Technology
Jeff Bezos says he’s ‘very optimistic this time around’ about Trump
Jeff Bezos and President-elect Donald Trump famously didn’t get along the last time Trump was in the White House. This time, Bezos says he’s “very optimistic” and even wants to help out.
“I’m actually very optimistic this time around,” Bezos said of Trump during a rare public appearance at The New York Times DealBook Summit on Wednesday. “He seems to have a lot of energy around reducing regulation. If I can help him do that, I’m going to help him.”
Trump railed against Bezos and his companies — Amazon, Blue Origin, and The Washington Post — during his 2016 term. Bezos defended himself but it did little to help his reputation with Trump. Now, his companies have a lot at stake in the coming administration, from the FTC’s antitrust lawsuit against Amazon to Blue Origin’s efforts to compete with SpaceX for government contracts.
Onstage at the DealBook Summit on Wednesday, Bezos called Trump “calmer this time” and “more settled.” He said he will try to “talk him out of” the idea that the press, which includes The Washington Post, is an enemy of the people.
“You’ve probably grown in the last eight years,” he said to DealBook’s Andrew Ross Sorkin. “He has, too.”
Bezos also echoed Sam Altman’s comments earlier in the day, saying he doesn’t expect Elon Musk to wield his new political power with DOGE against rivals. “I’ve had a lot success in life not being cynical,” he said. “And I’ve rarely been taken advantage of as a result.”
You can watch Bezos’s conversation with Andrew Ross Sorkin below:
Technology
Uber’s first international robotaxi service is live in the UAE
Uber launched a robotaxi service with its partner WeRide in Abu Dhabi, its first international effort to make a wide number of autonomous vehicles from different operators available on its platform.
Customers who use Uber to book a ride will be presented with the option to hail an autonomous vehicle from WeRide. Fares will be upfront and equal to UberX and Uber Comfort prices. The vehicles will include safety drivers, so it won’t be a fully autonomous service at launch. But Uber and WeRide said they aim to offer driverless vehicles to passengers in 2025.
The vehicles will include safety drivers
Uber first announced its partnership with WeRide, a startup based in Guangzhou, China, last September. WeRide holds driverless operation permits in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, China, and the US — though Uber has said it isn’t currently considering extending the partnership beyond the UAE.
WeRide’s autonomous vehicles in Abu Dhabi have been available to customers through the TXAI app. The company was first granted a permit to test and operate AVs on public roads in the country in July 2023.
WeRide was planning on listing its shares in the US at a valuation of $5 billion, but its initial public offering has been delayed, with the company citing a need to complete all the documentation.
The company also develops self-driving technology that powers shuttle buses and freight equipment. It first launched in Silicon Valley in 2017 and subsequently was incorporated in the Cayman Islands.
Since ending its own efforts to develop self-driving cars in 2020, Uber has sought to become a clearinghouse for any company operating autonomous vehicles in the world. In addition to WeRide, Uber has deals with Cruise, Waymo, Motional, and Avride for self-driving cars and Serve, Cartken, and Nuro for delivery robots.
Technology
Get ready to build your own Lego masterpieces with this new tech
Imagine being able to turn any object into a Lego masterpiece with just your phone.
Sounds cool, right?
Well, that’s exactly what Brick My World offers.
This innovative app is here to make custom Lego creation fun and accessible for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned builder or just getting started. By using advanced artificial intelligence and mobile scanning technology, Brick My World opens up a world of creative possibilities.
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From scan to creation: The effortless Lego building process
The process of creating Lego models with Brick My World is pretty simple. First, you snap a photo of any object using your Android or iPhone. Next, you will brick it, as they call it, with the app transforming the scan into a Lego model. Finally, you can build it by following the detailed instructions generated by the app, bringing your creation to life.
Gone are the days when advanced 3D modeling skills were necessary or when building custom models required painstaking manual design. Brick My World makes custom Lego creation accessible to everyone, regardless of your technical expertise.
A WHOPPING 342,817 LEGO TECHNIC PIECES ARE USED TO BUILD A SPORTS CAR
The technology behind the magic
Brick My World combines several cutting-edge technologies:
Mobile scanning: Utilizes ARCore (Android) and ARKit (iOS) for precise object capture.
Photogrammetry: Creates detailed 3D models from 2D scans.
Voxelization: Converts 3D models into brick-compatible structures.
AI optimization: Refines the model for accuracy and structural integrity.
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LEGO-LIKE CONSTRUCTION BLOCKS MADE FROM PLASTIC WASTE CAN STAND UP TO NATURE’S FURY
Endless possibilities
With Brick My World, your creativity knows no bounds. Create a scale model of your house, immortalize your pet in bricks or craft unique souvenirs from your travels. The app handles models of various sizes, from small objects using 500-1,000 bricks to larger creations requiring several thousand pieces.
WOULD YOU WANT TO CHAT WITH THIS CREEPY-LOOKING LEGO HEAD POWERED BY AI?
Sourcing your bricks
Worried about finding the right pieces? Brick My World has partnered with BrickOwl, an independent Lego marketplace. The app generates a detailed parts list, allowing you to easily source the bricks you need for your custom creation.
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?
The team behind the innovation
Brick My World is the brainchild of a diverse team of Lego enthusiasts and tech innovators. Their combined expertise in software development, AI engineering and UX design has resulted in this revolutionary app.
The team has ambitious plans for the future, including adding support for non-traditional bricks (plates, slopes, transparent pieces), incorporating wheels and other specialized elements, and expanding the app’s capabilities based on user feedback and technological advancements.
The Brick My World Kickstarter campaign
Throughout the Kickstarter campaign, supporters are being offered exclusive early-bird pricing for lifetime access to the premium version of the app, allowing them to be among the first to experience this groundbreaking tool. The funds raised will be instrumental in further developing the app’s features and expanding its capabilities, including the addition of non-traditional bricks and enhanced design options.
The overwhelming support from backers demonstrates a collective desire to make custom Lego creation accessible to all. As Brick My World moves forward, the team is committed to delivering on its promises and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in the world of Lego building. Stay tuned for updates on new features and enhancements as they continue to innovate and inspire creativity in builders everywhere.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
By making the design process accessible to everyone, Brick My World opens up new possibilities for creativity and expression through Lego. Whether you’re a seasoned builder or new to the world of bricks, this app promises to bring your ideas to life in a way that’s both fun and rewarding.
What unique objects would you love to see transformed into Lego creations using the Brick My World app? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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Technology
David Sacks is Trump’s AI and crypto ‘czar’
In this important role, David will guide policy for the Administration in Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency, two areas critical to the future of American competitiveness. David will focus on making America the clear global leader in both areas. He will safeguard Free Speech online, and steer us away from Big Tech bias and censorship. He will work on a legal framework so the Crypto industry has the clarity it has been asking for, and can thrive in the U.S.
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