Pony AI says it has permit for driverless robotaxi services in Shanghai area
Pony AI will launch fully driverless ride-hailing services in the city, starting in the core business district of Jinqiao and Huamu before expanding to other regions, the company said in a statement.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
22 minutes ago
- Reuters
UK's Cranswick's revenue rises on healthy demand for premium meat
July 28 (Reuters) - British meat producer Cranswick (CWK.L), opens new tab reported 7.9% growth in first-quarter like-for-like revenue on Monday, supported by resilient consumer demand for premium ranges as well as new business wins. The company, which supplies fresh pork, sausages, and bacon to supermarkets across Britain and exports to China, said premium meats continued to outperform as consumer appetite for natural protein, that derived from unprocessed sources like meat, is increasing. Cranswick has been expanding its operations across the pig production chain with recent acquisitions including sausage manufacturer Blakemans and UK pig genetics firm JSR Genetics . The company reported a 9.7% growth in reported revenue, partly helped by Blakemans' integration. The East Yorkshire based company has been ramping up capital spending to boost capacity, across its sites and said it has committed an additional 14 million pounds ($18.78 million) to expand output and product range at its Lincoln pet food facility. For the full year ending March 28, Cranswick expects to report adjusted pre-tax profit in line with market expectations of between 206.5 million pounds and 213.6 million pounds, according to a company compiled poll. ($1 = 0.7457 pounds)
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
The robot dog poised to replace your pet
He doesn't bark, require feeding or walking, and he certainly doesn't leave behind any unwelcome surprises on the pavement. Sirius, the world's first trainable AI robotic dog is on the cusp of radically transforming the pet industry. Designed by Hengbot, a Chinese start-up, Sirius has been hailed by technologists as bringing advanced robotics to the masses, and is due for roll-out in October. Although there are already robot dogs on the market, Sirius recognises its owner and learns new tricks, evolving over time to sync gestures with voice commands, similar to how a real dog is trained. Peiheng Song, the chief executive at Hengbot, said: 'With Sirius, we didn't just build a robot, we created the first of a new kind of robotic species. 'Sirius marks the start of a growing universe of intelligent, customisable robots designed to bring your imagination to life.' Several of Hengbot's developers already live with Sirius. They told The Telegraph that it had been a more 'heartwarming' experience than they expected, especially for young designers and engineers who are often living alone for the first time. One developer said: 'It feels like something between a smart assistant and curious little pet. 'While it doesn't need feeding or walking, it often surprises you with small, spontaneous gestures: a sneeze, a stretch, a playful bark or a gentle head tilt when you get close. 'After a long day, it simply stays nearby – whether you're watching a show, playing games, or just winding down. It adds a soft, almost therapeutic presence that helps ease loneliness and brings warmth to everyday life.' One developer described it as 'a little being that keeps you company without asking for anything in return'. 'Therapeutic presence' Hengbot said that they believe robot pets will eventually become normal, not to replace real animals, but as a new form of companionship that could be particularly useful for people with allergies, demanding schedules or limited space. A company spokesman: 'We believe companions like Sirius will feel increasingly natural, and even expected, in people's lives. 'It offers similar companionship and emotional joy, but with far less upkeep – no feeding, no vet visits, no shedding – while still responding to you, showing emotion and surprising you with little gestures. 'Sirius is a low-maintenance companion that fits perfectly into today's fast-paced lifestyle.' Users can even pick Sirius's personality, uploading voice packs and swapping character behaviours and moods so that it can behave like a husky, corgi or border collie. They can even change its outer appearance with 3D printable upgrades. It can be programmed to bark and move excitedly like a playful puppy, or amble slowly and calmly around the room like a relaxed dog at home. Owners can even upload their own dog's bark and replicate its signature gestures. The lifelike movement comes from special joints that mimic how real animal limbs operate, coupled with advanced AI and a motion feedback system, allowing it to respond like a real dog, including jumping and stretching. As owners spend more time with it, Sirius begins to learn from the interactions, gradually understanding preferences and habits, and adjusting its behaviour accordingly. It has both short-term and long-term memory, meaning it can remember recent events while also building a deeper understanding of its owner. Developers have been surprised just how lifelike the little robot is, finding that if they playfully scold it, it barks back like a real dog. 'This level of adaptability and lifelike expression goes far beyond what we initially expected,' said the company. So far, nearly 700 people have pre-ordered the robot, which is currently funding on Kickstarter for around £500.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Several US executives to visit China this week: sources
BEIJING, July 28 (Reuters) - A high-level delegation of American executives will travel to China this week to meet senior Chinese officials in a trip organised by the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC), two sources with knowledge of the visit told Reuters on Monday. The visit coincides with the latest round of U.S.‑China trade negotiations in Sweden, where China's Vice Premier He Lifeng is meeting U.S. officials from July 27 to July 30 for a new round of economic and trade talks. The delegation will be led by FedEx (FDX.N), opens new tab Chief Executive Rajesh Subramaniam, the council's board chair, one of the sources briefed on the trip said. The South China Morning Post first reported the visit on Sunday, saying that executives from firms including Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab would be part of the delegation. Reuters could not confirm other CEO members of the delegation or which Chinese officials they would meet. Boeing declined to comment on the trip and deferred to USCBC. The U.S. government was not involved in the organisation of the visit, one of the sources said. The trip comes as Beijing and Washington work towards a summit between the two countries' leaders later this year, probably around the time of the APEC forum in South Korea October 26 - November 1, sources previously told Reuters. USCBC did not respond immediately to a request for comment. The business lobby previously organised similar visits to China by American CEO delegations in 2023 and 2024. The 2024 trip, also led by Subramaniam, included meetings with He and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where executives discussed issues including market access. China faces an August 12 deadline to reach a durable deal with the White House or risk higher U.S. tariffs. U.S. officials are likely to extend the deadline by another 90 days as both sides work towards a more comprehensive deal, sources previously told Reuters. An extension of that length would prevent further escalation and help create conditions for the potential meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
