WSJ Tech News Briefing: The Killer Robots Filling Ukrainian Skies Episode Release Date: November 25, 2024

Hosted by Belle Lin for The Wall Street Journal

1. The Disconnect Between Smart Appliances and Homeowners

In this episode, Belle Lin delves into the perplexing trend where over half of the Fortune 500 companies utilize Elastic for generative AI solutions, highlighting the evolving landscape of technology in both corporate and personal settings. However, a contrasting narrative emerges in the realm of smart home appliances, where despite the proliferation of internet-connected devices, many homeowners are opting to keep their appliances offline.

Smart Appliances Falling Short

Belle opens the discussion by referencing a WSJ report from the previous year, which revealed that only about 50% of buyers from two major manufacturers continue to keep their smart home appliances connected to the internet. This disconnect raises questions about the actual value these smart features provide to consumers.

Insights from Chris Freeswick

Joining the conversation is Chris Freeswick, Deputy Mansion Editor and author of the WSJ’s Home Onerous column. Chris provides an in-depth analysis of why smart appliances often revert to being "dumb."

"Most smart appliances have whizzed right past smart and circled back to dumb. It's the lack of value provided to the owner in exchange for all the detail and information you have to provide," [04:31] Chris Freeswick explains.

Manufacturer Promises vs. Consumer Reality

Chris scrutinizes the features touted by manufacturers like Whirlpool and LG. For instance, Whirlpool's washing machines come with an "Assign a Task" feature, allowing users to control cycles via a smartphone app and receive notifications when cycles are complete. Additionally, remote-start capabilities for dryers are marketed as conveniences, but Chris challenges the practicality of such features:

"Belle, try to come up with a scenario in which you would want to remotely start your clothes dryer," [02:08] Chris remarks, emphasizing that many features assume a level of connectedness that doesn't align with everyday use.

The Gap Between Tech Enthusiasts and General Consumers

Interestingly, Chris points out that even among home automation specialists—individuals with extensively connected homes including smart thermostats and vacuums—smart appliances like ovens and dishwashers fail to deliver meaningful value. The distinction lies in the seamless functionality of devices like smart vacuums versus the cumbersome integration required for other appliances.

"A very smart dishwasher would load itself, unload itself," [04:20] Chris notes, highlighting the expectation versus the current reality of smart appliance capabilities.

Manufacturers' Motivations

The conversation shifts to the underlying reasons manufacturers persist in developing internet-connected appliances despite low adoption rates. Chris attributes this to a combination of competitive pressure and the allure of data collection:

"There's always this technology arms race. There's also a desire by them to collect our data because they can sell that data and it gives them insight," [05:45] he states.

Challenges Highlighted by Manufacturers

When asked about the obstacles customers face in connecting their appliances, Chris shares insights from his interviews with Whirlpool and LG. Common issues include poor WiFi connectivity near appliances, complicated setup processes, and privacy concerns related to data sharing.

"The lack of value provided to the owner of the smart appliance in exchange for all of the detail and information that you have to provide," [04:53] Chris reiterates, summarizing the core issue.

2. The Rise of Autonomous Drones on the Ukrainian Battlefield

Transitioning from smart homes to warfare technology, Belle introduces a pivotal development in Ukraine's defense strategy: the mass production of autonomous drones designed to conduct precise attacks against Russian forces.

Autopilot Drones Changing the Battlefield

James Marson, WSJ's Ukraine bureau chief, provides a comprehensive overview of how these drones are revolutionizing combat scenarios. Initially, Ukraine deployed First Person View (FPV) drones that required manual operation. However, advancements have led to the creation of drones equipped with terminal guidance systems, allowing them to execute attacks autonomously in the final stages of their mission.

"In the final phase, they're running on autopilot, but the target is selected for them," [09:33] James Marson explains.

Combatting Electronic Warfare

One of the significant challenges faced by Ukrainian drones has been Russian electronic jamming, which disrupts the communication between drone operators and their machines, often leading to unsuccessful missions. Autonomous drones mitigate this issue by relying on onboard systems that do not require continuous external communication, thereby increasing the hit rate and operational effectiveness.

Production Surge from Local and International Companies

James details the rapid escalation in drone production, spotlighting two key players:

1. Veri (Ukrainian Startup): Founded by a 26-year-old entrepreneur motivated by national defense, Veri focuses on producing cost-effective drones using locally sourced components. Their approach prioritizes functionality over luxury, aiming to deploy thousands of units by the end of the year.

   "The most important thing is the cheapest possible equipment that will work, that will do the job," [10:44] James quotes the CEO of Veri, emphasizing their strategy to maintain affordability without compromising mission-critical capabilities.

2. Oterion (US-Based Company): With a history of collaboration with the Pentagon, Oterion offers more sophisticated drones featuring integrated mini-computers and advanced software for guidance, targeting, and secure communications. These drones are more versatile and suitable for deeper strikes but come at a higher cost.

   "There's digital communications which make it much harder to hack or jam," [12:26] James highlights, pointing out the enhanced security features of Oterion’s drones.

Impact and Future Prospects

The influx of these autonomous drones is expected to significantly influence the dynamics of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. With companies like Veri and Oterion scaling up production, the battlefield could see a substantial increase in the deployment of these cost-effective, autonomous systems, potentially altering the balance of power and offering Ukraine a strategic advantage.

"We're going to start to see a big ramp up of these drones arriving on the battlefield and potentially having a big impact," [10:35] James concludes, underscoring the transformative potential of this technology.

Conclusion

This episode of WSJ Tech News Briefing navigates through two distinct yet impactful technology narratives. On one hand, it uncovers the disconnect between the intended sophistication of smart home appliances and their practical utility for consumers. On the other, it sheds light on the pivotal role of autonomous drones in modern warfare, illustrating how innovation continues to shape both domestic life and global conflicts.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris Freeswick [04:31]: "Most smart appliances have whizzed right past smart and circled back to dumb. It's the lack of value provided to the owner in exchange for all the detail and information you have to provide."

• Chris Freeswick [05:45]: "There's always this technology arms race. There's also a desire by them to collect our data because they can sell that data and it gives them insight."

• James Marson [09:33]: "In the final phase, they're running on autopilot, but the target is selected for them."

• James Marson [10:44]: "The most important thing is the cheapest possible equipment that will work, that will do the job."

• James Marson [12:26]: "There's digital communications which make it much harder to hack or jam."

Produced by Julie Chang with Supervising Producer Kathryn Millsop. Logging off, Belle Lin signs off with a preview of the afternoon's TNB Tech Minute.