GoKawiil
Tech News
A former Luminar CTO and co-founder, who worked on lidar technology for self-driving cars, writes that AI companies are evolving from infrastructure customers into infrastructure builders themselves. He draws on his 2022 experience speaking at an automotive conference about the autonomous vehicle transformation to frame today's AI buildout.
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro features a main camera with a wider aperture of f/1.48, compared to the previous model's f/1.78, aiming to enhance background blur in photos. Tests comparing images taken at both apertures under controlled conditions showed only minor differences in depth of field. The study focused on optical effects, excluding computational Portrait mode enhancements.
A new browser-based tool calculates the least-elevated path across San Francisco's streets using detailed lidar data and OpenStreetMap. Users can adjust a slider to balance distance and elevation gain, with routes optimized for minimal climbing. The system accounts for stairs on foot but excludes them for biking, providing a tailored route option.
Elon Musk said Tesla extended its Austin robotaxi operating hours from 10pm to 11pm, explaining the limit exists to avoid hitting pets that are hard to see at night, specifically citing grey kittens on grey pavement. Tesla relies solely on cameras for its self-driving system, forgoing the radar and LIDAR sensors used by rival robotaxi operators.
A hobbyist analysis using 2021 airborne LiDAR data from The Nature Conservancy, the University of Vermont, and New York State GIS has identified several tree candidates in New York City that may rival or exceed the height of the Queens Giant, last officially measured in 2004 at 133.8 feet. The analysis, which also draws on 2013-14 survey data and recent aerial imagery, suggests the city's parks department should revisit tree measurements using modern tools.
Toyota unveiled a prototype mobility device called 'Walk me' at the Japan Mobility Show, replacing wheelchair wheels with four independently articulating, LiDAR-equipped legs that can navigate stairs and uneven terrain. The device features a pastel, minimalist design and generated buzz at the show, but a disability-focused commentator argues such prototypes rarely reach mass production or serve everyday users.
Amazon has discounted the Shark PowerDetect Robot Vacuum & Mop Combo to $279.99 from its $1,299.99 list price, a 78% reduction and an all-time low. The device combines vacuuming and mopping with a self-emptying, self-cleaning base that can go up to 60 days without manual maintenance, plus LiDAR navigation and room mapping. The discount requires an Amazon Prime membership, which is available via a free 30-day trial.
Amazon is currently selling the Roborock Q7 L5 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo for $139.99, down from its usual $249.99 price tag. That 44% cut marks a new all-time low for the device, undercutting even its previous Prime Day pricing.
Robot vacuums lack arms and can't move objects out of their path, leaving them stuck on cables, socks, or lightweight rugs. While pricier models use infrared, LiDAR, or AI cameras to navigate around obstacles more intelligently than basic bump-sensor units, most still can't physically clear a room the way a human cleaner can.
Amazon has discounted the Mammotion LUBA Mini 2 AWD 1500H robot lawn mower with garage by $300, bringing its price to $1,699 from a $1,999 list price. This marks the mower's lowest price in roughly six months, a 15% reduction.
Dyson has released three new robot vacuums under its Nurovi line: the R1 Nurovi Dry ($550), R2 Nurovi Wash + Dry ($700), and R3 Nurovi Spot+Scrub UV ($1,200). All three share a redesigned light gray look, lidar-based navigation replacing the previous camera system, and a Twin-Capture system for cleaning both carpets and hard floors, with the top model adding UV stain detection. The R2 will be Costco-exclusive, while the R1 and R3 sell through Dyson's website and other retailers.
Roborock has revived its long-dormant Qrevo line with the Qrevo 2 Pro, launched at the end of August after a Qrevo Curv refresh earlier this year. The sub-$1,000 robot vacuum pairs a 20,000 Pa motor and LiDAR navigation with a FlexiArm mop and reversible side brush designed to reach corners and edges other robots miss. A WIRED reviewer who tested it for two weeks called it one of the best budget options available, rivaling the Eufy Omni C28, though it still struggles to detect small clutter like cords or toys.