That is right now’s version of The Obtain, our weekday e-newsletter that gives a every day dose of what’s happening on the earth of expertise.
Everybody in AI is speaking about Manus. We put it to the take a look at.
For the reason that common 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 method into the worldwide dialog, with some even dubbing it “the second DeepSeek”.
Manus claims to be the world’s first common 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 individuals have had an opportunity to make use of it. MIT Know-how Assessment was capable of acquire entry to Manus. Right here’s what we manufactured from it.
—Caiwei Chen
Waabi says its digital robotrucks are sensible sufficient to show the true ones are protected
The information: Canadian robotruck startup Waabi says its super-realistic digital simulation is now correct sufficient to show the security of its driverless massive 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 vehicles on actual roads. Waabi says they now match virtually precisely, and claims its method is a greater option to show security than simply racking up real-world miles, as a lot of its rivals do. Learn the complete 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 crops use daylight and carbon dioxide to make their gas. These synthetic leaves use daylight to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen, which might then be used to gas automobiles or generate electrical energy. Now a analysis group from the College of Cambridge has taken intention at creating extra energy-dense fuels.
The group’s system produces ethylene and ethane, proving that synthetic leaves can create hydrocarbons. The event might supply a less expensive, cleaner option to make fuels, chemical compounds, and plastics—with the final word objective of making fuels that don’t go away a dangerous carbon footprint after they’re burned. Learn the complete story.
—Carly Kay
This startup simply hit an enormous milestone for inexperienced metal manufacturing
Inexperienced-steel startup Boston Steel simply confirmed that it has all of the substances 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 steel, MIT Know-how Assessment can solely report.
The newest milestone signifies that Boston Steel simply bought one step nearer to commercializing its expertise. And whereas there are nonetheless quite a lot of milestones left earlier than reaching the size wanted to make a dent within the metal trade, the newest run reveals that the corporate can scale up its course of. Learn the complete story.
—Casey Crownhart
This text is from The Spark, MIT Know-how Assessment’s weekly local weather e-newsletter. To obtain it in your inbox each Wednesday, enroll right here.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you right now’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 The US has resumed support deliveries to Ukraine
Leaders have additionally agreed to start out sharing army 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 Know-how Assessment)
2 Donald Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on steel imports
The choice is more likely to elevate prices for American carmakers, and different producers. (NYT $)
+ Enterprise leaders really feel spooked by his frequent blended messaging round tariffs. (WSJ $)
+ Nevertheless, US-native steel makers are delighted by the tariffs. (Economist $)
+ How Trump’s tariffs might drive up the price of batteries, EVs, and extra. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
3 Texas’ measles outbreak seems to be spreading
Two individuals in Oklahoma are being handled for measles-like signs. (Ars Technica)
+ An unvaccinated six-year outdated lady not too long ago 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 will make it simpler to fireplace federal staff. (Wired $)
+ A choose has dominated that DOGE should adjust to the Freedom of Data Act. (The Verge)
+ Can AI assist DOGE slash authorities budgets? It’s complicated. (MIT Know-how Assessment)
5 OpenAI says it’s educated an AI to be ‘actually good’ at artistic writing|
The query is, can a mannequin educated on present materials ever be actually artistic? (TechCrunch)
+ AI could make you extra artistic—but it surely has limits. (MIT Know-how 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 12 months
It known as the payout “the biggest in music trade historical past.” (FT $)
+ break freed from Spotify’s algorithm. (MIT Know-how 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 expertise 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 Put up why traders 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 troublesome selections in a short time. He started erasing a number of the delicate information on his pc and transferring the remainder 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 gradual web connection may be arduous to come back by, promoting all the pieces from motion pictures, music, cell functions, 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 complete story.
—Ruchi Kumar
We will nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction to brighten up your day. (Acquired any concepts? Drop me a line or skeet ’em at me.)
+ Try 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 might be simply incredible.
+ An AI stylist telling me what to put on? No thanks.
