AI and Tech Innovations Emerge Across Various Sectors
Several tech companies are leveraging artificial intelligence and innovative approaches to address diverse needs, from reuniting lost pets to revolutionizing weed control in agriculture. Ring, Carbon Robotics, Linq, and UpScrolled are among the companies making headlines with their recent advancements.
Ring expanded its AI-powered "Search Party" feature, initially launched last fall, to all Ring customers in the U.S., including those without a Ring camera, according to TechCrunch. The feature utilizes Ring's network of cameras to help find lost dogs by scanning nearby outdoor camera footage for possible matches when a neighbor reports a missing pet. If a match is found, the camera owner receives an alert and can share video clips with the reporting neighbor, with the option to contact the owner directly without revealing their phone number. Ring reports that the feature has been successful in reuniting lost dogs with their owners.
In the agricultural sector, Carbon Robotics announced its new AI model, the Large Plant Model (LPM), designed to instantly recognize plant species, enabling farmers to target weeds more effectively. The Seattle-based company builds the LaserWeeder, a robot fleet that uses lasers to eliminate weeds. According to TechCrunch, the LPM is trained on over 150 million photos and data points collected by the company's machines across more than 100 farms in 15 countries. Paul Mikesell, the founder of Carbon Robotics, stated that the model now powers Carbon AI, the AI system that serves as the "brains" inside the company's autonomous weed-killing robots.
Linq, a company initially focused on digital business cards, raised $20 million to enable AI assistants to operate within messaging apps. According to TechCrunch, Linq pivoted to helping businesses communicate with their customers by upgrading from SMS to iMessage and RCS. The company aims to allow businesses to send blue-bubble messages to their customers, similar to personal messages.
Meanwhile, social network UpScrolled, which gained traction following discussions around TikTok's ownership change in the U.S. in January, announced it has surpassed 2.5 million users. Issam Hijazi, the company's founder, revealed the milestone during Web Summit Qatar, stating, "We launched about six months ago, and we grew to about 150,000 up until early January... Now, starting today, we surpassed two-and-a-half million users globally." TechCrunch reported that UpScrolled positions itself as a blend of Instagram and X, promoting inclusivity and claiming to avoid shadowbanning or censorship. Hijazi criticized larger tech companies for unethical practices, including selling user data and suppressing pro-Palestinian voices.
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