TechCapsules

Chinese startup Spark Space has secured funding for its electric-pump-fed rocket, the Jinhua-1, following successful engine tests. The rocket is set to debut in 2027 and will be powered by nine Lieyan-2 engines, giving it a liftoff thrust of 90 tons. The company has raised nearly 100 million yuan in a Pre-A round and tens of millions of yuan in Pre-A+ funding, with plans to use the funds to develop the rocket. The Jinhua-1 has a payload [...]

Israeli quantum startup Quantum Pulse Ventures has unveiled a manufacturing line tweak called QP2.0, which promises a tenfold boost in quantum computer performance. The platform centers on a redesigned universal directional coupler that improves operational fidelity and robustness against fabrication variability. This innovation addresses a major challenge in quantum computing: the need for a vast number of physical qubits and extensive error correction to deliver one logical qubit. Quantum Pulse's design uses composite wave guides to reduce [...]

Elon Musk has announced that xAI's model, Grok, will be capable of creating full movies by the end of 2026. A trailer for Homer's The Odyssey, created using Grok Imagine Video 1.5, showcases the AI's rapid strides in video generation. The 2-minute-plus trailer features 36 consistent shots, realistic special effects, and emotional depth, demonstrating Grok's capabilities in scale, physics, and cinematic workflow. Musk believes Grok will be "watchable" by the end of 2026 and "really good" by

Astrall Dynamics, a Shenzhen-based embodied AI robotics startup, has secured investment from SAIC Motor and Dongfang Precision, increasing its registered capital to 67.33 million yuan. Founded in June 2024, the company specializes in R&D, manufacturing, and sales of smart robots and motor control systems. Astrall Dynamics has also partnered with China Life Property & Casualty Insurance to develop dedicated insurance products for quadruped robots, aiming to drive innovation in smart equipment and establish a new model for

DeepL has acquired Mixhalo, a real-time audio startup, to enhance its translation suite for live events and conferences. Mixhalo's technology allows for seamless audio streaming and translation, addressing the issue of attendees struggling to capture audio from a distance. Founded in 2016, Mixhalo has raised over $39 million in capital and has been a long-time customer of DeepL's translation services. The acquisition will enable DeepL to expand its offerings in the live event space and showcase its [...]

Dawn Aerospace has secured $25 million in funding to scale up its work in in-space transportation and suborbital spaceplanes. The company, valued at $196 million, plans to use the funding for a global rollout of its services, establishing teams in the United States and Europe. Dawn currently sells thrusters for spacecraft and has grown its annual revenue from $3 million in 2022 to $15 million, with the company now cash-flow positive. The company is developing an in-space [...]

PSYONIC, a San Diego-based startup, is partnering with ABB Robotics to equip robotic arms with its prosthetic Ability Hand. The goal is to give robots humanlike dexterity for complex assembly work, potentially involving irregularly shaped parts. Founded in 2015, PSYONIC initially developed advanced prosthetic hands for amputees, providing muscle control and touch feedback. The Ability Hand features touch sensors that allow users to feel vibrations on their skin when touching objects. This technology is now being used [...]

Critical Energy, a startup founded by SpaceX alum Spencer Jackson, has raised $22 million to develop modular turbines for geothermal power plants. The company aims to fill a gap in the market by providing turbines tailored to geothermal power plants, with the funds earmarked to build its first 2.5 megawatt project. Geothermal energy has significant potential, with at least 42 terawatts of capacity available worldwide, and Critical Energy hopes to play a key role in its development. [...]