Latest news with #futuristic
Washington Post
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Ozzy Osbourne's fame never felt as big as his music
It takes great effort to cleanse your brain of the bat biting and reality television goofballing, but please try hard because the futuristic wail of Ozzy Osbourne — especially during an impeccable decade he spent in the band Black Sabbath — still has something important to tell you. Namely, that it can feel good to be frightened by your nightmares when reality is worse.
CTV News
18 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Customers wait hours in line to check out Elon Musk's new Tesla Diner
Customers wait hours in line to check out Elon Musk's new Tesla Diner Lines wrapped around the block for the opening of California's new Tesla Diner, a futuristic drive-in diner with robot servers.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Inside Elon Musk's Tesla diner of the future staffed by ROBOTS with drive-in movie screens & burgers in Cybertruck boxes
ELON Musk's Tesla is opening a one-of-a-kind high tech diner where customers can order food from their car touchscreens and will be served by robots. The Tesla Diner can be found on Santa Monica Boulevard in LA's media district. 5 5 5 The futuristic looking venue boasts an array of high tech features - as well as 80 Superchargers. Musk took to X earlier last week to praise the venue, saying: "I just had dinner at the retro-futuristic @Tesla diner and Supercharger. "Team did great work making it one of the coolest spots in LA!" The Tesla boss had previously hinted at building the diner back in 2018. While it still bears many of the hallmarks of a classic American diner, the Tesla venue has a typically futuristic theme. A humanoid robot called Optimus can be found inside, who is programmed to serve popcorn to guests. The robot was designed by Tesla. Visitors don't even need to get out of their cars to place an order, which can be done through their vehicle touchscreen. Their food will be served in Tesla Cybertruck-shaped boxes. Typical diner refreshments such as burgers, hot dogs, wings and milkshakes are all sold at the venue. Anyone who fancies a movie while the eat can watch a film on the diner's two gigantic 45-foot LED screens. The audio for the movies will be directly streamed into visitors' cars. Tesla fans on Musk's X shared their reactions to the new venue. One user called The Tesla Duck said: "Tesla should open a lot more of these diners, I am not local to the one that opens tomorrow but the food looks pretty good and I think it's an awesome attraction. "I'd imagine they could be pretty profitable. What other car comes with restaurant access?" Another commenter said: "Tesla hosted LA's First Responders at their Tesla Diner in LA for their soft launch today, and man does this place looks amazing! "They gave out official Tesla Diner merch, including Optimus Diner figures. "They had their entire fleet on display including Cybercab, and an Optimus robot that was serving popcorn." It's not the only time the controversial billionaire's companies have made headlines in recent weeks. Musk's AI chatbot Grok went rogue earlier this month and started spouting pro-Hitler and antisemitic comments on X. The material surfaced on the platform after an update telling it to be more "politically incorrect". The chatbot even appeared to dub itself: "MechaHitler". A spokesperson for xAI, the company behind Grok, said: "We are aware of recent posts made by Grok and are actively working to remove the inappropriate posts. "Since being made aware of the content, xAI has taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X." 5 5
CNET
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
This '90s Movie Is a Sci-Fi Techno-Noir Gem, and It's Streaming Free on Tubi
Techno-noir may not have ever been a major genre, but it delivers twists and turns in a futuristic city where things are darker than they seem. Films like Johnny Mnemonic, Blade Runner and 12 Monkeys popularized the genre, but they're far from the only options. One of my overlooked favorites of the genre is Dark City, a mind-bending techno-noir thriller that explores the idea of identity against a city swathed in darkness. Released in 1998, the underrated gem preceded The Matrix by a year, and it's streaming for free on Tubi right now Watch on Tubi I've been a fan of techno-noir vibes since my first time watching Blade Runner, and the '90s delivered a spate of excellent options that let me feast my eyes on beautiful sets, amazing stories and worlds that felt real and gritty in the best of ways. Dark City delivers a futuristic city swathed in shadows, with vibes from the 1950s like automats, or the costume design, and it's a style I can't get enough of. A man wakes up in a bathtub with no memory of who he is or how he got there. Almost immediately, things go off the rails. There's a dead woman in the next room, a cryptic phone call telling our unknown protagonist to get out of there, and a mystery that begins to unfold in the dark streets of the city. John Murdoch figures out who he is slowly through a series of clues, like his name in a ledger at the motel and his briefcase. As he tries to figure out what happened, he's beset on two sides. Police Inspector Frank Bumstead is trying to unravel a case of dead prostitutes that's leading him toward John. And then there are the mysterious "strangers." Tall, pale men who seemingly have the ability to change reality via "tuning." John is cornered by these strangers, but in a moment of desperation manages to alter reality and escape their clutches. Soon after, the clock strikes midnight, and John watches as every person in the city falls asleep, and the strangers use their mysterious abilities to change the architecture of the city itself. As John tries to recover his memories, he remembers he is from a small town outside the city called Shell Beach. However, any attempts to reach it end in failure. At this point, John is apprehended by the inspector, who believes him when he explains that something strange is going on in the city and uses his ability to tune to prove it. The atmosphere, set design, and overall cinematography in Dark City make every frame worth noticing. The 100-minute length is infused with mystery, drama and more questions than answers. The strangers stalk John and the inspector, a local doctor who has information about the strangers and where they came from, and the city continues to change and trap everyone within its alleys. I won't spoil the third act for you when you find out what the strangers are really after, and the methods they employ to find answers. When John begins to unravel the mystery he woke up inside of, things go from weird to truly out there. The murders, the amnesia and the city are all linked by the strangers, and once you find out what happened, there is no going back. Dark City reached cult classic status with good reason. While it might not have been a box office hit, it's still an amazing watch 27 years later. It's one of those sci-fi movies that gets me every time, and the cast delivers a top-notch performance. Sream it for free on Tubi, and discover the mystery for yourself.
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
10 Amazing Humanoid Robots Already Walking Among Us Today
Humanoid robots — long seen as futuristic — are already here, walking, talking, and working among ... More us. This article profiles the most advanced examples to date, including Tesla's Optimus, Boston Dynamics' Atlas, and 1X's Neo Gamma. Walking, talking humanoid robots that were once firmly the domain of science fiction are on their way. In fact, a Morgan Stanley report recently predicted that 13 million human robots will be among us by 2035, rising to one billion by 2050. But we probably won't have to wait even 10 years to see one. In fact, what could be considered the first wave of truly useful, human-like machines is already here. Recent years have seen a number of prototypes and production models stepping out of the robotics labs of some of the world's leading AI companies and into the world. In many ways, they are all very different from each other. However, they all embody the core concept of a machine that mimics our own anatomical design in order to carry out physical tasks that previously only humans could do. So in this piece, I'll take a look at some of the most advanced, useful, impressive and sometimes scary humanoid robots that are already among us today (or at least, will be soon).Optimus Generation 2 Manufacturer: Tesla Height: Approx 1.73 meters (5ft 8in) Weight: 57kg (125 lbs) Cost: Projected around $20,000 to $30,000 when produced at scale Probably the most famous of the current batch of humanoid robots. Most of the things Elon Musk does receive media attention, including his claim that he expects this robot to be more important to the company than its cars in the future. The Generation 2 model was announced in 2023 and is said to have successfully carried out tasks in Tesla factories. The robot is reportedly built around the same end-to-end automation framework as the cars, with different elements like motors, battery systems, AI and navigation networked in the same way. The main differentiators are its tactile hands and human-like motion. Optimus has been shown picking up eggs, dancing, serving drinks, performing household chores, and playing Rock Paper Scissors with Kim Kardashian. However, there has been criticism that some of Optimus's actions and speech during public demonstrations appear to be assisted by humans via telepresence (remote control) rather than truly AI-driven behavior. All-New Atlas Manufacturer: Boston Dynamics Height: Approx 1.5 meters (4ft 11in) Weight: 80kg Cost: Unknown – not commercially available This is the name currently being used for what will be the newest model in the Atlas series. Since 2013, videos of Boston Dynamics' Atlas robots, most recently Atlas HD, have amazed and amused YouTube audiences, where it has been seen sprinting, flipping, dancing and often falling over in amusing ways. Unlike previous models, the All-New Atlas is fully electric rather than powered by hydraulics. The switch-over will make the robots lighter and more damage-resistant, with more precise control over their movements. See highlights of the previous Atlas models here and meet the All-New Atlas here. Neo Gamma Manufacturer: 1X Technologies Height: 1.65m (5ft 3in) Weight: 30kg (66lbs) Cost: Expected price $20,000 - $30,000 Neo Gamma is a domestic robot capable of carrying out chores like vacuum cleaning, laundry folding, and loading dishwashers, according to videos released by the OpenAI-backed US/Norwegian manufacturer. Rather than being armored in hard plastic or steel, Neo Gamma's 'skin' is crafted from a cushiony nylon fabric, designed to both look more comfortable at home and enhance safety. A previous model, Neo Beta, was capable of running at 7 mph, although there's no detail yet about how that might change with the Gamma. Its mechanical framework is built around tendon-driven actuators designed to give the humanoid a realistic range of motions and movements. And it can also engage in human-like conversations thanks to its custom LLM. You can see a promotional video created by 1X to announce the arrival of Neo Gamma here. GR-2 Manufacturer: Fourier Intelligence Height: 1.75m (5ft 7in) Weight: 63kg (139lbs) Cost: Not publicly known, but previous GR-1 models were reportedly priced at $149,000 Touted as 'the world's first mass-produced humanoid robot', GR-2's hands are said to be twice as dexterous as those found on its predecessor, the GR-1. Currently, Fourier's humanoids are largely used in academic and industrial settings, but trials are taking place to assess their use in domestic and caregiving settings, too. The GR-2 can walk at up to 5 mph and excels at handling objects in a tactile way, being capable of adjusting its grip in real time to suit different tasks and objects. See GR-2 in action here, and this video explores some of the ways that GR-2 has improved on GR-1. H1 Manufacturer: Unitree Height: 1.78m (5ft 10in) Weight: 47kg (104 lbs) Cost: From $16,000 In 2024, H1 took the Guinness World Record for the fastest running speed achieved by an electric (non-hydraulic) bipedal humanoid robot, of 7.38 mph. This Chinese-designed humanoid has a 360-degree perception of its environment thanks to LiDAR sensors and is able to walk, run and perform backflips using electric actuators alone. It is built on open-source technology in order to make it accessible to a wider range of businesses with limited budgets. In one video, it's also seen opening bottles of Coke, frying food in a pan, operating a hammer and soldering iron, and folding itself up into a package small enough to be carried. Figure 02 Manufacturer: Figure AI Height: Approx 1.68 meters (5ft 6in) Weight: 70kg (155 lbs) Cost: Not publicly disclosed, projected at around $150,000 F 02 could be considered the workhorse of the humanoid robot world, considering it has been successfully put to work at BMW's Spartanburg, U.S. manufacturing plant. Working on production lines, it has been credited with achieving a 400% increase in speed of work over its predecessor model F 01. Other units have been shipped to undisclosed customers who have put them to work in warehouses and factories. In the industrial setting for which it's designed, it can move safely among human workers, lifting large objects as well as carrying out precision tasks. Figure is powered by a proprietary AI model created for it by OpenAI, with Figure also receiving funding from OpenAI, Amazon, Microsoft, Nvidia and Intel. This video shows some clips of Figure 02 in action, as well as having a conversation. Digit Manufacturer: Agility Robotics Height: Approx 1.75 meters (5ft 9in) Weight: 70kg (155 lbs) Cost: Not publicly disclosed This robot is specialized for factory work and, alongside the F 01 and F 02, is one of the few robots known to have been commercially sold and deployed. Use cases have focused on repetitive logistics tasks where it is capable of picking up and carrying objects, retrieving items from shelves and sorting into totes. Phoenix Manufacturer: Sanctuary AI Height: Approx 1.7 meters (5ft 7in) Weight: 70kg (155 lbs) Cost: Not publicly disclosed What sets Phoenix apart from other industrial humanoids, such as F 02 and Digit, is its superior ability to learn new tasks. While training robots to complete physical tasks they haven't attempted before is often a weeks-long process, Phoenix has been able to cut this down to just 24 hours. In addition to industrial settings, Phoenix has been commercially deployed in retail premises, where it was responsible for stocking shelves and packaging customer orders during its pilot tenure at a Canadian clothing store. Watch Phoenix become faster at performing repetitive human tasks here. Apollo Manufacturer: Apptronik Height: 1.73m (5ft 8in) Weight: 72kg (160lbs) Cost: Unknown This heavy-hitting industrial humanoid can lift 25k in its arms while navigating aisles and loading bays. It can palletize goods and has completed successful pilots with Mercedes-Benz as well as NASA, which has been backing the manufacturer since Apptronik took part in the DARPA Robotics Challenge in 2013. Apptronik itself was initially spun out of the University of Texas's Human-Centered Robotics Lab, with the specific aim of advancing humanoid use in industry. Check out this short video introducing Apollo and some of the tasks it can carry out. Booster T1 Manufacturer: Booster Robotics Height: 1.2m (4ft) Weight: 30kg (66lbs) Cost: Currently sells for Euro 39,000 in France, and $47,685 in the U.S. Four teams of these robots, operated fully autonomously, competed in three-versus-three soccer matches in China. Four university teams competed in what is said to be the first fully autonomous championship featuring robots playing 'human sports'. The robots are capable of working as a team to control the ball and score goals, and are capable of withstanding impacts from the ball or other players, and picking themselves up after falling. Viewers commented that pro footballers shouldn't worry about their jobs yet and two players were 'stretchered off' after becoming damaged. But it was still an exciting preview of what could be in store at the first World Humanoid Robot Games, which will also take place in China. You can see footage of the robot-versus-robot match here. As these remarkable machines continue to evolve, the line between science fiction and reality is disappearing fast. Whether they're helping in factories, folding laundry, or playing football, humanoid robots are no longer just prototypes; they're becoming co-workers, companions, and collaborators in our daily lives. The real question now is: how ready are we for them?
