Tobias

Boston Dynamics has upgraded its Atlas humanoid robot with end-to-end AI, enabling it to understand natural language commands and autonomously plan actions. This new capability, “Atlas MTS,” is powered by a Large Behavior Model (LBM) developed in collaboration with the Toyota Research Institute. Atlas can now handle unexpected disruptions, recalibrate to changes, and incorporate missing components into tasks. The upgrade involves a four-step process, and integrates a VR interface. This evolution coupled with the shift to electric power makes it well suitable for dynamic environments in the future of robotics.

Shenyang has reinstated consumer electronics subsidies to boost local spending, running from August 22nd to October 8th. The program targets new smartphone, tablet, and smartwatch/band purchases via platforms like UnionPay and JD.com. Subsidies offer a 15% discount, capped at 500 yuan, on eligible products priced under 6,000 yuan. Consumers can claim subsidies daily on a first-come, first-served basis between 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM, with qualifications expiring at midnight.

Dangdang founder Li Guoqing, 59, married Zhang Danhong in Beijing on August 16th, 2025. Zhang shared the wedding news on social media, expressing her love and gratitude. The event was attended by prominent figures like Sohu’s Charles Zhang and New Oriental’s Yu Minhong. Li revealed Zhang was his “unattainable dream” from university. He’d unsuccessfully courted her in the 90s, even offering material wealth, which she rejected. Their eventual marriage highlights resilience and a connection beyond material pursuits.

Following the trailer release of “Black Myth: Zhong Kui,” media speculation surrounding Game Science’s anticipated “Black Myth: Wukong” backfired. An article framing a hypothetical low completion rate (46.5%) as negative drew online ridicule. The criticism stemmed from a misunderstanding of typical game completion rates, where 50% is considered respectable, even exceeding rates for titles like “Elden Ring” and “Dark Souls.” The incident highlights the importance of understanding gaming culture when reporting on the industry.

iFlytek’s H1 2025 financial report reveals a 17.01% YoY revenue increase, exceeding 10 billion yuan for the first time. Gross profit rose by 17.12%. Growth was driven by AI-powered office hardware, with overseas sales surging over 300%. The AI Office Notebook demonstrated success in Japan and South Korea. iFlytek also launched the X5, the world’s first local LLM smart office notebook, aimed at enhancing productivity and data privacy.

Economic pressures and the lingering effects of the pandemic have created a paradox: an increased need for connection met with growing social awkwardness, particularly among younger generations. This manifests as detachment in the workplace, hyper-sharing in friendships, and contractual relationships. Factors include economic anxieties, information overload, and the erosion of traditional social bonds, leading to a sense of isolation and a desire for simpler times. As a result, people have developed coping mechanisms to put in place a force field called the losing of the neighborhood.

A social media dispute arose in Guangdong, China, after a customer claimed a Meituan “Pin Haofan” driver disparagingly called their order “dog food.” The driver allegedly defended the remark as commonplace. However, Meituan customer service stated they could not verify the order or driver, casting doubt on the complaint. This incident occurs as Meituan invests in transparency for the value-priced “Pin Haofan” service, which boasts over a million merchants and 35 million daily orders, including a “Million Open Kitchens” initiative.

Alibaba’s auction platform features increasingly unusual assets. Following the viral auction of a seized tabby cat, the Second People’s Court of Zhongshan City is auctioning a batch of live crocodiles for ¥168,000. The buyer is responsible for capturing, weighing, loading, and transporting the breeding reptiles after payment. The announcement advises against electric shock during capture of the crocodiles from “China’s First Female Crocodile Tamer,” whose business faltered.

French “torture streamer” Raphaël Graven (Jean Pormanove), who gained a large following by broadcasting his abuse, died during a livestream at 46. He endured violence, sleep deprivation, and toxic substance ingestion for content. This has sparked outrage and scrutiny of online platforms like Kick for inadequate moderation and unchecked violent content. French officials are investigating, highlighting the legal responsibilities of platforms to prevent illegal material. The incident reignites debate about platform accountability and content moderation in the digital age.

Taiwanese singer Qian Baihui, best known for her Mandopop hits like “Walking Through the Coffee Shop” in the 1980s, has died at age 62. Fellow entertainer Huang An announced her passing on August 19th, citing illness as the cause. Huang An, a longtime friend, credited Qian Baihui with launching his own singing career. Qian Baihui’s music resonated across Taiwan and mainland China, solidifying her place in Mandopop history and contributing to cross-strait cultural exchange.