Research & Development news

• Microsoft’s WHAMM Offers an Interactive Real-Time Gameplay Experience – Though It Has Limitations

  08-04-2025 21:48 via eweek.com
  
  Microsoft announced on April 4 its new generative AI model for gaming called WHAMM (World and Human Action MaskGIT Model), which is capable of supporting real-time gameplay.WHAMM is an updated version of the original WHAM-1.6B model and has significantly faster visual output. It can generate images at over 10 frames per second — a substantial step up from WHAM-1.6B, which could generate only about 1 image per second. Microsoft also increased the resolution of WHAMM’s output to 640&ti
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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,
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• 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-
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• Motorola’s AI Necklace Tests a New Kind of Digital Assistant

  07-01-2026 17:52 via eweek.com
  Motorola used CES 2026 to quietly test the waters in the emerging AI companion hardware market, previewing a minimalist wearable designed to act as an always-available assistant rather than a full-fledged smart device. The company debuted the product during its Lenovo World Tour events surrounding CES.The wearable shows Motorola’s attempt to explore a category that has struggled to gain traction, following the high-profile stumbles of earlier AI-first devices. Enterprise leaders, platform
  
  Read more

• China’s Roborock Unveils a Robot Vacuum That Can Climb Stairs

  07-01-2026 17:21 via eweek.com
  Robot vacuums have learned how to mop, dodge cables, and even lift small obstacles. At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Roborock added a new milestone to that list: stairs.The company, headquartered in Beijing, China, used its CES stage to unveil the Saros Rover, a robot vacuum that uses a wheel-leg design to climb staircases, handle slopes, and clean areas that have long been off-limits to robotic cleaners.Roborock describes the Saros Rover as the world’s first robot vacuum with a two-wheel-leg arc
  
  Read more

• Best Free and Low-Cost AI Certifications Tech Pros Can Earn in 2026

  07-01-2026 17:06 via eweek.com
  Artificial intelligence skills are now essential for many tech jobs, but training and certification can be expensive.Thankfully, major tech companies and popular learning platforms are offering free and low-cost AI courses. These programs help professionals gain in-demand skills at different stages of their careers without spending a lot of money. Most of these free and affordable AI certifications focus on practical skills, from understanding AI fundamentals to applying machine learning co
  
  Read more

• How to Colorize and Restore Old Photos With AI in 3 Simple Steps

  07-01-2026 16:58 via eweek.com
  You found an old family photo. It’s faded and scratched. It looks like it survived a minor flood. But is it toast? Not anymore.The good news: ChatGPT and Google Gemini can now colorize and gently restore old photos in seconds. No Photoshop, plugins, or PhD required.Bad news: if you’re sloppy, the model will happily “improve” your relatives into people you don’t recognize. The key is careful restraint.Here’s how to do it right.Step 1: Give the AI something wort
  
  Read more

• How to Colorize and Restore Old Photos With AI

  07-01-2026 16:58 via eweek.com
  You found an old family photo. It’s faded and scratched. It looks like it survived a minor flood. But is it toast? Not anymore.The good news: ChatGPT and Google Gemini can now colorize and gently restore old photos in seconds. No Photoshop, plugins, or PhD required.Bad news: if you’re sloppy, the model will happily “improve” your relatives into people you don’t recognize. The key is careful restraint.Here’s how to do it right.Step 1: Give the AI something wort
  
  Read more

• Ring Rolls Out AI-Powered Security Tools and Hub-Free Sensors at CES 2026

  07-01-2026 16:00 via eweek.com
  Ring just turned your front porch into a much smarter neighbor.At CES 2026, the Amazon-owned security company introduced a massive expansion of its ecosystem, moving beyond simple motion pings to artificial intelligence that can actually recognize when your routine is “off.” The biggest change coming to your smartphone is a feature called AI Unusual Event Alert. Instead of buzzing every time a car drives by, the system learns the daily routine patterns of your property. If somet
  
  Read more

• Apple’s iPhone Air Designer Abidur Chowdhury Moves to AI Startup Hark

  07-01-2026 15:30 via eweek.com
  Apple’s design team just lost one of its brightest stars to the world of startups.Abidur Chowdhury, the industrial designer who became a familiar face to Apple fans after introducing the ultra-thin iPhone Air, has officially joined the AI startup Hark as its new Head of Design. The move, reported by Bloomberg, marks another high-profile exit from the tech giant as top-tier talent continues to migrate toward artificial intelligence.Chowdhury was a rising star who had been with Apple si
  
  Read more

• Amazon’s AI Shopping Tool Faces Retailer Backlash Over Website Scraping

  07-01-2026 15:05 via eweek.com
  Amazon’s latest AI experiment has backfired, igniting a revolt amongst small retailers.
  The e-commerce giant quietly launched a feature that scrapes competitor websites without permission, and now hundreds of small businesses are fighting back.
  Amazon’s “Shop Direct” feature, launched in February 2025, was designed to make shopping easier by letting customers browse products from other retailers directly on Amazon’s platform.
  But what seemed like innovation has turn
  
  Read more

• Mobileye to Buy Israeli Startup Mentee Robotics for $900M

  07-01-2026 12:37 via eweek.com
  Self-driving car firm Mobileye has made a massive acquisition that signals where AI is heading next.
  The company announced it will acquire humanoid robotics startup Mentee Robotics for $900 million, marking one of the largest humanoid robot deals in history.
  Mobileye will pay $612 million in cash plus 26.2 million shares, representing a 455% premium over Mentee’s $162 million valuation from 10 months ago. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.
  Dynamic duo
  The timing is
  
  Read more

• Leading AI Doomsayer Rethinks the Timeline for Humanity’s End

  07-01-2026 10:43 via eweek.com
  Humanity’s ultimate demise at the hands of AI sounds like a sci-fi trope, but today experts debate its very real probability.For much of the past year, a figure whose name has been spoken time and time again in discussions about artificial general intelligence (AGI) and human extinction is Daniel Kokotajlo. A prominent voice in the AI safety community and former OpenAI researcher, Kokotajlo helped spark a global conversation last April with “AI 2027,” a speculative scenari
  
  Read more

• Elon Musk’s xAI Raises $20B in New Funding

  07-01-2026 10:32 via eweek.com
  Elon Musk’s xAI has secured $20 billion in Series E funding, exceeding its initial target by a remarkable $5 billion.
  The capital injection comes with heavyweight backing from tech giants Nvidia and Cisco, positioning xAI as a formidable challenger in the intensifying AI arms race.
  This funding round represents one of the largest AI investments ever recorded, signaling unprecedented investor confidence in Musk’s vision for AI dominance.
  The announcement arrives just one week after Op
  
  Read more

• Kodiak AI Taps Bosch to Build Production-Ready Driverless Trucks

  06-01-2026 20:21 via eweek.com
  Driverless trucking has spent years stuck in pilot mode. Now it’s inching closer to mass production.Kodiak AI, a leader in self-driving technology, and automotive giant Bosch have teamed up to build a production-ready “driverless” system for the trucking industry. The deal, announced Monday at CES 2026, aims to solve one of the biggest headaches in the autonomous sector: moving from experimental prototypes to thousands of trucks on the open road.Building a production-grade auto
  
  Read more

• Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon X2 Plus and Robotics Push at CES 2026

  06-01-2026 17:21 via eweek.com
  Qualcomm came to CES with something to prove.The chipmaker used the world’s biggest tech stage to unveil an ambitious 2026 roadmap that stretches far beyond smartphones, signaling a shift toward PCs, AI-heavy computing, and even humanoid robots. The goal? To redefine its role in the broader tech ecosystem.At the center of that push is the new Snapdragon X2 Plus, alongside the X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme. Together, these processors signal Qualcomm’s most aggressive move yet to redef
  
  Read more

• Jensen Huang: Nvidia Built ‘World’s First Thinking, Reasoning Autonomous Vehicle’

  06-01-2026 17:02 via eweek.com
  At CES 2026, Jensen Huang took the stage and dropped a line that might define the next decade: “The ChatGPT moment for physical AI is here.” Bold claim.The star of Nvidia keynote was Alpamayo, what Jensen calls “the world’s first thinking, reasoning autonomous vehicle AI.”Here’s the problem it solves
  Traditional self-driving cars separate seeing from deciding. Works great 99% of the time, but that remaining 1% (weird edge cases, unexpected scenarios) is where
  
  Read more

• Grok AI Sparks International Investigations After Creating Explicit Images of Children

  06-01-2026 16:54 via eweek.com
  Governments across three continents have launched urgent investigations into Elon Musk’s X platform after its Grok AI chatbot began generating sexually explicit images of women and children.
  What started as users discovering they could simply ask Grok to “undress” photos has now become a full-blown international regulatory crisis.
  Reports published today (Jan. 6) reveal X was flooded with inappropriate AI-generated content targeting women and minors. The controversy reached a b
  
  Read more

• Google TV Will Soon Include Gemini AI With Nano Banana Features

  06-01-2026 16:53 via eweek.com
  Your TV is about to get a lot smarter… and a little more creative.At CES 2026, Google revealed new Gemini AI features coming to Google TV that aim to make the big screen more interactive, from answering questions to adjusting settings and even creating images and video on demand. The update brings Gemini’s Nano Banana and Veo tools to select TVs, along with voice controls that let users adjust picture and sound without digging through menus. Google said the features will roll o
  
  Read more

Follow @R_and_D_News on Twitter!