Chatbot Charlie, Modulo, autonews weekly roundup #238 / April 19, 2024 / Confidential
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During lunch yesterday, I had a small talk about AI that assists in design. The essence seemed to lie in its ability to go beyond merely passive creation based on descriptions, shining even in the realm of creativity where it can stand toe-to-toe with human designers. Though I didn't fully grasp it during our conversation, seeing Nike's Air Concept this week felt like a revelation..
AIR here doesn't refer to the familiar air we breathe or plush sneakers; rather, it stands for Athlete Imagined Revolutions. Through interviews with renowned athletes like Holland and Mbappé, it's evident that the goal isn't just to enhance their physical performance, but to visualize the personas and visions of various athletes through 3D and AI, showcasing their diversity. This project involves over 150 engineers, model makers, designers, and innovators collaborating together. Crucially, AI generates mood boards based on the gathered insights, proposing design inspirations.
Subsequently, AI transforms the acquired designs from 2D to 3D and swiftly prototypes them via 3D printing, giving birth to products that reflect each athlete's personality and performance.
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It's a very intriguing product that captures both performance and persona. Thinking ahead, if developments continue in this direction, we might see a new domain emerge – not fast food, but fast footwear.
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Meet Charlie, the chatbot that fearlessly provides abortion information.
The Netflix film "Call Jane" is based on the true story of the Jane Collective in Chicago during a time when abortion was illegal in the United States. The collective clandestinely aided women seeking abortion procedures. When Joey, a woman suffering from peripartum cardiomyopathy, felt her life was at risk due to pregnancy but faced opposition from a male-only abortion committee, she was forced to risk her life by giving birth. Subsequently, women facing unwanted pregnancies could reach out to Jane for help via a local phone line.
However, in a reversal of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, on June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned this ruling, allowing states to decide abortion rights. As a result, currently, 26 states have restrictions or bans on abortion.
Charlie is a digital descendant of the Jane Collective. Providing up-to-date information on abortion restrictions, methods, nearby clinics, and medication, Charlie guides pregnant individuals in their choices. Without exposing personal information or storing user data, Charlie employs a privacy-centric conversational approach, enabling users to understand all options without fear. Additionally, available in English and Spanish, the app is user-friendly, akin to sending messages to friends. Charlie the chatbot recently became a Webby Award nominee.
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[Jenna's Insight]
The emergence and necessity of AI services like chatbot Charlie reflect various trends and demands in society. This includes polarization due to abortion rights issues, a phenomenon where the public lacks trust in institutions and digital platforms, and the innovative response of civil society when individual freedoms are threatened. Such services offer a familiar interface while leveraging ethical and decentralized technology to support individuals in making free decisions, away from corporate tracking and surveillance.
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Knit Modulo
Caon Design Office and Woolmark have collaborated to unveil a concept for comfortable yet practical airplane seating design, catering to frequent flyers' needs.
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Modulo features organic curves reminiscent of Mario Bellini's Olivetti silhouette. While traditional airplane seats are typically made of sturdy composite materials or plastic, Modulo is designed using a wing-shaped wool fabric as a single material.
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The seating concept addresses sustainability, weight reduction, and cabin replacement issues by utilizing titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber, and a blend of 3D knitted wool membrane (Australian Merino Wool). This enables the application of materials that provide a warm touch upon contact while maintaining a lightweight profile.
Furthermore, integrated smart sensors are employed to prioritize passenger comfort and safety. This includes encouraging passengers to move periodically to alleviate health risks such as arrhythmia and thrombosis that can arise from prolonged immobility.
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The 3D wrapped shell concept of the wool blend structure effectively absorbs noise and vibrations due to its thick yet high-density composition. It allows for customized support by selectively adding padding only where needed. Additionally, the use of semi-transparent wool blend material aims to provide a sense of openness in the space while preserving individual privacy, reducing feelings of confinement.
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Through lightweight modular design, airlines can quickly redecorate cabins with seasonal themes. The entire seating is manufactured using quick-release mechanisms, and the wool membrane skin can be easily replaced like standard seat covers.
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Automotive news weekely roundup
To address the lack of public charging infrastructure, which has been considered the biggest obstacle to EV expansion, the expansion of fast-charging stations in the United States is rapidly progressing. According to Bloomberg, 600 fast-charging stations opened their doors in the first quarter, marking a 7.6% increase compared to 2023. Currently, there are 8,200 public fast-charging stations nationwide, roughly one for every 15 gas stations, with Tesla Stations accounting for a quarter of them. This is largely attributed to the $50 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program funded by the Biden administration, bringing charging stations closer to profitability as more EVs are launched.
Did you know?
Google is adding new features to Google Maps to make it easier to find electric vehicle chargers. In the coming months, it plans to provide detailed descriptions of charger locations through AI-generated summaries. The feature will display highly accurate information, including the latest updates and millions of reviews. Google is also preparing a feature to show nearby chargers and available charging spots with charging speed on in-vehicle maps. Additionally, when planning long-distance trips where vehicles need to stop at multiple locations, it will suggest optimal charging stops based on vehicle battery charge levels. This feature is set to be rolled out globally to Google-equipped vehicles in the next few months.
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This week, Tesla announced plans to lay off 10% of its total workforce, approximately 14,000 employees. This is comparable in scale to Rivian's entire workforce of 16,800 employees. Additionally, Tesla reduced the monthly subscription fee for FSD from $199 to $99. The company's stock price has dropped by 30% since the beginning of the year, construction has not progressed at the Mexican factory, and Mexican employees reportedly cannot get any response from Tesla or Musk. The Mexican factory was supposed to be the site for Tesla's innovative Unboxed Assembly process, but the plans are becoming unclear.
The bad news doesn't end there. Drew Baglino, Tesla's most important powertrain and energy engineering chief who led many projects including the production of 4680 battery cells in Texas Austin, has left the company. Key executives responsible for Tesla's policy and business development, as well as the expansion of the Austin data center, have also vacated their positions. Important indicators that could disrupt Tesla's development plans are being discovered one after another.
BMW has announced plans to train robots in its South Carolina factory in two years. While Chinese manufacturer Nio is testing humanoid robots at one of its factories, automotive supplier Magna now plans to test humanoid robots in its manufacturing facilities. The robot developed by Sanctuary AI, a startup based in Vancouver that Magna has been investing in since 2021, is expected to be used in various applications within the automotive manufacturing process, although specific plans have not been announced.
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If you're a fan of F1, how about trying jet suit racing? In this race, participants, who might resemble human drones, don jet suits produced by Gravity Industries. Held in Dubai, this racing event took place on water for safety reasons. Everyone aims to swiftly return to the destination point after passing through various checkpoints while wearing jet suits that provide over 1,000 horsepower each. The biggest risk factor during the race is collisions between participants, and indeed, one person fell into the water due to a collision but was rescued without injuries.
If you're interested in participating, we recommend first purchasing a jet suit with a price tag of $480,000!
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