
DoorDash has launched a new AI chatbot named 'Ask DoorDash' that allows users to order food and groceries using text prompts and photos. This feature aims to make the ordering process more conversational and personalized, eliminating the need to scroll through numerous options. Users can describe their cravings or upload photos to build grocery carts, and the chatbot will suggest items based on past orders or dietary preferences. Initially available on iOS in select regions, DoorDash plans to roll out the feature more broadly across the U.S. in the coming weeks.
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© TechCrunch AIAvataar AI has launched Varya, a video model designed to cater to India's unique cultural context, offering a cost-effective solution for video generation. Built on Alibaba's Wan 2.2 model, Varya uses distillation to operate faster and cheaper, producing video 10 times quicker than its predecessor. With a price of ₹0.48 per second, it significantly undercuts competitors, making video AI more accessible for India's vast market. This launch is part of India's broader AI strategy to foster local innovation and reduce reliance on expensive foreign models.
© TechCrunch AITheker, a Barcelona-based AI robotics startup, has raised $85 million in a Series A round, marking a significant milestone in European robotics funding. The company is focused on developing adaptable robots that can be reconfigured for various tasks, offering a solution to labor shortages in manufacturing. With investment from major players like CRV, Samsung, and Aglaé Ventures, Theker is poised to expand its reach beyond retail into more complex industrial environments. This funding round highlights Theker's potential to transform factory automation by providing flexible robotic solutions that traditional robots cannot offer.
© TechCrunch AIPrometheus, co-founded by Jeff Bezos, has secured a massive $12 billion in funding to develop an 'artificial general engineer' aimed at automating complex physical systems. This ambitious project seeks to revolutionize engineering by replacing significant portions of human labor with AI, potentially transforming industries from aerospace to pharmaceuticals. While some fear job losses, Bezos argues that increased productivity will lead to higher living standards and reduced work hours. With a valuation of $41 billion, Prometheus is one of the most highly valued AI startups, reflecting growing investor confidence in the physical AI sector.
© Matt WolfeLocal AI models are becoming viable alternatives to cloud-based models for everyday tasks, offering privacy and independence from major AI labs.
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© The Verge AIApple is addressing Safari's extension limitations by leveraging AI to allow users to create their own extensions through a process called 'vibe-coding.' This innovative approach lets users describe the functionality they want, and Safari generates the extension using Apple Intelligence. This could significantly narrow the gap between Safari and its competitors like Chrome and Firefox, which have more extensive extension libraries. Additionally, Apple is introducing AI-powered features such as automatic tab categorization and password management, showing a cautious but strategic integration of AI into Safari. These updates mark a shift in Safari's capabilities, potentially making it more competitive in the browser market.