🌐 Mapping the Future!

Hey TEDchats Fam!

Happy Friday! Remember the excitement of unfolding a physical map, tracing fingers over a yet-to-be-explored path? Now, imagine that feeling amplified a thousand-fold. We're not just mapping routes anymore; we're crafting experiences. Dive in!

👀 SNEAK PEEK

🚨FEATURE STORY

Google Maps Reveals AI Magic for Navigation

Have you ever wished for a map that not only shows the way but immerses you in the journey before you even begin? Enter the latest updates from Google Maps, powered by artificial intelligence, promising a revolution in how we plan and experience our travels.

With a Focus on Personalized Experiences…

Google Maps, over the years, has continuously transformed how we interact with our surroundings. From offering eco-friendly routing suggestions to introducing the Live View for real-time navigation using augmented reality, it has always been at the forefront of bridging the gap between technology and real-world exploration.

Can Google Maps Get More Personal? The Answer is Yes!

As more people rely on Google Maps daily, covering over 20 billion kilometers, the challenge remains: how can it enhance users' experience beyond traditional mapping? How can it cater to various users, including drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and even electric vehicle owners, providing them with the most detailed, immersive, and efficient routing solutions?

The game-changing revelation from Google is the introduction of the "Immersive View for Routes”, which “uses AI to fuse together billions of Street View and aerial images”. This feature allows users to preview every turn of their journey, irrespective of the mode of transportation. Whether biking along the scenic routes of San Francisco or driving through the busy streets of Manhattan, users can now get a multidimensional view of their route, effectively preparing them for what's ahead – from traffic conditions to weather predictions. (read more)

And it Continues… From 3D Insights to Tailored Search

Beyond route previews, Google continues its innovative streak with the launch of Photorealistic 3D Tiles, Lens in Maps, enhanced EV charging station information, and a redefined search experience tailored to user curiosity. These features not only address the immediate challenges faced by users but also offer a futuristic vision of map-based navigation and exploration. (read more)

As Google pushes the boundaries of AI-driven map technology, one can only anticipate more groundbreaking innovations. Imagine a world where maps no longer just show routes but become holistic travel companions, offering insights, recommendations, and experiences tailored to individual preferences. The evolution of Google Maps might just be the beginning of this new age of exploration.

🍕 QUICK BITES

Nvidia Dives Deep with AI — Literally!

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and MIT introduce CUREE, an autonomous underwater robot powered by NVIDIA Jetson. Its mission? Investigating the rapid decline of coral reefs, with 25% vanishing in the last 30 years. The robot uses advanced AI to build 3D models of reefs and track marine life, with the ultimate aim to understand human impacts on these vital ecosystems and develop mitigation strategies. (read more)

AI Resurrects Beatles' Last Song

Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, the long-awaited Beatles track "Now and Then" has been revived from a 1970s demo. Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Sean Ono Lennon reflect on the emotional experience of bringing John Lennon's vocals back to life as a part of this song, with the song set to release on November 2nd. (see more)

GoodOnes Rebrands as Ollie

The AI-powered photo-sorting app, GoodOnes, has undergone a name change to "Ollie" after sorting over 400 million photos since its debut six months ago on the Apple App Store. The rebrand aligns with their octopus mascot, which symbolizes the app's AI capabilities. The app's key feature allows users to swiftly sift through photos, marking favorites and identifying those for deletion, all while learning user preferences for enhanced accuracy over time. (read more)

🧰 AI TOOLBOX 

🤯 MIND SPARK

Can Robots Feel Objects Like Humans Can? Humans use their ridged fingertips to feel and understand objects through a mix of fast and slow ion-based sensations. Making artificial skins that can mimic these tactile abilities is tricky because they need to be flexible like human skin but accurate in sensing pressure or forces. To address this challenge, researchers created a soft robotic skin that imitates the way human fingers sense things during grasping. This innovation might lead to better ionic tactile sensors for use in intelligent soft robots and prosthetic devices in the future. (read more)

🎨 AI ART