Latest news with #AFPRelaxnews
The Star
an hour ago
- Business
- The Star
Robot dogs will soon be delivering to your door
This robot can deliver up to 30kg of goods to a customer's door. — Rivr Swiss robotics start-up Rivr is launching its first dog-like robots through two experimental programs in the UK and the US, working with local parcel delivery platforms. The aim is to optimize last-mile delivery. These robots are specially designed to navigate a variety of urban environments. For example, they are able to go up and down stairs, as well as over uneven terrain. Unlike other solutions which tend to operate on the sidewalk, these robots can theoretically deliver packages right to the customer's door, working in tandem with a human agent. The first two programs, in Barnsley, England, and Austin, USA, aim to test the integration of this type of robot into delivery operations, in order to meet the growing challenges of e-commerce. The idea is to be able to collect enough data to put a hundred of them into circulation by next year. The robot, named Rivr One, is fully autonomous, with a hybrid architecture combining wheels and legs, enabling it to navigate efficiently in a wide variety of environments – all the way to the customer's door. Equipped with a clever combination of sensors (cameras, LiDAR) and powered by artificial intelligence, it has been trained in a multitude of situations, enabling it to adapt in real time to its environment. Today, it can carry loads of up to 30kg and operate day and night. In addition to parcel delivery, this wheel-legged robot could one day deliver meals, or provide logistical support for companies, facilitating the transport of important documents or equipment. Usually, delivery robots take the more conventional form of small, enclosed rolling carts, dropping off foodstuffs or small goods at customers' doors. In the US alone, robot deliveries have been on the increase for several years now, particularly at American universities. Outside the US, this service is also beginning to develop in Great Britain, Germany, Denmark and Estonia. – AFP Relaxnews
The Star
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
AI is becoming a secret weapon for workers
42% of office workers say they use generative AI tools (like ChatGPT) at work. — AFP Relaxnews Artificial intelligence is gradually becoming part of everyday working life, promising productivity gains and a transformation of working methods. Between enthusiasm and caution, companies are trying to harness this revolutionary technology and integrate it into their processes. But behind the official rhetoric, a very different reality is emerging. Many employees have chosen to take the initiative, adopting these tools discreetly, out of sight of their managers. A recent survey,* conducted by software company Ivanti, reveals the extent of this under-the-radar adoption of AI. One-third of employees surveyed use AI tools without their managers' knowledge. There are several distinct reasons for this covert strategy. For 36% of them, it is primarily a matter of gaining a "secret advantage' over their colleagues. Meanwhile, 30% of respondents fear that revealing their dependence on this technology could cost them their jobs. This fear is understandable, considering that 29% of employees are concerned that AI will diminish the value of their skills in the eyes of their employer. The figures reveal an explosion in clandestine use. Forty-two percent of office workers say they use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT at work (+16 points in one year). Among IT professionals, this proportion reaches an impressive 74% (+8 points). Now, nearly half of office workers use AI tools not provided by their company. Underestimating the risks This covert use exposes organizations to considerable risks. Indeed, unauthorized platforms do not always comply with security standards or corporate data protection requirements. From confidential data to business strategies to intellectual property, anything and everything can potentially be fed into AI tools unchecked. "It is crucial for employers to assume this is happening, regardless of any restrictions, and to assess the use of AI to ensure it complies with their security and governance standards,' emphasizes Brooke Johnson, Chief Legal Counsel at Ivanti. The survey also reveals a troubling paradox. While 52% of office workers believe that working more efficiently simply means doing more work, many prefer to keep their productivity gains to themselves. This mistrust is accompanied by an AI-fueled impostor syndrome, with 27% of users saying they don't want their abilities to be questioned. This situation highlights a huge gap between management and employees. Although 44% of professionals surveyed say their company has invested in AI, they simultaneously complain about a lack of training and skills to use these technologies effectively. This disconnect betrays a poorly orchestrated technological transformation. In the face of this silent revolution, Brooke Johnson advocates a proactive approach: "To mitigate these risks, organizations should implement clear policies and guidelines for the use of AI tools, along with regular training sessions to educate employees on the potential security and ethical implications." This survey suggests that companies should completely rethink their integration of AI, rather than turning a blind eye to this legion of secret users. The stakes go beyond mere operational optimization: the most successful organizations will need to balance technological use with the enhancement of human potential. By encouraging open dialogue, employers can foster transparency and collaboration, ensuring that the benefits of AI are harnessed safely and effectively. Ignoring this silent revolution runs the risk of deepening mutual distrust between management and employees, to everyone's detriment. – AFP Relaxnews *This survey was conducted by Ivanti in February 2025 among more than 6,000 office workers and 1,200 IT and cybersecurity professionals.
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
This new satellite communications service aims to keep airports connected
A network of satellites can ensure reliable connectivity at all times at airports worldwide. — AFP Relaxnews SITA has announced the launch of a new satellite connectivity service capable of keeping airports up and running 24/7, come what may, even in the event of power cuts or natural disasters. The concept behind this new launch is to be able to provide service even in the most critical situations, so that airports can continue to operate in the event of a terrestrial network outage. SITA Managed Satellites is a service capable of providing high-bandwidth secure, low-latency communications connectivity via satellites placed in low-Earth orbit. In a news release, Martin Smillie, SITA's Senior Vice President in charge of communications and data exchange, explains that "airports ... need new ways to ensure that they can maintain critical operations in whatever circumstances they face – even when adverse incidents strike.' By providing high-speed internet connectivity, SITA Managed Satellites enables airports to remain operational. This secure, industry-regulated, aviation-specific satellite service is now available in over 130 countries. This announcement comes just a month after the massive power outage that recently paralysed much of the Iberian Peninsula. In addition to power cuts, this service is also suited to provide secure connections amidst grid outages, natural disasters or simply in underserved areas. – AFP Relaxnews
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Increasingly sophisticated and intelligent, wireless headphones are breaking sales records
Wireless headphones shipments grew 18% to 78 million units in Q1 2025. — AFP Relaxnews The global market for wireless headphones grew significantly in the first quarter of 2025, with 78 million units shipped, up 18% on the same period in 2024, according to Canalys. This growth is mainly driven by growing demand in emerging markets, notably in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. AirPods are still on a roll, and Apple remains the undisputed market leader, with 18.2 million units shipped in the first three months of the year, representing a market share of 23.3%. Xiaomi posted the biggest increase in sales in a single year (+60%). With nine million headphones shipments, the Chinese manufacturer now has an 11.5% market share in the sector. Next in line are Samsung (5.6 million, 7.1% share) and Huawei (4.7 million, 6%). Indian manufacturer boAt (3.9 M, 4.9%) is in fifth place. According to Canalys, the global market for wireless headphones is set to continue its growth throughout 2025, thanks in particular to innovation. The trend is for the development of value-added products, incorporating advanced features such as active noise cancellation, spatial audio, artificial intelligence (AI assistants, real-time translation) or integrated health sensors. In addition, Chinese manufacturers are increasingly exporting their products, which are now very well distributed in Europe, Latin America and Africa, with strategies based on offers combining performance and competitive prices. – AFP Relaxnews
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
How emojis are shaping the future of work communications
For some, emojis are at odds with the serious world of business. — AFP Relaxnews Gone are the days of cold emails and dry, emotionless exchanges. Emojis are now becoming a common feature of professional messaging. Far from being a mere gimmick, these colorful little symbols are redefining the codes of business communications. This shift divides as much as it fascinates, but it could well make our working relationships feel more human. A recent Atlassian-YouGov* survey confirms that nine in ten Gen Z workers are in favour of using emojis at work. Indeed, this generation, which will account for 30% of the workforce by 2030, is shaking up the rules of the game. While their elders cling to their formal work emails, younger workers are all about expressiveness and responsiveness. But this difference of opinion is not without consequences. At a time when the written word is replacing physical meetings in many companies, a misinterpreted message can be costly. Some 40 hours a year are lost by a third of the workforce due to unclear written communications. In this new context, every word counts. Hence the growing interest in these little symbols. A simple "ok' sounds dry, even hostile. Add a thumbs-up or a wink, and the tone changes completely. Emojis become our virtual gestures: they convey emotion, nuance the message, and humanize the exchange. It's hardly surprising that 65% of employees use emojis to convey their emotions, and that 78% prefer to read a message containing emojis. But not everyone is following suit. Fewer than one in two Boomer and Generation X employees approve of this shift in professional communications. For them, these colorful symbols are at odds with the serious world of business. This discrepancy can create tension when a manager perceives an emoji as inappropriate, whereas a younger employee simply wants to add a human touch to their exchange. Misunderstanding sets in, and there's a growing risk of widening the generation gap within teams. The art of emoji use Yet the benefits of this emoji-based communication are measurable, with greater clarity, stronger social bonds and reduced stress. Some companies are even integrating emojis into their team culture. As a result, employees feel more connected, better understood, and less burdened by the unspoken words that plague productivity. But this new form of expression requires finesse. Not all emojis are created equal, and some can be confusing, depending on the context and the user. A study published in 2024 in the journal PLOS One also revealed significant cultural differences in the interpretation of these pictograms, depending on people's nationality. Experts recommend using simple, universal emojis and adapting their use to each situation. As with any language, it's accuracy that makes the difference between a successful message and a misunderstanding. More than just a passing fad, emojis are a performance lever for tomorrow's workplaces – emotional intelligence condensed into a few pixels. Provided, of course, that you use them wisely. – AFP Relationship *The survey, conducted by Atlassian in collaboration with YouGov from August 8 to 24, 2024, questioned 10,000 employees across five international markets (USA, Australia, France, Germany and India) about their communications and productivity at work.
