Category Archives: Futurism

Building a Better Brain

In case you missed it, Facebooks annual developer conference started today. At the event, CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed key details about where the company is going next, specifically focusing on what Facebook is working on in relation to bots, virtual reality, augmented reality, and new communication methods (such as advances they are working on in Messenger).

Oh, and he also said that key details are going to be revealed tomorrow about Facebooks direct brain interface.

The work comes from Facebooks mysterious Building 8(B8), which has apparently been working on brain-computer technologies for some time. In their recent call for an engineer, B8 states that they are seeking an experienced Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Engineer who will be responsible for working on a 2-year B8 project focused on developing advanced BCI technologies.

Today, Zuckerberg stated what the ultimate goal of this interface will be. The full quote is below:

Tomorrow, we are going to update you on all of our work on connectivity. We have a team right now in Arizona preparing for our second flight of Aquila, our solar powered plane thats going to help beam down internet connectivity to people all around the globe, and were going to update you on a lot of the other technology that we are building too. Youre going to hear from Regina Dugan about some of the work that were doing to build even further out beyond augmented reality, and that includes work around direct brain interfaces that are going to, eventually, one day, let you communicate using only your mind.

Zuckerberg asserts that the company will discuss where they are in relation to their work on the BCI technology and the timeline until the final unveiling. Of course, neuroscience is rather complex, and there is a lot of research that has yet to be done. So the details will likely be based largely on projections.

That said, BCI technologies may be a lot closer than many assume.

Zuckerberg isnt the only one working on a brain-computer interface. Recently, Elon Musk announced that he is creating a company called Neuralink, which will research the human brain in order to augment human intelligence and allow humans to keep pace with artificial intelligences. Initially, these enhancements will likely assist in smaller ways, such as helping us improve our memories by creating additional, removable storage components.

Similarly, Braintree founder Bryan Johnson is investing $100 million to make a neuroprosthesis that will allowus to unlock the power of the human brain and, ultimately, make our neural code programmable. Johnson outlines the purpose of his work, stating that its all about co-evolution:

Our connection with our new creations of intelligence is limited by screens, keyboards, gestural interfaces, and voice commands constrained input/output modalities. We have very little access to our own brains, limiting our ability to co-evolve with silicon-based machines in powerful ways.

He is working to change this and ensure that we have a seamless interface with our technologies (and our AI). So get ready. Human superintelligence is (very likely) only a matter of time.

Disclosure: Bryan Johnson is an investor in Futurism; he does not hold a seat on our editorial board or have any editorial review privileges.

Excerpt from:
Zuckerberg: Facebook Is Working on a Brain Interface That Lets You Communicate Using Only Your Mind - Futurism

In Brief Tesla just made its cheapest electric vehicle variants even cheaper. The price adjustments, which also affected the higher-end Tesla EVs, come as the Model 3 gets ready for shipping later this year.

In the United States, transportation alone accounts for nearly 30 percentof global warming emissions. Cars and trucks, specifically, account for almost one-fifth of the total U.S. emissions, contributing around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases for every gallon of gas.

Any serious effort to decrease global warming emissions and fight climate change, therefore, includes developing cleaner vehicles. One of the champions in this front is Tesla and its electric vehicle lineup. Now, Elon Musks innovative company is makingtheir cheapest EV even cheaper.

Yesterday, Tesla announced a $5,000 decrease in the price of theModel S 75 and its all-wheel drive 75D variant both powered by a 75kWh battery putting their base prices at $69,500 and $74,500, respectively. At the same time, the drop in prices was accompanied byadded freebies. Both Model S variants now have an automatic rear liftgate and a glass roof.

Other Tesla EV models also got some price adjustments, and the cost of upgrading to higher battery capacities dropped as well. The price changes come as the $35,000 Model 3 is expected to begin shipping this year.

Making EVs accessible to more people is a big partof Teslas fight against climate change. Putting more electric cars on the roads will surely cut CO2 emissions in the long run, and once regulations catch up with autonomous driving tech, Teslas will be saving the lives of both current drivers and future generations.

See more here:
Elon Musk Just Made a Tesla Vehicle a Lot More Affordable - Futurism

In Brief Volkswagen just unveiled a new electric crossover concept called the I.D. Crozz today. Though not intended for sale, the I.D. Crozz boasts top speeds and an extended range on a single charge.

Today, just beforethe Auto Shanghai motor show, German car manufacturer Volkswagen unveiled their latest all-electric vehicle: the I.D. Crozz. This electric crossover concept is the third in VWs new I.D. lineup, after its hatchback and van concepts.

The I.D. Crozz combines a four-door coup with an SUV. This crossover concept is also supposedly fully autonomous. It uses four laser scanners on the roof to detect obstacles, along with radar and ultrasonic sensors, and multiple cameras. The car is even able to communicate what mode its in (autonomous or manual) using glowing LED lights on the cars roof and grille.

The car can reach top speeds of 180 kilometers (112 miles) and at a range of 500 kilometers (311 miles) with just a single charge. Its powered by two electric motors at the front and rear axles, for a combined 225 kW (302 horsepower), according to AutoBlog.

Unfortunately, the I.D. Crozz issimply a concept vehicle, meaning it isnt intended to be sold. However, VW would probably produce a consumer version based on the this concept, as the German car maker has previously set a goal of selling 1 million EVs yearly by 2025.Volkswagen also said earlier that they will launch a pure-electric car in China next year.

Still, the supposed capabilities of this crossover concept are worth noting. An electric vehicle with such an extended range can make EVs more attractive to motorists. It dashes fears of running out of power without nearby charging stations. This could help to open the doors to wider EV consumer adoption and thats a good thing. EVs on the road would reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by the transportation industry, which totals to about 30 percent of all carbon emissions in the U.S. alone.

Read more from the original source:
VW Just Showcased an All-Electric Car That Goes a Staggering 311 Miles on One Charge - Futurism

In Brief A new competitor is entering the auto and tech industry to compete with Tesla's dominance over electric vehicles. Lucid Motors is creating a true luxury vehicle in the Air. The Age of Electric Vehicles

While Tesla is the most recognized name in electric vehicles (EV), it isnt the only one. Teslas pursuit of a cheaper, cleaner, and more sustainable form of transportation hasa proven popularity. With this comes natural competition among electric automakers that leaves consumers and the Earth with a net positive.

Enter Lucid Motors, a California-based electric vehicle company that has developed a new electric car known as the Air. While the most affordable version of the Air is still more expensive than upcoming Model 3 at $52,500,Mashables Ray Wongsays that the vehicle has been billed by many as a Tesla killer thats more high tech and luxurious than the Model S, adding, it felt more like being in a private jet or in a first-class plane cabin than in a road vehicle. Even the former Chief Engineer on the Model S, Peter Rawlinson, agrees. Click to View Full Infographic Rawlinson, the current Chief Technology Officer at Lucid Motors, says that the sculpted battery on the Air provides passengers with far more space than what any Tesla vehicle is able to provide.Some features of the $100,000 fully-loaded Air include: a 1,000 horsepowerall-wheel drive twin-motor, a battery that lasts 400 miles, reclining backseats, and front seats that provide a massage. The basic Air will have a 400-horsepower rear-wheel drive single motor and a battery that lasts 240 miles. All models will allow drivers to activate level 4 or 5 autonomous driving, have touchscreens instead of an instrument panel, voice assistant/AI, and facial recognition.

While luxury cars have led the EV charge (pun intended), more options are gradually becoming available frommany other automakers so that everyone can be a part of the electric vehicle solution.

As more choices become available, consumershave the opportunity to find an EV that falls in their price range while meeting their own personal standards. All EVs today do come with certain benefits, such as home recharging, low-cost operation, reduced emissions, and a very quiet, smooth ride. The vehicles could also save the United States billions of dollars in healthcare costs. As more consumers jump on the EV bandwagon, we will see costs go down while a greener thumbprint across the globe emerges.

Read more:
When It Comes to Tech, Lucid Motors Seems to Have Tesla Beat - Futurism

In BriefWhile reviewing the budgets of federal agencies, the TrumpAdministration asked NASA officials about the potentialcommercialization of NASA technologies and how NASA tech could beused for profitable enterprises like lunar and asteroid mining. Supporting NASA

President Donald Trumps proposed 2018 federal budgetleaves most ofNASAs funding intact, with the total budget coming in at $19.1 billion (slightly less than the $19.3 billion approved for 2017). Thanks to Motherboards acquisition of communication between the Trump Administration and NASA, we may have a little more insight as to why the administration views NASA as a good investment.

According to documents, the Trump team asked fordata and examples of NASAs technology development with the commercial industry and information on whether government-funded developments are disseminated through contracts/partnerships.

In short, they wanted to know how NASA helped fund and fuel private industries and how they contribute to money-making enterprisescase in point, the administration asked about NASAs plan to survey the Moon in order to locate potential raw materials and determine how they can best be extracted for mining purposes.

In response, NASA assured the administration that it continuously searches for appropriate public-private partnerships, expecting the technology that it develops to grow private commercial pursuits such as work in low-Earth orbit. Specifically, they say they are working with industry to develop innovative cislunar [a region that is equidistantbetween Earth and the Moon] habitation concepts that leverage existing commercialization plans.

The commercialization of low-Earth orbit could mean a treasure trove of resources totaling up to potentially trillions of dollars. Rare and valuable resources, such as platinum-group metals, can be mined from nearby asteroids or the Moon over a sustainable period of time. That is, only if NASA has the chance to survey the Moons Polar volatiles, or regions that include minable water, hydrogen, and methane substances that can supply long-term human missions in the future.

This apparent focus from the administration is notable, as Lunar and asteroid mining has received increased interest from the private sector over recent years, with companies such asPlanetary Resources andNexGen Space (the president of which, Charles Miller, is part of Trumps team) advocating for the feasibility and profitability of such endeavors. While NASA isnt new to bolstering commercialized efforts in space, the space agency has subtly pointed out in Motherboards100 paged FOIA request that its mission isnt primarily commercial, but scientific.

NASA envisions a future in which low Earth orbit is largely the domain of commercial activity while NASA leads its international and commercial partners in the human exploration of deep space, they wrote.

To this end, the benefits of more private operations in space include greater transparency of costs, low-cost execution of launches and exploration, greater access to different vantage points in low-Earth orbit, quick production, international collaboration, and an overall facilitation of NASAs over-arching goal of achieving human deep-space exploration.

While NASA is in it for the science, the administration might have other ideas. But will a stronger emphasis on profitability stifle innovation or help it grow? We may get a clearer answer once the national budget is finalized and implemented.

View post:
The Trump Administration is Interested in Extracting Resources From The Moon - Futurism

Man-Made Climate Change

There is a substantial body of research that details anthropogenic, or man-made, climate change.Climate mitigation policies have largely been based on theevidence that has resulted in thisscientific consensus. In particular, the Paris Climate Agreement,which was finalized in 2015 and opened for signatures in 2016, is perhaps the most comprehensive of these policies.

The historic agreement, which has been signed by 143 of the 197 total participating nations, aims to reduce the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Concretely, it sets a goal of limiting global average temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels and of pursuing efforts to limit temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).

However, how these goals are to be achieved have largely been left on the discretion of the individual countries. This is where a new study published by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in the journal Nature Communications comes in.

The IIASA researchers, led by World Bank consultant Brian Walsh, used a global model of the carbon system which monitors both natural and anthropogenic activities that account for carbon uptake and release. This study gives a broad accounting of the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, where it comes from, and where it goes Walsh explained in an interview for a IIASA press release. We take into account not just emissions from fossil fuels, but also agriculture, land use, food production, bioenergy, and carbon uptake by natural ecosystems.

The findings showed that, for the Paris Climate Agreements goals to be realized, global energy supply must only be 25 percent dependent on fossil fuels by 2100. However, simply limiting greenhouse gas emissions is not enough. In addition,carbon sinks, like forests,must be preserved so they can continue to absorb carbon.The researchers found that landuse must changein order toreduce cumulative emissions to 45 percent by end of the century.

If nations can work together to attack climate change by both reducing fossil fuel consumption and by enforcing environmentally friendlyland use,we could reachzero net anthropogenic emissions well before 2040. This could allow us to achieve the goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2100,according to coauthor Michael Obersteiner, Ecosystems Services and Management Program Director at the IIASA.

The model of a high renewable future for energyshowed an ambitious but possible alternative. In this scenario, a yearly 5 percent increase in renewable energy dependence could lead to a peak in net carbon emissions by 2022. Its an entirely plausible scenario, especially since renewable energy consumption has been on the rise. However, renewables have to be combined with negative emissions technologies, for without these global average temperature could still rise to 2.5C missing the Paris Climate Agreements goals.

Read more here:
New Research Reveals What We Must Do to Avoid Catastrophic Climate Changes - Futurism

In BriefRussia's FEDOR humanoid robot can now shoot guns, leadingcritics of artificial intelligence to express concerns over thepotential danger it poses. The Russian government, however, wasquick to point out that the exercise isn't meant to create a"Terminator." No Terminator, No SkyNet

A number of experts have already warnedthat artificial intelligence (AI)could lead to the end of humanity. While these warnings havent entirely fallen on deaf ears, the development of systems that would no doubt be considered questionable by AI-naysayers has persisted. Russias highly capable robot FEDOR is one such system.

FEDOR short for Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research is a humanoid robot developed by Android Technics and the Advanced Research Fund. The multi-talented bot can drive a car, use various tools (including keys), screw in lightbulbs, and even do pushups. It has also proven capable of working in extreme conditions.

Now, Russias deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin showed via Twitter that FEDOR has added shooting handguns to its skill set. Robot platform F.E.D.O.R. showed shooting skills with two hands, one tweet read. Rogozin also posted a video of FEDOR actually firing guns along with the tweet.

Naturally, such a display of gunslinging skills by a robot bothered some people. Rogozin, however, was quick to assure them that theres nothing to fear. We are not creating a Terminator, but artificial intelligence that will be of great practical significance in various fields, he explained in another tweet.

When FEDOR was first introduced, its purpose was quite clear the robot was designed to be used for rescue work. However, as its abilities have expanded, its purpose has been augmented to include space exploration.

By 2021, FEDOR is expected to be space-bound as the sole passenger on the Russian Federatsiya spacecraft, or it could be used as part of Russias planned 2031 Moon missions. This thing can work without a space suit, live not only in a crew vehicle, but even outside it, Rogozin previously said about FEDOR.

As for shooting guns, Rogozin explained that the exercise was meant to improve FEDORs decision-making algorithms and fine motor skills. Of course, potential military uses for the android have been suggested in the past, according to a report by The Independent, andFEDOR wouldnt be the first robot designed for combat.

Concerns over AIspotentially damaging effects arent limited to just physical harm. Several experts believe that a more concrete and imminent effect would be job displacement,which may already be happening. Of course,some see automation in a morepositive light, suggesting that it could actuallyimprove humanitys place in the workforce.

In any case, intelligent robots and machines will clearly change society,and they neednt be carrying guns to do so.

Continue reading here:
FEDOR Is a Gunslinging Robot That's Just a Skin Suit Away From Westworld - Futurism

In BriefAstronomers have discovered a large planetary body at the edgeof our solar system. Named DeeDee (for Distant Dwarf), it may holdclues to the formation of planets in our solar system. Didnt See You There

Its no Planet Nine, but the planetary body astronomers have found at the far edge of our solar system is a notable discovery nonetheless. Theyve named it DeeDee, for Distant Dwarf, and although it was first noticed in late 2016, little information about its physical structure was known back then. Now, new data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) has uncovered details about DeeDee, and its even larger than scientists predicted.

The new data reveals that DeeDee is around two-thirds the size of Ceres, the dwarf planet whose claim to fame is being our asteroid belts largest member. DeeDee also has enough mass to be spherical, so it qualifies as a dwarf planet, although astronomers have not bestowed that official label upon it just yet.

DeeDee rests approximately 92 astronomical units thats about 137 billion kilometers or 86 billion miles from the Sun toward the edge of our solar system. Light from the Sun takes around 13 hours to reach DeeDee, making it second only to the dwarf planet Eris in terms of most distant known trans-Neptunian object (TNO) orbits. DeeDee takes around 1,100 years to lap the Sun just once.

Finally noticing this distant neighbor to the mysterious Planet Nine hints at how much is still unknown right here in our own solar system. Far beyond Pluto is a region surprisingly rich with planetary bodies, lead researcher David Gerdessaid in a news release from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). Some are quite small but others have sizes to rival Pluto and could possibly be much larger.

Planetary objects like DeeDee are the best clues to understanding how the planets in our solar system formed. They are remnants from our solar systems past, but also a sign of our astronomical future a future that includes modern technology capable of detecting extremely distant and slow-moving objects on the edges of our solar system. That future is just on the horizon thanks to continued tech advancements like bigger telescopes such asthe James Webb.

DeeDee is a perfect example of the rapid pace of this advancement. It was first noticed by researchers at Chiles Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory as part of the Dark Energy Survey last year. At the time, astronomers werent sure if it was small and very reflective or large and very dark. Follow-up observations from ALMA were able to confirm its unusual size and darkness readily.

ALMA picked it up fairly easily, Gerdes confirmed in the NRAO release. We calculated that this object would be incredibly cold, only about 30 degrees Kelvin, just a little above absolute zero. They then confirmed that DeeDee reflected only around 13 percent of the sunlight that reached it, making it about as bright as a candle at the halfway mark between Earth and the Moon yet we still saw it.

The discovery of DeeDee heralds more revelations to come, both bright and dark, with all revealing new clues about our mysterious solar system and universe.

See the original post:
Astronomers Found an Enormous Object Orbiting at the Edge of Our Solar System - Futurism

In BriefAs climate change rages on, so do global average temperatures.With the clear destruction of climate change related disasters likeHurricane Matthew and the wildfires in Alberta, we need to moreseriously battle climate change. Its Getting Hot in Here

It was the hottest year on record in 2014and then again in 2015and thats right, you guessed it, again in 2016. For the third consecutive year, it was the hottest year in all of recorded history. Now, dont dwell on these past years for too long because, as you might be disappointingly anticipating, 2017 is promising to be even warmer.

The record temperatures of last year didnt just cause some of us to sweat a little bit more, they actually led to the severe wildfires that ran rampant in Alberta, Canada. These wildfires cost insurers $3.58 billion and came as a result of the combination of both record dryness and temperatures.

There have also been major heat waves in the Arctic, contributing to rapidly rising sea levels and the destruction of Arctic wildlife. Climate change, which has led to these environmental and temperaturechanges, has also caused the continued bleaching of the coral reefs. In fact, as of recently, scientists have listed the reefs as terminal, with many portions well beyond repair.

In Haiti, people are experiencing first hand the deadly toll that climate change can take. Hurricane Matthew wreaked havoc throughout the country, and its citizens are still picking up the pieces. These consistently warming temperatures are not going to wait fifty, twenty, or even five years to take effect. As the Earth warms and sea levels rise, we will quickly see more and more of the effects of climate change.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that last year, temperatures increased to 1.1C above what was recorded in the pre-industrial era. Global temperatures increased consistentlyand drastically. Now, many people see 1.1C and its difficult to see why this temperature variation would cause such mass mayhem.

To put things in perspective, during the last Ice Age, global average temperatures were only approximately 5C different from what they are today. So, when looking strictly at the numbers, it can seem like these increasing temperatures arent that big of a deal, or at least theyre a problem for the future. But, when we look at the past and see what can happen when global average temperatures are altered even slightly, we can see just how serious climate change is.

As Canada repairs the damages of the wildfires and Haiti mends the wounds of Hurricane Matthew, we need to take the threat of climate change more seriously. According to WMO spokesperson Claire Nullis in an interview with CBC, We need to bear in mind that the [UNs] Paris climate change agreement commits us to keeping temperatures well below two degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial era. We are already halfway there and this is indeed very worrying.

It is essential that renewable energy resources start to be used more instead of fossil fuels. And, through education and research, we can innovate and continue to create new and better ways to power our lives that dont put the planet in danger. It is our planet to enjoy, and our planet to protect.

View original post here:
2017 Is Set to Be the Hottest Year in Recorded History - Futurism - Futurism

In Brief Luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz is teaming up with Bosch to begin a self-driving car service in as little as three years. Autonomous cars have the potential of making personal transportation safer and cleaner. Joining the Fray

The number of potential movers and shakers in the field of autonomous taxiing seems to be ever growing. But the stiff competition may benefit the consumer and force the competitors to create the best product possible. Not only will they be competing among themselves, but also with traditional taxis and personally owned vehicles. The latest company to join in on the fun is also one of the biggest and fanciest in the world.

Image Credit: Daimler

Mercedes-Benz is teaming up with vehicle component manufacturer Bosch to fast-track a self-driving taxi service. The company is expecting to launch the service as soon as 2020, a year earlier than other companies plans. Ford, BMW, General Motors, and Googles Waymoall plan to launch their services in or around 2021. Uber has already deployed self-driving cars in Pittsburgh to test their service. The vehicles are monitored by a live person and they have the ability to take over control if the need arises. The other offerings will likely roll out the same way initially.

Studies have shown that between 90 and 93 percent of all vehicular accidents are caused by human error. By removing the human from the equation, we could significantly reduce these incidents theoretically, at least. There is always a lot of press surrounding any collisions or other incidents involving self-driving tech, whether they involve Teslas offerings or Ubers taxis. So it is clear that self-driving vehicles will not end all accidents, but they could still potentially save thousands of lives.

Reducing driving-related deathswould be a fantastic attribute of self-driving vehicles, but thats not the only potential benefit. These vehicles are all run on electric power, so they are much cleaner than fossil fuel-burning, traditional vehicles. With one-third of all air pollution coming from operating gasoline-powered vehicles, mitigating theirrole in daily transportation will help keep us from further damaging the environment.

Follow this link:
Mercedes-Benz Will Launch Its Self-Driving Rideshare Service in 2020 - Futurism