That is at this time’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a every day dose of what’s occurring on this planet of expertise.
Everybody in AI is speaking about Manus. We put it to the check.
Because the normal AI agent Manus was launched final week, it has unfold on-line like wildfire. And never simply in China, the place it was developed by the Wuhan-based startup Butterfly Impact. It’s made its manner into the worldwide dialog, with some even dubbing it “the second DeepSeek”.
Manus claims to be the world’s first normal AI agent, constructing off a number of AI fashions and brokers to behave autonomously on a variety of duties. Regardless of all of the hype, only a few individuals have had an opportunity to make use of it. MIT Know-how Assessment was in a position to acquire entry to Manus. Right here’s what we product of it.
—Caiwei Chen
Waabi says its digital robotrucks are real looking sufficient to show the actual ones are secure
The information: Canadian robotruck startup Waabi says its super-realistic digital simulation is now correct sufficient to show the protection of its driverless massive rigs with out having to run them for miles on actual roads.
The way it did it: The corporate makes use of a digital twin of its real-world robotrucks, loaded up with actual sensor knowledge, and measures how the dual’s efficiency compares to that of actual vehicles on actual roads. Waabi says they now match nearly precisely, and claims its strategy is a greater approach to display security than simply racking up real-world miles, as lots of its opponents do. Learn the total story.
—Will Douglas Heaven
This synthetic leaf makes hydrocarbons out of carbon dioxide
For a few years, researchers have been working to construct gadgets that may mimic photosynthesis—the method by which crops use daylight and carbon dioxide to make their gas. These synthetic leaves use daylight to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen, which may then be used to gas automobiles or generate electrical energy. Now a analysis workforce from the College of Cambridge has taken intention at creating extra energy-dense fuels.
The group’s gadget produces ethylene and ethane, proving that synthetic leaves can create hydrocarbons. The event may provide a less expensive, cleaner approach to make fuels, chemical compounds, and plastics—with the final word purpose of making fuels that don’t depart a dangerous carbon footprint after they’re burned. Learn the total story.
—Carly Kay
This startup simply hit a giant milestone for inexperienced metal manufacturing
Inexperienced-steel startup Boston Metallic simply confirmed that it has all of the components wanted to make metal with out emitting gobs of greenhouse gases. The corporate efficiently ran its largest reactor but to make metal, producing over a ton of metallic, MIT Know-how Assessment can solely report.
The newest milestone implies that Boston Metallic simply acquired one step nearer to commercializing its expertise. And whereas there are nonetheless a variety of milestones left earlier than reaching the dimensions wanted to make a dent within the metal business, the newest run reveals that the corporate can scale up its course of. Learn the total story.
—Casey Crownhart
This text is from The Spark, MIT Know-how Assessment’s weekly local weather publication. To obtain it in your inbox each Wednesday, join right here.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you at this time’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 The US has resumed assist deliveries to Ukraine
Leaders have additionally agreed to begin sharing navy intelligence once more. (The Guardian)
+ Ukraine additionally endorsed a US proposal for a ceasefire. (Vox)
+ Meet the radio-obsessed civilian shaping Ukraine’s drone protection. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
2 Donald Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on metallic imports
The choice is prone to increase prices for American carmakers, and different producers. (NYT $)
+ Enterprise leaders really feel spooked by his frequent blended messaging round tariffs. (WSJ $)
+ Nevertheless, US-native metallic makers are delighted by the tariffs. (Economist $)
+ How Trump’s tariffs may drive up the price of batteries, EVs, and extra. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
3 Texas’ measles outbreak seems to be spreading
Two individuals in Oklahoma are being handled for measles-like signs. (Ars Technica)
+ An unvaccinated six-year previous lady just lately died in Texas. (The Atlantic $)
+ The state is scrambling to answer the outbreak. (Undark)
+ The virus is extraordinarily contagious and harmful to kids and adults alike. (Wired $)
4 Elon Musk needs the US authorities to close down
Partly as a result of it might make it simpler to fireplace federal staff. (Wired $)
+ A decide has dominated that DOGE should adjust to the Freedom of Info Act. (The Verge)
+ Can AI assist DOGE slash authorities budgets? It’s complicated. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
5 OpenAI says it’s skilled an AI to be ‘actually good’ at inventive writing|
The query is, can a mannequin skilled on current materials ever be really inventive? (TechCrunch)
+ AI could make you extra inventive—however it has limits. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
6 Silicon Valley’s AI startups are increasing in India
Expertise is plentiful, notably in tech hub Bangalore. (Bloomberg $)
7 Spotify claims it paid $10 billion in royalties final yr
It referred to as the payout “the biggest in music business historical past.” (FT $)
+ How one can break freed from Spotify’s algorithm. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
8 Saturn has extra moons than the remainder of the planets mixed 
Researchers have lastly noticed new moons which have beforehand evaded detection. (New Scientist $)
9 This espresso store is New York’s hottest AI spot 
Handily, OpenAI’s workplace is simply throughout the road. (Insider $)
10 Netflix shouldn’t use AI to upscale decision
The expertise left sitcom A Totally different World trying freakishly warped. (Vice)
Quote of the day
“The uncertainty is simply as unhealthy as tariffs themselves.”
—Donald Schneider, deputy head of US coverage at funding financial institution Piper Sandler, explains to the Washington Put up why traders are feeling rattled by Donald Trump’s unstable strategy to imposing tariffs.
The massive story
Can Afghanistan’s underground “sneakernet” survive the Taliban?
November 2021
When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, Mohammad Yasin needed to make some troublesome choices in a short time. He started erasing a few of the delicate knowledge on his laptop and shifting the remaining onto two of his largest exhausting drives, which he then wrapped in a layer of plastic and buried underground.
Yasin is what’s domestically known as a “laptop kar”: somebody who sells digital content material by hand in a rustic the place a gentle web connection could be exhausting to come back by, promoting every thing from motion pictures, music, cellular purposes, to iOS updates. And regardless of the hazards of Taliban rule, the nation’s in depth “sneakernet” isn’t planning on shutting down. Learn the total story.
—Ruchi Kumar
We will nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Bought any concepts? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Take a look at these novels impressed by what it means to be middle-aged.
+ After an extended absence, it’s trying just like the Loch Ness Monster is staging its return.
+ Chappell Roan, you might be simply implausible.
+ An AI stylist telling me what to put on? No thanks.
