That is as we speak’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a each day dose of what’s occurring on the earth of know-how.
Everybody in AI is speaking about Manus. We put it to the check.
For the reason that basic 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 basic 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 Evaluate was capable of acquire entry to Manus. Right here’s what we product of it.
—Caiwei Chen
Waabi says its digital robotrucks are practical sufficient to show the true ones are secure
The information: Canadian robotruck startup Waabi says its super-realistic digital simulation is now correct sufficient to show the security of its driverless large 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 information, 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 method is a greater strategy to show 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 vegetation use daylight and carbon dioxide to make their gasoline. These synthetic leaves use daylight to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen, which may then be used to gasoline automobiles or generate electrical energy. Now a analysis crew 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 strategy to make fuels, chemical substances, and plastics—with the last word objective of making fuels that don’t go away a dangerous carbon footprint after they’re burned. Learn the total story.
—Carly Kay
This startup simply hit an enormous 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 Evaluate can completely report.
The newest milestone signifies that Boston Metallic simply received one step nearer to commercializing its know-how. And whereas there are nonetheless a whole lot of milestones left earlier than reaching the size wanted to make a dent within the metal business, the most recent run exhibits that the corporate can scale up its course of. Learn the total story.
—Casey Crownhart
This text is from The Spark, MIT Know-how Evaluate’s weekly local weather publication. To obtain it in your inbox each Wednesday, enroll right here.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you as we speak’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 The US has resumed assist deliveries to Ukraine
Leaders have additionally agreed to start out sharing army 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 Evaluate)
2 Donald Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on metallic imports
The choice is prone to elevate 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 Evaluate)
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 outdated lady not too long ago died in Texas. (The Atlantic $)
+ The state is scrambling to answer the outbreak. (Undark)
+ The virus is extraordinarily contagious and harmful to youngsters and adults alike. (Wired $)
4 Elon Musk desires the US authorities to close down
Partly as a result of it will make it simpler to fireplace federal employees. (Wired $)
+ A decide has dominated that DOGE should adjust to the Freedom of Data Act. (The Verge)
+ Can AI assist DOGE slash authorities budgets? It’s advanced. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
5 OpenAI says it’s skilled an AI to be ‘actually good’ at inventive writing|
The query is, can a mannequin skilled on present materials ever be actually inventive? (TechCrunch)
+ AI could make you extra inventive—but it surely has limits. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
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 12 months
It referred to as the payout “the biggest in music business historical past.” (FT $)
+ Tips on how to break freed from Spotify’s algorithm. (MIT Know-how Evaluate)
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 know-how left sitcom A Totally different World wanting 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 risky method to imposing tariffs.
The large story
Can Afghanistan’s underground “sneakernet” survive the Taliban?
November 2021
When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, Mohammad Yasin needed to make some tough choices in a short time. He started erasing among the delicate information on his laptop and shifting the remaining onto two of his largest arduous 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 will be arduous to come back by, promoting all the things from motion pictures, music, cell functions, to iOS updates. And regardless of the risks of Taliban rule, the nation’s in depth “sneakernet” isn’t planning on shutting down. Learn the total story.
—Ruchi Kumar
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Received any concepts? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Try these novels impressed by what it means to be middle-aged.
+ After an extended absence, it’s wanting just like the Loch Ness Monster is staging its return.
+ Chappell Roan, you’re simply unbelievable.
+ An AI stylist telling me what to put on? No thanks.
