Innovation Insider - January 21st, 2025

2025: The Year Of The Robots?

In 2025, the world of robotics is no longer a distant dream. It is a reality that is reshaping industries, our daily lives, and the very fabric of human progress. Is this the year that robotics steps from the realm of science fiction and into the present moment? Are we paving the way for a future that promises to be faster, smarter, and more efficient than ever before.

The robots of today are no longer clunky machines confined to factory floors. From autonomous delivery drones to robotic exoskeletons that empower the disabled to walk again, the possibilities are endless. With advancements in AI, machine learning, and materials science, robots are becoming more adaptable, intelligent, and capable of performing tasks that once seemed impossible.

Of course Elon has the Optimus robots, however, many players are entering and expanding within the space including Elon Musk’s rival NEURA Robotics which recently secured €120M to advance cognitive and humanoid robotics vision.

In the coming year, industries from healthcare and manufacturing to agriculture and space exploration will see some of their most groundbreaking robotic innovations yet. Robotics is set to transform everything from surgery and patient care to the way we work, collaborate, and interact with the world around us. Even John Deere has an autonomous diesel orchard tractor which was unveiled at CES 2025 with more AI and robots than ever. These advancements promise to solve some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from labor shortages to environmental sustainability, while also enhancing human potential.

It’s not just about efficiency and progress. It’s about the incredible human spirit behind these innovations. Every leap in robotics is a testament to the ingenuity, creativity, and determination of the people who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. 2025 may just be the year when robots become more than just tools. They could become partners, collaborators, and teammates in building a future we can only dream of.

The age of robotics is upon us, and it’s going to change everything.

Thanks for reading Innovation Insider - Presented by DoneStreet! Subscribe for free to receive new posts weekly.

Let’s jump into this week’s highlights.

News

The best of CES 2025 showcases groundbreaking tech innovations across multiple industries. Key highlights include the Nvidia GeForce RTX 50-series with AI-driven performance, Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable with its expandable display, and Samsung's 3D Odyssey G90XF gaming monitor. Other exciting products include John Deere's Autonomous Orchard Tractor, HiSense's MicroLED TV, and Withings’ advanced blood pressure monitor that combines ECG and stethoscope functions. CES 2025 has demonstrated how technology is pushing boundaries in AI, gaming, health, and more.

Researchers in China have successfully demonstrated quantum teleportation over the internet for the first time, using fiber-optic and satellite communication to transfer quantum information over long distances. The process leverages quantum entanglement to transmit the state of particles without physically moving them, a key step toward developing a global quantum internet. This breakthrough marks significant progress in quantum communication and could lead to ultra-secure data transmission networks in the future.

Anduril to Build Billion-Dollar Weapons Megafactory in Ohio. Defense tech company Anduril announces plans to construct a cutting-edge weapons manufacturing facility in Ohio. The factory is set to drive innovation and support large-scale production to meet growing demands.

NYC Innovation Brings Hope to Paralyzed Individuals. A breakthrough technology from New York City could enable paralyzed individuals to walk again. The innovation represents a significant step forward in medical science and mobility solutions.

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Sets Record for Closest Sun Approach. NASA’s Parker Solar Probe achieves a historic milestone by flying closer to the Sun than ever before. This mission provides unprecedented data to deepen our understanding of solar activity.

Nintendo Unveils the Long-Awaited Switch 2. Nintendo excites fans with the announcement of the Switch 2, promising enhanced features, better performance, and a robust lineup of games to maintain its console dominance.

TikTok Ban Sparks Debate Over Digital Privacy and Government Oversight. The ongoing push for a TikTok ban in the U.S. has ignited a heated debate over digital privacy, national security, and government control. Critics question whether such actions are driven by legitimate concerns or political motivations, while supporters argue it’s necessary to protect sensitive user data from potential misuse.

Developer Profiles of the Week

Felipe is a fullstack React / NextJS / NodeJS software engineer with 20 years of experience. Felipe is talented and has leadership experience as a CTO. For databases, Felipe has experience with MongoDB, DocumentDB, SQL Server and Oracle. Felipe is based in Brazil.

Lucas is a fullstack engineer who has experience with .NET / C# and React on the frontend. He has 10 years of experience including experience with SQLServer, PostgreSQL and MongoDb. Lucas is also based in Brazil.

Please email us at hiring@donestreet.com to learn more about these talented developers and how you can bring them onto your team.

Engineering and Security

MIT Spinout Develops Hair-Thin Fibers for Brain Implants. A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) spinout is pioneering the use of ultra-thin fibers, comparable to the width of a human hair, designed for implantation into the brain. These fibers aim to enhance neural interfaces, potentially improving treatments for neurological disorders and advancing brain-machine interface technology.

Microsoft Forms CoreAI Group Led by Jay Parikh. Microsoft has established a new AI engineering division named CoreAI, appointing former Meta executive Jay Parikh as its leader. This strategic move consolidates various AI initiatives within the company, aiming to accelerate the development and deployment of AI platforms and tools across Microsoft's product ecosystem.

Purdue University Launches Online Master's in Software Engineering. Purdue University along with many others are beginning to introduce fully online Master's programs in Software Engineering. This initiative is designed to provide flexibility for working professionals seeking advanced education in software development, addressing the growing demand for skilled software engineers in the industry.

ChatGPT API Vulnerability Exposes Systems to Reflective DDoS Attacks. A security flaw in the ChatGPT API has been identified, allowing attackers to execute powerful reflective Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. This vulnerability poses significant risks to systems utilizing the API, highlighting the need for prompt security patches and vigilant monitoring to protect against potential exploits.

HR Notices

Maki, a conversational AI startup focused on HR and talent acquisition, has raised $4.5 million in seed funding. The company uses AI-powered chatbots to streamline recruitment processes, helping businesses automate candidate sourcing, screening, and engagement.

Starbucks has announced an upgrade to its paid parental leave policy, offering up to 12 weeks of paid leave for both birth and non-birth parents. This change, effective in January 2025, is part of the company's ongoing effort to support employees' work-life balance and well-being. The move comes as more companies reassess their parental leave policies, with some experts predicting it could prompt other employers to follow suit in order to attract and retain talent.

Mark Zuckerberg has announced new layoffs at Meta, with the company reducing its workforce by trimming "low performers" as part of a broader restructuring effort. The decision comes after a challenging year for Meta, which has faced economic pressures and the need to refocus on its core business areas.

Funding

Samsung and Texas Instruments Secure US CHIPS Act Funding. Samsung and Texas Instruments have received significant support from the US CHIPS Act to bolster domestic semiconductor manufacturing. The funding aims to reduce dependency on overseas chip production and strengthen the U.S. tech supply chain.

EcoPlanet Raises €16 Million to Combat Energy Costs with AI. EcoPlanet secured €16 million in funding to develop AI-driven software designed to tackle rising energy costs. The platform optimizes energy consumption for businesses, paving the way for more sustainable operations.

Sereact Completes Series A for AI-Powered Robotics. Sereact announced the successful close of its Series A funding round, fueling its development of AI-driven robotics solutions. The company aims to enhance efficiency and automation across various industries.

Colossal Biosciences Secures $200M for De-Extinction Efforts. Colossal Biosciences raised $200 million to advance de-extinction science, including projects to resurrect the woolly mammoth. The funding will also support genetic technology applications in conservation and biodiversity efforts.

EV Startup Raises $100M Amid Tesla's Federal Funding Ups and Downs. A promising EV startup secured $100 million in funding, spotlighting the competitive landscape of the electric vehicle market. The funding comes as Tesla faces a mixed outcome in its bid for federal incentives.

Loft Orbital Raises €170M to Boost Space-as-a-Service Model. Loft Orbital closed a €170 million funding round to expand its "space-as-a-service" offerings. The funding will enhance European space autonomy and provide tailored satellite solutions for global clients.

Resource of the week

Tresorit is a secure cloud storage service designed to provide end-to-end encryption for files and data. It focuses on privacy and security, ensuring that only users with the correct credentials can access the stored content. Tresorit is used by individuals and businesses who prioritize secure file storage and sharing, offering features like encrypted file synchronization, collaboration tools, and access control. It is especially popular among users in industries where confidentiality and data protection are critical.

Book Recommendation of the Week

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss is a guide to negotiation based on the author's experience as an FBI hostage negotiator. The book emphasizes psychological tactics and strategies, such as "mirroring" and "labeling," to gain influence and create connections with counterparts. Voss advocates for emotional intelligence in negotiations, stressing the importance of understanding and using fear, trust, and other emotions. He argues that negotiating skills are crucial not just for high-stakes situations but for everyday business and personal interactions as well.

This Day in History

King Louis XVI executed. One day after being convicted of conspiracy with foreign powers and sentenced to death by the French National Convention, King Louis XVI is executed by guillotine in the Place de la Revolution in Paris.

We hope you have found value in this newsletter. If you have not yet subscribed, please hit the subscribe button and let us know what types of content you’d like to see more of in the future.

DoneStreet - Building Teams That Build Success. Hire with confidence through DoneStreet.

Thanks for reading Innovation Insider - Presented by DoneStreet! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and updates.