The UK is calling on search and social media companies to “tame toxic algorithms” that recommend harmful content to children, or risk billions in fines. On Wednesday, the UK’s media regulator Ofcom outlined over 40 proposed requirements for tech giants under its Online Safety Act rules, including robust age-checks and content moderation that aims to better protect minors online in compliance with upcoming digital safety laws. 

“Our proposed codes firmly place the responsibility for keeping children safer on tech firms,” said Ofcom chief executive Melanie Dawes. “They will need to tame aggressive algorithms that push harmful content to children in their personalized feeds and introduce age-checks so children get an experience that’s right for their age.”

Specifically, Ofcom wants to prevent children from encountering content related to things like eating disorders, self-harm, suicide, pornography, and any material judged violent, hateful, or abusive. Platforms also have to protect children from online bullying and promotions for dangerous online challenges, and allow them to leave negative feedback on content they don’t want to see so they can better curate their feeds.

Bottom line: platforms will soon have to block content deemed harmful in the UK even if it means “preventing children from accessing the entire site or app,” says Ofcom.

The Online Safety Act allows Ofcom to impose fines of up to £18 million (around $22.4 million) or 10 percent of a company’s global revenue — whichever figure is greater. That means large companies like Meta, Google, and TikTok risk paying substantial sums. Ofcom warns that companies who don’t comply can “expect to face enforcement action.”

Companies have until July 17th to respond to Ofcom’s proposals before the codes are presented to parliament. The regulator is set to release a final version in Spring 2025, after which platforms will have three months to comply.

Meet the Quadroin AUV, a bio-inspired aquatic robot making waves in underwater research. 

Mimicking penguins’ swift and graceful swimming, this autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is the brainchild of German underwater tech company EvoLogics.

The evolution of the Quadroin

The journey began with the PingGuin, an experimental AUV that showcased its potential back in 2020. Drawing inspiration from Adélie penguins’ locomotion, studied by Dr. Rudolf Bannasch, the Quadroin was born. It’s not just a fleeting idea; the concept dates back to 2009 with the AquaPenguin, developed for Festo.

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Diving Deeper: The second-generation Quadroin

Fast-forward to last month, and the unveiling of the second-generation Quadroin has the scientific community buzzing. Designed for broader applications, it boasts advanced instruments like side-scan sonar and dual HD cameras, all illuminated by LED spotlights for those dark underwater adventures.

MORE: CREEPY CHINESE DRONE SWIMS UNDERWATER AND FLIES THROUGH THE AIR

A powerhouse of technology

Four thrusters propel it to depths of 492 feet and speeds up to 11.5 mph, making the Quadroin a powerhouse. Its lithium-ion battery promises 10 hours of exploration on a six-hour charge, making it a marathon runner of the seas.

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Smart navigation meets AI

But it’s not just brawn. There are plenty of brains, too. The Quadroin is equipped with a cutting-edge AI object recognition module and a Nortek Nucleus1000 subsea navigation package, ensuring it knows where it’s going and what it’s looking at.

MORE: FUTURISTIC UNDERWATER JETPACK LETS YOU FLY IN THE WATER LIKE AN AQUATIC SUPERHERO

Autonomy in the abyss

Like its AUV counterparts, the Quadroin follows a preprogrammed path, collecting valuable data about the marine environment.. Once it resurfaces, it can transmit this data via Wi-Fi or satellite, thanks to its multifunctional antenna – complete with a light show to aid retrieval.

MORE: UNFORGETTABLE MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS 2024

Looking ahead: The Quadroin’s bright future

EvoLogics is gearing up for production later this year, with commercial clients already eyeing this sleek, penguin-like innovation.

Kurt’s key takeaways

The Quadroin AUV represents a significant step forward in our ability to study and protect our oceans. By harnessing the efficiency of penguin locomotion, EvoLogics has created a tool that can navigate the challenges of underwater exploration, bringing us closer to understanding the mysteries of the deep. As we look to the future, the Quadroin stands as a reminder of the limitless potential of bio-inspired technology.

What potential do you see for bio-inspired robots in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and ocean pollution? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Processor Apple M2 chip Apple M2 chip Apple M4 chip Apple M4 chip Apple M1 chip Apple M2 chip Apple M2 chip Screen type 11-inch Liquid Retina display 13-inch Liquid Retina display 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR display 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR display 10.9‑inch Liquid Retina display 11-inch Liquid Retina display 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display Resolution 2360 x 1640 2732 x 2048 2420 x 1668 2752 x 2064 2360 x 1640 2388 x 1668 2732 x 2048 Front camera 12 megapixels, Center Stage support, ƒ/2.4 aperture 12 megapixels, Center Stage support, ƒ/2.4 aperture 12 megapixels, Center Stage support, ƒ/2.4 aperture 12 megapixels, Center Stage support, ƒ/2.4 aperture 12 megapixels, Center Stage support, ƒ/2.4 aperture 12 megapixels, Center Stage support, ƒ/2.4 aperture 12 megapixels, Center Stage support, ƒ/2.4 aperture Rear camera 12 megapixels, ƒ/1.8 aperture 12 megapixels, ƒ/1.8 aperture 12 megapixels, ƒ/1.8 aperture 12 megapixels, ƒ/1.8 aperture 12 megapixels, ƒ/1.8 aperture 12 megapixels (10-megapixel ultrawide) / Wide: ƒ/1.8 aperture
Ultrawide: ƒ/2.4 aperture 12 megapixels (10-megapixel ultrawide) / Wide: ƒ/1.8 aperture Ultrawide: ƒ/2.4 aperture Video recording 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps ProRes 4K video recording at 24fps, 25fps, 30fps, or 60fps ProRes 4K video recording at 24fps, 25fps, 30fps, or 60fps 4K video recording at 24fps, 25fps, 30fps, or 60fps ProRes 4K video recording at 24fps, 25fps, 30fps, or 60fps ProRes 4K video recording at 24fps, 25fps, 30fps, or 60fps Speakers Two speakers Two speakers Four speakers Four speakers Two speakers Four speakers Four speakers Stylus support Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil
(USB‑C) Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil
(USB‑C) Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil
(USB‑C) Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil
(USB‑C) Apple Pencil (second-gen), Apple Pencil
(USB‑C) Apple Pencil (second-gen), Apple Pencil
(USB‑C) Apple Pencil (second-gen), Apple Pencil
(USB‑C) Keyboard support Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (M2) Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (M2) Magic Keyboard
for iPad Pro (M4) Magic Keyboard
for iPad Pro (M4) Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (M2), Smart Keyboard Folio Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (M2), Smart Keyboard Folio Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (M2), Smart Keyboard Folio Ports USB-C USB-C USB-C with support for Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 USB-C with support for Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 USB-C USB-C with support for Thunderbolt / USB-4 USB-C with support for Thunderbolt / USB-4 Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB 64GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB Weight (pounds) 1.02 1.36 0.98 1.28 1.02 1.03 (Wi-Fi) / 1.04 (Wi-Fi + cellular) 1.50 (Wi-Fi) / 1.51 (Wi-Fi + cellular) Dimensions (inches) 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.24 9.83 x 6.99 x 0.21 11.09 x 8.48 x 0.20 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.23 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.25 Authentication Touch ID Touch ID Face ID Face ID Touch ID Face ID Face ID Connectivity Wi-Fi 6E, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 6E, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 6E, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 6E, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3 Wi‑Fi 6, 5G, Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 6E, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 6E, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3 Battery life 10 hours 10 hours 10 hours 10 hours 10 hours 10 hours 10 hours Price (Wi-Fi) $599 / $699 / $899 / $1,099 $799 / $899 / $1,099 / $1,299 $999 / $1,199 / $1,599 / $1,999 $1,299 / $1,499 / $1,899 / $2,299 $599 / $749 $799 / $899 / $1,099 / $1,499 / $1,899 $1,099 / $1,199 / $1,399 / $1,799 / $2,199 Price (Wi-Fi + cellular) $749 / 849 / $1,049 / $1,249 $949 / $1,049 / $1,249 / $1,449 $1,199 / $1,399 / $1,799 / $2,199 $1,499 / $1,699 / $2,099 / $2,499 $749 / $899 $999 / $1,099 / $1,299 / $1,699 / $2,099 $1,299 / $1,399 / $1,599 / $1,999 / $2,399 SIM support eSIM eSIM eSIM eSIM eSIM, Nano-SIM eSIM, Nano-SIM eSIM, Nano-SIM Misc. True Tone True Tone ProMotion, Adaptive True Tone flash, True Tone ProMotion, Adaptive True Tone flash, True Tone True Tone ProMotion, True Tone ProMotion, True Tone