LG's smart home AI robot revolution

Welcome, Tech enthusiasts.

LG just teased a new AI-powered robot that can tackle everything from managing appliances, security, pets and daily tasks while intelligently navigating rooms.

Could this multi-modal bot represent the next generation of in-home tech? Let’s explore…

In today’s tech rundown:

• LG teases AI robot smart home manager

• Flying robot dragon fighting fires in Japan

• 9 new products

• Sales ban temporarily lifted on Apple Watches

• Ads are coming to Amazon Prime Video

• SpaceX booster damaged in transit

Read time: 3 minutes

TODAY’S HEADLINES

LG

🏠 LG teases AI robot smart home manager

The Rundown: LG just announced a new AI-powered robot assistant referred to as the ‘smart home AI agent,’ featuring autonomous mobility to help manage smart homes — and is set to debut at the company’s CES Conference in January.

The details:

• The robot has a unique two-legged wheel design to independently navigate rooms, and can express emotion and learn via multi-modal AI tech.

• The device uses cameras, sensors, and a Qualcomm AI chip to analyze home data

• The robot has the ability to recognize human faces, pets, household objects, and gather data like temperature and air quality.

• In-home capabilities extend to controlling appliances, acting as a security guard, and monitoring pets — while also taking on user’s daily tasks like medication reminders or providing schedule updates.

Why it matters: This adorable bot sounds like quite the upgrade from dated Alexas, Google Homes, etc. — and could be the first smart device to take advantage of the advances in AI tech. Is this the beginning of a new in-home AI revolution?

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ROBOTICS

🐉 Flying robot dragon fighting fires in Japan

The Rundown: Researchers in Japan have developed a dragon-shaped flying robot called the Dragon Firefighter that can extinguish fires from the air — aiming to help combat heated situations too dangerous for humans.

The details:

• The Dragon Firefighter is a 4-meter long remotely controlled flying firehose robot designed to directly approach fire sources.

• The firehose can change shape and be directed by a control unit connected to a 14,000-liter water supply.

• Improvements are underway, including enhanced waterproofing, wider force handling, and better water flow.

• Researchers estimate it will be about 10 more years before real-world deployment due to the robot’s currently limited reach.

Why it matters: The Dragon is another example of highly-specialized robots taking dangerous tasks on in place of humans — and as the plans were openly published, collective development could soon make the technology a lifesaving reality.

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SNIPPETS

Apple resumes sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 after a federal court temporarily lifted an import and sales ban related to a patent dispute.

Swedish researchers have created an electronic soil that increases plant growth in hydroponic systems by 50 percent using electrical stimulation.

A study documents a new "smart" insulin system that can effectively regulate blood sugar in diabetic mice and minipigs for a week with a single injection.

Debate persists over the existence of exomoons in light of recent research challenging previous detections made by the Kepler telescope.

Amazon Prime Video will introduce "limited advertisements" for subscribers unless they pay an additional fee, starting January 29.

Paramount and CBS confirmed a significant data breach from December 2022 that compromised sensitive information of over 82,000 individuals.

Rough seas and winds caused major damage to the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster B1058 after it tipped over during transport back to Cape Canaveral.

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THAT’S A WRAP

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