Latest news with #Cube
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Incredible ‘blink and you'll miss it' clip shows robot solving Rubik's Cube in 100 MILLISECONDS breaking world record
A TEAM of students and their ultra-speedy robot have broken the world record for the fastest time to solve a Rubik's Cube. The incredible clip shows the pronged robots completing the puzzle in a mind-blowing 103 milliseconds. 2 Undergraduate engineering students from Purdue University in the US, Junpei Ota, Aden Hurd, Matthew Patrohay, and Alex Berta, worked on the project Credit: Purdue University 2 The lightning speeds mean the infamous Rubik's Cube can be solved faster than the blink of an eye Credit: Purdue University Undergraduate engineering students from Purdue University in the US, Junpei Ota, Aden Hurd, Matthew Patrohay, and Alex Berta, worked on the project. Their achievement has been recognised by the Guinness World Records site. The previous record of 305milliseconds was set by a team at Mitsubishi earlier this year. It was less than a decade ago when the record time by a robot dropped below a second for the first time. The lightning speeds mean the infamous Rubik's Cube can be solved faster than the blink of an eye. "We solve in 103 milliseconds," Patrohay said in a statement. "A human blink takes about 200 to 300 milliseconds. So, before you even realize it's moving, we've solved it." Patrohay said he was inspired by the super-fast minds of humans, who completed the 1970s puzzle long before robots did. "I always say that my inspiration was a previous world record holder," added Patrohay. "Back in high school, I saw a video of MIT students solving the cube in 380 milliseconds. "I thought, 'that's a really cool project. I'd love to try and beat it someday'. Now here I am at Purdue – proving we can go even faster." Everyone sees the office- but you need 20-20 vision to spot 5 hidden utensils The team redesigned the cube to make sure it wouldn't break apart when moved at such speed. Purdubik's Cube - the name of the team's robot - used a machine vision system and special algorithms to see where the coloured blocks were and rotate them into the right slot. The robot made its first public appearance at a student design competition in December. But since then, the team behind it have made it faster and faster. Nak-seung Patrick Hyun, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Purdue, mentored the students. "This achievement isn't just about breaking a record, it pushes the boundaries of what synthetic systems can do," said Hyun. The current record held by a human is 3.05 seconds by seven-year-old Xuanyi Geng from China.
!['Exit 8' is an Exceptional Liminal Thriller and the Best Video Game Adaptation Ever Made [Cannes 2025 Review]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fusercontent.one%2Fwp%2Fwww.businessmayor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F05%2F1748091657_039Exit-8039-is-an-Exceptional-Liminal-Thriller-and-the-Best.jpg%3Fmedia%3D1711454622&w=3840&q=100)
!['Exit 8' is an Exceptional Liminal Thriller and the Best Video Game Adaptation Ever Made [Cannes 2025 Review]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic-mobile-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbusinessmayor.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Business Mayor
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Mayor
'Exit 8' is an Exceptional Liminal Thriller and the Best Video Game Adaptation Ever Made [Cannes 2025 Review]
I've long been fascinated by what I call No Exit Horror , a term I've coined for a sub-genre rooted in existential dread, where characters are trapped in singular, oppressive spaces they cannot escape. Think of such liminal space thrillers as Cube , Dead End , Pontypool , or even The Shining . I took the name from French writer/philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, of course, and like his play No Exit , these films trap their characters not just in rooms but in loops of self-denial, regret, or moral indecision. Genki Kawamura's masterful Exit 8 , which just had its eerie and unforgettable premiere in the Cannes Midnight Screenings section, uses this trope so effectively that it might just be the most exceptional video game adaptation ever made. Adapted from a cult Japanese video game, Exit 8 follows 'The Lost Man,' played with raw and adorable restraint by Kazunari Ninomiya ( Letters from Iwo Jima , Gantz ). On a tedious underground commute home from his desk job, he quickly finds himself trapped in an endless underground subway corridor, forced to detect subtle anomalies, glitches in reality, that signal whether it's safe to proceed to the next exit, aka level. He loops back to the beginning if he misses something out of place. It's the perfect metaphor for the paralysis of modern professional life, trapped in the endless maze designed by the evils of capitalism: the hallway, sterile and endless, is less a location than a state of mind. He is, quite literally, going nowhere. And I'm sure most of us can find it relatable on some level . Exit 8 is more than just a stylish horror experiment or the astute staging of a unique and inexpensive IP. It's a tragic and intimate character study following a broken hero's journey where the monster isn't lurking around a corner. The Lost Man is on his way home from a job he clearly loathes. He's exhausted, emotionally disconnected, and stuck in the passive inertia of a life he never truly chose. And then, suddenly, fatherhood looms. Read More BioWare restructures around Mass Effect The great twist of Exit 8 is that its horror and drama are mostly emotional, not supernatural or sci-fi. Kawamura has crafted a film about the terror of becoming a parent before you're ready. About accepting love when you're not sure you're worthy. The anomaly in this man's life isn't a shadowy figure or an off-kilter passageway. Instead, it's the terrifying prospect of loving someone more than yourself. And being loved in return. The hallway becomes purgatory for a man who can't admit he's scared—scared of responsibility, commitment, and growing up. Ninomiya's performance is essential here. It's not flashy, but it's deep. He expertly plays emotional numbness, with shoulders sloped under decades of unspoken guilt and generational/gender expectation. There's a quiet beauty in how little he says and how much he shows. When change finally comes, it's not triumphant. It's terrifying. And it's earned. As The Lost Man repeats the corridor again and again, each loop becomes a step along a fractured, nonlinear path toward emotional accountability. He isn't trying to escape. He's trying to accept. He's trying to become someone capable of being loved, and of loving in return. And that might be the scariest journey a horror movie has ever asked of a man. And he's not alone. The eerie and quick introduction of 'The Walking Man' is frightening, then tragic. A perfect side quest during an already pristine mainline story. The atmosphere in Exit 8 draws on a similar liminal energy felt in brilliant liminal horror projects like P.T. and The Backrooms, but where those stories revel in abstract terror, Kawamura's film weaponises drama and character study with a teaspoon of hope. Ultimately, there isn't a clear resolution. But it does provide reflection. It asks what happens to those of us who live on autopilot. Those who accept careers we hate, relationships we don't nurture, and the futures we never chose. It's about how modern men inherit silence and mistake it for strength. And how love … real, scary, adult love … demands presence and vulnerability. It demands that you exit the loop. With Exit 8 , Genki Kawamura has crafted a haunting cautionary tale for the emotionally paralysed. It's a masterpiece of 'No Exit Horror': intimate, tragic, and impressively human. Forget boss battles, this is a video game adaptation where the final level is fatherhood, and like the process of being born, the only way out is through. Summary Genki Kawamura's masterful 'Exit 8' expertly draws on a liminal horror, character study, and realist drama to craft the best video game adaptation of all time. Tags: Cannes 2025 Exit 8 Featured Post Genki Kawamura Categorized:News Reviews
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
South-east Asia e-commerce sales projected to more than double by 2030: DBS report
South-east Asia e-commerce sales are projected to more than double by 2030, according to a DBS report. PHOTO: ST FILE SINGAPORE – South-east Asia e-commerce sales are projected to more than double by 2030 as large platforms continue to solidify their hold in the region, according to the DBS NextWave South-east Asia report. The report was launched on May 14 in partnership with market data and insights firm Cube. Cube's data predicts that total e-commerce sales will grow from US$184 billion (S$239 billion) in 2024 to US$410 billion by 2030, which reflects a compound annual growth rate of 14 per cent. Physical goods are expected to account for about 90 per cent of the sales, with food delivery making up the rest. 'Over the past decade, hundreds of millions of consumers in South-east Asia went online to purchase products and meals for the first time,' the DBS report noted. 'Looking back, it all happened at just the right time. E-commerce became the biggest beneficiary of existing efforts to build out South-east Asia's nascent digital infrastructure in areas like 4G/5G connectivity, and the fast-growing online shopping market willed new solutions into being in areas like digital payments and logistics,' the report added. Major e-commerce player like Alibaba-owned Lazada reported its first profitable month in July 2024. Singapore-headquartered, US-listed Sea posted its first profitable year in 2023, and also had a strong start to the year, with its e-commerce arm Shopee reporting a 28.3 per cent surge in first-quarter revenue. Forward growth, however, will slow as most targetable consumers are already shopping online , the DBS report noted. But the major players are likely able to benefit from higher commission charges given their dominance. In 2024, Shopee was the first large platform to impose share fee increase of several percentage points, and its peers followed suit. Mr Chua Shih Guan, DBS Bank's head of digital economy group, institutional banking, said: 'As the region's e-commerce sector matures, we are seeing a shift from simply offering promotions and discounts to more innovative and differentiated customer experiences, through investments in areas like AI-driven personalisation, smarter logistics and embedded finance.' Mr Chua Shih Guan, DBS Bank's head of digital economy group, institutional banking, delivering the opening remarks at the launch of the DBS NextWave South-east Asia report on May 14. PHOTO: DBS BANK If faced with low disruption in the next few years, the 'Generation One' winners in the region, including Shopee, Lazada and Grab, will continue to consolidate market share and enjoy high profitability, according to a scenario projection in the DBS report. However, it said this dominance may not be permanent. China's e-commerce landscape suggests that the dominant players can be challenged by newer platforms such as ByteDance and Pinduodo, when the latter were able to gain traction with innovative, immersive and frictionless shopping experiences. Hence, the key is for the Generation One winners to compete on customer experience innovation, and Cube's co-founder Simon Torring said he expects to see a lot of innovation from inside these winners. 'Because they now have profitable core businesses, and with that, they will have the ability to take some concentrated bets [and] try new business models,' he said at the launch of the report. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Business Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
E-commerce sales in South-east Asia to more than double to US$410 billion by 2030: DBS report
[SINGAPORE] E-commerce in South-east Asia has reached profitability in 2024, with regional sales expected to more than double from US$184 billion last year to US$410 billion by 2030 – a 14 per cent compound annual growth rate over the period. This was one of the key findings of the DBS Nextwave Southeast Asia 2025 report that was released on Wednesday (May 14). This report is the first edition in a series exploring Asia's digital economy and was developed in partnership with market data and insights firm Cube. The report noted that e-commerce sales in the region today has increased from US$4 billion to more than US$180 billion between 2012 and 2024, as more consumers embrace e-commerce as their preferred mode to purchase goods. It added that the likes of Shopee, Lazada and Grab were among the key winners of this growth as they achieved profitability, as increased consolidation among the top platforms in recent years have seen them gain market share from the smaller competitors. These larger platforms currently command more than 70 per cent of total online sales in South-east Asia, with many smaller firms shutting down due to competition and market dominance. The report said the factors contributing to the e-commerce giants' profitability include greater consolidation, commission fee increases and a greater prioritisation of core business offerings. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up 'Several also invested in vertical 'e-commerce-adjacent' business models – such as warehousing and last-mile delivery – to drive operational efficiency and improve customer service,' the report said. 'There is now a class of profitable and entrenched winners who guarantee greater stability while simultaneously making it harder for new entrants to compete.' Over in China, major players such as Alibaba experienced declining market shares from 2015 to 2024 due to stiff competition from newer entrants such as ByteDance and Pinduoduo. And in the US, which is seen as a more mature e-commerce market, top platforms such as Amazon and MercadoLibre largely maintained their market shares, while smaller entrants provide specialised e-commerce experiences to cater to a more diverse set of preferences from consumers. According to the DBS report, the US is where advanced digital infrastructure and consumer preferences have shaped a more diverse online landscape. 'Convenience-focused platforms Amazon and Walmart share the market with a long tail of omni-channel players and specialised e-tailers. The US market offers a clue that South-east Asia's consumers may seek a more diverse set of e-commerce experiences over time,' the report said. What future entrants should be aware of Investors prefer more sustainable business models and realistic projects to provide their funding to. This is even as they conduct more rigorous due diligence, suggesting a greater difficulty in attracting funding for new entrants. The report said that investors prefer companies with proven business models, such as personalised shopping experiences, to grow customer loyalty, which shows future growth potential in their market shares. Chua Shih Guan, head of Digital Economy Group, Institutional Banking at DBS, said: 'As the region's e-commerce sector matures, we are seeing a shift from simply offering promotions and discounts to more innovative and differentiated customer experiences.' 'We believe these platforms will grow profitably and play a crucial role as conduits for the next wave of South-east Asian innovation,' says DBS' Chua Shih Guan. PHOTO: DBS Entrants should also focus sustainable growth such as seeking balanced capital structures with a focus on credit-backed growth to lower the cost of capital. For example, utilising credit reduces costs compared to equity due to more tax-deductibles and the use of credit not diluting existing shareholders' equity. Other tools that can be capitalised are new lines of financing such as term loans to finance specific projects and revolving credit which provides companies to a line of credit that can be drawn as needed. 'We believe these platforms will grow profitably and play a crucial role as conduits for the next wave of South-east Asian innovation. This evolution may also require founders to pair fundraising with credit solutions earlier on in their journey,' said Chua.
Chicago Tribune
12-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
The best luggage tags to spot your bag fast
Luggage tags can mean the difference between a suitcase that's lost permanently and one that's quickly found. Now, with the advent of smart luggage tags, there is a whole new range of options to consider when putting your information on your suitcase before you travel. Find the right mix of 'sturdy' and 'easily spotted' with this range of recommendations. If you're looking for an inexpensive yet long-lasting luggage tag, the ProudGuy TuffTaag is the top choice. A luggage tag's number one job is to be seen, both by you when you're looking to differentiate your bag from others on the airport carousel, and by airport workers when they have to find your lost luggage. But to be visible, it's got to stay on. That's why it's important to balance looks and sturdiness. With the emergence of 'smart' luggage tags, you can also try to cut down on the incidence of misplaced luggage by putting a tracker on your bag. There are various things to consider with smart luggage tags, including whether your preferred airlines allow them to be placed on the luggage. Smart or not? If your airline allows for smart luggage tags, you'll want to consider adding one to each of your bags. Bluetooth-enabled smart luggage tags, such as the Tile Mate, allow you to track your bags while you're within Bluetooth range. When you're out of range, the Tile Mate notifies you of your bag's most recent location. If you're looking for a broader range, a GPS-enabled luggage tag, like the Cube GPS tracker, will allow you to find your bag anywhere in the country. You'll have to pay a monthly fee to access the service. Choosing the right material It's tempting to purchase a luggage tag that's attractive and matches your bag's color. And while aesthetics are important, perhaps more important is the durability of the luggage tag you choose. It pays to spend a little more and get a luggage tag that won't easily come off if it gets snagged. Luggage tags can be subjected to a lot of wear and tear, so it's important to opt for strength. The ProudGuy TuffTaag has the added benefit of coming in a range of colors, one of which is sure to match your style. Eye-catching but discreet When choosing a luggage tag and what you put on it, be sure not to include information that's too personal. If you're traveling abroad, avoid tags with country flags so as not to inadvertently make yourself a potential target. Include enough information like your email and cellphone number, so that someone can reach out to you about your bag, but avoid potentially sensitive information such as your address. If you must include an address on it, consider listing a business address instead. The luggage tag can be as basic as a business card slipped into a plastic case, or as fancy as a GPS-enabled gadget. For an item that we sometimes get as a freebie, you may be tempted not to spend too much time choosing one. But luggage tags are the type of item that don't matter very much until the moment your bag is lost. It pays to take a bit of time to choose one that is durable and will do the job well. Leather or faux leather With durability and sturdiness being key to surviving long trips, rough handling by baggage carriers and the wear and tear of airport carousels, it's no wonder leather luggage tags are some of the most popular ones on the market. Reflective surface Another thing that makes a luggage tag easy to spot is a reflective surface, which is excellent when you want to identify your bag in lower-light conditions or after a long trip. Trackability In addition to identifying your bag with a written tag, a smart luggage tag can aid you in locating your bag when the carousel is crowded or in the unfortunate event your bag is misplaced. Luggage tags can range from $1 a tag to upward of $30 per smart tag. If I buy a smart luggage tag, do I still need one with my name and phone number on it? A. Yes. A smart tag helps you locate your bag in case it's lost, usually through the use of an app. However, ready access to your phone number and email address on a conventional luggage tag makes it easier for baggage claim to contact you. Do I need tags on every bag I'm traveling with? A. Yes! Bags get separated and misplaced for any number of reasons, and it's helpful to have a tag on every piece of luggage you're taking on your trip. Top luggage tag ProudGuy TuffTaag What you need to know: Available in a full range of colors, this sturdy metal tag takes anything your trip throws at your luggage. What you'll love: Sturdy and nearly indestructible, this tag will be your go-to for years. It comes in a color sure to match your style, and is just the right size to slip a business card into. What you should consider: The one weak spot on the tag is the plastic casing that covers the business card or paper with your information. It's not weak, but it's not metal. Top luggage tag for the money TravelMore Silicone Flexible Luggage Tag – 14-pack What you need to know: If you're looking to outfit a big group of bags with sturdy, easy-to-spot luggage tags, you can't go wrong with this bright-colored pack of 14 tags. What you'll love: At just over a dollar each, you can't beat the price. What you should consider: While these are sturdy, they don't have the toughness of other options. Worth checking out Cube Luggage Tracker What you need to know: For added peace of mind, a Bluetooth-enabled luggage tag helps you track a lost bag right from your phone. What you'll love: The easy-to-use app lets you see your bag's location in real-time. You'll never lose a bag again with a Cube smart luggage tag attached to it. What you should consider: Not all airlines allow these types of tags. And if a bag is somewhere you can't go get it (like lost inside the baggage handling area), knowing its location isn't the same as getting it back! BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
