Latest news with #GoodwoodFestivalofSpeed
Daily Record
3 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.
Miami Herald
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Get a Glimpse of the Ultra-Rare De Tomaso P72 Hypercar
Concept cars are easy. Without pesky things like safety standards or emissions to worry about, OEMs can get the public's eyeballs on some truly shapely sheet metal. Often, those aforementioned restrictions - or, worse, production costs - significantly tone down the car when it's time to bring it to market. In a delightful change of pace, De Tomaso pulled the sheet off its anticipated P72 to reveal a road-going version that largely mirrors the voluptuous vehicle we first viewed in 2019. De Tomaso, a manufacturer you likely know from the V8-powered and exotically styled Pantera, debuted the P72 as it celebrated its 60th anniversary at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2019. It took five years to develop, and finally, after six additional years, De Tomaso has given us a look at what the final production car will look like. Unlike many concept cars, the De Tomaso P72 retains much of what made it so initially eye-catching, including an extremely low-slung body, swan-necked mirrors, and an impossibly short front overhang. A full carbon fiber body hides a carbon fiber chassis, keeping weight down and rigidity high. That likely means the De Tomaso P72's charms are more than skin deep. The looks alone promise a good time, but even just a glance at the spec sheet might have you sweating. A hand-assembled 5.0-liter V8 (Ford-derived, just like the Pantera) sits behind the driver. With help from a supercharger, the mill produces 700 horsepower and 604 pound-feet of torque. De Tomaso says the engine sports forged internals and unique headers, ensuring it has a unique character despite its apparently pedestrian origins. A short-ratio six-speed manual transaxle is the only gearbox offered, and the P72 is rear-wheel drive. A push-rod suspension system with manually-adjustable dampers completes what De Tomaso promises to be a "raw and expressive" driving experience. The Pantera's successor leans heavily into the relationship between driver and machine. Need proof? Check out the car's cockpit, which offers Pagani and Spyker levels of mechanical switch gear satisfaction. An exposed gear selector linkage, analog gauges with beautifully crafted milled aluminum bezels, and hand-stitched leather adorning the seats, steering wheel, and dashboard are just a few of the touches that set the P72 apart. As the manufacturer puts it, "free from screens, no infotainment, no overlays, no distractions." We love it, and we're willing to bet the 72 lucky owners that get to take home this homage to mechanical magnificence will, too. We're not sure how many of the 72 examples of the De Tomaso P72 are spoken for, but the automaker claims each one will be extensively customized, tailored exactly to its owner's specifications. Back in 2019, De Tomaso claimed each one would cost "around €750,000," roughly $840,000 USD. We'll have to start saving our pennies. In the meantime, we'll play around with the De Tomaso configurator. You know…just so we're ready to order. De Tomaso says deliveries will begin later this year. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
De Tomaso launches €1.6m P72 Luxury Hypercar as ESGL Business Combination Nears Completion
Production debut of the De Tomaso P72 underscores brand strength and commercial readiness as ESGL business combination advances SINGAPORE, May 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ESGL Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: ESGL), a leader in sustainable circular solutions, announces a major milestone in its strategic merger with De Tomaso Automobili: the official unveiling of the production specification P72. This event reinforces the strong operational and brand foundation of the combined company, as the proposed business combination approaches its targeted closing in June 2025. The P72, originally revealed as a concept at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed, now enters its production form. Developed on a clean-sheet carbon fibre chassis and powered by a bespoke 5.0L supercharged V8 engine, the P72 represents a return to timeless, mechanical design and driver-focused engineering. 'The P72 is our promise made real,' added Norman Choi, CEO of De Tomaso Automobili. 'It reflects our pursuit of mechanical purity, design heritage, and craftsmanship that transcends trends. As we take this next step with ESGL, we remain committed to creating vehicles that stir the soul and celebrate the analogue driving experience.' This unveiling marks the readiness of De Tomaso to commence customer deliveries in late 2025 and reaffirms the shared vision between the two companies. The production vehicle revealed today is an internal unit, separate from the 72 custodian allocations, and showcases the final engineering, design, and build quality De Tomaso will deliver at scale. 'The launch of the production P72 signals to investors that De Tomaso is ready to scale. This is more than a car—it is a commercial catalyst,' said Lawrence Law, Executive Director of ESGL Holdings. 'As we near completion of our merger, this milestone underlines the strategic value we can create together.' The proposed business combination between ESGL and De Tomaso is expected to close in June 2025, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. Media Coverage and Exclusive Viewing The production-spec De Tomaso P72 is now available for invite-only viewings at Miller Motorcars in Greenwich, Connecticut, with limited public displays to follow. This exclusive showcase offers a rare opportunity to experience the vehicle's breathtaking design and mechanical purity up launch has already ignited global media attention. Top Gear featured the P72 in a headline piece, calling it 'a dreamy hypercar with mechanical soul and timeless design.' You can read the article at: More information about the launch and the P72 can be found About ESGL Holdings Limited ESGL Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: ESGL) is a Singapore-based leader in sustainable circular solutions for the chemicals, electronics, and manufacturing sectors. Through its proprietary technology and ESG-first strategy, ESGL transforms waste into high-value circular products, enabling a low-carbon and resource-efficient future. About De Tomaso Automobili Founded in 1959 in Modena, Italy, De Tomaso is a storied automotive brand blending Italian design with motorsport heritage. Revived in 2014 under the leadership of Norman Choi, the company is committed to building emotionally resonant, mechanically pure vehicles for a new generation of enthusiasts. Investor & Media Contacts:ESGL Holdings LimitedInvestor Relations: ir@ De Tomaso AutomobiliMedia Inquiries: media@ @detomaso_official Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may be considered to contain certain 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: 'target,' 'believe,' 'expect,' 'will,' 'shall,' 'may,' 'anticipate,' 'estimate,' 'would,' 'positioned,' 'future,' 'forecast,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'project' and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements made in this press release regarding ESGL's and De Tomaso Automobili's expectations with respect to future performance, the anticipated financial impact of the proposed business combination, the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the share purchase agreement and the timing of the completion of the proposed business combination. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on ESGL management's current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in documents filed with the SEC by ESGL and other documents that ESGL may file or furnish with the SEC, which you are encouraged to read. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to ESGL and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. ESGL undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as required by law. No Assurances There can be no assurance that the proposed business combination will be completed, nor can there be any assurance, if the proposed business combination is completed, that the potential benefits of the business combination will be realized. A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at:
The Drive
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Lia Block Is Racing Nigel Mansell's Title-Winning F1 Car Up the Goodwood Hillclimb
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Lia Block will get a chance to experience a machine like no other later this summer. The Formula 1 Academy star is set to pilot Nigel Mansell's Williams FW14B at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, which is celebrating the 75th anniversary of F1. Specifically, she will be driving the same car that the famous Brit won the F1 championship with in 1992. Block, the daughter of late racing driver and YouTube legend Ken Block, posted several photos of the FW14B's seat fitting process to her Instagram account Wednesday evening. 'I think I was [in] shock while doing this. My first seat fit in the FW14B, Nigel Mansell's championship-winning car. I'm so honored to be driving this car at @fosgoodwood 2025,' read the caption. Despite being just 18 years old, Block has had the opportunity to race (and recreationally drive) lots of rarefied cars, including the famous 1,400H-horsepower Mustang 'Hoonicorn,' and several rally cars where, just like her dad, she sharpened her car control skills. In 2023, she competed in the now-defunct Extreme E off-road championship, and a year later, she tested Keke Rosberg's Williams FW08 F1 car. Since then, Block has been racing in the F1 Academy series as a Williams Racing Academy driver. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lia Block (@liakblock) That said, the FW14B will prove to be a completely different animal, given its wicked power-to-weight ratio and, of course, aero. Even with a previous brief taste of the FW08, she will surely find it a handful. And while the Duke of Richmond's driveway isn't exactly the ideal (or most exciting) place to drive a vintage F1 car, this will certainly be a special experience for Block and everyone watching. 'I started going to Goodwood when I was really young with my dad who used to do the hillclimb a lot,' said Block in a press release. 'Last year was a very big moment for me being able to drive an F1 car up the hill. It was a dream come true, and Goodwood is so special to me because so many people from different areas of motorsport come together to celebrate the sport. This year is going to be an iconic experience for me in an iconic car—I can't wait!' The second-generation racer will share driving duties with team boss James Vowles and fellow racing star Jamie Chadwick. Got a tip? Email us at tips@ Jerry Perez is the Deputy Editor at The Drive, overseeing the site's daily and long-term content initiatives in addition to writing his own features and reviews. He's been covering the automotive industry professionally since 2015 and joined The Drive in January 2018.
