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Beatbot Launches Eco-Friendly RoboTurtle

• Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
• Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

Beatbot introduced two innovations aimed at advancing both pool maintenance and environmental monitoring.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

• The RoboTurtle features AI cameras, solar power, and adaptive sensing for environmental monitoring.
• Beatbot’s Shore Self-Docking Station automates pool cleaning and charging with wireless magnetic technology.
• The RoboTurtle is designed for monitoring water environments and tracking endangered species.

The innovations presented include the Amphibious RoboTurtle, designed for ecological research and disaster response, and the Shore Self-Docking & Charging Station, an automated pool maintenance solution, as first reported by PRNewswire .

PRNewswire reports that the Amphibious RoboTurtle is designed to serve a dual purpose: supporting environmental research and responding to ecological challenges. The robot features advanced capabilities to monitor aquatic environments, track endangered species, and detect hazardous materials such as oil spills.

With its AI-powered cameras, the RoboTurtle provides real-time data that can be used for conservation efforts, disaster response, and the management of water ecosystems.

This is another example of how AI can be leveraged for wildlife protection. Recently, scientists combined vultures’ scavenging behavior with AI to track carcasses, monitor mortality, detect diseases, and uncover illegal activities.

PRNewswire reports that RoboTurtle’s new technology aims to reduce dependence on traditional, resource-intensive monitoring methods by providing a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for agencies and organizations engaged in environmental research.

The RoboTurtle’s design allows it to navigate both land and water environments, making it suitable for a range of ecological monitoring tasks. It is equipped with an adaptive sensing system that helps it respond to its surroundings and perform tasks with minimal disruption to the environment.

Additionally, the robot’s solar-powered system ensures it operates with minimal environmental impact. Furthermore, PRNewswire says that Beatbot unveiled its Shore Self-Docking & Charging Station, which aims to make pool care more efficient and hands-free.

The system allows robotic pool cleaners to automatically return to their charging station after completing a cleaning cycle, ensuring the robot is always ready for the next task. The use of wireless magnetic charging eliminates the need for exposed ports and reduces the risk of water damage.

PRNewswire notes that the station is designed to accommodate precise navigation, guiding the robot to dock smoothly and recharge without human intervention.

Both technologies will be featured at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, where they are expected to draw attention for their potential to transform both the pool care industry and ecological research practices, as reported by PRNewswire.

Photo by appshunter.io on Unsplash

Apple to Update AI Feature After Controversial Inaccurate News Alerts

• Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
• Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

Apple announced it would update its AI feature in the next few days after users received inaccurate news alerts —such as AI-generated summaries saying that Luigi Mangione had shot himself or that the tennis player Rafael Nada came out as gay.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

• Apple said on Monday it will update its AI feature that generates summarized news alerts.
• The BBC filed a complaint in December and considered Apple’s feature concerning.
• Journalists and organizations are asking Apple to remove the feature entirely.

The BBC filed a complaint last month after the new AI feature suggested that the news publication had announced the false statement about Mangione. The tech giant finally addressed the issue this Monday.

According to the BBC , multiple publications and organizations—including journalists from ProPublica and Reporters Without Borders (RSF)—have been affected and expressed their concerns to the tech company.

“These AI summarisations by Apple do not reflect – and in some cases completely contradict – the original BBC content,” said the BBC yesterday.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said that the tech company should remove Apple Intelligence and the RSF considered the AI feature “too immature.”

“At a time where access to accurate reporting has never been more important, the public must not be placed in a position of second-guessing the accuracy of news they receive,” said Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary.

Apple said they will fix the issue and that the update should arrive “in the coming weeks,” and encouraged users to report inaccuracies and concerns as the feature is still in beta mode in the United Kingdom.

“It just transfers the responsibility to users, who – in an already confusing information landscape – will be expected to check if the information is true or not,” said Vincent Berthier, head of RSF’s technology and journalism desk.

In May 2024, Google’s AI overview also earned an embarrassing reputation after the technology provided inaccurate information and its “funny” results went viral on social media.