Do the Bender! Why car companies are turning (back) to robots to juice sales
Chery's Aimoga division recently revealed the humanesque Mornine robot
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Seven years ago, almost to the month, Honda announced it would scrap its long-running Asimo humanoid robot programme. The dream of the robot butler popularised by comic books in the 1950s looked to have died with it.
Since then, however, the rapid pace of development in electronics, sensors, robotics and artificial intelligence has persuaded car companies including BYD, Tesla, Hyundai, Chery and Xpeng that robots are suitably product-adjacent enough for them to spend big on producing Asimos of their own.
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STV News
37 minutes ago
- STV News
Council to consider using AI to cut costs and improve service
Renfrewshire Council will consider how artificial intelligence (AI) can cut costs and improve service delivery after the 'success' of its digital adviser, Millie. The local authority will embark upon an AI transformation assessment, including commissioning an AI partner, so it can gain a 'clearer understanding' of how the technology can make the organisation more efficient. This process aims to support the development of a business case that will outline 'the scale of opportunity' and priorities for building on Millie, which launched in November and has attracted mixed feedback. The state of play was set out in a report on the council's transformation and change programme, which also confirmed a 'working relationship' with Derby City Council to share best practice with the leadership board on Wednesday. It said: 'Based on Millie's success so far and the learning established from the AI innovation being progressed by Derby City Council (and other authorities across the UK), it is planned to progress an AI transformation assessment across the council over the coming months, which will involve, as a first step, commissioning an AI partner via an appropriate procurement route. 'Through a series of stakeholder engagement, workshops, data analysis, financial validation solution demonstrations and trials, this AI transformation assessment will give the council a clearer understanding of how AI solutions can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and improve service delivery. 'This critical initial assessment stage will support the development of a full business case that is intended to be brought back to a future board for detailed consideration later in the year. 'The business case will provide a clear understanding of the scale of opportunity and the key priorities for building on the success of Millie and progressing the council's sector-leading development of AI capability.' Councillor Graeme Clark, a Labour representative for Paisley Northeast and Ralston, said at the meeting: 'I'm glad that this council has committed to using AI as part of its services, as part of the transformation assessment. 'Do we have an estimate of the savings that AI may bring to the council through that commitment?' Council chief executive Alan Russell responded: 'That business case process will help us understand your question. 'I would be slightly uncomfortable committing to even an indication of that at the moment. 'It's a rapidly developing area, and I think the opportunities will continue to grow. 'The report does note that we are working closely with Derby City Council down south, who are a bit further ahead in the journey than us. 'I think that's very helpful. They've been very accommodating and open to working with us in partnership. 'They're maybe about a year or so ahead of us in that journey, they do have AI transformation as a key part of their transformation programme, which is looking to deliver several million pounds of efficiency savings, and they're well down the road on that. 'But no two organisations are the same, and we need to understand how it will work for Renfrewshire and, in terms of our circumstances, how we deliver services here. 'I've got no doubt it does provide the potential to deliver a step change in how we use that technology and how it supports the workforce to do all of our jobs better and support delivery of better outcomes.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Auto Blog
2 hours ago
- Auto Blog
How China Is Sparking a Battery Crisis
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Sky News
3 hours ago
- Sky News
Starmer's artificial intelligence adviser steps down
Sir Keir Starmer's artificial intelligence adviser is standing aside after six months for family reasons. Matt Clifford continues to have a good relationship with Downing Street, and Sky News understands he would potentially be open to a return to help the government in the future. A government spokesperson told Sky News: "Matt Clifford is stepping down from his role as the prime minister's AI opportunities advisor for personal reasons. "The prime minister has thanked him for his dedicated work to deliver and implement the AI opportunities action plan. We will be building on this work to bolster AI expertise across government and cement the UK's position as a world leader in AI." Mr Clifford told Sky News: "It's been a privilege to spend the last year first writing and then implementing the AI opportunities action plan. "I'm grateful to the prime minister and the government for this opportunity to serve and am hugely optimistic about the UK's potential to be an AI superpower. "For family reasons, I will step back from my role as the prime minister's adviser on AI opportunities at the end of July, but I'm delighted that this important work will continue across government." Mr Clifford was the lead reviewer of the AI opportunities action plan, as well as being a member of the AI Safety Institute advisory board. As part of his backing of AI, Sir Keir accepted all 50 recommendations made by Mr Clifford in the action plan. 8:55 Mr Clifford has worked across Number 10 and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. He was appointed as Sir Keir's AI opportunities adviser in January 2025. His remit included advising on policy to grow the UK AI sector, including supporting uptake. Mr Clifford was also working to help on strategies to attract AI talent and entrepreneurs to the UK. He worked with the previous Conservative government on setting up the AI Safety Institute and setting up the 2023 AI Safety Summit.
