Toyota’s robot is really good at basketball. And it will only get better thanks to AI. After sinking an over 80-foot basketball shot, Toyota’s hoop prodigy set a new Guinness World Record for the longest basketball shot by a humanoid robot. Check out the impressive shot in the video below.

Although you see plenty of Toyota ads during the big game, the Japanese auto giant isn’t usually the first name that comes to mind when you think of basketball. The company looks to change that with “Cue” the robot.

Cue was first developed in 2017 by a few Toyota volunteers in their free time. By March 2018, the first generation Cue debuted at a home game of the Alvark Tokyo, a professional basketball team in Japan

After it became a social media sensation, Toyota released several new models over the years. In May 2019, “Cue3,” the third-gen model, earned its first Guinness World Record for “The most consecutive basketball free throws by a humanoid robot (assisted),” with 2,020 free throws made.

Since then, the AI basketball-loving robot has been steadily improving its skills, such as shooting three-point shots, dribbling, and making free throws.

As Toyota’s robot continued improving, the company set its sights on a bigger goal: to make the longest basketball shot by a humanoid robot. On September 26, 2024, Toyota’s CUE6 sunk an 80 ft 6 in shot in Nagakute, Japan, securing its second Guinness World Record title.

On its first attempt, CUE’s shot hit the rim and bounced back at him. On its second attempt, Toyota’s robot nailed the shot. You can watch the shot and learn more about Toyota’s basketball-loving robot in the Guinness World Records video below.

By learning from his mistakes and correcting things like posture, arm position, and shot strength, Cue continues to improve over time.

Tomohiro Nomi, Toyota’s CUE project leader, said, “Using Artificial Intelligence based on robot structure, it learned and thought of the throwing style that would be the most effective.”

Source: Guinness World Records

Cyclic Materials, a cleantech company focused on metals recycling, has struck a multi-year deal with Swiss mining giant Glencore to supply recycled copper.

The collaboration is a step forward in making copper production more sustainable and meeting the skyrocketing demand for materials essential to clean energy technologies.

Cyclic Materials extracts copper from recycled electronic scrap – think EV motors and wind turbines – and refines it for reuse. The copper (Reuters reports at least 10,000 metric tons) will then go to Glencore’s Horne Smelter and Canadian Copper Refinery, where it’ll be turned into copper cathode. That refined copper can find a new life in technologies driving the energy transition, like EVs and renewable energy systems.

Instead of mining more raw materials, which is time-consuming, costly, and can be controversial, the two companies are tapping into what’s already out there – an approach that reduces waste and minimizes environmental impact.

Kunal Sinha, Glencore’s global head of recycling, praised the deal: “Cyclic Materials is filling a critical gap in the market. Their focus on rare earth recovery is exactly what we need to build a circular supply chain for critical materials.”

Cyclic Materials CEO Ahmad Ghahreman called the agreement a milestone: “We are excited to be partnering with Glencore on the recycling of copper materials. This is a significant milestone in establishing key partners to purchase our recycled materials and close the loop for all critical materials we will produce.”

The first shipments of recycled copper are expected to start in late 2025.

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Is that a Jeep or the Ford Bronco? Jeep’s Wrangler-inspired electric SUV was spotted with a familiar look with its official debut just around the corner. Check out the latest spy photos of the Jeep Recon EV, including a first look at the interior below.

Although Jeep’s first electric SUV, the Wagoneer S, is arriving at US dealerships, many are even more excited about its second EV.

Jeep says the Recon is “inspired by the legendary Wrangler.” It was first introduced in 2022 as part of Jeep’s new global EV lineup.

The rugged electric SUV is designed to conquer any terrain, but with zero emissions and in near silence. Like the Wrangler, it will have options like removable doors and windows. Former Jeep brand CEO Christan Meunier said the Recon could “cross the mighty Rubicon Trail,” known as one of the toughest off-road trails in the US.

Not only that, Meunier claimed it can “reach the end of the trail with enough range to drive back to town and recharge.”

Ahead of its official debut, we’ve caught a glimpse of the electric SUV a few times. Last March, the first images of the Recon EV Moab 4xe leaked out of a dealer event.

Check out the new Jeep Recon EV spy photos

More recently, it was spotted with hardly any camouflage, revealing even more of a Ford Bronco-like design. After new spy photos surfaced online, the Jeep Recon EV is looking more and more like its rival as it nears its debut.

The new images from JeepReconForum reveal a prototype being tested in Michigan. It retains much of the design shown in the concept, with a rugged, boxy profile.

For the first time, the interior was almost completely uncovered. A large infotainment screen is at the center, with a smaller driver display screen. HVAC controls have also been added under the infotainment screen for easy access. Jeep included a grab bar for front passengers to give it a Wrangler-like feel.

After promising that the Recon will have “True trail-rated” capabilities with its Selec-Terrain system, it looks like Jeep will deliver.

Below the control knob, a red panel appears to be the traction interface system. Although only “Rock” and “Mud” are visible, the Recon is also expected to feature other settings like Snow, Sport, Track, and Tow modes. You can check out all the images on JeepReconForum.

The display shows 147 miles of range at 66% battery charge, suggesting around 200 miles of range. However, with the Wagoneer S promising over 300 miles range, you can expect it to be around the same, if not slightly less.

Jeep’s CEO, Antonio Filosa, confirmed that the Recon EV will use the STLA Large platform, the same one that underpins the Wagoneer S and Dodge Charger Electric.

The rugged new SUV is set to debut in early 2025. Pricing and specs will be revealed closer to launch, but Jeep’s Recon EV is expected to start at around $60,000. More expensive trims, like the Rubicon or Sahara, could cost upwards of $80,000.

Source: JeepReconForum