Robots serving up coffee at Starbucks

I wonder if they expect a tip :) The details: Naver's autonomous wheeled "Rookie" robots navigate the building's 36 floors to bring packages, coffee, and lunch to employees. Rookie bots are assisted by dual-armed "Ambidex" robots, which are lightweight and dexterous for safer human interactions. Both robots connect to the company’s ARC system, which enables control of navigation, planning, and processing for the entire fleet through cloud computing. Naver also developed RoboPort, a dedicated elevator system that allows robots to move quickly and efficiently between floors. Why it matters: Naver’s putting its robots to work in the ‘real world’ — and while the location is just a testing ground for now, it’s also a glimpse into how service robotics will be integrated into the mainstream sooner than many expect.

Sea otter

I love otters so glad to see this one was saved. "An orphaned female sea otter pup from the Tofino area is cared for at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society in Vancouver, BC Friday, June 28, 2024. PHOTO BY JASON PAYNE /PNG Article content Two weeks after it was rescued near Tofino, a sea otter pup is getting stronger every day, according to the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre."

Volkwagen Beetle

This car always brings a smile to my face. I can't seem to upload a photo but I think everyone knows what they look like. MEXICO CITY (AP) — Janette Navarro’s 1996 Volkswagen Beetle roars as it barrels up a steep hill overlooking concrete houses stacked like boxes on the outskirts of Mexico City. She presses her foot on the pedal, passes a lime green Beetle like hers, then one marked with red and yellow, then another painted a bright sea blue. “No other car gets up here,” she said. “Just the vocho.” The Volkswagen Beetle, or “vocho” as it’s known in Mexico, may have been born in Germany, but in this hilly neighborhood on the fringes of Mexico City, there’s no doubt about it: The “Bug” is king. The Beetle has a long history in the country’s sprawling capital. The old-school models like these — once driven as taxis — used to dot city blocks as the quirky look captured the fascination of many around the world. It was long known as “the people’s car.”

A lovely dinner with Donna Sunday

We went to the Milltown Pub and Jim and I had their special prime rib. It was excellent. Then back to Donna's for ice cream.