Alauda’s’Airspeeder’ electric flying racing car uses a virtual force field to bring us closer to the future
The future of car racing is here, with the world’s first electric flying racing car. The car successfully hit the skies in a secret location in South Australia over the weekend.
“We are proud to introduce a sport that redefines what humans and machines can achieve together”
Matthew Pearson, Founder, Airspeeder and Alauda Aeronautics
Big name pilots and sci-fi tech
Airspeeder plans to attract ‘elite pilots’ from aviation, motorsport and eSports backgrounds to remotely pilot the vehicles across AI enabled ‘sky tracks.’
The team already includes technical experts, engineers and designers from big-names including F1, Mclaren, Brabham, Boeing, Mclaren, Jaguar and Rolls-Royce.
Airspeeder’s Founder said the technology “delivers on the promise of a future first shown in science fiction”.
Electric flying car Grand Prix could be on the cards as soon as 2021
The successful trial flights means the crew-less electric flying car Grand Prixs will take place as soon as this year.
The company says moving racing to this space will improve “key safety, performance and dynamics technologies”.
Up to four teams with two remote pilots per team will compete in three individual events. Audiences will be able to watch these races online via a live stream.
The racers will “take a seat in a simulator environment that mimics the dynamics and ergonomics of the Mk3 cockpit environment.”
The races will even include stimulated pit stops, using a ‘slide and lock’ system to remove and replace batteries on the ground.
$1.5 trillion technology
Morgan Stanley predicts the technology will be worth $1.5 trillion by 2040.
The company also says they expect the tech to go much further than racing, with emerging applications in ‘air logistics’ and ‘remote medical care’.
The technology also has the potential to “liberate cities from congestion though clean-air passenger applications like air taxis”, says Airspeeder.
“These historic first flights are just the start and we are all excited to begin a momentous new chapter in motorsport’s rich legacy.”
Airspeeder press releasE
Alauda Airspeeder design, performance & safety
The Alauda Airspeeder Mk3 draws its design inspiration from the classic forms of racing cars from the 1950s and 60s.
The company’s head of design Felix Pierron says the car “melds F1 car dynamics with the profile of a fighter jet and function of helicopter.”
At maximum power the craft delivers 320kW, weighing in at only 130kg. The vehicle can lift a weight of more than 80kg.
Natasha is an Associate Producer at ticker NEWS with a Bachelor of arts from Monash University. She has previously worked at Sky News Australia and Monash University as an Online Content Producer.
OpenAI has taken another giant leap forward with the launch of ChatGPT Atlas — an AI-powered web browser that could redefine how people search, explore, and interact online. Investors and competitors are watching closely as this new technology challenges the dominance of traditional browsers like Google Chrome.
With ChatGPT Atlas, users may soon experience a web that feels less like typing into a search box and more like conversing with an intelligent assistant. The integration of AI could make browsing faster, more intuitive, and more personalised than ever before — but it also raises serious questions about privacy and data use.
As AI becomes more deeply embedded in the digital world, ChatGPT Atlas could represent the next major step toward a fully AI-driven online experience. What does this mean for users — and for the tech giants trying to keep up?
In Short:
– OpenAI partners with Bryan Cranston and unions to combat deepfakes on its Sora app.
– The app now includes options for people to control their likenesses and voices.
OpenAI announced it will work with Bryan Cranston, SAG-AFTRA, and actor unions to combat deepfakes on its AI video app, Sora.Cranston voiced concerns after unauthorized AI-generated clips featuring his likeness emerged after Sora 2’s launch in late September. He showed gratitude to OpenAI for taking steps to safeguard actors’ rights to control their likenesses.
The partnership aims to enhance protections against unauthorized AI content. The Creative Artists Agency and United Talent Agency had previously criticized OpenAI, citing risks to their clients’ intellectual property.
Last week, OpenAI blocked disrespectful videos of Martin Luther King Jr. at the request of his estate, following similar pressures. Zelda Williams also requested the public refrain from sending her AI-generated clips of her late father, Robin Williams.
Policy Changes
Following tensions post-launch, CEO Sam Altman revised Sora’s policy to give rights holders greater control of their likenesses.
The app now allows individuals to opt-out, reflecting OpenAI’s commitment to respond quickly to concerns from performers.
OpenAI backs the NO FAKES Act, supporting legislation that aims to protect individuals from unauthorized AI-generated representations.
OpenAI is focused on ensuring performers’ rights are respected regarding the misuse of their voices and likenesses. Altman reiterated the company’s dedication to these protections.
In Short:
– AWS outage on Monday disrupted major apps like Fortnite, Snapchat, and affected several global companies.
– UK companies including Lloyds Bank and Vodafone reported issues due to the AWS outage.
Amazon’s AWS experienced a significant outage on Monday, impacting major apps including Fortnite and Snapchat. The disruption affected connectivity for numerous companies globally.AWS reported increased error rates and latencies across multiple services and is attempting to recover quickly.
The outage marks the first significant internet disruption since a previous incident last year that impacted essential technology systems globally. AWS offers on-demand computing and storage services and is vital for many websites and platforms.
Multiple companies reported disruptions, including AI startup Perplexity, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, and trading app Robinhood. Perplexity’s CEO confirmed on X that the outages were linked to AWS issues.
Amazon’s shopping site, Prime Video, and Alexa services also faced difficulties, according to Downdetector. Other affected platforms included popular gaming applications like Clash Royale and financial services such as Venmo and Chime.
Uber competitor Lyft’s app was reported down for numerous users in the U.S. Messaging platform Signal also acknowledged connection problems stemming from the AWS outage.
British Companies
In the UK, Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland, and telecom services provider Vodafone were notably affected. The HMRC’s website also encountered issues during this outage.
Elon Musk stated that his platform, X, remained operational despite the widespread disruptions.