News

Google Plans A Future Where Robots Think For Themselves

Google is helping robots better understand how to be helpful to humans, and the results are encouraging!

Published

3 years ago

August 19, 2022

google plans a future where robots think for themselves

Unknown to many of its fanbase, search giant Google has been developing its own semi-secret research laboratory for over a decade. The project is known as X Developments and focuses on exciting projects such as the recent Everyday Robots collaboration.

The project emphasizes the software side of robotics, aiming to make the technology helpful to humans by optimizing robots for tasks that include finding, fetching, and sorting items, as well as training bots to be awesome at ping-pong or catching racquetballs.

Google’s latest milestone is the “Pathways Language Model,” a software solution that gives the company’s robots a better understanding of the world, helping them respond more accurately and efficiently to human requests. So far, the robot workers at Google have been set to work on less-than-glamorous tasks such as trash sorting, with the aim that eventually, they will be able to take on tasks and teach themselves on the fly. Research into seemingly useless tasks like ping-pong might seem frivolous, but these operations require speed and precision, so they help engineers tune their robot sidekicks for future requirements.

google everyday robots throwing away trash

Google’s emphasis on robotic precision means that the company is unlikely to release a product for the general public any time soon. Their stance stands in sharp contrast to rival Amazon, which has already offered a product to market named Astro (albeit invite-only) — a $999 robot that seems to offer little more than basic Alexa functionality on wheels.

Also Read: Farfetch Aims To Bring Web3 To The World Of Fashion

“Google tries to be a company that provides access to information, helping people with tasks in their daily lives, you could imagine a ton of overlap between Google’s overarching mission and what we’re doing in terms of more concrete goals. I think we’re really at the level of providing capabilities, and trying to understand what capabilities we can provide,” says Vincent Vanhoucke, Google Research Robotics Lead.

Don’t expect to see a Google-themed robot appearing anytime soon, but keep an eye out for the latest developments from X Developments, as even the company’s homepage points to an exciting future for human / robot partnerships!

News

Space42 & Cobham Satcom Launch New Satellite Broadband Terminal

IP NEO has been engineered to provide uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity for sectors that rely on secure communication.

Published

11 hours ago

March 12, 2025

Nour Nasir

space42 and cobham satcom launch new satellite broadband terminal

UAE-based SpaceTech firm Space42, has teamed with Cobham Satcom, a global player in satellite communications, to introduce IP NEO — a next-generation satellite broadband terminal built for reliability and security.

Developed through a collaboration between Cobham Satcom and Space42’s satellite solutions division, Thuraya, IP NEO is engineered to provide uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity for sectors that rely on secure communication. Its design, optimized for compactness and durability, ensures seamless data transmission across Thuraya’s network, making it a valuable asset for government agencies, NGOs, corporations, and even individuals operating in remote areas where traditional technologies may fall short.

As the exclusive provider of Thuraya 4 terminals for Space42, Cobham Satcom has also played a crucial role in building the ground infrastructure for the upcoming Thuraya 4 satellite network. This strategic integration reinforces Cobham Satcom’s standing as a leading global provider of L-band connectivity solutions.

Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Space Services at Space42, emphasized the terminal’s strengths, stating: “IP NEO demonstrates our commitment to delivering secure, resilient, and future-ready satellite communication solutions. Built on robust L-band technology, the platform ensures reliable connectivity, even in the most challenging environments. Its compatibility with Thuraya 4 further strengthens its capabilities, enabling high-throughput speeds that meet the evolving demands of mission-critical operations”.

Designed to support critical applications such as internet access, video conferencing, surveillance, and VPN connectivity, IP NEO is built to withstand tough conditions, featuring water and dust resistance — ideal for use in extreme environments.

Also Read: Pure Electric Expands To UAE, Boosting Micro-Mobility Sector

Christophe Duret, CEO of Cobham Satcom, highlighted the impact of this innovation: “Along with Space42’s state-of-the-art Thuraya 4 satellite’s advanced capabilities, our new terminals for government and commercial end-users will provide the fastest standard L-band connectivity ever achieved, unlocking new opportunities for secure and resilient high-speed connectivity for demanding land and ocean environments”.

Part of Space42’s next-generation product lineup, IP NEO is designed for long-term adaptability and is fully compatible with the Thuraya 4 satellite. Once operational, Thuraya 4 will enable IP NEO to deliver speeds of up to 1024 kbps, along with simultaneous voice and data communication along with remote terminal access.

The official launch of IP NEO is set to take place at the 2025 SatShow (March 11-13, 2025), at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.