Welcome to Startups Weekly. Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Friday. One of the most interesting articles on the site this week is Brian’s meeting with the Humane AI pin, a matchbook-sized marvel packed with tech. It features 32GB storage, a multifunctional 12-megapixel camera, and a laser projection system capable of displaying information on any surface. The device offers a seamless AI-driven experience with proprietary and OpenAI integrations, including GPT-4. The article also explores the trend of letting AI do some jobs but not others, questioning what it means to be human. Additionally, Airbnb has acquired the AI startup GamePlanner.AI for a rumored $200 million, suggesting a move towards a travel concierge service.
The article further delves into advancements in AI-powered robotics, noting the challenges in creating high-quality datasets for physical interactions. It also highlights the emergence of France as a major AI hub, with notable venture capital activity in the area. Other AI-related nuggets include the launch of Atlas, a 3D generative AI platform, and the funding of generative AI content marketplace Civitai.
In the realm of startups, the article discusses the challenges faced by founders in raising funds in a funding winter, providing insights on leveraging LinkedIn to raise funding. It also highlights Inversion Art, an accelerator program for artists, and the potential impacts of Samara, a company spun out of Airbnb, on the U.S. housing crisis. Additionally, the article covers developments in the autonomous driving software, medical stations powered by AI, and GM’s intensified oversight over its self-driving car subsidiary.
The transportation sector is also covered, featuring news on Uber’s measures to address unfair driver deactivations and demonstrations of electric aircraft by Joby Aviation and Volocopter over New York City. It also explores Rivian’s decision to sell its commercial electric vans to other companies and an inadvertent software update that affected some of its vehicles.
The article concludes with top reads on TechCrunch, including the shutdown of the popular online chat service Omegle and a review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones.