“There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.”
– Morpheus, “The Matrix”
1. Ford’s Attempt To ‘Undercut’ With EVs
Ford’s approach in the EV market resembles a premature tire call in motorsport: They jumped in early with models like the Mach-E and Lightning, leaving them vulnerable as consumer demand cooled and costs mounted – like switching to rain tires too soon. Meanwhile, GM paced itself, building efficiency and capitalizing on evolving market conditions – like timing the perfect pit stop. Instead of relying on their Le Mans experience for a more calculated approach, Ford went aggressive and is now paying for that decision.
2. Nvidia To Launch CPUs in 2025
Could Intel be nearing the end of their threads (zing)? It would be interesting to see motherboards hit the shelves with an Nvidia socket. With all the trouble Intel has been having (such as the weak launch of their GPU product line and abysmal thermal performance of recent CPU generations), Intel certainly appears to be keeping the seat warm for Nvidia. A successful foray into CPUs by Nvidia might signal a more pronounced decline for Intel, especially as Nvidia leverages its strengths in AI and gaming.
3. AR Glasses Will Not Die
We still outnumber them, but the World Robotics 2024 report recorded 4.28 million robots in factories globally, surpassing 500,000 installations for a third year. Asia, driven by China, led new installations (70%), followed by Europe and the Americas. Domestically, Chinese manufacturers reached 47% market share. Japan and South Korea saw slight decreases in new installations. In Europe, Germany led growth. Installations in the Americas, driven largely by the United States and automotive demand, remained stable.
4. Flexibility With Zero Backlash
While not in all industrial robot arms, Harmonic Drive gears are common in many robots that require precise motion control, especially in applications where space and weight are limited. They use a unique elliptical wave generator and a flexible, cup-shaped flexspline that deforms to create motion with minimal contact between gears. "Harmonic" refers to the smooth, wave-like progression of teeth engagement points, which enables the transfer of torque efficiently without the backlash seen in other gear systems.
5. Mechanical Sympathy
Research shows that being polite to AI like ChatGPT can improve performance, reduce errors, and enhance emotional intelligence. Polite prompts lead to better outputs, with some models improving performance by up to 30%. Additionally, respectful AI interactions can foster stronger leadership, better workplace culture, and improve business outcomes. Excessive formality isn't necessary, but professional courtesy consistently yields better results. Take care of your tools – or people! – and they’ll take care of you.
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