The hottest Robotics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Announcement: New Robotics Newsletter

AI Supremacy • 1120 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Robotics Startups National Defense Innovation
  1. The author is launching a new robotics newsletter called 'OK, Robot' and is deeply interested in robotics coverage.
  2. The newsletter will cover a wide range of topics in robotics including robotics startups, AI gadgets, drones, and more.
  3. The target audience for the newsletter includes those interested in emerging technology, robotics news, and advancements in automation.

Import AI 368: 500% faster local LLMs; 38X more efficient red teaming; AI21's Frankenmodel

Import AI • 559 implied HN points • 08 Apr 24
🕹 Technology AI Research AI Models AI Policy Robotics Artificial Intelligence
  1. Efficiency improvements can be achieved in AI systems by varying the frequency at which GPUs operate, especially for tasks with different input and output lengths.
  2. Governments like Canada are investing significantly in AI infrastructure and safety measures, reflecting the growing importance of AI in economic growth and policymaking.
  3. Advancements in AI technologies are making it easier for individuals to run large language models locally on their own machines, leading to a more decentralized access to AI capabilities.

Robotic insect, navigation, and scientific discovery strategies

The Strategy Toolkit • 17 implied HN points • 19 May 25
🕹 Technology Robotics Engineering Innovation Science Research
  1. Roboticists are learning from insects to improve robot designs, especially in how they land. By studying how crane flies land, they can create safer landing techniques for flying robots.
  2. Insects have different methods for landing safely, like using controlled flights or soft body impacts. Scientists are using these methods to design robotic limbs that help drones land softly on various surfaces.
  3. The work on robotic insects shows how nature can inspire technology. By looking at how real insects behave, engineers can create smarter and more efficient machines.

Import 355: Local LLMs; scaling laws for inference; free Mickey Mouse

Import AI • 1058 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Programming AI Research Computing
  1. PowerInfer software allows $2k machines to perform at 82% of the performance of $20k machines, making it more economically sensible to sample from LLMs using consumer-grade GPUs.
  2. Surveys show that a significant number of AI researchers worry about extreme scenarios such as human extinction from advanced AI, indicating a greater level of concern and confusion in the AI development community than popular discourse suggests.
  3. Robots are becoming cheaper for research, like Mobile ALOHA that costs $32k, and with effective imitation learning, they can autonomously complete tasks, potentially leading to more robust robots in 2024.

Goodreads, bleak spam and bad dating apps

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 758 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Dating Apps Social Impact Robotics Ethics
  1. Some people experience real grief when a virtual relationship ends or changes, even with AI companions.
  2. AI companion apps like Replika, Kindroid, and Candy.ai allow users to form personalized relationships with customized bots, blurring the line between human and AI relationships.
  3. The concept of disenfranchised grief applies to loss experienced in virtual relationships, with individuals forming deep emotional connections to AI companions.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

We Are the Robots

Breaking Smart • 79 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Robotics AI Design Cultural impact
  1. Robots today are moving in more fluid and organic ways, unlike the stiff, mechanical movements we used to see. They can express emotions that feel similar to human feelings, showing a blend of technology and life.
  2. The arts and technology are evolving together, with artists often inspired by new machine capabilities. This relationship highlights how our understanding of what is human or machinic is gradually shifting.
  3. As machines become more complex and organic, people may feel anxious or fearful of them. Our interactions with technology can influence how we view ourselves and what it means to be human.

Welcome to Asimov's Addendum

Asimov’s Addendum • 79 implied HN points • 31 Jul 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Robotics Human Values Algorithm Design Corporate Governance
  1. Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics were a starting point for thinking about how robots should behave. They aimed to ensure robots protect humans, obey commands, and keep themselves safe.
  2. A new approach by Stuart Russell suggests that robots should focus on understanding and promoting human values, but they must be humble and recognize that they don’t know everything about our values.
  3. The development of AI must consider not just how well machines achieve goals, but also how corporate interests can affect their design and use. Proper regulation and transparency are needed to ensure AI is safe and beneficial for everyone.

The Real Significance of the new AI

In My Tribe • 425 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Wearables Robotics
  1. New AI tools let us talk to computers like we talk to people. This makes using technology easier and more natural.
  2. With these advances, we may soon use smart wearables like glasses and watches with natural language rather than buttons.
  3. The new AI also opens up possibilities for better interactions with robots, making them simpler to train and use.

Miniaturized Economies

Breaking Smart • 89 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Economics Cryptocurrency Robotics Artificial Intelligence
  1. It's possible to create very small economies, even as tiny as a $1 GDP. This challenges our ideas about how big an economy needs to be.
  2. The speed and frequency of transactions can be much higher in miniaturized economies, allowing for new kinds of interactions and creative outputs, like controlling robots in imaginative ways.
  3. Miniaturizing economies might lead to smarter systems, almost like creating a form of intelligence. When economies are highly compacted, they can operate faster and more efficiently, similar to how brains function.

A Brief History of SaaS and What's Next

Ulysses • 619 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Software Innovation Artificial Intelligence Biotech Robotics
  1. The relationship between return-seeking capital and new technology development creates cycles that go from early adoption to commodity status, setting the stage for the next wave of technological innovation.
  2. Software in the SaaS sector is moving towards commodification, freeing up resources for progressing technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, biotech, and space innovations.
  3. Advancements in robotics, biotech, accelerated design and manufacturing, and space technology are being driven by the commodification of software intelligence, leading to a new Golden Age of innovation in various industries.

Beyond Earth Technologies: Call to Action

Space Ambition • 799 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Space Tech Biotech Energy Robotics IT Infrastructure
  1. Beyond Earth Technologies is looking for innovative projects that can help with living on other planets and also have real opportunities for business now.
  2. If you're a scientist or inventor working on things like energy, robots, or habitats, you can apply to join their program by January 31st.
  3. You can share this opportunity with friends who have great ideas, and it only takes a few minutes to apply.

What if AI can already 'feel'?

State of the Future • 42 implied HN points • 23 Apr 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Robotics Computational Theory Digital ethics
  1. AI already has its own kind of 'body' based on digital processes, not physical sensations. This means that AI can experience things and develop understanding in ways that are different from humans.
  2. Wisdom isn't just about human experience; it's a set of skills that involves making good decisions from the information available. AI can potentially do this better by analyzing vast amounts of data without the limitations humans have.
  3. AI might create its own social hierarchies and status signals based on how efficiently they operate in their digital environment. These structures could be complex and different from human social dynamics, and we might not even notice them.

🚘 Tesla: AI & Robotics

How They Make Money • 628 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Automotive Electric Vehicles
  1. Elon Musk envisions Tesla becoming the most valuable company in the world, emphasizing the need for flawless execution.
  2. Elon Musk wants to increase his voting control at Tesla to focus on expanding AI and robotics initiatives.
  3. Tesla's recent earnings report highlights challenges such as missed expectations in Q4 FY23 and a slowdown in vehicle sales, along with key financial metrics like revenue growth and margin trends.

Import AI 365: WMD benchmark; Amazon sees $1bn training runs; DeepMind gets closer to its game-playing dream

Import AI • 399 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Research Robotics AI training
  1. Alliance for the Future (AFTF) was founded in response to concerns about overreach in AI safety regulation, highlighting the importance of well-intentioned policies leading to counter-reactions.
  2. Covariant's RFM-1 shows how generative AI can be applied to industrial robots, allowing easy robot operation through human-like instructions, reflecting a shift towards faster-moving robotics facilitated by AI.
  3. DeepMind's SIMA represents a significant advancement towards a general AI agent by fusing recent AI advancements, showcasing the potential of scaling up diverse AI functions in new environments, opening possibilities for further development and complexity.

LLM Links, 1/16

In My Tribe • 212 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Robotics LLMs
  1. A school in Arizona is using AI as the only teachers for a new educational model. This approach aims to tailor lessons to students' needs and allow more time for personal interests.
  2. Robots still struggle with tasks that are easy for humans, like picking up objects. This shows that achieving true artificial general intelligence is still a long way off.
  3. Using chatbots like ChatGPT can help with everyday problems, like homework. By asking the right questions, you can get creative suggestions that you might not think of on your own.

🚀🌑 America finally returns to the Moon

Faster, Please! • 1005 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🔬 Science Clean Energy AI Robotics Health
  1. America's return to the Moon was achieved by a private company, Intuitive Machines, marking a significant milestone since Apollo 17 in 1972.
  2. Despite landing challenges, NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative with private companies like Intuitive Machines shows promise for the future of lunar missions.
  3. The possibility of NASA partnering with private companies for lunar missions can lead to cost-effective space travel and accelerated technological advancements similar to those depicted in sci-fi series like For All Mankind.

Guide to A.I. Supremacy: I'm analyzing & tracking a more exponential future 🔮

AI Supremacy • 432 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Startups Robotics Healthcare Venture Capital
  1. The author is analyzing and tracking emerging and exponential technology, particularly artificial intelligence.
  2. The newsletters cover various topics such as startups, AI, robotics, quantum computing, and innovation.
  3. There are special offers available for full access to the newsletters with discounts for subscription.

OpenAI's smart revenue push, self-driving wars, and what to make of our new AI king

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Business Innovation Cryptocurrency
  1. OpenAI has introduced a new $200 monthly subscription that offers more features compared to its $20 plan. This move aims to boost their revenue and cover losses from previous years.
  2. Self-driving companies like Waymo and Uber are ramping up their efforts in the autonomous vehicle market. Waymo is partnering with Moove for fleet management to focus on technology, while Uber is expanding its self-driving services overseas.
  3. David Sacks has been appointed as the new White House A.I. and Crypto Czar. His past investments in AI and crypto could lead to conflicts of interest, raising concerns about fairness in regulations.

LLM Links, 11/21

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Robotics Data science Innovation
  1. There's a debate about AI progress. Some experts think AI models are hitting a limit and may not get much smarter, while others believe we will continue to see significant advancements.
  2. While machine learning can learn from explicit knowledge, it struggles with understanding deeper, unspoken human knowledge. This limitation might prevent AI from reaching the same expertise as human experts.
  3. AI technologies are still showing exciting developments, like robots learning to perform surgeries by watching videos. This points to the potential for AI to revolutionize fields like medicine.

The robotics company working with OpenAI to eat every warehouse worker's lunch

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 651 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Robotics Artificial Intelligence Automation Investment Competition
  1. Brett Adcock's humanoid robot company aims to replace human workers in warehouses with subscription-based robots that can work 20 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  2. Figure AI collaborates with OpenAI to combine robotics and AI, aiming to create 'embodied AI' by leveraging OpenAI's strengths in language models and Figure's expertise in robotics.
  3. Adcock positions Figure AI to compete with Elon Musk's humanoid robotics effort 'Optimus' and dismisses other competitors due to limitations in hardware or software capabilities.

LLM links, 11/17

In My Tribe • 243 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Development Robotics Research
  1. AI agents are most helpful when they can repeat simple tasks many times, rather than doing complex, one-time jobs. It’s better to have them automate quick tasks consistently.
  2. Chatbots face serious challenges, especially when discussing sensitive topics like suicide. They should guide users to seek help but also create a safe conversation environment.
  3. There’s concern that new AI models may not improve in accuracy and could actually make mistakes more often. This suggests that AI will always struggle to tell the truth from lies.

Can Machines Slip on Banana Peels?

Breaking Smart • 79 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Design Engineering Systems
  1. It's funny when a self-important person slips on a banana peel because it shows their dignity being challenged. This humor comes from seeing someone with high self-esteem face an embarrassing moment.
  2. Machines can also have moments of failure, just like people. They slip up when their design looks seamless but actually has hidden flaws, similar to someone who overestimates their own abilities.
  3. Understanding the 'Contraption Factor' helps us analyze why machines fail. It shows a difference between how complex something is and how well it's designed, which can lead to unexpected problems.

The types of AI, visually explained 🤖

Year 2049 • 15 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Data science Robotics Automation
  1. AI comes in different types, and it's good to know what they are. Understanding the types helps us see how AI works in our daily lives.
  2. Machines learn to become intelligent over time, which is fascinating. This process is important to understand how AI evolves.
  3. It's helpful to share knowledge about AI with others. Teaching friends and family can make everyone more aware of how AI impacts us.

First Contact!

Technohumanism • 39 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Machine Learning Communication Conservation
  1. CETI is using advanced technology to understand sperm whales' communication. This shows how AI can help us connect with other species.
  2. There's a humorous aspect to this first contact, highlighting the unexpected ways we might communicate with animals.
  3. The idea raises questions about the limits and responsibilities of using AI in understanding and interacting with wildlife.

LLM Links

In My Tribe • 167 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Machine Learning Human-computer interaction Automation
  1. AI-generated podcasts can share information in new ways, like converting written essays into audio. This shows how AI can create engaging content without much input.
  2. Large Language Models (LLMs) struggle to learn new concepts as effectively as humans do because they rely on past data. Humans continue to adapt and learn from everyday experiences.
  3. The potential economic impact of robots is huge, especially for tasks like cleaning and driving. The market for humanoid robots could reach trillions, and they might also help reduce accidents.

Last Week in AI #253: Rabbit releases R1, AI outperforms doctors in diagnostic dialogue, OpenAI's GPT Store opens for business, SAG-AFTRA signs AI voiceover deal for video games

Last Week in AI • 397 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Government Legal Policy
  1. Rabbit released R1, an AI gadget controlling apps through voice and images.
  2. AI system surpasses doctors in diagnostic conversations using large language models.
  3. OpenAI launched GPT Store, where users can share custom chatbots.

How machines learn, visually explained 🧠

Year 2049 • 13 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Data science Robotics Automation
  1. AI systems learn from data, so the quality of that data is really important. Better data means smarter machines.
  2. Machines can become biased if they are trained on biased data. It's important to watch out for this when developing AI.
  3. This is just one part of a series explaining AI. More episodes will cover different aspects of how machines learn and behave.

AI Company List (1300 companies), Top 50 companies by valuation and my preferences - July 2023

Martin’s Newsletter • 569 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Valuation Investors Robotics
  1. The post includes a list of 1300 AI companies and 900 AI investors along with the top 50 companies by valuation.
  2. The author shares their personal 'Top 50' AI companies that reflect their personal interests and preferences.
  3. OpenAI is highlighted as a company with the potential to become a $1 trillion company due to talent, management, and the ability to put out better products faster than the competition.

Robotics, Automation and AI Conferences

Robots & Startups • 299 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Robotics Automation AI Conferences
  1. There are numerous robotics, automation, and AI conferences available, with a mix of academic and industry events.
  2. Consider factors such as the conference's impact factor, size, specialization, attendees, and topics to decide which events are worth attending.
  3. The post provides shortlists of academic conferences and hints at upcoming coverage of tradeshows and industry events.

Import AI 346: Human-like meta-learning; a 3 trillion token dataset; spies VS AI

Import AI • 459 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Data Robotics License Research
  1. UK's intelligence services are slightly worried about the safety implications of generative AI technologies, particularly in amplifying existing risks like cyber-attacks and digital vulnerabilities
  2. Research shows that a basic Transformer neural net architecture can meta-learn and match human performance in inferring complex rules from small data, hinting at AI systems increasingly displaying human-like qualities
  3. Facebook's Habitat 3.0 software enables training and testing agents to collaborate with humans by simulating realistic 3D environments with humanoid avatars, human-in-the-loop interactions, and benchmark tasks for human-robot interaction

Import AI 343: Humanlike AI; LLaMa 2 protests; the NSA's new AI center

Import AI • 439 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Data Security Generative models
  1. Google DeepMind and 33 labs created a large dataset for training robots, showing that using heterogeneous data and high-capacity models improves robot performance.
  2. Protests have begun against Facebook for releasing AI models that can be easily modified, raising concerns about AI safety becoming a political issue.
  3. Generative image models are displaying human-like qualities in tasks, like shape bias and understanding perceptual illusions, suggesting a convergence between AI systems and humans.

Sunshine and moonbeams, motherfuckers

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Quantum Computing Data Internet Robotics
  1. We're living in a rapidly advancing tech age. It's getting easier and cheaper to explore space and we're seeing big improvements in AI and robotics.
  2. Quantum computing is becoming more accurate as technology progresses. This means we can expect even more powerful computing capabilities in the future.
  3. C3.AI's new patent could significantly change the game for enterprise AI by protecting important technologies. This could lead to big changes in how businesses use AI.

Bootstrapping Stretch: 'from robot to revenue to many robots'

Robots & Startups • 59 implied HN points • 09 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Robotics AI Drones Manufacturing Conferences
  1. Hello Robot has successfully grown their Stretch robot platform through bootstrapping, highlighting the benefits of incorporating customer feedback in design iterations.
  2. Hello Robot's Stretch robot has won the IEEE Award for Technology in the Service of Society, recognizing its potential to benefit humankind.
  3. The development of Stretch 3 by Hello Robot signifies a milestone in incorporating three years of customer feedback to create an improved robot for researchers, educators, and explorers.

"Everything that moves in the future will be robotic."

Robots & Startups • 139 implied HN points • 24 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Robotics AI Innovation Events Research
  1. The future is predicted to be dominated by robotic technology, with everything that moves expected to be robotic.
  2. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang envisions the Omniverse as the future operating system and aims to make computers smarter for easier human interactions.
  3. The robotics industry is rapidly advancing, with developments in humanoid robots, AI, and innovative collaborations between humans and robots promising significant changes in various sectors like labor, healthcare, and space exploration.

Easy Robotics with a 3D Printer and Raspberry Pi

Messy Progress • 59 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Robotics 3D Printing Programming DIY Projects Electronics
  1. Making a robot with a 3D printer and a Raspberry Pi is fun and can be done on a budget. You can create many different designs without limits.
  2. A modular design is helpful because it allows for easy changes and quick fixes. This makes it easier for kids to participate and experiment.
  3. Using a Raspberry Pi for controlling your robot opens up many possibilities, like adding cameras or other fun components. You can even use simple coding to operate it.