Latest news with #Engineering
Fast Company
8 hours ago
- Business
- Fast Company
How to launch a great product: advice from a Google exec
A few years ago, our team was preparing to launch a major update when we hit an unexpected snag. The accessibility team flagged that our new voice search feature—while technically impressive—was failing users with speech impairments. Marketing was eager to highlight the cutting-edge AI capabilities. Engineering was proud of the breakthrough. But for a significant portion of our community, this 'innovation' was actually a step backward. This moment crystallized something I'd been thinking about for years: product development never happens in a vacuum. Every decision we make sits at the intersection of three powerful forces I call the three P's: People (the communities we serve), Politics (the internal dynamics and external pressures that shape our work), and Product (the manifestation of our choices, trade-offs, and values). Great product leadership isn't about avoiding these tensions—it's about navigating them without losing sight of our purpose or compromising our values. The companies that do this well don't just build better products; they build products that genuinely improve lives and change society. P1: People—The Customer at the Center When we talk about 'users,' we often default to thinking about individual consumers. But every product decision ripples outward, affecting not just individual users but entire communities, families, and society at large. Take something as seemingly simple as a default setting. When we design the TV home screen, we're not just organizing apps—we're shaping how families spend their evening hours together. Do we prioritize the latest blockbuster movies, or do we surface educational content? Do we make it easy to discover local news, or do we default to global content? These choices affect real conversations happening in real living rooms. The rise of inclusive design has taught us that accessibility isn't just a moral imperative—it's a business one. When we design voice controls with speech impairments in mind, we didn't just serve users with disabilities; we created features that helped anyone using the TV in a noisy environment or trying to search quietly while others were sleeping. Designing for the margins often leads to innovations that benefit everyone. But where it gets tricky is balancing individual desires with collective needs. Our data might show that users spend more time on certain types of content, but does that mean we should optimize for maximum engagement, or should we consider the broader implications of what we're promoting and how do we balance these? The biggest risk I see among product teams is designing for internal stakeholders instead of external users. It's easy to fall into the trap of building what impresses investors, what satisfies regulatory requirements, or what looks good in quarterly reviews. But products built for boardrooms rarely succeed in living rooms. P2: Politics—The Power Structures Around the Work Let's be honest about something most product leaders don't like to discuss: every product decision is political, in the sense that it involves navigating competing interests, conflicting priorities, and power structures both inside and outside our organizations. Internally, we're constantly balancing conflicting roadmaps. The business development team wants partnerships that drive revenue. The engineering team wants to optimize for performance. The design team advocates for user experience. Legal wants to minimize risk. Each perspective is valid, but they often point in different directions. I learned this lesson early in my career when we were deciding whether to optimize for channel placement. The partnership team saw revenue opportunities. The user experience team worried about bloatware. The content team wanted to ensure quality standards. The regulatory team flagged antitrust concerns. No single stakeholder was wrong, but finding a path forward required understanding how all these perspectives intersected. External politics add another layer of complexity. We operate in an environment of increasing regulatory scrutiny, shifting cultural expectations, and evolving privacy norms. What was acceptable product behavior five years ago may be considered invasive today. What satisfies regulators in one market may be irrelevant or counterproductive in another. The challenge isn't to eliminate these political pressures—that's impossible. The challenge is to navigate them with transparency and integrity while staying true to our core mission. This means having difficult conversations about trade-offs, being clear about our decision-making criteria, and sometimes accepting that we can't make everyone happy. P3: Product—The Expression of Everything Here's the reality that many product leaders struggle to accept: your product is never neutral. Every feature you build, every default you set, every interaction you design is an expression of your values and priorities. The product is where the rubber meets the road—where all the considerations about people and politics get translated into actual user experiences. Consider the fundamental tensions that every product grapples with: privacy versus personalization, freedom of expression versus content moderation, centralized control versus decentralized empowerment. There's no 'right' answer to these trade-offs, but there are thoughtful approaches and thoughtless ones. When we were designing product recommendation engines, we had to wrestle with this directly. More personalization meant better recommendations but also meant collecting more data about viewing habits. How much personalization was worth how much privacy? The answer wasn't in our analytics—it was in our values and our understanding of what our users genuinely needed from the product. The most important product decisions are often invisible to users. What you choose to default to, what you decide to hide, what you make easy versus what you make difficult—these are ethical and strategic choices that shape behavior in profound ways. Every 'minor' UX decision is actually a statement about what you think is important. This is especially true as we integrate AI into our products. The algorithms we build don't just process data—they shape attention, influence decisions, and ultimately affect how people spend their time and mental energy. With that power comes responsibility. The Two Questions That Cut Through Complexity After years of navigating these tensions, I've come to rely on two core questions that can cut through almost any complexity: 'What do our customers really want?' 'What's the best strategy for meeting our goals in a way that is in line with our values?' These might sound simple, but they're deceptively powerful. The magic happens when you ask both questions together. The first question forces us to look beyond surface-level data and really understand the deeper needs and contexts of the people we serve. The second question ensures that we're not just chasing metrics or market opportunities, but building something we can be proud of. The 3Ps—people, politics, and product—will always be in motion, and they'll often be in tension with each other. But the tension is where the interesting work happens. It's where we're forced to think more deeply, design more thoughtfully, and lead more intentionally. True product leadership means being willing to have difficult conversations, to push back on stakeholders when necessary, and to make decisions that serve long-term value over short-term convenience. The companies that navigate the 3Ps well don't just build successful products—they build products that make the world a little bit better. The choices we make in conference rooms and code reviews ultimately play out in living rooms and communities around the world. In a time when technology's impact on society is under increasing scrutiny, that's not just good business. It's essential leadership.
Gulf Insider
2 days ago
- Science
- Gulf Insider
China Warns of Rogue Robot Troops Unleashing
Concerns are mounting in China as the Communist superpower advances humanoid robot development to replace human soldiers on the battlefield, prompting calls for 'ethical and legal research' into this Terminator-like technology to 'avoid moral pitfalls.' An op-ed published by Yuan Yi, Ma Ye and Yue Shiguang in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily warned that faulty robots could lead to 'indiscriminate killings and accidental death,' which would 'inevitably result in legal charges and moral condemnation.' The South China Morning Post reports: The authors cited American science fiction writer Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, a set of principles that have influenced discussions about the ethics of real-world applications in the field. The authors said that militarised humanoid robots 'clearly violate' the first of Asimov's laws, which states that a robot 'may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm'. They added that Asimov's laws needed to be overhauled in the light of these developments. They also highlighted legal implications, saying that humanoid robots in military scenarios should comply with the main principles of the laws of war by 'obeying humans', 'respecting humans' and 'protecting humans'. The authors emphasized that robots must be designed with constraints to 'suspend and limit excessive use of force in a timely manner and not indiscriminately kill people.' Additionally, the trio cautioned against hastily replacing humans with robots, noting that robots still lack essential capabilities such as speed, dexterity, and the ability to navigate complex terrains. 'Even if humanoid robots become mature and widely used in the future, they will not completely replace other unmanned systems,' the article said. Concurrently, the U.S. Army is intensifying efforts to integrate robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems, aiming to enhance human-machine collaboration between soldiers and advanced robots on the battlefield, according to Interesting Engineering. Scientists at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL) are pioneering advancements in ground and aerial autonomous systems, as well as energy solutions, to bolster the mobility and maneuverability of these technologies, the technology website reports. 'We are bridging the gap between humans and robots, making them more intuitive, responsive, and, ultimately, more useful for the Soldier,' said a lead researcher for the Artificial Intelligence for Maneuver and Mobility program. 'ARL researchers have demonstrated an interactive bi-directional communication system that enables real-time exchanges between humans and robots.' And of course (CGI): Also read: China And India Drive Global Demand For Air Conditioning
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Bihar DCECE Polytechnic PE 1st round final seat allotment result 2025 released at bceceboard.bihar.gov.in; download here
Bihar DCECE Polytechnic PE 1st round final seat allotment result 2025 released Bihar DCECE 2025: The Bihar Joint Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) has released the final seat allotment result for the Diploma-Certificate Entrance Competitive Examination (DCECE) Polytechnic Engineering (PE) 1st round for the year 2025. Candidates who appeared for the DCECE PE examination can now check their allotment status on the official BCECEB website. This release follows a rescheduling of counselling and admission dates due to technical reasons. The rescheduled dates for the final seat allotment and related admission processes were issued in continuation of earlier advertisements by BCECEB. Candidates are advised to complete the document verification and admission procedures within the revised timeline to confirm their allotted seats in the Polytechnic Engineering courses offered by government and private sector institutions in Bihar. Revised schedule for counselling and admission The 1st round final seat allotment result was originally scheduled to be published on July 11, 2025, but was rescheduled to July 13, 2025. Similarly, the downloading of the allotment order and the document verification and admission process were shifted accordingly. Candidates must now download their allotment order between July 13 and July 17, 2025. The document verification and admission window extends from July 14 to July 17, 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The counselling programme for the 2nd round seat allotment and other related activities will continue as per the previously announced schedule. All candidates, parents, and concerned institutions involved in the counselling process are urged to adhere strictly to these revised dates to avoid any inconvenience. How to download Bihar DCECE Polytechnic PE 1st round seat allotment result 2025 PDF Candidates can easily access their seat allotment result PDF by following these steps: Step 1: Visit the official Bihar BCECEB website at Step 2: Look for the notification or link titled 'DCECE Polytechnic PE 1st round final seat allotment result 2025.' Step 3: Click on the link to open the allotment result portal. Step 4: Enter the required credentials such as application number and date of birth as prompted. Step 5: Download the allotment order PDF and save a copy for future reference and admission purposes. The allotment order must be printed and presented during the document verification and admission process at the respective institution. Candidates should ensure that all personal details and seat allotment information on the PDF are accurate. Direct link to download Bihar DCECE Polytechnic PE 1st round seat allotment result 2025 PDF Important contact information and guidelines For any assistance, candidates can contact the BCECEB helpdesk via the official email address The BCECEB office is located at IAS Sangh Bhawan, Near Patna Airport, Patna-14. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website for updates and further instructions related to counselling and admissions. The terms and conditions mentioned in Advertisement No. BCECEB (DCECE)-2025/06 dated June 23, 2025, remain unchanged despite the rescheduling. All candidates are expected to comply with the guidelines issued by the Bihar Joint Entrance Competitive Examination Board throughout the admission process. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Mara allocates RM1.15mil for MRSM Kubang Pasu upgrades
ALOR SETAR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) has approved an allocation of RM1.15 million to fully repair the Kubang Pasu Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) in Jitra this year. Its chairman, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, said RM800,000 was allocated for upgrading equipment for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) learning. He added that repairs would include upgrading furniture in the academic block, waterproofing, courtyards, walkways, recreational areas and sports courts. "RM180,000 is allocated for the maintenance of dormitories and student facilities, including ceilings, toilets, closets, water tanks, the food court and pest control, as well as a UPS Server system costing RM50,000. "Also, RM70,000 is allocated for electrical maintenance and basic amenities, and RM50,000 for the maintenance of teachers' quarters," he posted on Facebook today. He said he had visited Kubang Pasu MRSM today and would ensure immediate action was taken after receiving many social media comments from parents urging him to visit the junior college, as well as feedback on the lack of electricity supply and damaged facilities in the dormitories. He said that the junior college management should expedite the repairs for the comfort of students and teachers, adding that Mara's senior management would continue to monitor to ensure all approved projects would truly benefit the Kubang Pasu MRSM's students and staff.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Researchers explore next-gen twin batteries that could solve concerning problem with EVs: 'A promising approach'
Electric vehicles are transforming transportation for the better, but producing their batteries comes with high costs — a trade-off that researchers at engineering firm IAV may have found a solution for. IAV, a firm focused on the future of mobility, has developed a twin-battery design that pairs two different but complementary chemistries to reduce the cost and environmental impact of manufacturing EV batteries, reported. Instead of relying on lithium-ion cells, the design combines sodium-ion (SIB) and lithium iron phosphate solid-state (LFP-SSB) batteries. SIBs are low-cost and easier to recycle, while LFP-SSBs offer long cycle life and strong energy density. The system reuses waste heat from one battery to optimize the performance of the other. Combining the two types creates an energy-saving system that could boost range and efficiency without the high costs of cooling, heating, or mining for lithium-ion batteries, according to IAV also designed and developed the new battery with minimal waste. Using COMSOL Multiphysics, IAV engineers were able to tweak parameters and simulate the batteries' real-world thermal, chemical, and mechanical behavior. This validated the effectiveness and efficiency of the battery system without the need for multiple prototypes, per which sped up development while slashing costs and resource waste. Jakob Hilgert, a technical consultant at IAV, considers the use of diverse cell chemistries "a promising approach to respond to market fluctuations and at the same time minimize system costs," per IAV is also exploring other innovations, like the use of bipolar technology to maximize volume utilization of lithium-ion batteries. There are also other companies pursuing similar breakthroughs. For instance, Watt Electric Vehicle Company is developing a solar-powered closed-loop production system. Other automakers are also investing in research and development for better EV chargers and infrastructure. If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Energy solutions like these can make EVs more affordable. They could help drive EV adoption, going far beyond the 17.3 million electric cars produced in 2024 alone. For drivers looking to save even more, pairing an EV with home solar can drastically reduce charging costs. Platforms like EnergySage make it easy to compare quotes from vetted vendors, and can help you save up to $10,000 while minimizing environmental impact. While there's no firm rollout date yet, IAV's approach could contribute to a smarter, cleaner, and more accessible EV future. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
