Technology
Don't have anyone to play pingpong with? No problem with this creepy competitive robot
If you’ve ever found yourself without a partner for a game of pingpong, you might be excited to hear that technology has come to the rescue. Imagine having a robot that can rally with you, challenge your skills and help you improve your game — all without needing a human opponent.
This is no longer a pipe dream. Thanks to advancements in robotics, it’s becoming a reality.
Google’s DeepMind Robotics team has developed a table tennis robot that not only competes but also learns and adapts, making it an interesting player in the world of sports technology.
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DeepMind’s table tennis robot
Google’s DeepMind Robotics team recently made headlines with their development of a table tennis robot capable of playing at a “solidly amateur human level.” In their paper titled “Achieving Human Level Competitive Robot Table Tennis,” the researchers describe their robot’s performance against human opponents.
The robot managed to win all matches against beginner players and secured victory in 55% of games against intermediate players. However, it struggled against advanced players, losing every match. Overall, the robot won 45% of the 29 games it played.
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How the table tennis robot works
The table tennis robot is built with a clever system that helps it decide which moves to make during a game. Think of it as having two levels of decision-making: the low-level controllers and the high-level controllers. The low-level controllers handle specific skills like forehand topspin or backhand targeting, similar to how a player might practice different shots. Meanwhile, the high-level controller acts like a coach, choosing which skill to use based on the situation in the game and what it knows about its opponent.
One of the coolest things about this robot is its ability to adapt in real time. It keeps track of how well each skill works and adjusts its strategy on the fly. As it plays, it learns more about its opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing it to refine its approach and become a better competitor.
Before hitting the real table, the robot trains in a virtual world. This is where it practices and learns without any risk. Once it’s ready, it transitions smoothly to playing real matches. This process of moving from simulation to reality helps it improve its skills over time, making it more effective with each game.
The robot’s performance is constantly evaluated through matches against human players. Feedback from these games helps it get even better. This advanced system not only makes the robot a tough opponent but also a fun and engaging practice partner for players of all levels.
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Challenges for the table tennis robot
Despite its successes, the robot faces significant challenges, particularly in reacting to fastballs. DeepMind attributes these difficulties to system latency, mandatory resets between shots and insufficient data.
To overcome these hurdles, the researchers are exploring advanced control algorithms and hardware optimizations, such as predictive models for ball trajectories and faster communication protocols between sensors and actuators.
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Beyond table tennis
The implications of this research extend beyond the confines of table tennis. DeepMind highlights the potential of their robot’s policy architecture, simulation use, and real-time strategy adaptation to influence robotics in broader contexts. The ultimate goal is to achieve human-level performance in various real-world tasks, paving the way for robots capable of interacting safely and skillfully with humans.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
DeepMind’s table tennis robot demonstrates the potential for machines to engage in complex human activities. While there are still challenges to address, such as improving reaction times and handling diverse ball spins, the progress made so far is promising. As technology advances, we can expect robots to become even more adept at performing a wide range of tasks, making them valuable companions in both recreational and practical settings in our lives.
Would you feel comfortable playing a game of table tennis against a robot that learns and adapts to your moves, or does the idea of competing against AI in sports turn you off? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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Technology
Amazon is ‘winding down’ some of its DEI programs
As we head toward the end of the year, I want to give another update on the work we’ve been doing around representation and inclusion.
As a large, global company that operates in different countries and industries, we serve hundreds of millions of customers from a range of backgrounds and globally diverse communities. To serve them effectively, we need millions of employees and partners that reflect our customers and communities. We strive to be representative of those customers and build a culture that’s inclusive for everyone.
In the last few years we took a new approach, reviewing hundreds of programs across the company, using science to evaluate their effectiveness, impact, and ROI – identifying the ones we believed should continue. Each one of these addresses a specific disparity, and is designed to end when that disparity is eliminated. In parallel, we worked to unify employee groups together under one umbrella, and build programs that are open to all. Rather than have individual groups build programs, we are focusing on programs with proven outcomes – and we also aim to foster a more truly inclusive culture. You can read more about this on our Together at Amazon page on A to Z.
This approach – where we move away from programs that were separate from our existing processes, and instead integrating our work into existing processes so they become durable— is the evolution to “built in” and “born inclusive,” instead of “bolted on.” As part of this evolution, we’ve been winding down outdated programs and materials, and we’re aiming to complete that by the end of 2024. We also know there will always be individuals or teams who continue to do well-intentioned things that don’t align with our company-wide approach, and we might not always see those right away. But we’ll keep at it.
We’ll continue to share ongoing updates, and appreciate your hard work in driving this progress. We believe this is important work, so we’ll keep investing in programs that help us reflect those audiences, help employees grow, thrive, and connect, and we remain dedicated to delivering inclusive experiences for customers, employees, and communities around the world.
Technology
Chinese auto giant wants to make flying cars your next commute option
GAC Group, a prominent automotive manufacturer from China, is making waves in the transportation sector with the launch of its new eVTOL brand, Govy.
This development reflects GAC’s commitment to sustainable air travel, as the company taps into its extensive automotive expertise and innovative technology to create fresh solutions for urban mobility.
With Govy, GAC is not just entering the flying car market; it’s setting the stage for a new era in how we think about commuting and connectivity in our cities.
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Introducing the AirJet
The flagship aircraft of Govy, named AirJet, is a revolutionary composite-wing flying car designed to operate as an air taxi for distances of up to 124 miles. This innovative vehicle combines the efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft with the flexibility of multi-rotor systems, allowing for vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
The AirJet is constructed with over 90% carbon fiber composite materials, making it remarkably lightweight — just one-third the weight of a conventional car of similar size. This lightweight design not only enhances performance but also enables longer electric flights.
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Performance and features of the AirJet
In terms of performance, the AirJet is powered by GAC’s proprietary electric drive system, which allows it to reach impressive speeds of up to 155 miles per hour. The current model boasts a range exceeding 124 miles, with ambitious plans to extend this range to 249 miles through the development of future solid-state battery technology. Additionally, the AirJet can be recharged in just 30 minutes, ensuring quick turnaround times for operations.
The AirJet is designed with both luxury and safety in mind. It features a spacious cabin with a “1+1+X” seating arrangement that provides flexibility for passengers. The aircraft is equipped with autonomous flight capabilities, allowing for seamless operation without human intervention. Safety is paramount in the design of the AirJet. It includes advanced safety systems such as redundant power and control systems, real-time monitoring, and obstacle detection to ensure secure flights.
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The robo-air taxi system
GAC’s vision extends beyond individual aircraft to encompass a comprehensive Robo-AirTaxi system that integrates ground and aerial transport for end-to-end smart mobility solutions. This system will utilize the Govy AirCar for short urban trips under 12.4 miles and the AirJet for mid-range travel up to 124 miles. A key aspect of this vision is the creation of a “40-minute Greater Bay Area life circle” in China, which aims to facilitate efficient intercity travel and significantly reduce transit times and costs.
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Future plans and commercialization
Looking ahead, GAC has outlined an ambitious roadmap for Govy. By 2025, the company aims to achieve airworthiness certification for its flying cars, establish production lines, and begin taking pre-orders from customers. Furthermore, GAC plans to launch demonstration operations in two to three Greater Bay Area cities of China by 2027.
Kurt’s key takeaways
With the introduction of Govy and its flagship AirJet, GAC Group is positioning itself at the forefront of urban aerial transportation. By combining innovative technology with a comprehensive ecosystem approach, GAC aims to transform urban mobility into something smarter, safer, and more sustainable. As we move toward a future where aerial vehicles become an integral part of our transportation networks, GAC’s initiatives could play a pivotal role in shaping how we navigate our cities and connect with one another.
Would you feel comfortable using flying cars like the Govy AirJet for your daily commute, and why or why not? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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Technology
Drone takes out Super Scooper fighting Los Angeles wildfires
An aircraft helping to fight wildfires that are raging across Los Angeles was struck by a civilian drone on Thursday. The collision damaged the wing of the aircraft — a CL-415 “Super Scooper” capable of scooping up 1,600 gallons of ocean water to drop onto nearby blazes — according to a statement by the LA County Fire Department posted on X, putting it out of service until it can be repaired.
Cal Fire spokesman Chris Thomas told The New York Times that grounding the aircraft will likely set back local firefighting efforts. Super Scoopers can typically refill in about five minutes. But even if it takes ten, that’s six water drops that are lost each hour according to Thomas. “So whose house is not going to get that water to protect it?” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says the Super Scooper landed safely after the drone impact, and that the incident is now under investigation.
Temporary flight restrictions have been implemented in the Los Angeles area that prohibit drones and other aircraft from flying without FAA authorization in an effort to protect firefighting efforts.
According to LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, the drone was not assigned to help tackle the Palisades fires, and was destroyed in the collision. Marrone told the LA Times that the FBI is now planning to implement so-called “aerial armor” in the area to prevent further interference from drones.
Several people online have violated the FAA-enforced flight restrictions, posting viral drone photos and video footage across social media showing the devastation from what appears to be prohibited airspace. Fire response agencies are often forced to ground their own aircraft to avoid collisions when dummies fly drones near wildfires for online clout.
“It’s a federal crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison, to interfere with firefighting efforts on public lands,” the FAA said in a statement. “Additionally, the FAA can impose a civil penalty of up to $75,000 against any drone pilot who interferes with wildfire suppression, law enforcement or emergency response operations. The FAA treats these violations seriously and immediately considers swift enforcement action for these offenses.”
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