Innovations sometimes violate wisdom and leave us doubting their relevance. Some fail and make us shudder, such as the brain implant and the flamethrower robot, others leave us hoping for advances in well-being. Zoom in on some of them.
Flamethrower robot on sale
In the United States, a flamethrower robot called Thermonator is now available for purchase without restriction. Developed by a specialized company, this quadruped robot can project jets of fire up to ten meters. Marketed by the company Throwflame for $9,400, the Terminator is based on a robotic platform developed by the company Unitree, offering a travel speed of up to 10 km/h and an autonomy of one hour with its rechargeable battery.
The robot’s strong point is its pocket flamethrower mounted on its back, capable of sending flames over an impressive distance of nine meters. Although compact (76 cm long and 51 cm high), this feature can be dangerous if not used with care. Despite this, the manufacturer emphasizes the peaceful applications of the device, such as fighting forest fires, assisting farmers, clearing snow from surfaces, and pyrotechnic shows. In addition, the Terminator is equipped with obstacle avoidance technology and is controlled via a smartphone application.
Towt wants to build “the world’s largest fleet of cargo ships”
Brittany-based shipping company Towt is embarking on an ambitious initiative to decarbonize the shipping sector. This summer, it will launch its first two sailing cargo ships, marking the start of its ambition to build “the world’s largest fleet of sailing cargo ships by 2027”, according to its co-founders Diana Mesa and Guillaume Le Grand. Announcing the order for six new ships identical to the first, Towt is reinforcing its commitment to a sustainable maritime future. Towt’s sailing cargo ships offer a reduction of more than 95% in CO2 emissions compared to traditional fossil-powered container ships, saving around 40,000 tonnes of CO2 with eight ships. Towt is targeting significant growth, with a projected turnover of €60 million by 2028 and the creation of 150 direct jobs. Executives plan to reach 500 ships by 2050.
Sony unveils its surgical robot
Sony recently unveiled a surgical robot designed for microsurgery, a discipline requiring a high level of specialization. The robot is equipped with an automated system that allows it to change tools in just ten seconds, making operations much easier. Equipped with a 4K stereoscopic camera, the robot displays images via a virtual reality headset that offers a magnified, three-dimensional view of the operation. In a demonstration video, the robot, guided by a human operator, performs stitches on an incision made in a corn kernel. Tests conducted at Aichi Medical University in Japan, where doctors and medical staff not specialized in microsurgery, successfully reconnected a blood vessel just 0.6 mm in diameter, are underway. Sony plans to continue developing and testing the surgical robot.
Elon Musk accuses Google, OpenAI and Microsoft of ‘lying’ about AI
Elon Musk was highly critical of artificial intelligence during his talk at VivaTech on May 23. He specifically targeted Google and OpenAI’s generative AIs, saying they don’t seek the truth and are programmed to lie. Musk also singled out Google’s AI, Gemini, for generating inappropriate images. He defended his project, Grok, but admitted that it lags behind other companies such as Google-Deepmind and OpenAI-Microsoft. However, he predicts Grok will be competitive by the end of the year. Musk also predicted a future where AI and robots will replace most human jobs, except for those based on passion.
A Frenchman went into space with Blue Origin
A Frenchman, Sylvain Chiron, a 54-year-old brewer from Savoie, has just had a unique experience by participating in a space flight aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket. The launch took place on Sunday, May 19 at 1:30 p.m. French time. Chiron, selected for this trip, floated in zero gravity for about ten minutes alongside five other passengers. The exact cost of his ticket is estimated at several hundred thousand euros. For reference, a similar flight aboard Unity, Virgin Galactic’s rocket, costs around $450,000. This Blue Origin flight marks the company’s seventh manned mission. Sylvain Chiron, originally from the Chambéry region, is the founder of the Mont-Blanc brewery, created in 1999 in La Motte-Servolex.
A humanoid robot faster than a human?
On April 26, Chinese startup Astribot revealed its latest product: S1, a humanoid robot capable of fast and precise gestures. According to the startup, S1 can move without requiring remote control, making it ideal for impressing onlookers. In a video posted to YouTube, the robot demonstrates its skills by analyzing and arranging objects, performing household tasks such as peeling cucumbers and ironing T-shirts, as well as moving its arms at a speed of 10 meters per second and carrying up to 10 kg per arm. However, some aspects, such as its ability to move or its actual autonomy, remain uncertain. The startup says it spent a year developing S1 and plans to commercialize it shortly, suggesting that home robots could soon become a reality.
Alstom and VBZ to secure trams in Zurich!
The city of Zurich is responding to a series of fatal tram accidents by considering an innovative safety system. In collaboration with Alstom, Zurich Public Transport (VBZ) is developing an airbag for trams, designed to reduce damage during collisions with pedestrians or cyclists. In addition to the airbag, other solutions are being explored, such as a harrow for older tram models or the installation of red LEDs on the ground to alert passers-by distracted by their phones. These initiatives aim to improve safety and reduce the risk of fatal tram accidents in Zurich.
Neuralink – misses its first implant
Elon Musk-led Neuralink recently reported difficulties with its first human brain implant. Despite early successes reported by quadriplegic patient Noland Arbaugh, who was able to control his computer with his mind, problems arose a few weeks after surgery. Some of the implant’s 1,024 electrodes began to retract, causing it to malfunction. While the cause of the problem is unclear, Neuralink is now looking for new volunteers to participate in its clinical trials. Applicants must be at least 22 years old, quadriplegic, and a resident of the United States or Canada.