♨️New Chip Restrictions Hit China’s AI

Washington targets China’s AI and military tech with new chip restrictions

Key Points 

• New rules target high-bandwidth memory crucial for AI systems and advanced computing in China.

• Restrictions aim to curb China’s access to key semiconductor technologies vital for military and AI applications.

☕News - Washington has unveiled sweeping new regulations aimed at curbing China’s ability to develop advanced semiconductors, critical to military technologies, AI, and high-tech weaponry. 

The measures, announced on Monday by the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, impose export restrictions on 24 types of chipmaking equipment and three categories of software essential for semiconductor development. 

A significant focus is superfast high-bandwidth memory (HBM), vital for AI systems and advanced computing tasks, with restrictions on the export of both US-origin and foreign-made HBM to China to limit Beijing’s military AI capabilities.

📖What's more? The updates include revisions to the foreign direct product rule, allowing the US to inspect products made outside its borders if they contain American technology. 

One new rule targets semiconductor manufacturing equipment destined for mainland China or Macau, while another restricts foreign-made goods to companies on the Commerce Department’s entity list, which includes organizations tied to China’s military or human rights violations.

🗣️China speaks out - China’s foreign ministry accused the US of abusing export controls to “maliciously blockade and suppress” China. Spokesman Lin Jian stated that the move disrupts market economy principles, international trade order, and global supply chains, ultimately harming global interests.

👀See also - These restrictions follow a series of similar actions dating back to the first administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Many analysts anticipate that Trump will continue Biden’s tech restrictions against China, despite his earlier criticisms of the Chips and Science Act.

Tesla’s Optimus robot gets an upgraded, human-like hand

Key Points 

• Tesla has unveiled an upgraded, human-like hand for its Optimus robot, with 22 degrees of movement.

• Tesla plans to improve tactile sensing and reduce weight on Optimus before ramping up production next year.

🤖News – Tesla has unveiled an upgraded hand for its Optimus humanoid robot, featuring a more realistic design. 

The new hand is designed to be more lifelike, with tendons just like a human hand. It has 22 degrees of movement in the hand and another three in the wrist and forearm, making it more flexible.

🦾How does it work? Unlike the recent "We, Robot" demo, which didn’t mention human control, Tesla quickly confirmed that this Optimus demonstration was also teleoperated. However, in the future, when it operates autonomously, Optimus will be able to perform tasks like catching a fast-moving object, such as a tennis ball, on its own. 

This is made possible by Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) AI, which helps the robot detect objects, predict their path, track them, and time its movements accurately. The robot also uses cameras to better understand its surroundings, giving it the ability to react to different situations.

⏩What’s next? Milan Kovac, who leads the Optimus program, mentioned that there’s still some work to do, especially on improving the hand’s tactile sensing and making it lighter. The team is also figuring out how to balance flexibility with protection for the robot’s fingers. Tesla is already using some Optimus robots in its factory, with plans to increase development next year.