In this week’s edition of The Prototype, we explore a new lunar mission for Firefly, the innovative approach to teaching old robots new tricks, the rise of robotic ant overlords, and more. Subscribe to receive The Prototype directly to your inbox here.
Firefly
This week, NASA awarded a $179 million contract to Firefly Aerospace for a new lunar mission as part of the Artemis program. This marks the fourth contract awarded to Firefly for lunar projects.
The upcoming mission, scheduled for launch in 2028, will utilize Firefly’s Blue Ghost cargo lander to deliver six scientific experiments to the Gruithuisen Domes region on the Moon. This mission aims to enhance our understanding of Lunar geology by studying the formations created by ancient lava flows.
Firefly’s first Moon mission for NASA is set to launch in mid-January 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a landing planned at Mare Crisium for surface condition studies in preparation for future crewed missions.
Stay tuned for more updates.
P.S. This is the final edition of The Prototype for 2024. We’ll be back on January 3rd. Happy holidays!
This Startup Is Teaching Old Robots New Tricks–No Coding Required
T-Robotics
Factories across the country rely on large robotic arms for various tasks. While these arms are versatile, they can be challenging to program. Asad Tirmizi, CEO and cofounder of T-Robotics in the Bay Area, aims to simplify this process by enabling non-programmers to train robots for new tasks.
The company recently announced securing a $5.4 million seed funding round and plans to launch its first commercial product in collaboration with robotics company ABB.
“Our vision is to make your language the new programming language for robots,” Tirmizi explained.
T-Robotics has developed ActGPT, a software layer that allows users to interact with robots through conversation to assign tasks without the need for coding knowledge. By incorporating a Visual Language Haptic Action model, users can guide the robot through tasks and receive real-time feedback, enabling programming without coding skills.
“Even beginners in robot programming can create high-quality industrial applications,” Tirmizi added.
DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK: A SWARM OF ANT-LIKE ROBOTS
Scientists in South Korea have developed tiny magnetic robots that can collaborate in swarms, resembling ants, to perform tasks such as lifting heavy objects, throwing items, and overcoming obstacles. A group of a thousand cube-shaped robots demonstrated the ability to form a raft and navigate on water. These miniature robots, measuring about 1/50th of an inch, are constructed from an epoxy containing neodymium-iron-boron particles and are powered by a magnetic field that facilitates self-assembly and programmable movements by adjusting magnetization angles. The research findings were recently published in the journal Device.
FINAL FRONTIER: NEXT CREWED NASA LAUNCH DELAYED
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were initially scheduled for a weeklong stay on the International Space Station. However, their mission has been extended, reminiscent of the unexpected voyage of the S.S. Minnow. With over six months on board, their return to Earth, along with Nick Hague and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, has been postponed to “no earlier than late March,” as NASA and SpaceX finalize preparations for the new Dragon spacecraft mission. The upcoming mission will transport NASA astronauts Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and cosmonaut Kirill Peskov to the station.
FORBES CALLED IT: NEXT GENERATION IVF
Two years ago, Dina Radenkovic was recognized on Forbes’ annual 30 Under 30 list in Healthcare for her startup, Gameto, and its groundbreaking IVF technology. This week, Gameto celebrated the birth of the first baby conceived using their technology, marking a significant milestone in assisted reproduction. The successful birth occurred in Brazil, showcasing the potential of Gameto’s innovative approach to IVF.
WHAT ELSE I WROTE THIS WEEK
This week, I delved into the Federal Reserve’s updated outlook for 2025, indicating fewer rate cuts as inflation persists and discussing the potential implications for biotech startups.
In my newsletter, InnovationRx, I covered the ongoing concern of avian flu, leading to a state of emergency in California due to its impact on dairy farms, coinciding with the CDC reporting the first severe case in a Louisiana patient.
SCIENCE AND TECH TIDBITS
Iran’s underground market for Starlink terminals highlights efforts to provide uncensored internet access in the country through smuggling and advocacy.
Anthropologists propose including the tracking and preservation of human spacecraft in planetary protection plans for future Mars missions, as discussed in a recent publication in the journal Nature Astronomy.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems aims to construct a grid-scale fusion power plant in Virginia, targeting operational status in the early 2030s.
An Alabama woman successfully underwent a pig kidney transplant, becoming the third living recipient of such a procedure, as announced by NYU Langone Health.
Chinese astronauts completed a record-breaking 9-hour, 6-minute spacewalk, installing protective devices on China’s Tiangong space station to shield it from space debris, according to SpaceNews.
Researchers developed a novel sunscreen that not only protects against UV rays but also cools the skin simultaneously, enhancing sun protection and comfort.
PRO SCIENCE TIP: AVOID INJURIES WITH FLATTER RUNNING SHOES
Researchers at the University of Florida found that runners wearing shoes with thick heels are more prone to injuries compared to those wearing flatter shoes. The reduced sensation from thicker heels can increase the risk of injury, emphasizing the importance of transitioning gradually to flatter shoes to strengthen feet and improve landing control. The research findings were published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living.
WHAT’S ENTERTAINING ME THIS WEEK
This week, I enjoyed the series finale of What We Do In The Shadows, a hilarious mockumentary series following a group of vampires residing together on Staten Island. The show’s humor, particularly fueled by Matt Berry’s comedic delivery, consistently entertained viewers throughout its six seasons. The series is available for streaming on Hulu.
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