Digital cooperation

Disney’s next-gen robots powered by Nvidia’s Newton

Disney’s dream of bringing lifelike robotic characters to its theme parks is closer to reality, thanks to a new collaboration with Nvidia and Google DeepMind. At GTC 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang introduced Newton, an advanced physics engine designed to enhance how robots interact with their surroundings. The first to benefit from this technology will be Disney’s next-generation entertainment robots, including the Star Wars-inspired BDX droids, one of which made a surprise appearance on stage during Huang’s keynote.

Newton is engineered to improve the expressiveness and adaptability of robots, enabling them to handle complex tasks with greater precision. The open-source engine will allow developers to simulate interactions with real-world elements such as fabric, sand, and food, making robotic movement more natural. Nvidia confirmed that Newton will integrate seamlessly with Google DeepMind’s robotics toolkit, including MuJoCo, its multi-joint simulation engine.

Disney has long experimented with robotic characters for its theme parks, showcasing controlled demonstrations at events like SXSW. With the introduction of Newton, Disney Imagineering sees an opportunity to roll out these robots across multiple park locations starting next year. The collaboration between Nvidia, Disney, and Google DeepMind marks a major leap in entertainment robotics, promising theme park guests a more immersive and dynamic experience.

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California approves Tesla’s transport permit, but not for robotaxis

Tesla has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to operate a transportation service in the state, though the permit does not yet extend to autonomous vehicle operations. The transportation charter permit (TCP), granted on Tuesday, allows Tesla to use its own vehicles and employees as drivers for prearranged transport services. Initially, the company plans to use this permit for employee transportation, with the possibility of expanding to public services in the future.

Unlike Uber and Lyft, which operate under transportation network company (TNC) permits, Tesla’s TCP authorisation requires the company to own the vehicles and directly employ its drivers. The permit does not allow Tesla to test or deploy autonomous vehicles, nor does it grant the company participation in California’s Autonomous Vehicle Passenger Service Programs. Should Tesla wish to operate a driverless service, it would need additional approvals from both the CPUC and the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Despite these restrictions, Tesla continues to push forward with its self-driving ambitions. CEO Elon Musk has announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, as early as June, using vehicles equipped with an updated version of the company’s Full Self-Driving software. While California regulators have not yet approved Tesla’s autonomous ride-hailing plans, the newly acquired permit may represent the first step towards that goal.

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Google acquires Wiz in $32 billion deal

Google has finalized a $32 billion acquisition of Israeli cybersecurity firm Wiz, sealing the deal just weeks after Donald Trump’s inauguration.

The agreement, a significant increase from Google’s initial $23 billion offer, was aided by the expectation of a friendlier antitrust review under the new administration, sources familiar with the negotiations said.

Wiz had considered an IPO before returning to the negotiating table, with new Chief Financial Officer Fazal Merchant playing a key role in shaping the deal alongside CEO Assaf Rappaport.

Google’s cloud chief, Thomas Kurian, was also instrumental in the agreement, which includes an unusually high $3.2 billion breakup fee should regulatory issues derail the transaction.

With Wiz boasting 70% annual revenue growth and over $700 million in annualized revenue, Google viewed the premium price as justified.

However, concerns remain over potential antitrust scrutiny, particularly given Google’s ongoing legal battles with the US Department of Justice over its dominance in search and ad technology.

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Palmetto leverages AI to revolutionise home electrification across the US

Palmetto, known for its innovative approach to residential solar installations, is now focusing on the broader electrification of US homes using AI.

The company has developed an AI-powered tool that simulates digital twins of homes across the country, which will help determine how technologies like heat pumps and solar panels can be effectively deployed in individual homes.

By using public and private data, Palmetto’s AI can infer critical information about a home, such as insulation types and building materials, to optimise energy efficiency.

As the residential solar market slows, Palmetto has expanded its software to include electrification solutions beyond solar, including backup batteries and heat pumps.

The company has now made its tool available to external developers through an API, allowing them to create new applications that can speed up the electrification process.

Palmetto hopes that developers will build tools that can quickly address the demand for these technologies, which will be essential in the US effort to reduce carbon emissions.

The company’s AI system analyses over 60 characteristics of homes, including details like the construction year and materials used, to make accurate energy efficiency predictions.

However, this tool will also offer developers insights into the growing electrification market. With an API offering 500 free calls per month, Palmetto’s strategy allows for scalable growth while providing key data for the company’s future development.

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Semiconductor industry’s environmental impact calls for EU action

The European Union is being advised to strengthen its focus on sustainable semiconductor production as emissions from the industry continue to rise.

A new study by the think-tank Interface highlights the growing pollution caused by the manufacturing of cutting-edge chips, essential for AI technology.

Over the past eight years, global energy consumption in the semiconductor sector has surged by 125%, largely due to the increasing demand for advanced chips, which require higher energy input and generate more emissions.

While the industry’s high-emission production methods have raised concerns, the report also points to opportunities for Europe to capitalise on its strengths in the manufacturing of ‘legacy’ chips.

These chips, used in sectors like automotive, energy, and industrial applications, tend to have a smaller environmental footprint. European companies such as STMicroelectronics, Infineon, and NXP are already market leaders in this area, which could be key to the EU’s efforts to foster a greener transition.

Despite the EU’s ambitions, including the 2023 Chips Act aimed at boosting production, questions remain over whether Europe should invest further in cutting-edge chip manufacturing.

The study suggests that pursuing this route could have significant environmental costs, particularly due to the high energy consumption involved. However, the EU’s access to renewable energy sources and water might provide an advantage over the high-cost, energy-hungry production processes in Asia.

Julia Hess, the study’s lead author, argues that chips manufactured under higher environmental standards could offer Europe a long-term competitive edge in the semiconductor industry, driving both sustainability and technological leadership.

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BMW to equip cars with Huawei HiCar system

BMW will integrate Huawei’s HiCar system into its locally produced models starting in 2026, strengthening its presence in the Chinese market.

The partnership will enable seamless connectivity between Huawei devices and BMW vehicles, enhancing smart driving applications through the Harmony operating system.

The German automaker emphasised its commitment to deeper collaboration with Chinese partners, aiming to integrate them more closely into its global innovation network.

By working with local suppliers, BMW seeks to foster long-term cooperation and technological advancement in one of the world’s largest automotive markets.

An approach that aligns with BMW’s broader strategy of leveraging local expertise to remain competitive in a fast-evolving automotive landscape.

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Europe’s tech giants push for sovereign fund

More than 90 European technology companies and lobby groups, including Airbus and Dassault Systèmes, have called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to establish a sovereign infrastructure fund.

In an open letter dated 14 March, they emphasised the urgent need for Europe to strengthen its strategic autonomy in critical digital infrastructure, from AI frameworks to semiconductor manufacturing.

The letter warns that Europe’s reliance on foreign technology creates security risks and weakens economic growth. It highlights the importance of public investment, particularly in capital-intensive sectors like quantum computing and microchips. The signatories also suggest a ‘buy European’ policy in government procurement to boost demand and encourage local businesses to invest.

Prominent supporters of the initiative include French cloud provider OVH Cloud, the European Software Institute, and the German AI Association. The appeal also reached EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen, as Europe faces increasing pressure to compete with major US and Asian technology powers.

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Thailand approves millions for data centres

Thailand has approved investments worth 90.9 billion baht ($2.7 billion) in data centres and cloud services, further boosting its growing tech sector. The newly approved projects include data centres by China’s Beijing Haoyang Cloud&Data Technology, Singapore-based Empyrion Digital, and Thailand’s GSA Data Center 02, according to the country’s investment board.

Among these, Beijing Haoyang plans to build a 300-megawatt data centre valued at 72.7 billion baht, while GSA Data Center 02 is investing 13.5 billion baht in a 35-megawatt facility.

The rapid rise of AI has fuelled demand for data infrastructure across Southeast Asia, making Thailand an attractive hub for investment. In January, TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance, announced plans to establish a data hosting service in Thailand worth 126.8 billion baht.

It follows significant investments from tech giants such as Google, which pledged $1 billion last year, and Amazon Web Services, which committed $5 billion over 15 years.

Microsoft has also revealed plans to open its first regional data centre in Thailand, reinforcing the country’s status as a growing digital hub in the region. With an increasing number of global technology firms choosing Thailand for data operations, the country is set to play a key role in Southeast Asia’s evolving digital economy.

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SoftBank invests in AI infrastructure with OpenAI partnership

SoftBank plans to transform a former Sharp LCD factory in Osaka into a large-scale data centre for AI.

The Japanese telecom giant intends to purchase the facility and surrounding land for approximately 100 billion yen ($677 million), with operations set to begin in 2026.

Once operational, the centre will be among Japan‘s largest, boasting a power capacity of 150 megawatts.

The project is part of SoftBank’s collaboration with OpenAI to commercialise AI agent technology in Japan. The data centre will support the training of AI models on client companies’ data, offering customised AI solutions tailored to business needs.

The investment in the venture is expected to be significant, potentially reaching 1 trillion yen ($6.77 billion).

SoftBank’s move highlights its commitment to AI infrastructure as demand for advanced computing power grows. The company and OpenAI have not yet commented on the reported plans.

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Chinese hedge funds boost AI for competitive edge

China’s hedge fund industry is undergoing a transformative shift, spurred by High-Flyer’s integration of AI in its trading strategies. The multi-billion-dollar fund not only uses AI to enhance its portfolio but also created DeepSeek, a game-changing LLM that has disrupted the dominance of Western AI firms like those in Silicon Valley.

The breakthrough has ignited an AI arms race among Chinese asset managers, including firms like Baiont Quant, Wizard Quant, and Mingshi Investment Management, as they rush to incorporate AI into their investment workflows.

AI-powered trading has gained momentum, with many hedge funds now using AI to process market data and generate trading signals based on investor risk profiles. As competition for “alpha” (outperformance) intensifies, the demand for AI talent is surging.

Companies like Wizard Quant and Mingshi are actively recruiting top AI engineers, and even mutual funds, such as China Merchants Fund, have adopted DeepSeek to boost their efficiency. The open-source model has democratised access to AI, lowering the entry barrier for smaller Chinese funds, which had previously been unable to compete with their Western counterparts due to high costs.

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