Ray Kurzweil, robotics/AI, singularity

Ray Kurzweil tightened his timeline for reaching “the singularity,” reflecting technological advances that are bringing us much closer to AGI.

Jul 18, 2024

What is AI Singularity: Is It a Hope or Threat for Humanity?

Posted by in categories: robotics/AI, singularity

Is AI singularity going to happen in the period of our lifetime? What will be its effects? Learn all this and more from an AI expert.

Jul 17, 2024

Anthropic launches $100 million AI fund with Menlo Ventures, ramping up competition with OpenAI

Posted by in categories: mobile phones, robotics/AI

The artificial intelligence startup and Menlo Ventures are launching a $100 million fund on Wednesday to back early-stage startups, and get them using the AI company’s technology. Menlo will put up the cash to invest in the startups, while Anthropic will give founders $25,000 in credits that go toward using its large language models.

The launch of the Anthology Fund mirrors a partnership between Apple and venture firm Kleiner Perkins. The joint venture, called the iFund, was introduced in 2008, a year after the iPhone hit the market, to support developers on Apple’s mobile platforms. It initially started with $100 million in 2008, and doubled to $200 million two years later.

Matt Murphy, a partner at Menlo Ventures and a former partner at Kleiner Perkins, said the iFund was the inspiration for this launch.

Jul 17, 2024

A hopping robot could explore Europa using locally harvested water

Posted by in categories: robotics/AI, space

Various forms of hopping robots have crept into development for use in different space exploration missions. We’ve reported on their use on asteroids and even our own moon. But a study funded by NASA’s Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) in 2018 planned a mission to a type of world where hopping may not be as noticeable an advantage—Europa.

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