Category: Artificial intelligence

  • CES 2025: VLC Media Player Unveils AI-Generated Offline Subtitles

    CES 2025: VLC Media Player Unveils AI-Generated Offline Subtitles

    VideoLAN, which is the parent organization of the open-source media player VLC, has recently reached an impressive milestone of 6 billion downloads, along with more than 500 million active users each month. To commemorate this achievement, the company has introduced a new feature for its video player during CES 2025: AI-driven automatic subtitles.

    AI Subtitles Demo

    Jean Baptiste-Kempf, the President of VideoLAN, showcased a demonstration of this innovative feature in a video posted on X. The AI-generated subtitles are created locally and function completely offline, providing automatic translations in real-time into over 100 languages. This exciting addition appears to utilize Whisper, an open-source neural network created by OpenAI for understanding speech. At this moment, only the demonstration is available, but development for full implementation is already in progress.

    Future Rollout

    As of now, there has been no announcement regarding when the public will be able to access the AI subtitles and the related translations on the VLC media player. You can download the most recent version of VLC through the link provided.

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  • Apple Intelligence Consumes Increasing Amounts of RAM

    Apple Intelligence Consumes Increasing Amounts of RAM

    Artificial intelligence is now deeply rooted in our daily lives, with many tech firms increasingly integrating AI features into their offerings. Known as Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI primarily operates on devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. However, the demand for RAM is rising more rapidly than Apple had originally expected.

    RAM Growth Concerns

    The company from California was aware that its local AI would eventually impact the RAM of its devices, but the speed of this increase took developers by surprise. At its launch in October, Apple Intelligence required 4 GB of RAM; it has since risen to 7 GB, as reflected in the latest system needs. If this trend continues (with a 3 GB increase over just two months), iPhones with limited RAM might soon find themselves in a tricky situation.

    Possible Solutions and Limitations

    In theory, one could address this issue by disabling certain features, but that option isn’t available right now. Users wanting to keep using Apple Intelligence will likely have to upgrade their smartphones at some point, which isn’t necessarily a bad idea considering older iPhones may not receive security updates anymore. Only highly demanding tasks are sent to Apple Secure Cloud servers, which are reputed to have robust security measures.

    New Features and Future Plans

    Interestingly, the increased storage needs have a silver lining: introducing new features and content has become easier. For instance, a new function called “Image Playground” was launched in December 2024, allowing users to create comic images, with the AI able to access their personal media library if they wish. New emojis can also be generated.

    While Apple’s AI for the iPhone isn’t yet available in the European Union, a workaround exists, though it only provides limited functions. In contrast, Macs have supported Apple Intelligence since version 15.1. The company has announced plans to fully roll out Apple Intelligence in the EU by April.

    Source:
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  • Nvidia Slams US Last-Minute Restrictions on AI Chip Exports

    Nvidia Slams US Last-Minute Restrictions on AI Chip Exports

    Nvidia is strongly against the forthcoming chip export limitations from the White House, characterizing them as a hurried initiative that might exceed its intended objectives. The anticipated regulations—expected to be announced imminently—aim to establish a three-tiered system to manage AI chip exports, tailored both to specific countries and companies.

    Concerns Over Policy Impact

    Ned Finkle, who leads Nvidia’s government relations, expressed his worries regarding the extensive implications of this policy. He stated that the proposed “extreme country cap policy” would negatively affect everyday computing worldwide without genuinely enhancing national security. These new restrictions would particularly influence AI accelerators, an area where Nvidia holds a dominant position.

    Proposed Access Levels

    According to the suggested rules, American semiconductors would be allocated based on different access categories. Some of the U.S.’s closest allies would receive unrestricted import permissions, while many other countries would face new limitations on overall computing capacity. These restrictions would not only target specialized AI chips but also general-purpose GPUs utilized in various devices, including gaming PCs and data centers.

    Timing and Economic Concerns

    The timing of this announcement is significant, occurring less than two weeks prior to the presidential changeover. “This last-minute policy from the Biden administration could become a legacy that will draw criticism from both the U.S. industry and the global community,” Finkle warned, cautioning that it may damage American economic interests.

    Meanwhile, Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, has expressed his willingness to work with the new administration coming in. He showed interest in meeting with Trump and even offered his assistance. Speaking at CES in Las Vegas, Huang seemed optimistic about the possibility of reduced regulations under Trump, stating, “As an industry, we want to move fast.”

    Market Implications for Nvidia

    These new regulations could significantly impact Nvidia’s position in the market, especially considering the company’s remarkable growth: its stock price nearly tripled last year, following a 239 percent increase in 2023, largely fueled by a rise in AI investments.

    Source:
    Link

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  • NVIDIA Targets Tesla with Thor Chip and 4D Driving Simulator

    NVIDIA Targets Tesla with Thor Chip and 4D Driving Simulator

    NVIDIA revealed a brand new automotive chip called Thor during its CES 2025 keynote presentation. This chip is built on the Blackwell platform and boasts 20 times more processing power compared to the current generation of automotive chips. It is designed to aid in virtual simulations for autonomous vehicles.

    New Approach to Autonomous Driving

    Rather than relying on logging millions of miles like Tesla does with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature, NVIDIA is investing in a synthetic world simulator named Cosmos. This innovative tool will complement the three chips that are essential for AI in autonomous vehicles.

    The Cosmos platform comprises cutting-edge generative world foundation models, tokenizers, guardrails, and a speedy video processing pipeline. These components aim to enhance the creation of physical AI systems, including autonomous vehicles and robots, according to NVIDIA.

    Upgraded AI Processing Power

    In addition to the new simulator, NVIDIA has upgraded its AI processing chips with the Thor automotive chip, which is the successor to the Orin line. The Thor chip features the Blackwell architecture, similar to the recently launched GeForce RTX 5070 gaming card, which NVIDIA claims can match the performance of an RTX 4090 at a price of $549.

    Thor provides 1,000 TFLOPS of powerful AI computing and offers roughly 20 times the AI capability of its predecessor. Its efficiency is crucial as it helps reduce the overall costs of System on Chip (SoC) in vehicles that integrate both autonomous driving and infotainment systems.

    Flexible Architecture for Car Manufacturers

    Automakers and developers of autonomous vehicle solutions can allocate the 1,000 TFLOPS of computing power between self-driving tasks and infotainment systems, making the architecture highly adaptable. According to ARM, “When used in level 3 or higher autonomous driving scenarios, a single Nvidia DRIVE AGX Thor can replicate the functionality of multiple advanced devices currently found in vehicles, leading to considerable advantages in performance for car manufacturers.”

    NVIDIA also highlighted multiple safety and security certifications for its new Thor-based Drive AGX platform, including recognition from the ANSI National Accreditation Board and TÜV Rheinland.

    Partnerships and Innovative Simulation Features

    NVIDIA has already partnered with various automakers and autonomous driving solution providers such as Mercedes and Nuro. They are utilizing NVIDIA’s self-driving chips and Cosmos simulation software, which includes features like OmniMap that combines mapping and satellite imagery to create 3D environments that are drivable. The Neural Reconstruction Engine generates high-fidelity 4D simulation environments from AV sensor data. Additionally, Edify 3DS can search for existing scenes or create 3D objects based on text or image prompts, transforming scenes in NVIDIA Omniverse that are grounded in 4D. Finally, Cosmos is capable of generating countless variations of driving scenarios using simple text prompts.

    However, it is yet to be determined if the Cosmos simulator will enable traditional automakers and electric vehicle startups to bridge the gap with Tesla’s FSD solution, which relies on extensive real-world driving data to enhance its AI algorithms.

    Source: Link

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  • Lenovo AI Display at CES 2025: Alerts for Posture and Fatigue

    Lenovo AI Display at CES 2025: Alerts for Posture and Fatigue

    Whether we want to admit it or not, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives, impacting nearly every facet of our technology-driven existence. This pervasive presence can frustrate many who prioritize privacy. However, while some AI innovations are genuinely helpful, others can be quite problematic. Lenovo’s recent venture into AI within consumer gadgets, especially displays, walks a fine line by presenting both exciting opportunities and potential privacy issues reminiscent of Microsoft’s past controversies.

    The Concept of the "AI Display"

    Lenovo’s "AI Display" is still primarily in its experimental phase. The initiative intends to embed AI capabilities into monitors, allowing them to observe and assess user posture, movements, and additional insights. This information would be used to alert users about improper posture, and the monitor could autonomously tilt, swivel, or adjust its height to promote better ergonomics. Additionally, the monitor would be capable of recognizing signs of fatigue, like when a user yawns or shuts their eyes, and even blur the display when the user steps away. Sounds cool, doesn’t it? But wait a minute.

    Privacy Concerns and Challenges

    While this technology seems impressively advanced at first glance, winning users over to the idea of an AI-powered front camera that monitors their every action might prove to be a tough sell. It remains uncertain whether the data processing will occur on the device itself or in the cloud. If it’s the latter, it could lead to significant privacy concerns. Regardless, the specifics of how this product will work are still unclear. Only time will tell if the project will move beyond its current experimental stage.

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  • Mammotion Launches Mini Robotic Mowers with UltraSense AI Vision

    Mammotion Launches Mini Robotic Mowers with UltraSense AI Vision

    Robotic mower maker Mammotion, known for its LUBA 2 AWD model that we reviewed last year (only in German), is at CES 2025 in Las Vegas to unveil some new and exciting products for the 2025 gardening season. Alongside the UltraSense AI Vision System, they are launching the LUBA mini AWD and YUKA mini models, plus upgraded versions of their popular LUBA 2 AWD and YUKA robotic mowers. The company has announced that pre-orders for their CES innovations have now begun.

    Advanced AI Technology

    The standout feature from Mammotion is the UltraSense AI Vision System. This system leverages cutting-edge AI technology to simplify lawn care and enables automatic mapping. Users no longer have to manually direct the mower, as the robotic lawnmower can autonomously explore areas up to 10,000 square meters and create virtual maps by utilizing smart edge detection.

    This innovation also ensures dependable performance, even in weak or no GPS signal scenarios. Mammotion claims that mowing can continue up to 300 meters (984 feet) away from the base. With the help of virtual fencing, users can set invisible boundaries, and edge trimming is more accurate due to improved visual positioning. According to Mammotion, mowers equipped with the UltraSense AI Vision System can detect over 120 types of obstacles, including toys and gardening tools. Our tests have shown that the LUBA 2 AWD excels in this area.

    New Mini Series Launch

    At CES 2025, Mammotion is also rolling out two new compact robotic mower lines. The first is the LUBA mini AWD series, which shares the all-wheel drive platform with the larger LUBA 2 AWD but is lighter, weighing in at 15 kg (33 lb). It’s tailored for gardens of up to around 1,500 m² (16,145 ft²) and can handle tough terrains thanks to its optimized 88 W cutting motor, OmniWheel design, and 20 cm cutting width.

    In addition, the new YUKA mini series weighs just 10.6 kg (23 lb) and is perfect for smaller gardens, covering areas up to about 800 m² (8,611 ft²). This model offers automatic lawn mapping (set up takes just a few minutes) and supports up to ten mowing zones.

    Upgrades for Existing Models

    Mammotion has also enhanced its established LUBA 2 AWD and YUKA models. For the 2025 season, the LUBA 2 AWD series will see an increase in motor power from 45 to 165 W for its dual mowing discs, along with longer battery life. It can now detect slopes of up to 38.6 degrees and identify obstacles as small as 3 inches (approximately 7.5 cm). One full battery charge allows mowing of up to 1,500 m² (16,145 ft²) over four hours.

    Alongside the UltraSense AI Vision, the YUKA model, which can collect leaves with an optional grass collector, features a strong five-blade double cutting system and can handle up to 30 customizable mowing zones.

    Source: http://www.notebookcheck.com/Mammotion-Luba-2-AWD-Test-Starker-Allrad-Maehroboter-ohne-Begrenzungskabel-im-Rennwagen-Design.870843.0.html

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  • CES 2025: Garmin Unified Cabin with Snapdragon Cockpit Elite

    CES 2025: Garmin Unified Cabin with Snapdragon Cockpit Elite

    Garmin Automotive claims it can deliver next-generation voice assistance, customization, and entertainment options in vehicles with the 2025 update of its Unified Cabin. This system is said to provide scalable control over in-car tech through a single module, which uses Qualcomm’s newest automotive-specific solution.

    Innovative Technology

    The Snapdragon Cockpit Elite platform is a groundbreaking innovation that includes a Qualcomm Oryon CPU, similar to the ones found in the most advanced AI PCs and high-end Android smartphones available today, such as the X Elite and 8 Elite SoCs.

    Enhanced Features

    Additionally, the Cockpit Elite incorporates a Qualcomm Hexagon NPU and an Adreno GPU, enabling advanced smart features for vehicles. This technology is expected to power Desay SV’s Intelligent AI Cabin Platform (also known as G10PH), designed to improve the driving experience for both drivers and passengers in the next generation of software-defined cars.

    Available Product

    Also, the Garmin Dash Cam X310 with a 4K touchscreen is now listed for purchase on Amazon, offering drivers a high-quality recording solution.

    Qualcomm has issued a press release highlighting the collaboration between Garmin and Qualcomm, unveiling their next-generation digital cockpit solution driven by the Snapdragon Cockpit Elite.

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  • Samsung Galaxy Phone to Get AI Weather Wallpaper Patent Update

    Samsung Galaxy Phone to Get AI Weather Wallpaper Patent Update

    Samsung may be developing an interesting feature for its Galaxy smartphones. A recent patent discovery indicates that the company could utilize artificial intelligence to create a new wallpaper that changes with the weather. Here’s what you need to know.

    AI-Powered Weather Wallpaper

    The patent was discovered by 91Mobiles at the U.S. Patent Application Publication. The filing shows that Samsung has an innovative approach to wallpapers that merge aesthetics with functionality. This new wallpaper, powered by AI, is said to adapt its design based on the time of day and the weather conditions. There are even design sketches that illustrate how this idea could work in real life.

    Dynamic Changes Throughout the Day

    The wallpaper appears to automatically alter according to the time of day, transitioning through dawn, morning, afternoon, evening, and night. With the help of weather detection, it could switch between sunny, foggy, cloudy, rainy, or snowy backgrounds, depending on the current weather in the user’s location. It’s likely this feature will be linked with a weather tracking service. Additionally, the patent images suggest that it could send alerts nudging users to take an umbrella if rain is forecasted.

    Generative AI Enhancements

    On the AI side, Samsung plans to use Generative AI to analyze the wallpaper’s background, identifying the time, location, and weather conditions. It could then create updated images that reflect these changes, layered over the original background. This is a rather creative idea that might add a thoughtful touch to wallpapers. However, since it’s still in the patent stage, it’s uncertain whether the company will actually develop this feature.

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  • AI-Powered Modular Motorhomes: LG’s Smart Living on Wheels

    AI-Powered Modular Motorhomes: LG’s Smart Living on Wheels

    LG is set to showcase its concept for an “AI home” integrated into mobility environments at CES 2025, which will be held from January 7 to 10 in Las Vegas. These innovative designs reimagine automobiles as highly advanced mobile living spaces. Central to this concept is the new Mobility Experience (MX) platform, which illustrates how the inside of vehicles could change beyond just being means of transport. With modular layouts and state-of-the-art AI technologies, LG seeks to convert cars into personalized habitats.

    A New Way to Experience Space

    This idea is grounded in the philosophy of “space-as-an-experience,” where the interiors of vehicles can adjust to various requirements through sophisticated technology and customizations. Depending on the individual’s desires, the cabin could function as a media lounge, a workspace, or a place to unwind. The concept is built around several essential attributes:

    Catering to Modern Lifestyles

    The platform mainly targets commuters and digital nomads, intending to erase the distinction between travel and living by transforming vehicles into parts of the smart home ecosystem. Nevertheless, worries about data privacy and power usage have not yet been addressed. Information regarding the market introduction is still pending, but more details might come to light during CES.

    Source: Link

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  • Figure AI’s Humanoid Robot Delivers to First Customer

    Figure AI’s Humanoid Robot Delivers to First Customer

    Figure 02 is the newer model of Figure 01, which was launched in October 2023, and it was first shown to the public in August 2024. This humanoid robot, developed by the Californian start-up Figure AI, is outfitted with six RGB cameras, depth cameras, and infrared sensors, providing it with an impressive full 360-degree view of its surroundings. Its hands have 16 degrees of freedom, allowing it to replicate human-like precision and strength, making it ideal for detailed tasks that require both hands.

    Advanced Features

    Thanks to a partnership with OpenAI, the minds behind ChatGPT, Figure 02 can comprehend voice commands and make its own choices, enabling it to work as a “thinking” companion. During a trial at the BMW factory in Spartanburg, USA, the robot showed off its practical abilities. The accompanying video gives a sneak peek into how well it performed during these tests.

    Exciting Developments

    Brett Adcock, the founder and CEO of Figure AI, announced on LinkedIn that Figure 02 is already “hard at work”, hinting at its initial delivery to a customer. However, specifics about where it will be deployed and its price haven’t been shared yet. This achievement marks a key moment in the journey toward making humanoid robots more commercially available.

    Strong Backing

    Figure AI is supported by major investors such as Microsoft, OpenAI, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos, which has led to a valuation of $2.6 billion, placing it among the best-funded startups in the industry. The first delivery is likely to bring the company nearer to Tesla, whose Optimus robot is still limited to usage within its factories. Notably, Figure AI has transitioned from its establishment in January 2022 to monetizing its product in only 31 months.

    Source: Link

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