Automotive News
Car-rental company Avis is looking at letting car renters unlock and start their rentals with a smartphone app, leaving the traditonal key and FOB behind. The approach has the potential to increase renting cars remotely rather than going to an office.
Retail Gazette
More robots are going into retail. Now Ocado, an online grocery retailers, is set to try a humanoid robot to help its human engineers in its warehouses.
The Next Web
Artificial intelligence is finding its way into countless areas. Now researchers have used it to essentially trick speech-to-text systems.
Venture Beat
As might be expected, Sony launched a range of new gadgetry at CES this week. These include new TVs along with moves in artificial intelligence and a robotic dog.
Automotive News
Robo-taxis are coming down the road. Nissan Motors, Mitsubishi and Renault are teaming for a shared push into the driverless transport vehicles.
Quartz
Robots may not be able to do everything, but they can help. Ford is outfitting factory workers with a robotic assistance system that makes lifting and standing easier..
TechCrunch
Microsoft is getting in on the speaking-to-a-thermostat action. In advance of CES, the company is introducing and taking advance orders on Glas, a thermostat controlled by Microsoft’s Cortana.
TechCrunch
Some drones may not be getting off the ground. GoPro is about to lay off more than 200 employees relating mostly to its aerial division, reports TechCrunch.
TechCrunch
Voice control continues to expand. Streaming media player Roku is introducing a licensing program for manufacturers, which include designs for smart speakers.
Wired
Deals in autonomous driving keep chugging along. Now Aurora Innovation from Pittsburgh is teaming with Volkswagen and Hyundai to push its self-driving software forward.