United Kingdom

​​​​Members of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have agreed on priorities for standards and capacity development in areas from artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse to sustainable digital transformation at the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24) which closed today in New Delhi, India.

Pudu Robotics has unveiled the latest version of its building delivery robot, FlashBot, aimed at improving delivery services in smart buildings, both indoors and in semi-outdoor environments. Announced on October 23, 2024, the upgraded FlashBot introduces new features that expand its operational capabilities, particularly in areas where traditional indoor delivery robots have been limited.

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new system called SonicSense, which allows robots to interpret objects through vibrations, mimicking a human-like sense of touch. The system, to be presented at the Conference on Robot Learning (CoRL 2024), enables robots to identify materials, understand shapes, and recognize objects based on vibrations detected through contact microphones embedded in their fingertips.

Worldwide IT spending is expected to total $5.74 trillion in 2025, an increase of 9.3% from 2024, according to the latest forecast by Gartner. “Current spending on generative AI (GenAI) has been predominantly from technology companies building the supply-side infrastructure for GenAI,” said John-David Lovelock, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner. “CIOs will begin to spend on GenAI, beyond proof-of-concept work, starting in 2025. More money will be spent, but the expectations that CIOs have for the capabilities of GenAI will drop. The reality of what can be accomplished with current GenAI models, and the state of CIO’s data will not meet today’s lofty expectations.”

Aetina Corporation has announced its participation in the Smart City Expo World Congress, set to take place in Barcelona from November 5 to 7, 2024. At this event, the company plans to showcase its latest edge AI platforms designed for smart city and transportation applications. 

The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24), currently being held in New Delhi, is focused on the development of global standards for key technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). Organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the conference is setting priorities for the next four years of standardization efforts, covering areas such as AI, the metaverse, quantum technologies, and digital infrastructure.

Realbotix Corp., a company specializing in humanoid robots and companionship-based artificial intelligence, has joined the AI Partnerships Corporation (AIP) Affiliate Network. This international network of AI companies is dedicated to promoting collaboration and innovation in the field of artificial intelligence. Realbotix’s CEO, Andrew Kiguel, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities this new partnership presents, noting that it will enhance the company’s ability to connect with other innovators in the AI sector.

Universal Robots has introduced the UR AI Accelerator, a hardware and software toolkit designed to enhance the development of AI-powered collaborative robot (cobot) applications. Unveiled at ROSCon 2024 in Odense, Denmark, the toolkit is aimed at enabling developers to build and deploy AI solutions more efficiently, reducing time to market and increasing accessibility in robotics innovation.

The 36th edition of the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) 2024 concluded on October 18 in Abu Dhabi, marking the first time the event was held in the MENA region. Hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), the conference attracted nearly 10,000 attendees, including visitors, delegates, and participants. The event, held from October 14-18, focused on developments in robotics, intelligent systems, and AI technologies.

At GITEX GLOBAL 2024, autonomous solutions took center stage, highlighting the future of mobility with innovations ranging from flying vehicles to AI-driven parking systems. The event showcased the rapid advancements in autonomous technologies that are poised to redefine urban transportation.