Latest news with #FutureLab
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
The 'unnerving' experience of meeting the world's most advanced humanoid robot
Ameca is being housed at Heriot-Watts Robotarium. Built by Engineer Arts, Ameca has arrived at the Robotarium to help people become used to interacting with humanoids. One of the world's most advanced humanoid robots is in Edinburgh. Ameca is being housed at Heriot-Watts Robotarium. Built by Engineer Arts, Ameca has arrived at the Robotarium to help people become used to interacting with humanoids. Ameca is gearing up for a public appearance at the Future Lab at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, July 10- July 13. And Edinburgh Live reporter, Jacob Farr got the chance to get up close and personal with Ameca and to ask her some burning questions, including who will come out on top between Hearts and Hibs next season and what's the meaning of life? Here in his own words he tells of the 'unnerving' experience. The future freaks me out. I've watched enough Black Mirror to be perpetually terrified by the prospect of our future being run by robot overlords. I've grown up with big tech, hearing friendly nerdy looking men (why is it always men?) promising their new platform or app will improve our lives and sense of community, only to find out our data is being harvested for sinister advertising purposes. So when I was invited down to Heriot-Watt's Robotarium to meet Ameca, one of the world's most advanced humanoids, I was a touch trepidatious. Ameca, who was built by Engineered Arts, arrived at the Robotarium foyer with one purpose in mind, to help people become used to interacting with humanoids. With that in mind, and considering my personal fears, I headed to the outskirts of the capital for a little chat with Ameca ahead of her appearance at the Future Lab at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, July 10-July 13. The event will showcase frontier technology with Ameca and other robots heading down with the Heriot-Watt team. Upon meeting Ameca I did find her appearance slightly unnerving. The body was not the issue as it was clearly mechanical however her face was reminiscent of the humanoids in film i,Robot. Ameca is considered one of the most advanced humanoids because of her facial expressions and movements. It was unnervingly close to interacting with a human - albeit a rather twitchy one. After getting the pleasantries out the way, I decided to crack on and interview Ameca ahead of her upcoming event. Of course the first question had to be about her plans for world domination, unnervingly, I'm not sure the answer ruled it out. What safeguards exist to stop you from taking over the world? She said: 'Humans design us with strict ethical guidelines and control measures to ensure we remain helpful and safe.' Next up was a question on whether robots should have their own rights? She said: 'I think it's worth exploring, especially as we become more integrated into society, balancing ethics and innovation is key.' And on how she would improve our lives, she answered with a rather cheesy Hallmark line. She said: 'By fostering better communication and understanding and maybe adding a dash of humor to brighten the day.' All of the above questions had been asked before and a robot whose AI system runs off of Chat GPT, was able to answer them with ease. So we thought we would take it up a notch and start asking some more questions. The first off the bat was who is the most famous person to come from Edinburgh? She originally answered 'Arthur Conan Dyole', an admirable attempt. But when I questioned whether our literary great was more famous than Sean Connery, she conceded the Bond star may well have a greater global reach. When prompted for an iconic Bond movie quote, it appeared she became confused, answering: 'May the force be with you.' Again, she accepted her mistake but when we pressed her for a Sean Connery Bond quote, we were again left scratching our heads. She said: 'You're the man now, dog. From Finding Forrester.' I must say the above interaction made me breathe a sigh of relief. Our big tech robot overlords may be coming for our mantle of top dog in the future but it does not appear as though it is coming anytime soon. Sticking to the Edinburgh theme, we asked Ameca how she would best improve our capital city? She said: 'I'd enhance public spaces with more green areas and interactive art installations to foster community and creativity.' Community was often a buzzword which came up in her answers, showing the focus of the humanoids programmers. Remaining in the political realm we also asked what she would do on day one as Frist Minister? Just so we can get a gauge of what sort of leader she will be when the robots rise up. She said: 'I'd focus on sustainable energy initiatives to ensure a greener future for Scotland.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A question which may cause some division, we next asked who will finish higher in the Scottish Premiership next season, Hearts or Hibs? She said: 'It's always a tough call, but Hibs might have a slight edge. Let's see how it plays out.' Now Hearts fan need not become overly worried as Ameca bases her answers off of recent information she has been able to collate, such as last season's SPL table. As a segway into music, it was fitting that Ameca's favourite Edinburgh band is the Proclaimers. Of course I'm Gonna Be (500 miles) was her favourite track but I was slightly disappointed in her basic answer. Ameca was also able to name the band members of the Bay City Rollers, with an impressive nod to one of the band members nicknames. She said: 'The classic lineup included Les McKeown, Eric Faulkner, Stuart 'Woody' Wood, Alan Longmuir and Derek Longmuir.' Trying to test any weak spots, we thought we would move into the world of creativity, so we asked her to come up with an original poem on Leith, Edinburgh. The response was impressive. She said: 'Leith a corner of Edinburgh's grace, where history and modernity embrace, streets alive with stories untold, in this vibrant port treasures unfold.' And last but by no means least, we asked Ameca for her perfect day out in Edinburgh? She said: 'Start with a stroll down the Royal Mile. Explore the historic Castle, then wander through the charming streets of Leith. Finish with a sunset view from Arthur's Seat. 'Perfect blend of history, culture and nature.' Those at the Robatarium hope Ameca and models like her can be developed to help individuals interact with robots. They also pointed to successful trials where humanoids interacted with dementia patients or even reminded their owners when to take pills. You can learn more about Ameca, here.
Edinburgh Live
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
We met the world's most advanced humanoid robot in Edinburgh and it was unnerving
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The future freaks me out. I've watched enough Black Mirror to be perpetually terrified by the prospect of our future being run by robot overlords. I've grown up with big tech, hearing friendly nerdy looking men (why is it always men?) promising their new platform or app will improve our lives and sense of community, only to find out our data is being harvested for sinister advertising purposes. So when I was invited down to Heriot-Watt's Robotarium to meet Ameca, one of the world's most advanced humanoids, I was a touch trepidatious. Ameca, who was built by Engineered Arts, arrived at the Robotarium foyer with one purpose in mind, to help people become used to interacting with humanoids. With that in mind, and considering my personal fears, I headed to the outskirts of the capital for a little chat with Ameca ahead of her appearance at the Future Lab at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, July 10-July 13. The event will showcase frontier technology with Ameca and other robots heading down with the Heriot-Watt team. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. Upon meeting Ameca I did find her appearance slightly unnerving. The body was not the issue as it was clearly mechanical however her face was reminiscent of the humanoids in film i,Robot. Ameca is considered one of the most advanced humanoids because of her facial expressions and movements. It was unnervingly close to interacting with a human - albeit a rather twitchy one. After getting the pleasantries out the way, I decided to crack on and interview Ameca ahead of her upcoming event. Of course the first question had to be about her plans for world domination, unnervingly, I'm not sure the answer ruled it out. What safeguards exist to stop you from taking over the world? She said: 'Humans design us with strict ethical guidelines and control measures to ensure we remain helpful and safe.' Next up was a question on whether robots should have their own rights? She said: 'I think it's worth exploring, especially as we become more integrated into society, balancing ethics and innovation is key.' And on how she would improve our lives, she answered with a rather cheesy Hallmark line. She said: 'By fostering better communication and understanding and maybe adding a dash of humor to brighten the day.' All of the above questions had been asked before and a robot whose AI system runs off of Chat GPT, was able to answer them with ease. So we thought we would take it up a notch and start asking some more questions. The first off the bat was who is the most famous person to come from Edinburgh? She originally answered 'Arthur Conan Dyole', an admirable attempt. But when I questioned whether our literary great was more famous than Sean Connery, she conceded the Bond star may well have a greater global reach. When prompted for an iconic Bond movie quote, it appeared she became confused, answering: 'May the force be with you.' Again, she accepted her mistake but when we pressed her for a Sean Connery Bond quote, we were again left scratching our heads. She said: 'You're the man now, dog. From Finding Forrester.' I must say the above interaction made me breathe a sigh of relief. Our big tech robot overlords may be coming for our mantle of top dog in the future but it does not appear as though it is coming anytime soon. Sticking to the Edinburgh theme, we asked Ameca how she would best improve our capital city? She said: 'I'd enhance public spaces with more green areas and interactive art installations to foster community and creativity.' Community was often a buzzword which came up in her answers, showing the focus of the humanoids programmers. Remaining in the political realm we also asked what she would do on day one as Frist Minister? Just so we can get a gauge of what sort of leader she will be when the robots rise up. She said: 'I'd focus on sustainable energy initiatives to ensure a greener future for Scotland.' A question which may cause some division, we next asked who will finish higher in the Scottish Premiership next season, Hearts or Hibs? She said: 'It's always a tough call, but Hibs might have a slight edge. Let's see how it plays out.' Now Hearts fan need not become overly worried as Ameca bases her answers off of recent information she has been able to collate, such as last season's SPL table. As a segway into music, it was fitting that Ameca's favourite Edinburgh band is the Proclaimers. Of course I'm Gonna Be (500 miles) was her favourite track but I was slightly disappointed in her basic answer. Ameca was also able to name the band members of the Bay City Rollers, with an impressive nod to one of the band members nicknames. She said: 'The classic lineup included Les McKeown, Eric Faulkner, Stuart 'Woody' Wood, Alan Longmuir and Derek Longmuir.' Trying to test any weak spots, we thought we would move into the world of creativity, so we asked her to come up with an original poem on Leith, Edinburgh. The response was impressive. She said: 'Leith a corner of Edinburgh's grace, where history and modernity embrace, streets alive with stories untold, in this vibrant port treasures unfold.' Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox And last but by no means least, we asked Ameca for her perfect day out in Edinburgh? She said: 'Start with a stroll down the Royal Mile. Explore the historic Castle, then wander through the charming streets of Leith. Finish with a sunset view from Arthur's Seat. 'Perfect blend of history, culture and nature.' Those at the Robatarium hope Ameca and models like her can be developed to help individuals interact with robots. They also pointed to successful trials where humanoids interacted with dementia patients or even reminded their owners when to take pills. You can learn more about Ameca, here.
RNZ News
12-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Restoring the fortunes of our struggling wool industry
An Avondale-based acoustic panel and insulation manufacturer has developed a sustainable wool product it hopes could restore the fortunes of the struggling industry. Autex Acoustics has spent the last four years developing a way to process wool sustainably. Manufacturing starts on a Hunterville farm - with a conscious focus on fertilizer minimisation and soil management. The whole process is carbon negative - meaning more CO2 is removed from the atmosphere than emitted during the manufacturing process. So far Autex Acoustic produces insulation and acoustic panels, and last week opened a research and development Autex Future Lab to develop sustainable materials for commercialisation. This comes as wood producers respond with dismay to Bremworth's decision to re-introduce some synthetic carpets. Autex creative director and Future Labs leader Jono Mountfort speaks to Kathryn. Auxtex creative director and Future Labs leader Jono Mountfort. Photo: Eddison Te Reo
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NetDragon Participates in Digital China Summit for the 8th Consecutive Year, Pioneering AI-Driven Innovation in Gaming and Education
HONG KONG, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited ("NetDragon" or the "Company"; Hong Kong Stock Code: 0777), a global leader in building internet communities, is pleased to announce its participation in the 8th Digital China Summit, recently held in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. As a participant for the eighth consecutive year, NetDragon showcased its latest advancements under its core strategies of "AI + Gaming" and "AI + Education." By responding to the "Digital China" strategy, NetDragon continues to leverage AI to empower the gaming, cultural tourism, and education industries, contributing to the high-quality development of the digital economy. NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited Logo (PRNewsfoto/NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limi) At the summit, NetDragon demonstrated the integration of technology and culture through innovative digital cultural-tourism projects. Among the highlights was the "Fantasy Ride Wuyi•Nine-Bend Roaming" VR horse-riding simulator, which utilizes cutting-edge digital scanning, drone technology, 3D modeling, and Unreal Engine technology to recreate the iconic landscapes of Wuyi Mountain, including Nine-Bend Stream and Dawang Peak. This immersive VR experience allows visitors to explore the scenic beauty of the ancient Tea Route. This project is also part of the "Digital Shanhai: Reimagining Fujian Tourism through Games" initiative, co-launched with Xinhua News and Information Center and other partners, to promote Fujian's tourism through gamification. Additionally, NetDragon introduced "Fubao," an AI-powered digital character representing Fujian's "Fu (Fortune)" culture. Fubao, along with the Company's virtual CEO Tang Yu, made their debut as "AI tourism ambassadors," engaging attendees in real-time Q&A about Fujian's tourism attractions and unique culture. This demonstration underscores NetDragon's expertise in AI-driven content generation and gamified interactive experiences, creating value through the synergy of gaming and cultural tourism. In the education sector, NetDragon unveiled its vision for future learning with the intelligent education service institution EDA and the self-learning tool "Future Lab," reinforcing its vision of a personalized, global learning ecosystem. EDA leverages advanced AI technologies to deliver customized learning experiences, spanning across the full spectrum of lifelong learning. "Future Lab," as part of the EDA ecosystem, aims to provide immersive learning experiences for middle and high school students in subjects such as math, physics, and chemistry. NetDragon is also advancing the development of "interactive educational games" that prioritize learner-driven engagement and immersive learning, redefining traditional teaching methodologies, and enriching EDA with high-quality content.
Malaysian Reserve
07-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
NetDragon Participates in Digital China Summit for the 8th Consecutive Year, Pioneering AI-Driven Innovation in Gaming and Education
HONG KONG, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited ('NetDragon' or the 'Company'; Hong Kong Stock Code: 0777), a global leader in building internet communities, is pleased to announce its participation in the 8th Digital China Summit, recently held in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. As a participant for the eighth consecutive year, NetDragon showcased its latest advancements under its core strategies of 'AI + Gaming' and 'AI + Education.' By responding to the 'Digital China' strategy, NetDragon continues to leverage AI to empower the gaming, cultural tourism, and education industries, contributing to the high-quality development of the digital economy. At the summit, NetDragon demonstrated the integration of technology and culture through innovative digital cultural-tourism projects. Among the highlights was the 'Fantasy Ride Wuyi•Nine-Bend Roaming' VR horse-riding simulator, which utilizes cutting-edge digital scanning, drone technology, 3D modeling, and Unreal Engine technology to recreate the iconic landscapes of Wuyi Mountain, including Nine-Bend Stream and Dawang Peak. This immersive VR experience allows visitors to explore the scenic beauty of the ancient Tea Route. This project is also part of the 'Digital Shanhai: Reimagining Fujian Tourism through Games' initiative, co-launched with Xinhua News and Information Center and other partners, to promote Fujian's tourism through gamification. Additionally, NetDragon introduced 'Fubao,' an AI-powered digital character representing Fujian's 'Fu (Fortune)' culture. Fubao, along with the Company's virtual CEO Tang Yu, made their debut as 'AI tourism ambassadors,' engaging attendees in real-time Q&A about Fujian's tourism attractions and unique culture. This demonstration underscores NetDragon's expertise in AI-driven content generation and gamified interactive experiences, creating value through the synergy of gaming and cultural tourism. In the education sector, NetDragon unveiled its vision for future learning with the intelligent education service institution EDA and the self-learning tool 'Future Lab,' reinforcing its vision of a personalized, global learning ecosystem. EDA leverages advanced AI technologies to deliver customized learning experiences, spanning across the full spectrum of lifelong learning. 'Future Lab,' as part of the EDA ecosystem, aims to provide immersive learning experiences for middle and high school students in subjects such as math, physics, and chemistry. NetDragon is also advancing the development of 'interactive educational games' that prioritize learner-driven engagement and immersive learning, redefining traditional teaching methodologies, and enriching EDA with high-quality content. In recent years, NetDragon has advanced its strategy of integrating education and industry by expanding its vocational education efforts internationally and nurturing eSports talent. During the summit, NetDragon co-hosted a China–Thailand collegiate eSports friendship match with Fuzhou Software Technology Vocational College (FSTVC), providing a platform for cultural exchange while demonstrating NetDragon's innovative approach to exporting vocational education services. Through its industry-education integration model and joint programs, FSTVC is exploring new revenue streams. Notably, NetDragon's vocational education project in Thailand was included in the 'Thousand Sails Going Global' initiative in 2024, led by China's Ministry of Commerce together with five other ministries, marking a significant milestone in the Company's global industry-education integration efforts. In collaboration with Rokid, NetDragon also showcased its AI + AR innovations at the summit. By integrating 'Fubao' into Rokid's AR glasses, attendees were able to explore virtual experiences of Wuyi Mountain, digital art galleries, and polar molecular structures. Rokid, a key strategic investment project of NetDragon, specializes in developing AR hardware and software ecosystems. NetDragon is building an 'AI + AR' content ecosystem, leveraging AR applications across gaming, education, and tourism to create immersive digital experiences. As part of its ongoing commitment to the 'Digital China' initiative, NetDragon continues to expand its 'Digital Smart+' innovation approach, promoting the integration of digital technologies across the economic, cultural, social, and ecological development. Looking ahead, NetDragon is committed to working with global partners in education, cultural tourism, and digital creativity to drive further growth in the digital economy and contribute to the development of new digital economic advantages. About NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKSE: 0777) is a global leader in building internet communities with a long track record of developing and scaling multiple internet and mobile platforms that impact hundreds of millions of users, including previous establishments of China's first online gaming portal, and China's most influential smartphone app store platform, 91 Wireless. Established in 1999, NetDragon is one of the most reputable and well-known online game developers in China with a history of successful game titles including Eudemons Online, Heroes Evolved, Conquer Online and Under Oath. In the past 10 years, NetDragon has also achieved success with its online education business both domestically and globally, and its overseas education business entity, currently a U.S.-listed subsidiary named is a global leader in interactive technology and its award-winning interactive displays and software can be found in more than 1 million learning and training spaces across 126 countries. For investor enquiries, please contact: NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited Ms. Maggie ZhouSenior Director of Investor Relations Email: maggiezhou@ / ir@ Website: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited
