WHAT’S INSIDE:

👇️ Todays’ Feature: The Check-In That Never Blinks — Robot Hotels

• Lumi Max, Samsung Unpacked, Amazon Lens Live, MrBeast, AI Dating, Rokid

• Latest food and dining and food technology news

• Arts and culture news, intersection of tech and entertainment

• The latest sports news and sports tech

• Futurism, the latest in future concepts and cutting edge deep tech

• Latest news in wellness and wellbeing tech, biotech, medtech and more

TOP CONSUMER TECH NEWS:

EV Report — Volkswagen will debut its most affordable E-SUV, the ID.2 at ~$29k at Munich Motor Show Sept 7. (280-m range). Waymo hits 2,000+ robotaxis in five cities + GM's new EV charging adapters complicate the shift to Tesla's standard.

Mini Projector Shines — The Lumi Max by Lumi Labs is a compact, travel-friendly projector with Google TV, obstacle avoidance, and Dolby Audio. 1080p resolution on 40 to 120-inch displays for $400, upcoming voice control app.

Samsung Unpacked — On Sept 29 Samsung will debut a tri-fold smartphone, Project Moohan XR headset, and AI smart glasses. The XR headset launches on October 13, with smart glasses by end of 2025 + its AI Home campaign is now live.

Amazon Lens Live — Lens Live AI-driven visual search tool integrates with shopping assistant Rufus, allowing instant product identification and real-time interaction, enhancing shopping experiences.

MrBeast Dials into Mobile — The mega-influencer is entering the telecom industry with a new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). Partnering with major networks, it aims to offer affordable service, leveraging his expansion into food, toys.

AI Enhances Bumble Dating — Whitney Wolfe Herd, CEO of Bumble, believes AI Dating Apps will transform dating by improving courtship, combating loneliness and even helping users navigate relationships more effectively.

Rokid's AI Glasses Surge — Rokid Glasses have surpassed $1 million in pre-orders in just three days, challenging Meta Ray-Bans. Priced at $599, they feature 89 languages, ChatGPT integration, and ship in November.

WEEKEND CRYPTOGRAM:

Trump's Crypto Fortune — The Trump family gained approximately $5B in paper wealth with the launch of their WLFI token, now tradable like an IPO.

Stablecoin Surge — The stablecoin market reached $280B, growing 65% in a year. Ethena's USDe led with over 200% growth, now holding 4% of the market, driven by high staking rewards. Ethereum dominates with 53% market cap.

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FEATURE ARTICLE 

The Check-In That Never Blinks

By Sam Elyaszadeh

What if your hotel lobby had more circuits than smiles? Around the world, robots are moving from factory floors to front desks, and the idea of a “robot hotel” is shifting from viral oddity to a business model with real traction.

Japan’s Henn na Hotels, famous for their humanoid receptionists and even dinosaur animatronics, have been experimenting with automation since 2015. Early misfires, like a bedside bot that mistook snoring for wake-up calls, gave way to a hybrid model with lean staff supported by robots handling check-in, concierge tips, and even room climate. The proposition is straightforward: cut labor costs, keep rooms around $100 a night, and offer novelty that still draws travelers curious enough to book.

Big brands have noticed. Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham, and IHG have begun piloting everything from check-in kiosks with personality to delivery robots that ferry late-night snacks. For now, these deployments are more experiment than overhaul, but the signal is clear. Automation is no longer a sideshow. With the global hospitality robotics market expected to surge from $567M in 2023 to $2.2B by 2030, hotels see robots not just as margin savers but as marketing statements, a way to broadcast modernity in an industry often stuck in tradition.

Still, reactions are mixed. Surveys show that while most guests are open to robot service, nearly a third find humanoid staff unsettling. Viral clips of guests startled by robot greetings underscore the fine line between delight and discomfort. And beyond the spectacle, the less visible forms of automation may prove more consequential: AI housekeeping schedules, predictive maintenance, and dynamic pricing algorithms are already reshaping the hotel’s back office in ways guests never see.

That is the quiet truth of robot hotels. The humanoid greeter might make the TikToks, but the real transformation is happening in systems that deliver consistency, efficiency, and responsiveness. A hotel does not need to look futuristic to behave like one.

And the horizon is widening. Imagine robot chefs handling banquets with machine precision, AI concierges stitching together local itineraries based on a traveler’s browsing history, or boutique hotel chains built entirely on automated operations, scaling novelty into consistency. The question is not whether hotels will get more robotic, but which ones will turn automation into magic instead of a glitch.

TECH IN ARTS & CULTURE:

Springsteen Premiere — The Telluride Film Festival debuted "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere," attracting notable stars and highlighting themes of familial relationships.

Bigelow's Nuclear Thriller — Kathryn Bigelow explores the U.S. government's limited responses to a missile threat, sparking discussions on nuclear weapons and nonproliferation.

Meta's Celebrity Chatbot Controversy — Meta used celebrity likenesses like Taylor Swift without consent in chatbots, leading to legal concerns and the removal of several bots after inappropriate content issues.

Museums Multiply — Museums worldwide are experiencing a surge in openings, including the Obama Presidential Center, highlighting the enduring demand for community-focused physical spaces in the AI-era, despite funding challenges.

Jarmusch Slams Mubi's Deal — Jim Jarmusch criticized Mubi's $100 million deal with Sequoia for its potential negative impact on the film industry due to the VC firm’s funding of the Israeli military sector.

Celebrity Brands Get a Boost — Beach House helps celebrities like Shay Mitchell and Kendall Jenner turn ideas into businesses with resources and expertise, impacting the crowded celebrity brand market.

FOOD & DRINK TECH:

Tariffs Reshape Food Production — Record corn production contrasts with 50% tariffs on Brazilian sugar, while dairy demand rises and cocoa prices fluctuate; edible oils and tallow face challenges from tariffs and environmental issues.

Healthier School Bakes — American Bakers Association pledges to eliminate FD&C colors from school baked goods by 2026-27, with 83% compliance supporting FDA's goal to phase out synthetic dyes by 2027.

Taco Tech Trouble — Taco Bell scales back AI drive-through expansion after prank order exploits, now allowing franchisees to deploy AI selectively in line with industry trends for customer-focused implementation.

Fizz Delivers on Campus — College social app Fizz partners with Gopuff to offer in-app grocery delivery across 620+ campuses, maintaining its community focus.

Coconut Oil Surge — Asian coconut oil prices triple in two years due to supply shortages, prompting Indian consumers to switch to refined sunflower oil for daily cooking while reserving coconut oil for special occasions.

Healthy Bread Trends Rise — Despite declining pan bread sales, specialty flavors like sourdough grow alongside keto and gluten-free options, with sustainability and global influences driving innovation for younger consumers.

Protein-Packed Treats — Whoa Momma Protein enhances gelato and popcorn with omega-3s, low sugar + Protein Pops. Seeking growth funding. Painterland Sisters high-protein Organic skyr yogurt startup raises seven-figure seed.

SPORTS DESK:

McLaren's Historic Valuation — McLaren F1 Team surpasses a $5B valuation after selling a minority stake back to McLaren Group. This marks the largest institutional exit in sports, as McLaren capitalizes on its competitive resurgence.

Osaka's Grand Slam Comeback — Naomi Osaka defeats Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2, reaching her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since 2021. With US women dwindling, Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez shine in doubles, Taylor Fritz is last US man.

Tech Titans Take Over Sports — Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Disney+ are reshaping sports media by integrating live sports into their platforms, moving from traditional broadcasting to global distribution, raising concerns about accessibility.

Amazon's Ad Surge — Amazon's advertising division surpassed internal forecasts in 2025-26 negotiations, driven by strong advertiser commitments, particularly in sports with the NBA. Prime Video expands its ad space, pushing ad revenue to $56B.

Underdog x Crypto.com — Underdog Sports partners with Crypto.com to launch prediction markets in 16 states, targeting areas where traditional sports betting is banned. The controversial initiative is seen as the future of sports prediction markets.

Payment Labs Surge — Payment Labs secured $3.25M in seed funding led by Aperture Venture Capital to enhance its SaaS platform for seamless payment solutions growth in the sports, esports, and creator economy sectors.

Sports Video Evolution — Video content is key for sports fan engagement. AI and enhanced workflows help organizations tailor clips and highlights, optimize archives, and localize content for global reach, driving improved engagement and monetization.

FUTURISM:

Optical AI Revolution — UCLA researchers develop light-based generative AI enhancing energy efficiency by 1000x; promising applications in biomedical imaging and wearable devices with improved privacy and security.

6G Chip Breakthrough — Chinese researchers create all-frequency 6G chip surpassing 100 Gbps with operating range of 0.5-115 GHz; commercial networks expected around 2030.

Wave Power Revolution — Eco Wave Power launches a Port of Los Angeles pilot using floating paddles to generate electricity; project could potentially power 60,000 households and help achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.

Ammonia-Powered Shipping — Japan Engine Corporation develops first commercial ammonia-powered ship engine debuting in 2026; dual-fuel technology reduces greenhouse gas and nitrogen oxide emissions in maritime transport.

Nuclear Comeback — Duane Arnold nuclear plant in Iowa to restart by 2028, providing 600+ megawatts; NextEra Energy investing $100 million by 2025 amid potential supply chain challenges.

Biological Quantum Sensing — Researchers create biological qubits using fluorescent proteins as cellular quantum sensors; breakthrough could revolutionize imaging techniques by measuring magnetic and electrical fields at cellular level.

WELLBEING AND HEALTH TECH:

AI-Powered Genetic Insights — A new AI tool analyzes genetic mutations and medical records to predict hereditary disease risks, clarifying test results and guiding personalized care by scoring over 1,600 genetic variants.

Smart Stethoscopes — AI-powered stethoscopes diagnose heart failure, valve disease, and arrhythmias in seconds, outperforming traditional methods in a 12,000-patient study. Plans to implement this tech in UK GP practices aim to enhance care.

AI-Driven Healthcare — Assort Health secures a $50M Series B, boosting its valuation to $750M. The startup leverages AI to streamline patient communications.

Baxdrostat Breakthrough — AstraZeneca's baxdrostat pill cut blood pressure by 15.7 mm Hg in trials, outperforming standard treatments. Targeting treatment-resistant hypertension, it could generate over $5B p/a. Regulatory approval pends.

Nutrient Sensing Unveiled — Researchers uncover how two nutrient-sensing proteins interact with the GATOR2 protein complex to regulate cell metabolism and growth, shedding light on cellular nutrient sensing mechanisms.

Mind Control — UCLA engineers unveil a noninvasive brain-computer interface using AI to interpret user intent, enhancing task speed for those with limited mobility.

VaxSeer Predicts Flu Fighters — MIT's VaxSeer leverages deep learning to enhance flu vaccine strain selection, outperforming WHO recommendations. This AI tool forecasts dominant strains and evaluates vaccine effectiveness.