Reimagining Our World with Tech
Emerging Tech Roundup — February 4
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: Meta expands avatars across platforms, Gmail teases at its new design, China’s new AI can monitor and tend to embryos, Cruise allows the public to try its autonomous taxi, a new, steel-like material is developed from polymers, the first EV-charging road is proposed, and Mozilla plans to shut down Firefox Reality.
Meta Brings 3D Avatars to Instagram, Updates to Facebook and Messenger
(TechCrunch, January 31)
In the US and Canada, people can now use their virtual avatars on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger in various ways. Meta is excited to be introducing expressions, skin tones, wheelchairs, and hearing aids to the virtual avatars. In the future, the company hopes to bring advanced clothing options to avatars, across all Meta platforms.
Gmail’s Next Big Redesign Starts Rolling Out Next Week
(ARS Technica, February 1)
Although Gmail’s main section won’t change much, its new “integrated view” is expected to bring Google Chat and Google Meet into the mail section’s sidebar. For now, the new interface is optional. By the end of Q2 of 2022 however, the new interface will be the only option for users.
Chinese Scientists Create System to Care for Embryos in Artificial Womb
(Futurism, February 1)
Scientists are currently testing a new AI technology on animals that can monitor embryos in a lab. Although human testing is not yet approved, success in monitoring human embryos would mean that women no longer have to carry their own children. The technology can adjust changes to the embryos’ environment as needed, but scientists are not yet sure if its capable of growing embryos to term.
Cruise Opens Driverless Robotaxi Service to San Francisco Public
(The Robot Report, February 1)
Cruise is allowing its first small batch of people to try its autonomous taxi in a major city. As of now, the taxis cannot go over 30 MPH and are limited to operating between 10 PM and 6 AM. The company is conducting a slow and steady rollout and plans to expand beyond its current limitations as success stories grow.
Wireless EV-charging Road in the U.S. to be Built Near Michigan Central Station
(Crain’s Detroit, February 1)
By 2023, Israeli startup Electreon plans to have built a mile-long, EV-charging public road. The road will overcome the inconvenience of cars having to stop for charging, increasing the sustainability of electric vehicle usage. With support from Ford Motor Co., DTE Energy Co. and the city of Detroit, Electreon aims to “lead the future of mobility.”
“Impossible” 2D Material is Light as Plastic and Stronger than Steel
(New Atlas, February 2)
Engineers at MIT have found a way to bind polymers together, forming a strong, 2D, steel-like material. The material is harder to deform than bulletproof glass and durable enough to be used on vehicles, smartphones, and more. It is “easily scalable” and is flexible enough to make other types of materials in the future.
Mozilla is Shutting Down its VR Web Browser, Firefox Reality
(TechCrunch, February 3)
Mozilla has decided to discontinue VR browser Firefox Reality over the next few weeks. The company has shared that because it doesn’t plan to host AR/VR web technologies long term, it’s better to pass the baton to a company that does. The company is redirecting those interested in VR web browsing to Igalia’s open-source browser, Wolvic.
