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Shake, shake, shake. Sinora, shake it all the time. When you add a shake of Frank's redhot, you open a world of better. A world where wings bring out the flavor of game day any day, and where buffalo chicken dip takes any party up a notch. It's the perfect blend of flavor and heat. Frank's Red Hot. I put that on everything.
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It's day four of our CES 2025 coverage and I've barely talked about wacky robots at all. Well, turns out there were lots of robots at CES this year, which makes sense. Robotics is kind of in the middle of its ChatGPT moment. Or at least Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang wants that very badly, having debuted new AI powered tools to develop and train autonomous robots. I mean, if we have advanced AI that hallucinates and we don't stick it in a super powered metal body, what are we doing? Case in point, the Go to dog robot from Chinese company Unitree, who describes it as a new creature of embodied AI and seemingly can't publish a single video where it doesn't do a handstand. It just learned and it's very excited. Unitree says the Goto can use generative AI to interpret spoken commands. So it figures out how to shake hands when you ask. But ask for a glass of water and get me some water.
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Sorry, I can't reach it. I'll dance to pleasure you instead.
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Uh, what kind of robot did I buy? I don't know. You don't have to do that. The Go 2 seems fairly physically capable, but it's actually a much more consumer friendly, safer version of unitree's terrifying wheeled B2W robot, which has been demoed doing a barrel roll in midair and other insane parkour tricks. Careening down mountainsides, through water and over rough terr, looking like some kind of manic assassin on rollerblades. While the smaller Go to gingerly took the stairs. This thing lands a 2 meter jump into a handstand and then lets Buddy ride it like it's the X Games. Look, we're in control of these things, okay? It's not like we're dealing with a brand new intelligent species. Unitree. What? What are you doing? Turns out you can also slap some wheels on the Go 2. And while Boston Dynamics Spot Robot goes for nearly $75,000, Unitree is selling the Go to for just 1,600. For 16,000, you can get the company's G1 humanoid robot, who also loves to jump and take a BO staff off of its back and swing it around like a weapon. And Unitary is training a virtual army and staff combat. What is. Why? Why didn't they show them making coffee or something? Why would you. Why do you think humanity needs robots? Melee combat? Well, thankfully there were a few robots at CES that might not make you coffee, but could bring it to you. The Mimo from Japanese company Jizai is like a bedside table with spider legs designed to carry items around a house or perhaps a medical facility. And it maybe would have given me nightmares if I wasn't still thinking about the Unitary dogs.
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Ah.
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A big trend at CES is also equipping robot vacuums with appendages. The $2,000 Roborock Saros Z70 conceals a clawed arm in its body that can unfold to pick up obstacles in its path. Weighing under 300 grams. So, you know, socks, slippers, severed fingers. But oh, the Dream X50 Ultra also has a robot arm attachment. Plus it's got extendable legs so it can climb over small ledges. Gotcha there. You know what? Nevermind humanoid robots. Let's just keep adding limbs to the vacuums and see where that gets us. Switchbot is thinking along those lines with their K20 plus modular robot system. The base model wheeled robot can be combined with a vacuum module, multiple robot arms, cameras, screen holders, and air purifiers with a tabletop. So Switchbot says you can relax in bed while this thing brings you fresh coffee and breakfast that you would've had to have made before racing your robot back to your bed. Luxury. Hey, you wanna talk convenience? Check out our sponsor, Saily, the ESIM service with regional and global plans. I told them I got roaming fees when I was traveling one time and they would not stop laughing with me. I was in on it because it doesn't make sense when Saily is right there with affordable ESIMs you can download once to keep you connected while traveling through multiple countries. When Saily heard about how I waited in line at the airport for a local sim, they laughed even harder. And it was pretty funny. Saily ESIM plans are compatible with most iOS and Android devices. And if yours isn't compatible, you'll get a full refund with chat support 24. 7 Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily ESIM data plans. Just download the Saily app and use code techlinked at checkout. It's quick bits time. It's quick bits time. I'll fetch the milkman. Hey, what about Razer? Yeah, they usually have some wacky out there concept to show off at ces but the wildest thing they had this year was the Project Ariel gaming chair with an integrated fan system that blows cool or warm air at your backside. I mean, that's unusual, but the weirdest thing about it is how surprisingly practical it might be. I mean, what else you got? Razer the Project Ava AI gamer, copilot. I mean it does make some pretty big claims about how capable it is.
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My knowledge is limitless.
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Eh, kind of creepy, but not weird enough. This is kind of cool. The Hisong Air Studio 1 a professional looking handheld microphone with built in wireless earbuds you can slide out and use as in ear monitors. It's such an interesting idea to me that I almost overlooked their weird AI generated promo video Long ago humans discovered.
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The natural phenomenon of echoes in caves and canyons, giving rise to the earliest attempts at capturing sound.
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Almost. Another one that caught my attention is the Shiftcam PlanQ tiny 1 or 2 terabyte SSDs that can plug into iPhones so you can fill Those up with ProRes 4K120 FPS footage instead of your onboard storage. It may be a surprisingly practical option for amateur filmmakers given how great iPhone cameras are and how insistent Apple is that you need to buy icloud storage. You wanna do anything Shiftcam told 9to5Mac they're launching a Kickstarter next month Speaking of keeping things local, Google has made keeping control of your smart home devices as local as possible much easier by integrating the Google home runtime into over 40 million devices. This will let homeowners control matter compatible smart home tech without pinging Google services every time. But Google normally wants to suck up all the data it can, so they're either not telling us something or they're gonna cancel this feature in six months. And Microsoft has declared 2025 the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh. They're getting serious about telling people to upgrade, but they may also be getting a bit sloppy. Msconto on Twitter reportedly got one of those now infamous full screen ads for Windows 11 on their Windows 10 PC, only for it to crash immediately after popping up. And I don't wanna speak for Microsoft here, but the guy drunk in public warning about the end of the world is probably not the vibe Microsoft is going for. The vibe I'm going for tomorrow is weird. That's right, we'll be talking about all the weirdest stuff we saw at CES this year. So hey, be there. You're weird in a good way. I didn't mean it like that. I'm probably the weirdest. Where are you going?
Host: Linus Media Group
Release Date: January 10, 2025
On Day 4 of CES 2025, TechLinked dives deep into the burgeoning world of robotics and unveils a plethora of innovative technologies that are set to redefine our interaction with machines. Hosted by Linus Media Group, this episode meticulously covers the latest advancements, spotlighting both consumer-friendly and avant-garde robotic solutions showcased at the event.
Unitree's Goto Dog Robot
The episode kicks off with a focus on Unitree’s Goto, a new entrant in the consumer robotics space. B highlights, “It just learned and it's very excited” (00:40), referring to Goto’s impressive capability to perform handstands and follow spoken commands using generative AI. Priced at a competitive $1,600, Goto stands in stark contrast to Boston Dynamics' Spot Robot, which commands nearly $75,000. This affordability potentially democratizes access to advanced robotics, making sophisticated robots more attainable for everyday consumers.
Comparison with Boston Dynamics
B draws a comparison, noting, “We’re not dealing with a brand new intelligent species” (01:10), to emphasize Unitree’s approach in creating controllable and safe robotic companions. While Boston Dynamics showcases high-adrenaline feats like barrel rolls and parkour tricks with their B2W robot, Unitree opts for functionality and user-friendliness with Goto’s more restrained movements, such as taking stairs with ease.
Mimo by Jizai
Transitioning from companion robots, B introduces Mimo by Japanese company Jizai. Described as a bedside table with spider legs, Mimo is designed to "carry items around a house or perhaps a medical facility" (02:50). This versatile device showcases how robotics can seamlessly integrate into daily life, enhancing convenience without the aggressive undertones of combat-ready machines.
Advanced Robot Vacuums
A significant trend at CES 2025 is the enhancement of robot vacuums with additional capabilities:
Roborock Saros Z70: Equipped with a concealed clawed arm capable of picking up various obstacles, from socks to slippers, this model maintains a lightweight profile under 300 grams.
Dream X50 Ultra: Features a robot arm attachment and extendable legs, enabling it to “climb over small ledges” (03:00). These innovations aim to tackle more complex cleaning tasks, pushing robot vacuums beyond mere floor maintenance.
Switchbot's K20 Modular System
Expanding on modular robotics, Switchbot introduces the K20 system. B explains, “You can relax in bed while this thing brings you fresh coffee and breakfast” (03:45), highlighting its ability to integrate multiple modules such as vacuum attachments, robot arms, cameras, and air purifiers. This adaptability underscores a move towards highly customizable home robotics tailored to individual needs.
Razer’s Project Ariel Gaming Chair
Razer made waves with their Project Ariel, a gaming chair integrated with a sophisticated fan system that “blows cool or warm air at your backside” (04:15). While unconventional, the practicality of personal climate control during extended gaming sessions received positive attention.
Project Ava AI Gamer Copilot
Another Razer innovation, the Project Ava AI Gamer Copilot, claims to offer extensive capabilities for gamers. B remarks, “It does make some pretty big claims about how capable it is” (04:45), suggesting that while ambitious, the true potential of AI copilots in enhancing gaming experiences remains to be fully realized.
Hisong Air Studio 1 Microphone
The Hisong Air Studio 1 stands out as a professional handheld microphone combined with built-in wireless earbuds. B appreciates the concept, stating, “It's such an interesting idea” (05:10), highlighting its utility for content creators seeking integrated audio solutions.
Shiftcam PlanQ SSDs for iPhones
Addressing storage limitations, Shiftcam unveiled the PlanQ tiny SSDs capable of storing 1 to 2 terabytes of ProRes 4K120 FPS footage directly on iPhones. B suggests this could be a “surprisingly practical option for amateur filmmakers” (05:35), offering a robust alternative to Apple's iCloud storage.
Google’s Enhanced Smart Home Integration
Google announced a significant update by integrating the Google Home runtime into over 40 million devices, enabling local control of Matter-compatible smart home technologies. B expresses skepticism, saying, “But Google normally wants to suck up all the data it can” (05:55), questioning the longevity and sincerity of this privacy-focused move.
Microsoft’s Windows 11 PC Refresh
Microsoft declared 2025 as the year for the Windows 11 PC refresh, intensifying their push for users to upgrade from Windows 10. However, B points out potential flaws, citing an incident where a user encountered a full-screen ad crash on Twitter after upgrading, highlighting possible hitches in the rollout process.
As the episode wraps up, B teases, “Tomorrow, we'll be talking about all the weirdest stuff we saw at CES this year” (06:30), inviting listeners to stay tuned for more unconventional tech topics. The lighthearted banter between hosts underscores the excitement and unpredictability inherent in technological advancements showcased at CES.
CES 2025 showcased a robust array of robotic innovations aimed at enhancing everyday life, from affordable companion robots like Unitree’s Goto to versatile home assistants such as Switchbot’s K20 system. Additionally, advancements in gaming peripherals, professional audio equipment, and smart home integrations indicate a future where technology seamlessly blends into various facets of daily living. As TechLinked aptly captures, the future is not just about robots doing complex tricks, but about creating practical, user-friendly machines that cater to evolving consumer needs.