Fei-Fei Li, the 'godmother of AI,' has launched World Labs, a billion-dollar startup aimed at enhancing AI's understanding of 3D environments, securing $230M in funding. The firm, backed by top investors, seeks to revolutionize AI's spatial reasoning, impacting fields from augmented reality to robotics.

Apple researchers unveiled UI-JEPA on September 13, 2024, a cutting-edge architecture aimed at improving the understanding of user intentions from UI interactions. This new development aligns with Apple's strategy to enhance on-device AI applications by focusing on privacy and efficiency, potentially outperforming traditional cloud-based AI models.

Researchers from the University of Florida have discovered GAZEploit, a serious vulnerability in Apple's Vision Pro headset that exposes user passwords by tracking eye movements. Apple has since patched the issue, disabling the Persona feature during virtual keyboard use to prevent data leaks.

French startup Mistral AI has launched Pixtral 12B, a 24GB multimodal model for processing images and text, available for free under Apache 2.0. Following a $645 million funding round, Mistral aims to rival industry leaders by democratizing access to advanced visual applications.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is exploring the use of Apple Vision Pro for enhanced surveillance and patrol assistance. Despite the current headset's weight, Apple is developing a lighter version, and the LAPD has already invested $20,000 in five units to improve their crime center's capabilities.

The Champalimaud Foundation awarded the prestigious one-million-euro Vision Award to neuroscientists Margaret Livingstone, Nancy Kanwisher, Doris Tsao, and Winrich Freiwald. Their groundbreaking research on brain mechanisms for facial recognition and vision disorders promises advancements in treatments for dyslexia and cognitive decline.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is teaming up with Apple to integrate CarPlay and pilot Vision Pro mixed-reality headsets for real-time crime monitoring. This initiative aims to reduce dependence on costly centralized crime centers, but the $3,499 price tag could pose budgetary challenges.

Mojo Vision and CY Vision have partnered to create advanced micro-LED heads-up displays (HUDs) for vehicles, leveraging AR and AI to boost driver safety with real-time data. These HUDs promise high light efficiency and reduced distractions, aiming at a $10 billion market by 2034.

Beam Global has unveiled BeamSpot, a sustainable EV charging system that converts streetlights into solar and wind-powered chargers. CEO Desmond Wheatley emphasizes this cost-effective solution's potential to enhance public EV charging, with initial deployments set for San Diego and Serbia.

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 hinges on AI to shift from an oil-based to a knowledge-driven economy, emphasizing Organizational Readiness for Change (ORC) and Dynamic Capabilities (DC). Effective AI adoption requires enhanced leadership, clear strategies, and agile cultures, with potential economic impacts reaching up to $10.6 billion through improved public services.

The global luxury goods market is projected to hit $385 billion by 2025, emphasizing the need for advanced AI and Computer Vision (CV) technologies to combat counterfeits. Platforms like StockX and GOAT are leveraging these technologies to authenticate products, ensuring consumer trust as the market for luxury sneakers and watches continues to grow.

Indianapolis receives $19.9 million in federal grants to boost roadway and pedestrian safety under the Safe Streets and Roads for All program. Mayor Hogsett emphasizes this funding will enhance key corridors with new sidewalks, crossings, and curb ramps.

Qualcomm, Samsung, and Google are collaborating to develop sleek mixed reality smart glasses aimed at seamless smartphone integration. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon envisions these glasses as stylish, everyday companions, potentially rivaling Apple's Vision Pro by offering a more accessible alternative.

Meta cancels its high-end La Jolla mixed reality headset project, initially aimed to rival Apple's Vision Pro. Instead, it focuses on the Quest 4 and an affordable Ventura headset, with key announcements expected at the Connect conference on September 25, 2024.

Miris has emerged from stealth mode with $26 million in seed funding to integrate spatial computing into streaming services. Their innovative CDN technology aims to make high-fidelity spatial content accessible in real-time, tackling major industry challenges.

Skydance Interactive's VR game Behemoth, releasing November 14, 2024, for Quest, immerses players in a dark fantasy with intense combat. While PSVR 2 and PC VR dates are unconfirmed, the game promises rich storytelling and environmental puzzles, offering pre-order exclusives.

Google Research and Tel Aviv University have developed GameNGen, a cutting-edge neural model-based game engine that can simulate DOOM in real-time at over 20 frames per second. This AI-driven innovation, detailed in a new paper, hints at a future where game creation could be democratized, allowing developers to use text and images instead of traditional programming.

Apple may soon unveil smart glasses to complement its Vision Pro, marking a significant leap in AR technology. Unlike the stationary Vision Pro, these glasses are expected to be wearable for continuous use, possibly featuring high-resolution cameras, superior audio, and integrated AI.

Virtuix, founded by Jan Goetgeluk, is set to launch its Omni One multidirectional VR treadmill for home use on September 10, 2024, following a successful Kickstarter and Shark Tank journey. Priced at $2,595, the Omni One has garnered over 3,000 preorders, signaling strong consumer interest and potential for substantial revenue growth.