 Sanctuary Cognitive Systems closed a $58.5M early-stage funding round as it advances on its goal to build what it describes as the "first human-like intelligence in general-purpose robots." The oversubscribed Series A included investors Bell, Evok Innovations, Export Development Canada, Magna, SE Health, Verizon Ventures, and Workday Ventures. More: - Sanctuary says it's innovating in AI, robotics, quantum computing, and other areas to develop human-like and human-sized robots that would carry out a wide range of tasks.
- The general-purpose robots would be piloted by people or pilot-assist technologies or work autonomously under supervision.
- According to Sanctuary, the technology could fill in gaps in workforces caused by labor shortages and take on tasks that are typically dangerous for humans, such as clearing minefields or sterilizing hospitals.
- The bots could eventually be used to assist human settlers in space.
- In related news, Chris Hadfield, the retired astronaut and ISS commander, and Anousheh Ansari, the first female private space explorer, have joined Sanctuary's advisory board.
- Vancouver-based Sanctuary was founded by Geordie Rose, Suzanne Gildert, Olivia Norton, and Ajay Agrawal in 2018.
SILICON ANGLE 
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Walmart has introduced a tool powered by AI and computer vision that allows shoppers to view how clothing looks on models of a similar height, shape, and skin tone. The "Choose My Model" tool is the first product to come out of Walmart's purchase of Israel-based AI startup Zeekit. More: - Zeekit combines various artificial intelligence technologies such as real-time image processing, computer vision, and deep learning to demonstrate how customers would look in clothing that they are about to purchase.
- Zeekit's tech powers the Choose My Model tool, which Walmart started testing on its app and website earlier this year and just launched in beta.
- Its neural network-powered simulations take into account a person's body dimensions along with clothing fit, size, and fabric.
- Walmart plans to add more models and brands to the tool and will eventually introduce a personalized virtual try-on feature, letting customers upload their own photos to see how clothing fits and share it with others.
- Macy's, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, and Levi have all used Zeekit's tech before Walmart acquired it for an undisclosed amount in May.
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 AI chip maker Cerebras Systems sold its first CS-2 system — the current fastest AI computer — to the energy exploration and production firm TotalEnergies. Cerebras develops computers for training larger neural nets and processing deep learning algorithms and other compute-intensive tasks. More: - The CS-2's processor is the Wafer Scale Engine, or WSE-2, the fastest AI processor and largest computer chip ever built.
- France-based TotalEnergies plans to use CS-2's AI computing in areas such as batteries, biofuels, wind flows, drillings, and CO2 storage.
- The initial project will be a "seismic modeling" simulation task to help detect where to drill for gas and oil.
- San Jose-based Cerebras has previously signed deals with GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca, which are using its chips to try and discover new drugs, as well as national laboratories and supercomputing centers.
- The company was lasted valued at $4B+ in November following a $250M Series F funding round.
ZDNET
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 Robotic delivery startup Starship Technologies has raised $100M in the past month, including a $42M Series B, to bring more robotic deliveries to U.S. college campuses. The autonomous delivery firm plans to expand into more cities in North America and Europe. More: - Starship is now making roughly 10,000 deliveries daily using its fleet of 1,700 sidewalks robots, which it claims are close to Level 4 autonomy.
- It's completed more than 3 million deliveries on college campuses and via partnerships with restaurants and grocers such as Save Mart, Tesco, and Budgens.
- The Series B funding round was led by VC firms NordicNinja and Taavet+Sten. Starship also raised $57M from the European Investment Bank.
- The San Francisco-based company, initially founded in Estonia, has raised $202M to date.
Zoom-out: - Kiwibot, a Starship competitor, is also widening its footprint via a $20M contract expansion with Sodexo.
- The company plans to deploy 1,200 of its delivery boots at 50 U.S. campuses this year.
- As a whole, the autonomous delivery robot market is projected to grow 20.4% annually, reaching $55B by 2026.
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China's new rules restricting how tech companies can use content-recommending algorithms have taken effect as of Tuesday. The rules target algorithms linked to filtering, personalized push notifications, and other internet activities. They contain a clause that bans algorithms from sharing fake news. More: - Under the new rules, Chinese tech companies have to publicly share the inner workings of their algorithms and allow consumers to switch off personalized recommendations.
- Apps and other internet services are barred from using models that fuel internet addiction among young people and/or result in price discrimination or "excessive spending."
- The policy calls for companies to use algorithms to protect older people from fraud. Algorithms must also promote what's described as "positive energy."
- The Cyberspace Administration of China first introduced the draft rules in August.
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ICYMI: Amazon opened a Whole Foods store equipped with its AI-enabled "Just Walk Out" cashierless technology. The technology, which includes deep learning and computer vision, is similar to the tech found in self-driving cars. More: - The 21,500-square-foot Whole Foods store in Washington, D.C., has sensors, cameras, and software that track customers and their purchases, allowing them to bypass checkout lines.
- Upon arrival, customers who want to skip the register can scan their palm, a QR code, or an Amazon-linked credit card for identification.
- Cameras then track their movements as they take items from shelves and place them in carts.
- Amazon plans to open a second Whole Foods with the technology in Los Angeles later this year.
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- More homeowners are turning to AI software to analyze and suggest room remodels.
- Anthony Levandowski's Pronto.ai signed a deal to be the exclusive provider of autonomous technology for Bell Trucks America's articulated dump trucks.
- North American medical companies reported huge growth in hiring for machine learning roles.
- Cornell researchers developed AutoPhoto, a robotic photographer that explores its surroundings to capture ideally framed photos using a "learned aesthetic" machine-learning model.
- AI chipmaker Groq acquired dataflow computing company Maxeler Technologies to boost its AI, ML, and high-performance computing offerings.
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 |  | Beth is an Inside Analyst and a former public policy/investigative reporter. She has covered AI, VR, technology, and e-commerce for Inside. When she's not busy writing, she's hiking in Arizona's desert, playing pickleball, or trying out new Mexican food recipes. |   | | Editor | Aaron Crutchfield is based in the high desert of California. Over the last two decades, he has spent time writing and editing at various local newspapers and defense contractors in California. When he's not working, he can often be found looking at the latest memes with his kids or working on his 1962 Ford. | |
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