OpenAI was planning to build a in-house humanoid robot: Report

Here is the top trending news from the world of technology. News that every tech enthusiast should keep a tab on.

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OpenAI was planning to build a in-house humanoid robot: Report

Back in 2021, OpenAI was seriously planning to build its own humanoid robot. So much so it even had its own dedicated robotics division, which was later closed down. This surprising detail has been revealed by a report published in The Information, which cited two sources aware of this matter. Currently, OpenAI is associated with humanoid robot space through its strategic investment primarily in two prominent startups, Figure and 1x. Monumental challenges and the sheer unpredictability associated with humanoid robot may have prompted OpenAI to abandon the ambitious plan.

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Alibaba’s Qwen launches new AI model QvQ-72B, focused on visual reasoning

Alibaba’s Qwen team has unveiled the QVQ-72B-Preview. The QVQ-72B-Preview is an experimental research model focused more on enhancing visual reasoning capabilities. Alibaba claims that it can efficiently analyze images and draw precise conclusions. The QVQ-72B-Preview achieved an impressive score of 70.3% on the Multimodal Massive Multi-task Understanding (MMMU) benchmark. However, being a experimental model it comes with bunch of problems. For example, the model may unexpectedly switch between languages during responses or get stuck in loops of recursive reasoning.

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Russia has started using Bitcoin in Foreign Trade  

Cryptocurrency has found a new companion and friend in Russia. Russia is increasingly utilizing bitcoin and other digital currencies for international trade, as confirmed by Finance Minister Anton Siluanov. Recent legislative amendments in the Russian parliament has allowed domestic companies to bypass traditional banking systems that are often reluctant to engage with Russian entities due to regulatory scrutiny from the West amid the Russia-Ukraine war. This development aligns with remarks from President Vladimir Putin, calling on countries to adopt alternative assets like bitcoin for undermining the US dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency.

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Apple developing Face ID-enabled smart doorbell

Apple is reportedly developing a smart doorbell that utilizes Face ID technology to unlock doors automatically for recognized users. Like other Apple devices, the doorbell will feature a Secure Enclave chip, which securely processes and stores facial recognition data, ensuring user privacy. It is also is expected to run on Apple’s new Proxima chip, which combines Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for improved connectivity and security. More importantly, it is designed to integrate seamlessly with Apple’s existing smart home ecosystem, particularly HomeKit-compatible locks. The anticipated launch of this product is expected by late 2025.