Research & Development news

• 3 Humanoid Robot Companies That Could Shape the Next Wave of Automation

  30-01-2026 19:00 via eweek.com
  Humanoid robots have officially entered their “wait… this is actually happening” era.For years, they lived mostly in science fiction and splashy demo videos, the kind of tech that felt permanently five years away. But suddenly, humanoid robots are showing up in warehouses, factories, and investor pitch decks with real urgency.Thanks to rapid advances in AI, better hardware, and a flood of funding, a small group of companies is racing to build the first truly useful general-pur
  
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• Nearly 90% of Workers Are Using AI at Work, Mostly Without Employer Support

  30-01-2026 18:49 via eweek.com
  AI is everywhere at work… but training is not. Eighty-nine percent of employees now use AI on the job, even as most lack formal training to do so, according to new research from Study.com. The findings suggest that AI has become common at work, but training hasn’t kept pace.The survey of 1,000 employed workers across industries shows AI has become a routine part of daily work, driven largely by self-teaching rather than structured programs. That gap between widespread use and l
  
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• Chinese AI Chipmaker Axera Semiconductor Targets $379M in Hong Kong IPO

  30-01-2026 16:38 via eweek.com
  The pursuit of money to power AI ambitions continues at its usual, relentless pace.
  Chinese AI chipmaker Axera Semiconductor is seeking to raise HK$2.96 billion ($379.2 million) through an initial public offering in Hong Kong, according to a regulatory filing. The plan is to scale up technology development and expand sales in a capital-intensive and highly competitive sector.
  If completed, the listing would add to a growing pipeline of Chinese semiconductor and AI companies turning to Hong Kong&
  
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• Tesla Prepares to Retire Model S, Model X to Build More Humanoid Robots

  30-01-2026 15:51 via eweek.com
  Elon Musk says it’s time to retire the luxury EVs and go all-in on Optimus robots and robotaxis.In a move that underscores just how far the company has drifted from its roots as a carmaker, Tesla announced it will stop making the Model S sedan and Model X SUV and turn their factory over to building humanoid robots instead.On Tesla’s fourth-quarter earnings call Wednesday, Musk said production of both models will end next quarter. The Fremont, California, assembly lines that built the
  
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• Nvidia, Mercedes Team Up to Bring Robotaxis to Major Cities

  30-01-2026 15:31 via eweek.com
  Nvidia and Mercedes-Benz are positioning themselves to join the growing group of self-driving operators offering robotaxi services in major cities, announcing an acceleration of plans to debut the technology in Mercedes S-Class cars.The two companies will be joined by Uber, which will provide the app used to book the robotaxis. Alongside other European carmakers and parts suppliers, the three companies have begun coordinating operations and launch strategies to push self-driving adoption across
  
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• Pentagon and Anthropic at Odds Over Military AI Applications

  30-01-2026 14:58 via eweek.com
  “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room.”
  It’s not quite “Dr Strangelove” but there is a strange kind of love going on in the world of military AI.
  The Pentagon is in a battle with AI developer Anthropic over safeguards that would prevent the government from deploying its technology to target weapons autonomously and conduct U.S. domestic surveillance, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
  The discussions represent an early test
  
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• Starbucks Developing AI ‘Ordering Companion’ to Personalize Coffee Orders

  30-01-2026 14:39 via eweek.com
  Starbucks is brewing something new.At the company’s 2026 Investor Day on Thursday, Starbucks executives announced a high-tech turnaround plan: The company says it is “actively developing a first-of-its-kind Starbucks ordering companion” for its mobile app. The goal is to help customers discover drinks through prompts rather than rigid menus.“Designed to help customers discover their perfect beverage through natural, intuitive prompts,” the tool will also help custom
  
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• Google’s Project Genie Lets Users Explore AI-Generated Worlds

  30-01-2026 13:40 via eweek.com
  What would it look like to explore a virtual world built instantly from a text prompt? Google is giving select subscribers a new way to step inside AI-generated environments with Project Genie, an experimental prototype. The tool allows users to create and navigate interactive worlds that are generated in real-time.The prototype is available first to Google AI Ultra subscribers in the US who are aged 18 and above and is powered by DeepMind’s Genie 3 world model. The launch highlights
  
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• Darren Aronofsky Reimagines the Revolutionary War Through AI

  30-01-2026 13:15 via eweek.com
  “What a terrible time to have eyes.”
  That’s one of the comments on YouTube in reaction to applying generative AI to prestige historical storytelling.
  Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky is executive producing “On This Day… 1776” through his AI-focused venture Primordial Soup, which has partnered with Google DeepMind to recreate pivotal moments from the American Revolutionary War using a blend of AI and traditional production techniques.
  The AI is coming out
  The series
  
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• OpenAI to Retire GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, and o4-Mini in ChatGPT

  30-01-2026 09:16 via eweek.com
  Farewell, ancient ones. OpenAI says it will remove several legacy AI models from ChatGPT.
  On Feb. 13, 2026, the models GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini will be retired.
  The change is limited to ChatGPT’s consumer and in-app model picker. “In the API, there are no changes at this time,” OpenAI said in the announcement, signaling that developers building on OpenAI’s platform won’t see immediate forced migrations as a direct result of this specific Cha
  
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• Apple Boosts AI Ambitions With $2B Q.ai Acquisition

  30-01-2026 08:16 via eweek.com
  Apple is deepening its push into AI-driven hardware with the acquisition of Israeli startup Q.ai.
  It’s the latest chapter in a story crammed with competition among Big Tech companies racing to define the next phase of AI.
  The deal underscores how Apple, Meta, and Google are increasingly looking beyond software models alone and turning their attention to devices, sensors, and real-world applications where AI can deliver more tangible consumer value. For Apple, the focus appears to be on aud
  
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