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Toyota’s CUE7 robot shoots hoops using AI

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Toyota’s CUE7 robot shoots hoops using AI

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Most people think of Toyota and picture a Camry, a Tacoma, maybe a Prius. A 7-foot-2 robot shooting free throws at halftime of a professional basketball game? That’s a harder image to conjure. But recently, that’s exactly what happened at Toyota Arena Tokyo, and around 8,400 fans watched it go down live.

The robot is called the CUE7. It smoothly stood up from a seated position, dribbled a basketball and sank a free throw without any human input. The crowd applauded. The engineers probably exhaled. Toyota had officially debuted its most advanced AI-powered humanoid robot, and it chose basketball as the venue.

So why is a car company building basketball robots? And what does any of this have to do with you? More than you might think.

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AI-POWERED ROBOT SINKS SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE BASKETBALL HOOPS

Toyota’s CUE7 robot handles the ball with precision, showing how AI can learn complex physical movement. (Toyota Motor Corporation)

The CUE7 started from scratch, on purpose

Here’s the thing that makes the CUE7 genuinely different from its predecessors: Toyota’s team discarded everything they had built and started over.

“We made full use of AI, and we discarded everything we had built up and started again from scratch,” said Tomohiro Nomi, research leader for humanoid robots at Toyota’s Frontier Research Center.

That’s not a small statement. The CUE series goes back to 2017, when a group of Toyota employees launched it as a voluntary side project on their own time. It eventually became an official research program, and over nearly a decade, the team stacked up some genuinely impressive hardware. The CUE3 earned a Guinness World Record in 2019 for most consecutive basketball free throws by a humanoid robot (assisted), sinking 2,020 in a row. Then the CUE6 earned the record for the farthest basketball shot by a robot, connecting from about 80 feet 6 inches) away.

So the legacy was already there. What changed with CUE7 was the philosophy behind how it learns.

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From human programming to AI that figures it out alone

Earlier versions of the CUE relied on something called model predictive control. Basically, human engineers programmed exactly how the robot should move, step by step. It worked well enough to break world records. But it also had a ceiling. Every new motion required new programming by a human being.

The CUE7 instead uses reinforcement learning powered by artificial intelligence. It learns to shoot the ball based on its own experience and trial and error rather than pre-programmed instructions. The AI acts as an autonomous agent: it tries something, observes the result, adjusts and tries again. Over enough repetitions, it gets good. Really good.

The hybrid control system merges reinforcement learning with model predictive control, creating a robot that adapts to unexpected situations rather than just following a fixed script. Think of it as the difference between a player who memorized every play in the book and one who reads the game in real time. CUE7 is learning to read the game.

What’s actually inside the CUE7 robot

The CUE7 stands about 7 feet 2 inches tall and weighs roughly 163 pounds, making it about 40% lighter than the previous version, which came in around 265 pounds. Toyota pulled that off by simplifying the structure and reducing the number of axles.

It also switched from four wheels to two, which makes its movement faster and more fluid. One moment that really stood out was how smoothly it can rise from a seated position. That kind of motion, especially at this size, takes serious engineering and drew a reaction from a crowd of more than 8,000 people.

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For sensing and aiming, the robot uses lidar sensors in its torso to detect its surroundings, along with a stereo camera in its head to calculate distance and angle. It is powered by high-performance batteries adapted from Toyota’s racing tech.

Here’s where it gets interesting. The robot measures the distance to the hoop, calculates the angle, determines the right trajectory and then releases the shot with controlled force. If it misses, it learns from that attempt and adjusts on the next one.

ROBOT PLAYS TENNIS WITH HUMANS IN REAL TIME

During a live game demo, the robot lines up a shot, highlighting how machines can adapt in real-world environments. (Toyota Motor Corporation)

The AI that actually makes this work

Toyota trained the system using human motion data, which is what gives CUE7 its surprisingly natural movement. Rather than looking mechanical, its actions mirror how a person actually moves, and that’s by design.

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That same combination of real-time calculation and learned experience is what lets it handle something like dribbling (fluid, continuous) alongside shooting (precise, calculated) without the two working against each other.

Toyota says testing that kind of learning in a live environment is a key part of the project.

“We believe it is an exceptionally valuable opportunity to validate a reinforcement-learning-based robot in the inherently uncertain environment of a basketball arena,” Tomohiro Nomi, Head of Humanoid Robotics Research Unit, Frontier Research Center, Toyota Motor Corporation, told CyberGuy. “Moving forward, we will continue developing robots that inspire and bring joy to people.”

What this means to you

You’re probably not buying a robot basketball player anytime soon. But here’s the part worth paying attention to: the same AI that helps CUE7 sink free throws is the technology Toyota is actively developing for manufacturing, automotive systems and real-world robotics.

Basketball demands everything that manufacturing robots struggle with: target identification, distance gauging, trajectory computation, coordinated movement and precise force control, all in sequence and under pressure. Toyota chose basketball specifically because it tests all those capabilities at once, in an environment where success and failure are completely obvious.

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The reinforcement learning powering CUE7 could eventually show up in factory robots that adapt mid-shift when production requirements change, in vehicles that handle unexpected road conditions more fluidly, or in home and care robots that need to navigate unpredictable environments. Toyota treats CUE7 as a testbed for vision systems, motion control and coordinated movement, with capabilities that reach well beyond halftime demonstrations into broader real-world applications.

When Toyota teaches a robot to play basketball, it’s really teaching machines how to learn. And that skill transfers. In other words, this is less about basketball and more about teaching machines how to learn physical skills in unpredictable environments. That is where the real impact starts to show up.

THE NEW ROBOT THAT COULD MAKE CHORES A THING OF THE PAST

CUE7 sinks a free throw, a simple moment that reflects a bigger shift toward AI that learns through experience. (Toyota Motor Corporation)

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Kurt’s key takeaways 

The CUE7 is a fascinating piece of technology, but the real story isn’t about basketball. It’s about a fundamental shift in how robots are trained, moving away from rigid human programming toward AI systems that learn through experience and adapt on the fly. What started as a voluntary employee side project in 2017 has grown into a genuine proving ground for Toyota’s embodied AI research. Nearly a decade in, the results are landing in front of thousands of live spectators and stacking up Guinness World Records along the way. The CUE7 made a free throw at halftime in front of a packed arena. More importantly, it demonstrated that AI-powered machines can now acquire complex physical skills through trial and error, the same basic way humans do. That’s a shift with implications that reach far beyond the basketball court.

If a robot can teach itself to make free throws better than most humans ever will, purely through AI-driven trial and error, what physical skill do you still believe machines will never be able to learn on their own? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Microsoft’s Edge Copilot update uses AI to pull information from across your tabs

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Microsoft’s Edge Copilot update uses AI to pull information from across your tabs

Microsoft Edge is adding a new feature that will allow its Copilot AI chatbot to gather information from all of your open tabs. When you start a conversation with Copilot, you can ask the chatbot questions about what’s in your tabs, compare the products you’re looking at, summarize your open articles, and more.

In its announcement, Microsoft says you can “select which experiences you want or leave off the ones you don’t.” The company is retiring Copilot Mode as well, which could similarly draw information from your tabs but offered some agentic features, like the ability to book a reservation on your behalf. Microsoft has since folded these agentic capabilities into its “Browse with Copilot” tool.

Several other AI features are coming to Edge, including an AI-powered “Study and Learn” mode that can turn the article you’re looking at into a study session or interactive quiz. There’s a new tool that turns your tabs into AI-powered podcasts as well, similar to what you’d find on NotebookLM, and an AI writing assistant that will pop up when you start entering text on a webpage.

You can also give Copilot permission to access your browsing history to provide more “relevant, high-quality answers,” according to Microsoft. Copilot in Edge on desktop and mobile will come with “long-term memory” as well, which can tailor its responses based on your previous conversations. And, when you open up a new tab, you’ll see a redesigned page that combines chat, search, and web navigation, along with the Journeys feature, which uses AI to organize your browsing history into categories that you can revisit.

Meanwhile, an update to Edge’s mobile app will allow you to share your screen with Copilot and talk through the questions about what you’re seeing. Microsoft says you’ll see “clear visual cues” when Copilot is active, “so you know when it’s taking an action, helping, listening, or viewing.”

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Apple’s $250M Siri settlement: Are you owed cash?

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Apple’s 0M Siri settlement: Are you owed cash?

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If you bought a newer iPhone because Apple made Siri sound like it was about to become your personal artificial intelligence sidekick, you may want to pay attention.

Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over claims that it misled customers about new Apple Intelligence and Siri features. The case centers on the iPhone 16 launch and certain iPhone 15 models that were marketed as ready for Apple’s next wave of AI. The settlement still needs court approval, and Apple denies wrongdoing.

The lawsuit argues that Apple promoted a smarter, more personal Siri before those features were actually available. For some buyers, that was a big deal. A new iPhone can cost hundreds of dollars, and many people upgrade only when they think they are getting something meaningfully new.

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WHY IPHONE USERS ARE THE NEW PRIME SCAM TARGETS

U.S. buyers of certain iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro models may qualify for payments if a judge approves Apple’s proposed settlement. (Getty Images)

What Apple is accused of promising

Apple introduced Apple Intelligence in June 2024 and promoted it as a major step forward for iPhone, iPad and Mac. A key part of that pitch was a more personalized Siri that could understand context, work across apps and help with everyday tasks in a more useful way.

The lawsuit claims Apple’s marketing made consumers believe those advanced Siri features would arrive with the iPhone 16 or soon after. Instead, buyers received phones that had some Apple Intelligence tools, but not the full Siri overhaul that many expected.

That gap is the heart of the case. Plaintiffs say customers bought or upgraded devices based on AI features that were not ready. Apple says it has rolled out many Apple Intelligence features and settled the case, so it can stay focused on its products. 

How much money could iPhone owners get?

The proposed settlement creates a $250 million fund. Eligible customers who file approved claims are expected to receive at least $25 per eligible device. That amount could rise to as much as $95 per device, depending on how many people file claims and other settlement factors.

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That means this will not be a huge payday for most people. Still, if you bought one of the covered phones, it may be worth watching for a claim notice. A few minutes of paperwork could put some money back in your pocket.

Which iPhones may qualify?

The proposed settlement covers U.S. buyers who purchased any iPhone 16 model, iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.

Covered iPhone 16 models include the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16e. The settlement also includes the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but not every iPhone 15 model.

The key details are the device model, the purchase date and whether the phone was bought in the United States.

HOW YOU CAN GET A SLICE OF APPLE’S $250M IPHONE SETTLEMENT

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Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle claims it misled customers about Apple Intelligence and Siri features on newer iPhones. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg)

How will you file a claim?

You do not need to do anything immediately. The settlement still needs a judge’s approval. Once the claims process opens, eligible customers are expected to receive a notice by email or mail with instructions on how to file through a settlement website.

That notice matters because scammers love moments like this. A real settlement notice should not ask for your Apple ID password, bank login or payment to claim your money. If you receive a message about this settlement, do not click blindly. Go slowly, check the sender and look for the official settlement administrator details once they are available.

Why this case matters beyond one Siri feature

This case hits a bigger nerve. Tech companies are racing to sell AI as the next must-have feature. That creates a problem for shoppers. You are often asked to buy now based on what a company says will arrive later.

That can be frustrating when the feature is the reason you upgraded. A smarter Siri sounds useful. A phone that can understand your personal context, search across apps and help with daily tasks could save time. But if those tools are delayed, limited or missing, the value of the upgrade changes.

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This settlement also sends a message about AI marketing. Companies can talk about future features, but consumers need clear timing and plain explanations. “Coming soon” can mean very different things when you are spending $800, $1,000 or more.

We reached out to Apple for comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.

FIRST 15 THINGS TO DO OR TRY FIRST WHEN YOU GET A NEW IPHONE

Apple denies wrongdoing but agreed to settle claims tied to its marketing of Apple Intelligence and Siri features. (Qilai Shen/Bloomberg)

What this means to you

If you bought a covered iPhone during the settlement period, keep an eye on your email and regular mail. You may qualify for a payment if the court approves the deal.

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You should also keep your receipt or proof of purchase if you have it. Your Apple purchase history, carrier account or retailer receipt may help if the claim process asks for details.

More broadly, this is a reminder to treat AI features like any other big tech promise. Before you upgrade, ask one simple question: Can the feature do what is being advertised today, or is the company asking me to wait?

That question can save you from buying a device for a future feature that may arrive much later than expected.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Apple has built its brand on making technology feel polished, personal and easy to use. That is why this Siri settlement hits a nerve. People were buying phones they use every day for texts, photos, directions, reminders and everything in between. Many expected AI to make those everyday tasks easier, which is why the delay felt frustrating. The proposed payout may be modest, but the bigger issue is trust. When a company sells AI as a reason to upgrade, customers deserve to know what actually works now and what is still coming later.

Would you still buy a new phone for promised AI features, or would you wait until they actually show up? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Instagram hits the copy button again with new disappearing Instants photos

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Instagram hits the copy button again with new disappearing Instants photos

Instagram is once again cribbing from competitors like Snapchat and BeReal with a new photo-sharing format it calls “Instants,” which are ephemeral photos that you can’t edit and that you can only share with your close friends or followers that follow you back. Instants are available globally beginning on Wednesday as a feature in the inbox in the Instagram app and as a separate app that’s now in testing in select countries.

To access Instants from the Instagram app, go to your DM inbox and look in the bottom-right corner for an icon or a stack of photos. After you post a photo, your friends can emoji react to it and send a reply to your DMs, but after they see it, the photo disappears for them. Instants also disappear after 24 hours, and they can’t be captured in screenshots or screen recordings.

However, your Instants will remain in an archive for you for up to a year, and you can reshare them as a recap to your Instagram Stories if you’d like. You can also undo sending an Instant right after you post it or delete it from your archive.

The Instants mobile app, which popped up in Italy and Spain in April, gives you “immediate access to the camera” and only requires an Instagram account, Instagram says. “Instants you share on the separate app will show up for friends on Instagram and vice versa. We’re trying this separate app out to see how our community uses it, and we’ll continue to evolve it as we learn more.”

Instagram, in its testing, has seen that people “tend to use Instants to share much more casual, much more authentic moments about their day,” according to Instagram boss Adam Mosseri. “And we know that this type of sharing of personal moments with friends is a core part of what makes Instagram Instagram, but we also know that a lot of people don’t really share a lot to their profile grids anymore.”

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