That is at this time’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a day by day dose of what’s happening on the planet of know-how.
Everybody in AI is speaking about Manus. We put it to the check.
Because the normal AI agent Manus was launched final week, it has unfold on-line like wildfire. And never simply in China, the place it was developed by the Wuhan-based startup Butterfly Impact. It’s made its manner into the worldwide dialog, with some even dubbing it “the second DeepSeek”.
Manus claims to be the world’s first normal AI agent, constructing off a number of AI fashions and brokers to behave autonomously on a variety of duties. Regardless of all of the hype, only a few folks have had an opportunity to make use of it. MIT Expertise Assessment was capable of get hold of entry to Manus. Right here’s what we fabricated from it.
—Caiwei Chen
Waabi says its digital robotrucks are real looking sufficient to show the actual ones are secure
The information: Canadian robotruck startup Waabi says its super-realistic digital simulation is now correct sufficient to show the protection of its driverless huge rigs with out having to run them for miles on actual roads.
The way it did it: The corporate makes use of a digital twin of its real-world robotrucks, loaded up with actual sensor information, and measures how the dual’s efficiency compares to that of actual vans on actual roads. Waabi says they now match nearly precisely, and claims its method is a greater strategy to exhibit security than simply racking up real-world miles, as a lot of its opponents do. Learn the total story.
—Will Douglas Heaven
This synthetic leaf makes hydrocarbons out of carbon dioxide
For a few years, researchers have been working to construct gadgets that may mimic photosynthesis—the method by which vegetation use daylight and carbon dioxide to make their gas. These synthetic leaves use daylight to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen, which may then be used to gas automobiles or generate electrical energy. Now a analysis staff from the College of Cambridge has taken purpose at creating extra energy-dense fuels.
The group’s system produces ethylene and ethane, proving that synthetic leaves can create hydrocarbons. The event may provide a less expensive, cleaner strategy to make fuels, chemical compounds, and plastics—with the final word purpose of making fuels that don’t go away a dangerous carbon footprint after they’re burned. Learn the total story.
—Carly Kay
This startup simply hit a giant milestone for inexperienced metal manufacturing
Inexperienced-steel startup Boston Steel simply confirmed that it has all of the components wanted to make metal with out emitting gobs of greenhouse gases. The corporate efficiently ran its largest reactor but to make metal, producing over a ton of metallic, MIT Expertise Assessment can completely report.
The newest milestone signifies that Boston Steel simply acquired one step nearer to commercializing its know-how. And whereas there are nonetheless lots of milestones left earlier than reaching the dimensions wanted to make a dent within the metal trade, the newest run exhibits that the corporate can scale up its course of. Learn the total story.
—Casey Crownhart
This text is from The Spark, MIT Expertise Assessment’s weekly local weather e-newsletter. To obtain it in your inbox each Wednesday, join right here.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you at this time’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 The US has resumed assist deliveries to Ukraine
Leaders have additionally agreed to begin sharing navy intelligence once more. (The Guardian)
+ Ukraine additionally endorsed a US proposal for a ceasefire. (Vox)
+ Meet the radio-obsessed civilian shaping Ukraine’s drone protection. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
2 Donald Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on metallic imports
The choice is prone to elevate prices for American carmakers, and different producers. (NYT $)
+ Enterprise leaders really feel spooked by his frequent blended messaging round tariffs. (WSJ $)
+ Nonetheless, US-native metallic makers are delighted by the tariffs. (Economist $)
+ How Trump’s tariffs may drive up the price of batteries, EVs, and extra. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
3 Texas’ measles outbreak seems to be spreading
Two folks in Oklahoma are being handled for measles-like signs. (Ars Technica)
+ An unvaccinated six-year outdated lady lately died in Texas. (The Atlantic $)
+ The state is scrambling to reply to the outbreak. (Undark)
+ The virus is extraordinarily contagious and harmful to kids and adults alike. (Wired $)
4 Elon Musk needs the US authorities to close down
Partly as a result of it might make it simpler to fireplace federal staff. (Wired $)
+ A choose has dominated that DOGE should adjust to the Freedom of Info Act. (The Verge)
+ Can AI assist DOGE slash authorities budgets? It’s complicated. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
5 OpenAI says it’s skilled an AI to be ‘actually good’ at artistic writing|
The query is, can a mannequin skilled on current materials ever be actually artistic? (TechCrunch)
+ AI could make you extra artistic—nevertheless it has limits. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
6 Silicon Valley’s AI startups are increasing in India
Expertise is plentiful, significantly in tech hub Bangalore. (Bloomberg $)
7 Spotify claims it paid $10 billion in royalties final yr
It referred to as the payout “the most important in music trade historical past.” (FT $)
+ The way to break freed from Spotify’s algorithm. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
8 Saturn has extra moons than the remainder of the planets mixed 
Researchers have lastly noticed new moons which have beforehand evaded detection. (New Scientist $)
9 This espresso store is New York’s hottest AI spot 
Handily, OpenAI’s workplace is simply throughout the road. (Insider $)
10 Netflix shouldn’t use AI to upscale decision
The know-how left sitcom A Completely different World trying freakishly warped. (Vice)
Quote of the day
“The uncertainty is simply as unhealthy as tariffs themselves.”
—Donald Schneider, deputy head of US coverage at funding financial institution Piper Sandler, explains to the Washington Publish why buyers are feeling rattled by Donald Trump’s risky method to imposing tariffs.
The large story
Can Afghanistan’s underground “sneakernet” survive the Taliban?
November 2021
When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, Mohammad Yasin needed to make some tough selections in a short time. He started erasing a few of the delicate information on his pc and shifting the remaining onto two of his largest arduous drives, which he then wrapped in a layer of plastic and buried underground.
Yasin is what’s regionally known as a “pc kar”: somebody who sells digital content material by hand in a rustic the place a gentle web connection might be arduous to return by, promoting all the things from motion pictures, music, cell purposes, to iOS updates. And regardless of the risks of Taliban rule, the nation’s in depth “sneakernet” isn’t planning on shutting down. Learn the total story.
—Ruchi Kumar
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Bought any concepts? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Take a look at these novels impressed by what it means to be middle-aged.
+ After an extended absence, it’s trying just like the Loch Ness Monster is staging its return.
+ Chappell Roan, you’re simply improbable.
+ An AI stylist telling me what to put on? No thanks.
