The Tech Circuit
The “World’s First Underwater Wi-Fi System”
An Italian tech company roused the attention of techies and eco-conservation advocates in introducing what’s being touted as the “world’s first underwater Wi-Fi system”.
Developed by the WSense firm, the tech works with acoustic waves to transmit data from underwater sensors with an operational range that reaches depths of up to 3,000 meters.
The firm aims to utilize the tech as a means for better climate change monitoring, resource tracking and emergency response measures. It plans to fine-tune the tech to be able to monitor oceans (including deep trenches) and largely contribute to global conservation and emergency response efforts.
An iPhone with an “Underwater Mode”?
Apple recently made waves when it filed a patent for what many are calling a “potential underwater mode” for iPhones.
Basically, the patent entails the implementation of on-screen interfaces and external buttons that’re designed to facilitate underwater use for up to 40 meters – improvements that’re are geared to address problems pertaining to user-and-interface interactions that’re caused by wet fingers.
Though there are current iPhone models that can function in depths of 1 to 6 meters at limited times, the patent filing has been taken by many as a reflection of the brand’s commitment to waterproofing its products. Certain Apple Watch models, after all, do support scuba diving.
However, the patent filing does not explicitly mean that it will be implemented as a feature in future iPhone models.
A Competitor to Musk’s Neuralink?
China’s Ministry of Information and Technology roused the attention of techies in announcing its plans to develop a “brain-computer interface” that’s akin to the operational dynamic of Elon Musk’s Neuralink.
With products that’re expected to be available by 2025, the agency is set on making breakthroughs in the fields of brain-computer fusion and brain-computing neural models that have potential applications in the area of “driverless driving”, medical rehabilitation and virtual/augmented reality.
Industry experts note that the development suggests that a competition in the development of brain-computer interfaces may be on the rise in the days to come.
Hydrogen-Powered Cars Cometh?
General Motors and Honda made automotive news headlines in announcing Fuel Cell System Manufacturing or FCSM – the firms’ groundbreaking joint venture program that refits a facility in Michigan for large-scale hydrogen fuel cell production.
Investing $85 million in the 70,000-square foot facility, the joint venture is set on enhancing the performance, durability and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen fuel cells as power sources for automobiles.
The tech is forecasted to cost one third as much as previous iterations, and Honda plans to implement the hydrogen-based system into its CR-V line by late 2024 or early 2025.
Apart from GM and Honda, leading automotive brand BMW has also expressed interest in developing hydrogen-powered cars.
In a statement, BMW CEO Oliver Zipse indicated that hydrogen engines are going to play a crucial role in zero-emission car standards, with the brand set on coming up with hydrogen engine cars by 2025.
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is expected to make its debut this year – to highlight features like quick “refueling”, a consistent driving range and performance rates that’re comparable to currentlyin-the-market electric vehicles.
Xiaomi’s SU7 set for production this month
Various rumor sites have recently reported that Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi is set on mass producing its first electric vehicle – the SU7 – this month, with an estimated output of 2,000 units by March.
It is said that the firm will ramp-up is production by mid-2024, which will roll out a little over 10,000 units of the model by July.
Citing sources who are familiar with the matter, media outfit 36kr notes that the company is set on completing validation testing protocols before production, to ensure that the model’s production won’t incur supply chain-related issues and will readily pass vehicle reliability and safety standards.
Apple is pushing back on its autonomous car ambitions?
Word that Apple is reportedly pushing back the target launch date of its electric vehicle recently came up.
Citing that the launch of the EV has been adjusted to 2028 – two years later than it was initially alleged – rumor mills are now saying that the project – codenamed T172 and alternatively referred to as “Project Titan” – will operate on a Level 2+ selfdriving system that’s akin to those that’re featured in certain Tesla models.
It was initially reported that Apple’s EV would operate on fully autonomous Level 5 capabilities, and the recent development largely aligns Apple’s EV plans more closely to the market position of Tesla.
However, there are rumors that say that the brand is in talks with potential manufacturing partners in Europe for Level 4 capabilities, and these have been taken as indicators that the brand is still set on keeping its autonomous driving plans alive.
Beta Testing a Device that Controls One’s Dreams
A neural-tech startup recently made tech news headlines in opening beta tester registrations for a wearable device that, in the simplest of terms, allows wearers to control their dreams.
Called “Halo” and developed by the Prophetic firm, the device is touted to be capable of inducing and stabilizing lucid dreams by sending “signals” to the brain when its wearer enters the REM sleep state.
Running on a multimodal AI model named “Morpheus-1”, the device utilizes ultrasound holograms to stimulate the prefrontal cortex. More than 400 individuals have signed up for the testing program within hours of its launch.
A Novel Way to Detect Throat Cancer
Intel, in collaboration with Far EasTone (FET) and several hospitals in Taiwan, have developed an AI-driven app that’s set on “detecting” throat cancer in a span of seconds.
Basically, the app works by analyzing the vocalizations of a user when he/she says “aah”. It then works with FET’s network for remote diagnostics, and tests have shown that it has an accuracy rate of over 80%.
The app was developed with Intel’s Open Federated Learning program, which allows healthcare providers to contribute to the training of AI models. Its developers aim to expand the app’s use in different parts of Asia and in the US.
Repurposing A Mine into a “Gravity-based Battery”
UK-headquartered firm Gravitricity revealed recently that it is set on repurposing the deepest mine in Europe into a “gravity-based battery”.
Driven by the firm’s “Gravistore” system, the mine is located in Pyhäjärvi in Finland, and was once a source for zinc and copper.
The system utilizes weights to store excess energy, and Gravitricity intends to demonstrate it with a 2MW prototype which, if proven effective and cost-efficient, could revolutionize the arena of energy storage systems.
Outlawing “AI Deepfake Porn”
In response to several incidents involving “AI deepfake porn” – including those involving American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift – the EU recently expressed its intention to outlaw the development and circulation of such content, along with the unsolicited sharing of nude images.
Under a proposed legislation to combat cyber-violence and abuse, the legislation builds on a proposal drafted in 2022 that targets gender-based and domestic violence that seeks to criminalize “revenge porn” and other forms of harassment online.
Pending approval, the bill could become law in Europe by 2027, with the EU urging its member states to come up with mechanisms to prevent various forms of cyber-violence and abuse.
Tech pundits note that the development will likely compel other governments and agencies in developing safeguards against the many dangers and issues that could stem from the proliferation of such content.
A “Power Plant” that Generates Electricity from Gentle Breezes and Raindrops
An artificial “power plant” got the attention in many as a proofconcept device that adds powergenerating features to artificial plants.
Featured in the ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering journal, the “power plant” comes with leafshaped “generators” that incorporate a triboelectric nanogenerator and a droplet-based energy generator that allows it to produce electricity.
In a test, it was exposed to simulations of natural wind and rain and was able to power up ten LED lights “in short flickers”. The development is foreseen to broaden its potential as a viable alternative source for clean energy.