The Comunicano Sunday Edition for November 17th 2024

Touchdown Time!!!

Gather ‘round, my friends, because today we’re diving headfirst into the swirling, twirling, fast-talking, ever-changing whirlpool of innovation, intrigue, and… well, a few tech hiccups too. Buckle up, because this ride’s got everything: robots that cook your dinner, chips that sizzle like bacon, and even a car that can soar like a bird. Welcome to the Wild World of What’s Next.

First up: picture this. Robots with chef hats, flipping your stir-fry to perfection while you sit back and binge your favorite show. A dream? Nope, it’s called Botinkit, and they’re serving up precision with a side of zero mistakes. Meanwhile, over in the farm fields, Kubota’s rolling out its KATR—no, it’s not a Transformer, but it’s close. This little guy is plowing, lifting, and planting with so much gusto it might as well audition for a farming musical.

But wait, things get hotter. Literally. Nvidia’s Blackwell chips are so powerful they’re melting faster than an ice cream cone in the Mojave. It’s giving engineers everywhere a big ol’ case of the sweats, especially Meta, Google, and Microsoft. “Cool it,” they said. Easier said than done, my friends.

Now, here’s a twist: there’s a flying car called the Land Aircraft Carrier. Think mothership on wheels, with detachable flying bits that scream, “No traffic for me, thanks!” It’s wild. It’s ambitious. It’s the car the Jetsons were waiting for, only it’s real and debuting by 2026. Start saving now.

Oh, and let’s not forget Spot, the robot dog who’s sniffing out trouble at Mar-a-Lago. He's not cuddly, but boy, can he patrol a perimeter like nobody’s business. Robo-security is here, folks, and it doesn’t wag its tail—it scans it for threats.

Meanwhile, streaming went a bit haywire when Jake Paul and Mike Tyson duked it out on Netflix. Sixty million viewers logged in, only to be greeted by buffering circles and pixelated punches. Innovation hurts sometimes, doesn’t it?….And then there’s TikTok, politely shown the door by Canada. Why? Security concerns, they say. The app’s fighting back, but the Great White North isn’t budging.

So here we are, at the intersection of genius and chaos, watching the future stumble, soar, and sometimes catch fire—literally. But that’s the beauty of progress. It’s messy, it’s marvelous, and it’s always one right hook away from greatness, which is why, to be part of the greater group of informed, you’re reading those stories and more, all here today in THE COMUNICANO!!!

Andy Abramson

AI Watch

Government Speak—The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the "Roles and Responsibilities Framework for Artificial Intelligence in Critical Infrastructure," aiming to guide the safe integration of AI across sectors like energy, water, and telecommunications. Developed with the AI Safety and Security Board, the framework addresses risks such as AI-driven attacks and system vulnerabilities. It provides tailored recommendations for stakeholders:

- Cloud and Compute Providers: Emphasizes securing AI development environments, managing access, and ensuring physical data center security.

- AI Developers: Advocates for a secure-by-design approach, aligning models with human values, evaluating biases, and supporting independent assessments.

- Critical Infrastructure Operators: Advises implementing robust cybersecurity measures, protecting customer data, maintaining transparency in AI usage, and actively monitoring AI system performance.

DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas highlighted AI's potential to enhance national infrastructure resilience, emphasizing the need to balance innovation with safety. The framework encourages collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the secure deployment of AI in critical services. Here’s the official announcement.

Nvidia Watch

The Heat Is On—Nvidia's latest Blackwell AI chips, designed to enhance computational speeds, are encountering overheating issues when integrated into customized server racks. This problem has led to multiple redesigns of the racks, raising concerns among major clients like Meta, Google, and Microsoft about potential delays in data center deployments. Despite these challenges, Nvidia has not provided a public comment on the situation.

Robot Watch

Yes, Chef—Botinkit, a Shenzhen-based robotics startup, is revolutionizing the culinary world with its advanced cooking robots. Specializing in stir-frying and stewing, these robots are designed to assist chain restaurants in maintaining consistent quality across multiple locations. By automating cooking processes, Botinkit addresses staffing challenges and ensures uniformity in taste and presentation. The company has successfully deployed its robots in various markets, including China and Singapore, and is planning further expansion into the Middle East and Europe. With a recent $13 million Series A funding round, Botinkit is poised to make a significant impact on the global food industry.

Time To Go Farming—Kubota's KATR farm robot has been honored with the "Best of Innovation" award at CES 2025, highlighting its advancements in autonomous, zero-emission farming. This compact, four-wheeled robot features a stable cargo deck and advanced stability control, enabling efficient operation in challenging agricultural and construction environments, including steep slopes. Designed for versatility, the KATR can be equipped with either an electric or combustion engine, offering a load capacity of approximately 285 pounds. It supports both remote and onboard control, reflecting Kubota's commitment to enhancing productivity and sustainability in the agriculture and construction sectors.

A New Puppy—The U.S. Secret Service is employing Boston Dynamics' robotic dog, "Spot," to patrol the Mar-a-Lago estate, enhancing security for President-elect Donald Trump. Equipped with advanced surveillance cameras and sensors, Spot navigates challenging terrains and tight spaces, providing high-tech perimeter protection. Operated remotely or via pre-programmed routes, the robot offers consistent monitoring, free from human distractions. Spot's presence follows heightened security needs due to past threats against Trump. While unarmed, Spot showcases emerging trends in robotics for defense and law enforcement globally, despite public concerns over potential misuse and weaponization. Experts emphasize human oversight remains crucial for these systems.

Streaming Watch

No Pulling Punches—The highly anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, streamed live on Netflix, attracted an estimated 60 million households worldwide. Despite this impressive viewership, the event was marred by significant technical issues, including buffering and pixelation, leading to widespread viewer dissatisfaction. The fight itself, which ended in a unanimous decision for Paul after eight rounds, was criticized for not meeting the pre-fight hype, with many fans expressing disappointment over the lackluster performance. This event highlights the challenges streaming platforms face when venturing into live sports broadcasting.

TikTok Watch

Time To Go—In a significant move, the Canadian government has ordered TikTok to shut down its operations within the country, citing national security concerns. This decision mandates the closure of TikTok's offices in Toronto and Vancouver, directly impacting the platform's Canadian employees. Despite this, Canadians can still access and use the app. The government's action follows a national security review and aligns with similar measures taken by other nations apprehensive about data privacy and foreign influence. TikTok has expressed its intention to challenge this order in court, emphasizing the potential loss of local jobs.

T-Mobile Watch

We’ve Been Hacked—T-Mobile has confirmed its involvement in a series of telecom breaches attributed to Chinese state-sponsored actors, specifically the Salt Typhoon group. While the company asserts that its systems and customer data remain uncompromised, this incident underscores the escalating cybersecurity threats facing the telecommunications sector. The breach is part of a broader campaign targeting major U.S. telecom providers, highlighting the necessity for enhanced security measures and industry-wide collaboration to safeguard sensitive information.

EV Watch

Accident Ahead—A recent study has revealed that Tesla vehicles have the highest fatal accident rate among all auto brands. The analysis indicates that Tesla's fatal accident rate is 0.3 deaths per billion miles driven, surpassing the industry average of 0.2 deaths per billion miles. This statistic raises concerns about the safety of Tesla's Autopilot system, which has been involved in several high-profile accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently investigating multiple incidents related to Tesla's driver-assistance features. Tesla maintains that its vehicles are safe and that Autopilot is designed to assist, not replace, drivers.

It’s Not Your Daddy’s Car—China's XPeng has unveiled the "Land Aircraft Carrier," a modular flying car that combines traditional driving with aerial capabilities. The vehicle features a ground-based "mothership" and a detachable flying module, allowing for seamless transitions between road and air travel. XPeng aims to release this innovative vehicle to the public by 2026, marking a significant advancement in transportation technology.

Travel Watch

Skip The Flight—The New York Times recently explored the practice of "skiplagging," where travelers book flights with layovers at their intended destinations to secure lower fares. While this tactic can offer cost savings, it carries significant risks. Airlines consider skiplagging a violation of their terms of service and may penalize passengers by canceling return flights or revoking frequent flyer miles. Additionally, checked luggage typically continues to the final ticketed destination, complicating travel plans. Travelers should weigh these potential consequences against the financial benefits before attempting such strategies.

A Better Way To Fly— Turkish Airlines has unveiled its new Crystal Business Class cabins, set to debut on Boeing 777 aircraft in 2025. Designed in collaboration with TCI Aircraft Interiors and PriestmanGoode, the cabins feature 42 pods in a 1-2-1 layout, ensuring direct aisle access for all passengers. Each pod offers a lie-flat bed, sliding doors for privacy, and amenities such as wireless charging, adjustable ambient lighting, a 22-inch high-definition screen, and noise-reducing headphones. The design emphasizes a lighter, warmer color scheme with locally sourced natural materials, including leather and marble-style finishes. Passengers can enjoy on-demand dining with authentic Turkish and international dishes prepared by onboard Flying Chefs. Additionally, Turkish Airlines plans to introduce new amenity kits and provide free fleetwide Wi-Fi across all cabins by the end of 2025.