Tobias

Google DeepMind has introduced Gemini Robotics On-Device, an offline AI model for robots. This VLA model processes visual data, language, and actions on-device, enabling real-time responses to human commands. Designed for two-armed robots, it interprets natural language instructions. This offers advantages in critical scenarios by removing reliance on cloud connectivity. The model is built on Gemini 2.0 and competes with rivals like Nvidia and OpenAI in the robotics market.

A boating accident on Lake Tahoe claimed eight lives after a private vessel capsized during a sudden storm. The boat, carrying a family group, was caught in rapidly escalating winds and waves, leading to the tragedy. Among the deceased was a Global Strategic Sourcing Lead from a major food delivery company. The incident is the deadliest boating accident in California since 2019. Lake Tahoe, known for its unpredictable weather, is the largest alpine lake in North America.

Ant Group launches “AQ,” an AI health app leveraging a medical large language model to offer comprehensive healthcare services. AQ analyzes symptoms, interprets medical reports, identifies skin conditions based on images, and provides health advice. The app connects users with doctors, offers 24/7 AI specialist avatars, supports voice calls, and integrates with health devices for personalized health records and insights. It prioritizes data privacy and security and is built on a foundation of extensive medical data and professional expertise.

A content creator sparked a debate by suggesting China is technologically advanced, operating in 2050 despite the current year being 2025. This was fueled by a video showcasing Beijing’s “tidal lane” system, where automated vehicles reconfigure roadways to add lanes during peak traffic hours. The engineering marvel has impressed global viewers, with many citing China’s technological prowess as remarkably advanced.

A social media influencer was ordered to pay RMB 300,000 (approximately $42,000 USD) to a smartphone manufacturer for defamation, a ruling upheld on appeal. The case involved unsubstantiated claims, forcing the influencer to retract statements, apologize publicly, and remove defamatory content. The manufacturer emphasized constructive criticism while warning against disparagement, highlighting the legal risks of spreading misinformation in the tech industry.

Unscrupulous vendors are exploiting anxiety surrounding college applications by repackaging free AI-generated reports from Quake as premium services. These vendors charge hundreds of dollars for reports that Quake offers free of charge. Quake’s AI, which provides comprehensive college application guidance, has seen over 3 million reports generated, leading to long wait times due to high demand. The report generation utilizes a large language model with search, report generation, and recommendation capabilities, simulating college counselor insights.

Baidu Health and the Chinese Association of Plastics and Aesthetics (CAPA) are partnering to improve medical aesthetics education. This collaboration aims to provide authoritative, comprehensive content, addressing misinformation and promoting a transparent industry. By leveraging their combined resources, they will offer reliable information through expert panels, AI tools, and verified resources, empowering consumers to make informed decisions and fostering a healthier medical aesthetics sector.

At the Tianjin Summer Davos, Unitree Robotics CEO Xingxing Wang highlighted the robotics industry’s potential as the “next big thing,” positioning Unitree to capitalize on this trend. He credited Hangzhou’s business environment and the company’s clear goals for its rapid growth. From a one-man operation in 2016, Unitree now employs over 1,000 people and generates over 1 billion yuan in annual revenue, holding a strong patent portfolio with over 330 patents filed.

The “Kuangbiao Brothers,” known for controversial tactics in China’s automotive market, have accused used car dealership “WanChe Yanxi She” of tax evasion, reigniting a feud from a previous dispute over a used car sale. The dealership denies the claims and demands a retraction. Last year, the brothers questioned a used NIO vehicle from the dealership due to alleged defects. An independent inspection cleared the car, and the dealership then sued the brothers for reputational damage. The matter is under investigation.

An American Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Charlotte returned to its origin shortly after takeoff due to a mechanical issue involving smoke from the right engine. The Airbus A321, carrying 153 passengers and six crew members, landed safely without injuries. The aircraft is undergoing inspection, and a replacement flight has been scheduled. The incident highlights the demands of modern air travel.