Tech Updates: Robot Butlers, Solar Beams, AI Tools, and More

3 min readJun 2, 2023

Emerging Tech Roundup — June 2

The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.

This week in tech: Prosper Robotics Works on a Robot Butler, Japan to Beam Solar Power From Space, Instacart Launches an AI-powered Search Tool, OpenAI Pursues a New Way To Fight ‘Hallucinations,’ Google Wallet Introduces New Convenience Updates, Meta Quest 3 Details Are Revealed, and the Android Ecosystem Shares a New Sleeve of Updates.

An OpenAI Alum Is Building a Robot Butler for Your Home

(Sifted, May 28)

London-based startup, Prosper Robotics, is developing a household robot that aims to perform various tasks such as dishwashing, laundry, surface cleaning, and even meal preparation. The robot can handle objects, fold clothes, and maintain hygiene with its interchangeable “gloves.” Users will even be able to access a time-lapsed video of all completed tasks via the phone app. Prosper aims to have the first robot ready for alpha testing in eight months.

Japan Will Try To Beam Solar Power From Space by 2025

(Engadget, May 28)

A Japanese public-private partnership plans to take a step closer to realizing the concept of beaming solar energy from space. Led by Kyoto University professor, Naoki Shinohara, the project aims to deploy small satellites in orbit to collect solar energy and then transmit it to ground-based receiving stations. While this technology offers the potential for an unlimited renewable energy source, it may be too costly to leverage for regular use.

Instacart Launches New In-App AI Search Tool Powered by ChatGPT

(Tech Crunch, May 31)

Instacart has introduced a new AI search tool called “Ask Instacart,” powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The tool is integrated into the Instacart app’s search bar and offers personalized recommendations, food preparation information, dietary considerations, and more. The new feature aims to help customers save time by handling the pre-food shopping planning for them — the tool can even take budgeting into account.

OpenAI Is Pursuing a New Way To Fight A.I. ‘Hallucinations’

(CNBC, May 31)

OpenAI has announced a new method for training AI models aimed at combating AI “hallucinations,” or the fabrication of false information by AI. Veering away from the existing “outcome supervision” approach, the “process supervision” approach rewards AI models for each correct step of reasoning instead of just the final conclusion, encouraging more human-like thinking. OpenAI’s research aims to address the issue of misinformation and improve the capabilities of AI models in solving complex reasoning problems.

Google Wallet Is Getting Custom Cards and State IDs This Month

(The Verge, June 1)

Google Wallet is expanding its features, including the ability to add state IDs or driver’s licenses to the app. The feature roll-out is starting with Maryland and will soon be available in other states like Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia. Google is also introducing features for travel check-ins, health insurance cards, National Insurance numbers in the UK, and Deutschlandtickets in Germany, with plans to introduce corporate badges in the future.

The Meta Quest 3 Is a $499 Mixed Reality Headset With Full-Color Passthrough

(Engadget, June 1)

Mark Zuckerberg has unveiled Meta Quest 3, the highly anticipated next-generation virtual reality headset from Meta. Quest 3’s new features include mixed reality support, full-color passthrough, and a next-gen Qualcomm chipset for improved graphics performance. It is thinner, more comfortable, and priced at $500, making it Meta’s most powerful and affordable headset to date.

Android Can Now ‘Remix’ Emojis and Help With Reading Practice