Research & Development news

• This Humanoid Robot Could Make Housework ‘a Thing of the Past’

  08-01-2026 20:49 via eweek.com
  Household drudgery may finally be on the chopping block: LG Electronics is declaring an end to everyday chore fatigue with the public debut of its AI-powered CLOiD home robot at CES 2026, following a Jan. 4 announcement.Designed to think, move, and act across the modern smart home, CLOiD coordinates tasks between connected appliances to dramatically cut the time and physical effort spent on housework. The robot integrates into LG’s ThinQ ecosystem alongside the Self-Driving AI Home Hub (LG
  
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• Ford Is Giving Its Vehicles a Personalized AI Brain — Here Are the Details

  08-01-2026 17:54 via eweek.com
  Ford is bringing a new kind of intelligence to your car. The automaker announced Wednesday at CES 2026 that it will launch an AI assistant designed to understand both the driver and their specific vehicle, first through the Ford and Lincoln apps in early 2026, and later embedded directly into vehicles in 2027.Unlike standard vehicle assistants that handle simple commands like opening the sunroof or adjusting the AC, Ford’s AI assistant promises deeper integration. Mike Aragon, preside
  
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• How Caterpillar and Nvidia Put Voice AI Inside a Construction Machine

  08-01-2026 17:07 via eweek.com
  Big iron met big computing power at CES — and the result talks back.At CES this week, Caterpillar and Nvidia showed how AI is moving beyond screens and into steel. The companies demonstrated how AI is now running directly inside construction machines, starting with a Cat 306 CR Mini Excavator that can respond to voice commands and assist operators in real time.The collaboration puts Nvidia’s edge AI technology at the center of Caterpillar’s push to make heavy equipment smarter,
  
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• Best AI Tools to Learn Automation as a Beginner

  08-01-2026 15:39 via eweek.com
  Here’s something that might surprise you: you’re probably already using automation. You might have email filters quietly sorting messages for you or calendar reminders popping up right when you need them. These small conveniences are examples of automation at work, even if you’ve never thought of them that way. However, the idea of learning automation can still feel intimidating, especially for beginners who assume it requires coding or technical expertise. Thankfully, AI-
  
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• Apple’s Much-Anticipated Siri Upgrade Is Almost Here

  08-01-2026 15:21 via eweek.com
  After years of promises and delays, Apple’s long-awaited Siri upgrade is finally getting close. The company’s next major AI push for its voice assistant is now expected to arrive later this year, with multiple reports pointing to a spring launch tied to iOS 26.4. Industry watchers say this update could mark the most significant change to Siri since its debut over a decade ago. According to reporting from 9to5Mac, Apple is widely expected to ship the new Siri alongside iOS 2
  
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• Zhipu Leads China’s ‘AI Tigers’ With Hong Kong IPO

  08-01-2026 14:39 via eweek.com
  Tiger, tiger, burning bright. If you crave knowledge, then read about this Chinese “AI tiger” and its strong start.
  Shares of Zhipu edged higher on their Hong Kong debut, following a $558 million initial public offering that made it the first of China’s AI tigers to go public. These tigers are a small group of startups tasked with building advanced large language models capable of competing with U.S. companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic.
  The firm, a.k.a. Knowledge Atlas Techn
  
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• 10 Surprising Facts About Driverless Cars

  08-01-2026 13:52 via eweek.com
  Self-driving cars are often talked about in extremes, either as a technology that’s already taken over the road or one that never quite worked. The truth is more complicated — and more interesting. Driverless vehicles are already operating at scale in some cities, logging miles, giving rides, and producing real data about safety, cost, and reliability… even as progress remains uneven and widely misunderstood.Below are 10 surprising facts about today’s driverless veh
  
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• Anthropic Eyes $10B Funding Round at $350B Valuation

  08-01-2026 13:43 via eweek.com
  Anthropic is in discussions to raise about $10 billion in a new funding round that would value the company at roughly $350 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
  If completed, the deal would nearly double the AI company’s valuation from just four months ago and place it among the most valuable private technology companies in the world.
  The talks, which are ongoing and could still change according to the New York Times, underscore the extraordinary pace at which capital is f
  
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• Google and Character.AI Settle Teen Suicide Lawsuits

  08-01-2026 11:55 via eweek.com
  Character.AI and Google have reached settlements to resolve multiple lawsuits alleging the AI chatbot platform contributed to teen suicides and mental health crises.
  The companies agreed to settle five cases across Florida, Colorado, New York, and Texas, marking a pivotal moment in the emerging legal battles over AI safety for minors.
  These agreements involve families whose children died by suicide or suffered serious harm after interacting with Character.AI’s chatbots.
  Court documents fil
  
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• Elon Musk’s Lawsuit Over OpenAI’s For-Profit Move Heads to Trial

  08-01-2026 11:39 via eweek.com
  When two tribes go to war, a point is all that you can score. But this isn’t Frankie Goes to Hollywood. It’s Elon Musk goes to court, with others dragged along.
  Musk’s lawsuit against Sam Altman’s OpenAI will proceed to trial after a US judge ruled there is sufficient evidence for a jury to consider claims that the AI company abandoned its original nonprofit mission.
  The ruling keeps alive a high-profile legal battle between the world’s richest man and the ChatGPT d
  
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• Beijing Fears AI ‘Brain Drain’ as Meta’s $2B Manus Deal Comes Under Review

  08-01-2026 11:02 via eweek.com
  While AI is advertised as a tool to simplify everyday life, AI companies operating across borders have not had it easy, amid growing regulatory hurdles.Beijing authorities are considering whether to intervene in Meta Platforms’ planned acquisition of Manus, an AI start-up with roots in China, due to rising concerns that the deal could breach technology export controls and prompt more Chinese AI companies to move offshore.According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), officials, includin
  
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• OpenAI Offers Medical Assistance With ChatGPT Health Launch

  08-01-2026 10:13 via eweek.com
  Well, well, healthcare has experienced a shift that might make doctors worried about job security go very pale.
  OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Health, marking the first time AI has been specifically designed to serve as a dedicated personal medical assistant for everyday users.
  With over 230 million people globally asking health-related questions on ChatGPT every week, make no bones about it, the demand was already there.
  The features
  OpenAI’s announcement says the AI can explain lab result
  
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• Best AI Certifications to Land High-Demand Jobs in 2026

  08-01-2026 08:53 via eweek.com
  Artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword. It’s an essential skill across industries.Whether you’re in tech, business, or design, employers are actively seeking professionals who can effectively navigate and apply AI. Building these skills can position you for better opportunities, higher pay, and stronger job security as the field continues to evolve.AI certifications validate your expertise and show employers that you can apply these skills in real projects. They’r
  
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