Lava has added a new Android smartphone to its range with the launch of the new Lava Yuva 3 Pro, the handset comes with a 6.5-inch LCD display that features an HD+ resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. The device is powered by an octa-core Unisoc T616 mobile processor and it comes with 8GB of […]
The post Lava Yuva 3 Pro smartphone unveiled appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.
Alas, The Last of Us Online will never see the light of day. Naughty Dog has announced that it has "made the incredibly difficult decision to stop" its development. It explains that the online team had a clear vision of the project and had already refined its gameplay. However, it soon became clear when the company was ramping the game up to full production that it was going to bite off more than it can chew. If it releases an online game, it has to dedicate all its resources to supporting post launch content in the future. That means becoming a studio that exclusively offers live gaming services — one with no capacity to release more single-player narrative games like the original The Last of Us titles.
The studio first gave us a peek at concept art from the project in 2022, but it offered very little in terms of updates since. After the PlayStation Showcase in May, it admitted that it knows fans of the franchise are looking forward to hearing more about the game but that it realized that it needed more time to work on it and couldn't share details just yet. Bloomberg reported shortly after that, though, that the studio had already reassigned developers working on the project to other teams and was reconsidering its viability. Clearly, Naughty Dog has decided its path, and it doesn't lead to the release of an online title. The developer says it has "more than one ambitious, brand new single player game" in the works and will be sharing what's next when it's ready.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/naughty-dog-cancels-development-on-the-last-of-us-online-055333989.html?src=rssDespite Elon Musk's earlier attempts to avoid further testifying for the Twitter-takeover investigation, his luck appears to have run out. Reuters reported that in a San Francisco hearing on Thursday, a federal judge shot down Musk's attorney's challenge on whether the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officials had the power to issue subpoenas, thus ruling that the exec must therefore comply with the regulator and appear for testimony. US Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler was quoted saying, "you've got one more four-hour deposition, one more day of depositions to survive and it's over." Failing that, the judge would have to issue an order.
The SEC's ongoing probe dives into Musk’s late disclosure of his stake in Twitter — a publicly-traded company back then — which went against the requirements of US securities law. This 10-day delay on the paperwork, along with some potentially misleading information within, may have earned the exec as much as $156 million, according to The Washington Post. Former Twitter shareholders also filed a class-action lawsuit against Musk over his controversial $44 billion takeover of the social media platform, which has since been renamed X.
While it's unlikely that Musk can skip future testimonies for this case, he would be better off heeding Beeler's advice, regardless. "It seems unlikely there’s going to be any more hassle," the judge added, should the world's richest man "work it out" with the SEC. Whether that would help his case is a whole different matter, of course.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/elon-musk-will-have-to-testify-in-secs-twitter-probe-after-all-050742127.html?src=rssBecause a wild west themed bathroom is only as good as its plunger and toilet brush set, ALLOBUB is selling this cactus duo on Amazon (affiliate link) to really tie your desert-inspired baño together. I love it. Now I just need a toilet paper holder that looks like a revolver and a sign above it for the OK Corral, and my guest bathroom will be complete.
The cactus plunger and toilet bowl brush are the same size as the commonly used non-cactus version, the plunger features an extendable flange for tough plunging jobs, and the brush’s head can be screwed off and replaced with a new one if the need arises. That’s a nice feature because I do plan on keeping these for life.
I’ve always been more of a seashore-themed bathroom kind of guy, but I must admit the Wild West is a tempting theme. Cowboys, horses, saloons – the possibilities are practically limitless. As far as I can see, the only problem with a Wild West-themed bathroom is convincing my wife it’s a good idea. That sounds like an uphill battle, and possibly straight up.
[via DudeIWantThat]
Opportunity rarely knocks twice, but this is one of those times. If you missed CIVIVI’s Thanksgiving Month discounts, you may be in luck! Their top-of-the-line EDC is still on a 15-25% discount, which means your new favorite folding knife is still quite literally within grasp. CIVIVI’s knives are loved by tens of thousands of patrons who form the broad EDC community. Designed to be a handy carry-on that you can keep in your pocket, bag, or even attached to the strap of your backpack, CIVIVI’s folding knives are perfect for everything from opening holiday gifts to using as a survival tool in the great outdoors if you plan on heading camping or alternatively to more temperate climates for the wintertime. The discounts make these knives absolute no-brainers, and like all of CIVIVI’s gear, they’re all built to be incredibly resilient, so your first CIVIVI folding blade might just end up being the last one you ever need… Unless you’re a collector like us!
CIVIVI’s Mini Praxis knife is a compact powerhouse that draws inspiration from its larger counterpart, the Praxis. With a 2.98-inch D2 steel drop-point blade, it balances strength and sharpness. The wide G10 handle offers excellent grip, supported by a skeletonized stainless steel liner for added stability without excess weight. Remarkably, the Mini Praxis comes at an affordable price point, making it accessible to a broad audience. Engineered as a reliable workhorse, this pocket-sized gem offers blade options in both D2 steel and stunning Damascus steel, known for its marbling patterns. The handle choices include G10, translucent Ultem, and the luxurious Guibourtia Wood for the Damascus variant. The blade measures just under 3 inches, while the overall design prioritizes compactness for everyday carry (EDC). Weighing a mere 2.77 ounces (78.5 grams) and equipped with a practical pocket clip, it ensures easy and discreet portability.
Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $26.25 $35 (25% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
The Mini Praxis seamlessly blends compact design with uncompromising performance, making it an essential companion for modern adventurers.
The CIVIVI Baby Banter excels as an everyday carry (EDC) knife, combining compact design and practicality for effortless portability. Its petite 59mm (2.34 inch) blade is surprisingly versatile, thanks to the drop-point shape, suitable for various tasks indoors, outdoors, or in tactical situations. Crafted from durable Nitro-V steel with a hardness rating of up to 60HRC, the blade ensures long-lasting sharpness. The full-sized handle, made from G10, offers a comfortable and secure grip while remaining lightweight and rugged.
Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $52.50 $70 (25% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
Incorporating the perfect balance of compactness and functionality, the CIVIVI Baby Banter is a reliable companion for daily adventures. Whether you’re tackling everyday challenges or outdoor escapades, this EDC knife is up to the task, delivering dependable performance in a compact form.
Designed for those who appreciate efficiency in a small package, this unassuming knife boasts a clever feature – an integrated bottle opener discreetly hidden within the closed blade. Unfold the Qubit, and you’ll discover a classic drop-point blade, now crafted from Swedish 14C28N Steel. This choice of steel ensures exceptional resistance to corrosion, chipping, and everyday wear and tear. The Qubit also offers the convenience of a button-lock mechanism for quick and secure closure. Its aluminum handle adds both heft and maneuverability, enhancing not only functionality but also the knife’s all-metal aesthetic appeal. The knife is running a site-wide 25% discount, and CIVIVI’s just dropped a pink-handled variant which has an introductory 15% discount.
Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $59 $78.70 (25% off. Use coupon code “yanko15” to get 15% off on the pink colour). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
The Qubit effortlessly combines practicality and style, making it a versatile companion for various tasks. Whether you require a reliable cutting tool or a bottle opener, this knife has you covered. Its compact size and innovative design make it an essential addition to your everyday carry toolkit.
Although well known for their knife craftsmanship, CIVIVI also has a reputation for stepping out of its comfort zone ever so often. By which I mean that if its audience demands it, they’ll redesign one of their best knives with a new feature, like the Elementum II which now has a button lock. Heck, they’ll even design pens if there’s enough buzz from the fan base. The StellarQuill Pen and Button Lock Elementum II Knife Combo Pack are a perfect culmination of this, giving you an updated crowd-favorite pocket folder, along with a compact all-metal ballpoint pen. The Elementum II retains its modern classic status with a beloved drop-point blade, now made from Nitro-V Steel. The most notable detail is the absence of the liner-lock from the previous model, replaced by a tactile button-lock mechanism that most enthusiasts will love.
Click Here to Buy Now: $76.50 $90 (Use coupon code “yanko15” to get 15% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
Dedicated patrons get a special-edition version of the Elementum II with an ivory-colored G10 handle and bright red liner on the inside. The knife is accompanied by CIVIVI’s StellarQuill pen, a precisely machined piece of stationery made from aerospace-grade aluminum that’s perfectly sized to slide right into your pocket. It even comes with a lanyard hole to string into your keychain or a lanyard.
Built on the framework of one of their most popular knives, this variation of the full-size Praxis now comes with a button lock, allowing for a more engaging and reliable deploying and retracting experience. Unlike the Mini Praxis (which has its own fan base), the Button Lock Praxis is a little larger and a little more capable, thanks to its full-size grip and 3.75″ Nitro-V blade. The blade still retains its drop-point design, which most people will say is the most popular design in the knife world, but the handle now comes made from Aluminum, giving the knife a balanced grip and a wee bit of weight (6.55oz / 185.6g) that makes it much more stable during use. If you felt like the Mini Praxis was the right design but just a tad too small for your liking, the Button Lock Praxis may just be the perfect alternative.
Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $74.80 $88 (Use coupon code “yanko15” to get 15% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
The Button Lock Praxis is just one of those knives that has been perfected over time and has reached a place where it arguably couldn’t be improved any further. Aside from adding extra tools/features, there’s not much you can do to make this knife better than it already is, aside from a discount I guess?! *wink wink nudge nudge*
The Chevalier II isn’t too different from its predecessor, the Chevalier, except for the fact that it now comes with a gorgeous machined aluminum handle that elevates the knife’s design. When you close your eyes and imagine a classic pocket knife, chances are your brain thinks of something like the Chevalier II – a simple, sophisticated little EDC that’s no-fuss and no-nonsense. The 3.47″ 14C28N steel blade is arguably the perfect size (not too small or big) and comes in a sheepsfoot profile that is great for cutting and slicing, and minimizes the risk of accidentally piercing yourself with the blade’s tip.
Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $69.70 $82 (Use coupon code “yanko15” to get 15% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
There’s something beautiful about how clean and slick the Chevalier II’s design is. This doesn’t, however, compromise on its functionality, whether it’s the balanced all-metal design, the pocket-clip that can be reversed, or the years of expertise its maker CIVIVI has in the knife business.
The Propugnator stands out in this entire list because unlike every other knife, it comes with a fixed D2 blade that doesn’t fold into the handle. This significant design directions means the Propugnator is significantly more robust and is designed for heavy-duty tasks. If you want an EDC that doubles as a letter-opener, owning the Propugnator would be like using a flamethrower to light a candle – it’s kind of overkill. Instead, the Propugnator is built for a more hardcore lifestyle, whether it’s hunting, fishing, bushcraft, survival, or tactical use. The knife comes with a full-tang design, which means the blade’s metal extends all the way to the back, forming the skeleton of its handle. The edge of the blade measures well over 4 inches and comes with a rather edgy-looking reverse-tanto design that resembles the raw appeal of chiseled obsidian. You’ve got a choice between G10, Micarta, or Ultem handles, which give your knife a distinct design and tactile grip. The fixed-blade structure means each knife also comes with its own sheath crafted from Black Kydex, with a loop that lets it attach to your pants or belt loop.
Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $75.99 $89.40 (Use coupon code “yanko15” to get 15% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
The Propugnator, which means defender or vindicator, is far from your average EDC knife. It clearly means business and nothing else. The full-tang fixed D2 blade is sturdy and reliable, and that sculpted reverse tanto edge works remarkably well for all sorts of cutting, piercing, slicing, stabbing, and scraping tasks. Look away if you’re faint-hearted…
The Typhoeus takes the term ‘folding knife’ to an entirely new level. While most knives simply have a blade that folds into a handle, the Typhoeus has a folding handle too that transforms from your regular handheld knife to a push-dagger-style knife that’s better suited for all-out tactical warfare. While the likelihood of needing a push-dagger as EDC is fairly low for us common citizens, the Typhoeus conveniently gives us the option with its convertible design. The knife sports a 2.27″ clip-point blade crafted from 14C28N steel, sitting within a two-part G10 handle that morphs from a linear form factor to a T-shaped one that you can hold in the grip of your hand with the blade pointing out between your fingers. “Perfect for general work or self-defence,” says one reviewer on CIVIVI’s site, and we can’t help but feel that might just be the best way to describe the Typhoeus… a perfectly good everyday folder, but with a wild alter-ego!
Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $63.75 $75 (Use coupon code “yanko15” to get 15% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
The knife’s Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde persona is perfect for anything life throws at you, whether it’s an Amazon parcel or a mugger. Each knife also comes with its own black leather sheath that lets you stash your bad-boy away when not in use.
Like the Typhoeus, the Brazen too has a tactical personality. It boasts an edgy, aggressive design with an American Tanto-style blade that offers dual edges and a pointed tip, perfect for piercing, slicing, chopping, and more. Crafted from 14C28N steel, the 3.46-inch (88mm) blade is housed within a slim yet grippy G10 handle, and in this variant, it ditches the liner lock for a button lock. Rightfully christened Brazen, it isn’t afraid of challenges, making it the top choice for those who confront adversity head-on. With a weight of 3.91 ounces (101.8 grams), it’s a practical everyday carry that’s ready to prove itself, and be carried everywhere you go, thanks to the deep pocket clip attached to the handle.
Click Here to Buy Now: $63.75 $75 (Use coupon code “yanko15” to get 15% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
The Brazen, now with a button-lock, is effortless yet tactical – which sound like conflicting attributes, but they aren’t. The Button Lock Brazen is a lovely companion that gives you two edges for the price of one (thanks to the American Tanto blade), allowing you to cut, pierce, score, and do everything you would with your knife, using whichever edge you find more convenient. It also has a cool-kid aesthetic that should rub off on you too, making everyone ask you where you got your EDC from.
The Vision FG is our new favorite CIVIVI knife because it ticks all the boxes with an eye-catching ambidextrous design, a unique handle that comes with holes that let you peek through and see the blade when closed (and also make the knife lightweight), and a Superlock on top that lets you effortlessly deploy and dock the knife’s highly capable blade in seconds. Before we admire the superlock and the handle, it’s worth noting that the Vision FG comes with a different kind of drop-point, boasting a straight-back that gives the blade a ‘belly’ of sorts that lets you rock the knife back and forth while using it. The blade, crafted from Nitro-V, measures a respectable 3.54 inches (89.9mm), and will slice even through paracords with practically zero resistance. The handle, on the other hand, comes in translucent Ultem, highly durable Micarta, and the standard G10 variants. A noteworthy detail is the presence of holes that make the handle rather interesting to look at, giving it visual as well as physical lightness (the Vision FG weighs 4.35 ounces or 123.4 grams). Built into the top of the handle is a superlock that relaxes the blade, allowing you to deploy or retract it in milliseconds. The superlock is unique to just the Vision FG, and play with it once and you’ll never want to go back to a button or liner lock ever again!
Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $78.20 $92 (Use coupon code “yanko15” to get 15% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!
The Vision FG is a rare combination of good-looking, powerful, and uniquely pleasurable to hold and use. The ambidextrous handle and superlock are sure to keep your hands and fingers occupied at all times, and that straight-back Nitro-V blade is formidable, to say the least.
The post Top 10 EDC knives by CIVIVI to gift that enhance your outdoor adventures first appeared on Yanko Design.
When I say campfire, it would evoke a different emotion in each one of us. Time for self, chat with friends, searing meat for dinner; everything besides an ignited fire pit. One thing that remains constant though is the usual fuss of igniting the fire, tending to it, and ensuring it burns with less smoke and more heat. Finally, there may be a flat-packed fire pit that wants to ensure setting up fire is a breeze and you can control intensity and ambiance, thanks to its customizable metal plank design.
Designer: UM Design
Click Here to Buy Now: $225 $299 (25% off). Hurry, only 1/20 left, less than 48 hours to go!
The user-friendly UM Fire Pit is a product of Japanese craftsmanship and immaculate metalwork. The design is pretty straightforward: you have a round base, that collects ash and has air vents to help in combustion as wood burns in the pit. The pit comprises eight similar-sized laser-cut and bent sheets of metal, which vertically fasten into the dedicated grooves in the base. You can choose to use a few or all of the planks, depending on whether you want to watch the fire burn when you’re sitting alone outside your tent, or want to barbecue steak for family dinner at the park next to your RV.
Given its design, the UM Fire Pit disassembles and can fit – along with its grill grate – into the carrying bag the size of a laptop case. When you’re at the campsite, you can assemble the fire pit back up in under a minute and build an effective campfire with minimal hassle. Interestingly, the fire pit packed up for transportation weighs 13 lbs, so if you’re a backpacker, this may not be the best bet. But if you’re driving or riding into the wilderness, there cannot be a more utility fire pit companion for you.
I say this not because the UM Fire Pit has a fancy design and appears trendy and everything. In fact, I base my argument on its dual combustion design. The air vents in the base generate airflow into the pit helping boost air circulation, which permits the wood to burn more efficiently with less smoke. The eight panels making an enclosed heat chamber create secondary combustion which allows the wood to burn well. A grill plate can be added to the top (covers half portion) of the vertically aligned planks to prepare a good, smoked meal made possible by the pit’s adjustable combustion system and optimized airflow.
And when you want more visibility of the fire and don’t want to use the grilling option, you can remove a few panels and create the balance of warmth and visibility you want. The ash collected in the base of the UM Fire Pit is easy clean up, while the corrosion-resistant stainless interior of the base and the metal planks assure durability and years of usage. The exterior black color of these panels exudes a rustic charm made possible with mill scale coating instead of paint. The fire pit is currently being crowdfunded, it has already reached the funding goal and should be in line with its estimated shipping time of January 2024. The UM Fire Pit will retail for $299 but is for now available at a discount of $225. The product is made and will be shipped from Japan, so overseas customers will have to bear shipping and customs fees.
Click Here to Buy Now: $225 $299 (25% off). Hurry, only 1/20 left, less than 48 hours to go!
The post This Japanese flat-pack fire pit sets up effortlessly and uses a dual combustion system to amplify heat first appeared on Yanko Design.
The LEGO-based pixelated look goes well with the PS One, which ran 32-bit games when it launched in the 90s. We’ve come a long way since then, but LEGO Builder GoofySwan099 decided to do a grand throwback to the good old days with this LEGO version of Sony’s first-ever gaming console. It isn’t clear how many bricks this build uses, but it comes with all the bells and whistles, including memory card and controller inputs on the front, an opening CD tray, and RCA ports on the back. Accompanying the console itself is a controller, multiple memory cards, and even a LEGO compact disc that fits right into the machine!
Designer: GoofySwan099
Although a little rough around the edges, the LEGO PS One is a spitting replica of the original. It’s fairly operational with maneuverable parts, add-ons, and a matching color scheme complete with logos to remind you of the real deal. Lift the hood and you’ll see a rotating CD that comes out (don’t forget to blow on the CD as you put it in like they used to back in the old days), and along with memory cards that saved game progress, you’ve got two slots for controllers, enabling team and mano-a-mano gameplay.
“The console has working features such as a power button, open button, memory card ports, controller port, and reset button. The back of the console is also detailed, showing all of the ports to connect the console to a television,” says LEGO builder GoofySwan099.
There’s even venting on the sides, designed to push air backward and out of the console!
At 2487 votes, the LEGO PlayStation One is gradually climbing up the Ideas forum charts, where community members like you and me get to vote for our favorite fan-made pieces. If it reaches the 10,000 vote target, LEGO’s internal team will consider making this into a box set, following some amount of design refinement.
The post Incredibly Detailed LEGO PlayStation One comes with Controllers, a CD, and even Memory Cards first appeared on Yanko Design.
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren is the latest public figure to question how Meta is moderating content during the Israel-Hamas war. In a letter addressed to Mark Zuckerberg, Warren raises several issues reported by Instagram users since October 7, and presses Meta for more information about its underlying policies and how much content the company has taken down related to the conflict.
In the letter, Warren cites reports from the media and human rights groups about inconsistencies in the company’s moderation practices since the start of the war. In particular, she notes that numerous Instagram users have accused the company of "shadowbanning" them for posting about the conditions in Gaza. She also references a third-party audit, commissioned by Meta and published last year, that found the company violated Palestinians’ right to free expression in 2021, the last time there was a major escalation in violence in the Gaza Strip.
“Reports of Meta’s suppression of Palestinian voices raise serious questions about Meta’s content moderation practices and anti-discrimination protections,” Warren writes. “Social media users deserve to know when and why their accounts and posts are restricted, particularly on the largest platforms where vital information-sharing occurs.”
The letter asks for detailed information about how Meta is enforcing its policies in the context of the war. For example, it asks Meta to disclose statistics about the number of posts that have been removed since October 7, and how many of those takedowns have been appealed. It also asks Meta to explain reports that the company hid numerous Instagram comments with Palestinian flags for being “potentially offensive.”
The letter gives Zuckerberg a January 5 deadline to respond to the questions. Meta didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Meta has come under increasing scrutiny for its moderation practices since October 7. The company has publicly blamed several issues on unspecified technical glitches and bugs, but has also acknowledged taking temporary emergency measures to slow the spread of potentially harmful content.
Meta’s independent Oversight Board is also fast-tracking two cases related to the Israel-Hamas war content, the first time the group has opted to expedite its usual months-long process. The board said at the time it had seen a surge in appeals from Facebook and Instagram users since the start of the conflict.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/elizabeth-warren-is-demanding-more-transparency-from-meta-on-how-its-handling-content-about-palestine-on-instagram-220226606.html?src=rss
Imagine a car so tiny it can fit in an elevator, yet it’s yours to build and drive. Enter the Peel P50, the world’s smallest production car from the 1960s, now available as a DIY kit. This miniature marvel, originally produced with just enough room for “one adult and one shopping bag,” is smaller than a Vespa scooter and lacks a reverse gear, relying instead on a handle at the back for manual maneuvering.
Touted as quite literally the world’s smallest car, the P50 sports a fiberglass shell, has a 49cc engine on the inside, weighs a paltry 300 pounds, and is like an adult equivalent of the iconic Little Tikes Cozy Coupe. For the eco-conscious or the simply curious, the electric model, powered by a 4 kW motor, tops out at a modest 28 mph. The car is available as a DIY kit that ships complete with wheels, body, seat, steering wheel, drivetrain, and more, demanding around 50 hours of assembly time. For those less inclined to build their own, fully-assembled versions are available too!
Designer: P.50 Cars
Despite its diminutive size, the P50 replica doesn’t skimp on essentials: suspension, lighting, horn, brakes, mirrors, and the iconic single suicide door on the left side. It’s street legal in most places, classified as a kit car, moped, or motorcycle. As P50 Cars puts it, the P50 and Trident are ideal for novice car builders due to their mechanical simplicity, light weight, and small size. All you need is a few tools, a little garage space, and patience. Registering your completed kit car is typically straightforward, given its classification.
This unique piece of automotive history may be scooter-sized, although it’s priced slightly higher than your average two-wheeler. The self-assembly kit starts at approximately £12,100 ($15,435), while a fully-assembled model will set you back around £15,200 ($19,389). But for the chance to own and drive the world’s smallest car, that might just be a price worth paying.
The modern P50 has been updated with more contemporary stylings and paint options. Its classification as a light moped or scooter makes it street legal, adding a unique, space-efficient touch to your garage. Measuring only four and a half feet long and three and a quarter feet wide, the car is akin to a playful piece of nostalgia or a statement in eco-conscious driving.
The post The World’s Smallest Car comes as a DIY kit that you can build yourself for just $15,000 first appeared on Yanko Design.
Agility Robotics shared a demo video Wednesday of one of its Digit robots upgraded with AI. Although that may conjure terrifying pop-culture images of sentient sci-fi machines taking over the world, the demo video reveals something much more pedestrian, if not boring. The bipedal warehouse robot ploddingly works to complete a slightly puzzling task without direct human control or detailed guidance. In the clip, it slowly but successfully interprets and executes the command, “Take the box that’s the color of Darth Vader’s lightsaber, and move it to the tallest tower in the front row.”
The company, which added a “head” and “hands” to Digit earlier this year, pitches the demonstration as a glimpse into how large language models (LLMs) can enhance its humanoid machines. It suggests it’s a natural fit, describing Digit as “a physical embodiment of artificial intelligence.”
“We created a demo space with a series of numbered towers of several heights, as well as three boxes with multiple defining characteristics,” Pras Velagapudi, Agility Robotics’ vice president of innovation and chief architect, explained in the clip. “Digit was given information about this environment, but was not given any specific information about its tasks. Just natural language commands of varying complexity to see if it could execute them.”
The clip shows Digit’s beat-by-beat inner monologue overlaid on the screen as the robot thinks its way through the task. For example, “I should find out what commands I can use,” “I should first assess the environment to see what items and locations are available,” and “Darth Vader’s light saber is red, and so the red box (box2) is the one I need to move. The tallest tower in the front row is tower4. I will first move to the location of box2.”
After moving to the location of the red box, Digit continues. “Now that I’m at the location of box2, I should pick it up,” it reasons. It continues, “Now that I have box2, I should move to the location of the tallest tower in the front row, which is tower4” and “Now that I’m at tower4, I should place box2 on it.” Finally, it declares its work finished: “I believe I have completed the task, as I have moved the box that is the color of Darth Vader’s light saber (red, box2) to the tallest tower in the front row (tower4).”
Agility Robotics, which pitches Digit as sparing human workers from the most taxing physical activities, says it created the demo to “show how LLMs could make our robots more versatile and faster to deploy.” The company is building an Oregon factory to produce 10,000 humanoid robots annually. It has also inked a deal with Amazon for the retailer to test Digit in a Seattle-area facility. Fiction-fueled fears aside, the robots are much more likely to hurt humans by stealing their warehouse jobs than by shapeshifting, murdering innocents or reenacting other Hollywood-fueled dystopian nightmares.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/agilitys-digit-warehouse-robot-understands-natural-language-commands-thanks-to-ai-smarts-214415066.html?src=rss