BYD announced the launch of its first humanoid robot scheduled for August, with the presentation taking place in China. This announcement was accompanied by a teaser released on WeChat through the dedicated profile of BYD Zhengzhou Di Space, a space that functions as the automaker's scientific museum to showcase its launches.
Although the initial publication did not detail technical specifications, the robot's main focus will be its interaction capability. The initiative to develop humanoid robots is not new; in June, BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li stated in a talk show that the company had already been working on this project, which began in 2024 with a dedicated team for artificial intelligence and robotics.
The humanoid robot market is undergoing a period of significant growth in China. Last year, a government spokesperson issued a warning about the risk of a bubble forming in this sector. According to the newspaper La Razón, more than 150 manufacturers compete in this Chinese market, including automakers such as Li Auto, Xpeng, Geely, and BYD.
Currently, most of these robots are used in factory environments or electric vehicle demonstrations, but companies see potential for other applications. BYD is expected to use the August event to display a functional model, not just a concept, since the Di Space allows specialized media and consumers to test the brand's new offerings. Stella Li explained that the company's goal is to make two or three models available in Chinese dealerships to assist in introducing their electric cars by interacting with the public. However, she stressed that AI robots will not replace the emotional connection established by human salespeople, planning for them to take over this function within two years.
BYD already employs humanoid robots in its own factories, using models from UBTech Robotics alongside its autonomous vehicles. Furthermore, Li mentioned that the automaker intends to produce both its own humanoids and others developed in partnership with external companies. The electric vehicle and NEV sector is in sync with AI robots, with various Chinese and international automakers, such as Hyundai, Tesla, and BMW, investing in the area. For Stella Li, there is a competitive advantage in this segment because the development of software and hardware shares similar foundations with technologies dominated by the automotive industry.
Humanoid robots have gained prominence since early 2026, with numerous manufacturers exhibiting prototypes and products at CES. Since then, brands such as the Chinese Unitree and the American Figure AI have already implemented practical uses of their models, being present at Tokyo airport and a parcel distribution unit, respectively.
Apple may revitalize its smart home device line this year with the advanced development of new versions of the HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV. The release of these products is expected between September and October, according to information disclosed by journalist Mark Gurman.
The renewals aim to adapt the devices to the most sophisticated features of Apple Intelligence and the new phase of Siri. Both the HomePods and the Apple TV are expected to receive more powerful processors capable of managing the demands of artificial intelligence.
Currently, the HomePod mini, launched in 2020, uses the S5 chip, originating from the Apple Watch Series 5, while the standard HomePod model from 2023 features the S7 from the Apple Watch Series 7.
The HomePod, Apple's line of smart speakers, was first introduced in 2017. At that time, it positioned itself as an alternative to Amazon's Echo systems, which already incorporated AI via Alexa+, and Google's Nest.
After a long period without significant innovations, Apple introduced a smaller version in 2020, focusing on a more compact design and a more accessible price. Although the HomePod mini has received color variations over the years, there have been no substantial changes to its hardware.
The larger model in the line was only updated five years after its initial launch, in 2023, bringing better integration with Siri and smart functionalities. It is worth noting that none of these generations have been officially released in Brazil.
Rumors indicate that the future HomePod may incorporate a seven-inch screen and operate with tvOS-based software. This device would feature a widget interface, functionality to control other smart devices, and support for FaceTime video calls.
The main anticipated attraction for the new generation of HomePods is the integration with Siri AI. The central bet lies in using chips that natively support this technology, such as the S9 found in Apple watches from 2023. This chip has a four-core Neural Engine dedicated to machine learning processing, which would provide greater capacity for voice commands, responses from the new Siri, and execution of AI features locally.
Additionally, it is speculated that the smaller version will have a more modern data transmission capability, including the N1 chip, with support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Improvements in sound quality and the inclusion of a new red color for the mini model are also mentioned.
The Apple TV (the physical device, not just the streaming service) should also be updated within the same release period. The media hub will receive a more recent processor to keep up with the advances in Siri and Apple Intelligence.
One possibility raised is the use of the A17 Pro, a processor introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro line and considered the oldest Apple processor with confirmed support for the company's AI features. Furthermore, The Verge reported that Apple is developing a security camera to compete with solutions like Amazon's Ring line.
WhatsApp has started making a new widget available for Android devices, allowing users to record voice messages without needing to open the application beforehand. This shortcut directs the user instantly to the recording screen.
According to WABetaInfo, this new feature is being implemented progressively for those who updated the messenger through the Google Play Store. The main objective of this feature is to simplify the process of sending audio, benefiting those who frequently use voice messages.
Unlike the conventional WhatsApp icon, this new widget does not open a specific conversation. Activating it leads directly to the audio recording interface. After finishing the recording, the user has several options: listen to the content before sending, discard the file, start a new recording, or select the recipients of the audio.
The biggest difference lies in reducing the steps required to start recording. Instead of having to access the application and navigate to a conversation, the process can be initiated directly from the phone's home screen.
This new shortcut occupies, by default, a 3 by 1 space on the Android home screen, although its size can be adapted to the user's preferences. To add it, the procedure involves pressing an empty area of the home screen, accessing the system widget menu, locating the new WhatsApp shortcut, and finally positioning it where desired.
Due to the gradual nature of the distribution, not all users will have immediate access to the feature, even if they keep the application updated. This phased release is a common practice adopted by WhatsApp to gradually increase the availability of new functionalities. For those who rely on voice messages as their primary means of communication, the widget offers a more direct route to start recordings, bypassing the usual flow within the messenger.
After a period of great euphoria, the global chip market registered a sharp correction, resulting in a loss of approximately $1.3 trillion (equivalent to about R$ 6.65 trillion) this week, according to CNBC.
This retraction affected companies at the forefront of growth driven by artificial intelligence, raising questions about the sustainability of investments in the sector. Giants such as Nvidia, Samsung, SK Hynix, and others were impacted by this market movement.
Analysts point out that this drop reflects another shift in investor expectations rather than a real decrease in the strength of the technology itself. The semiconductor market was a major beneficiary of the AI race, receiving billions in investments in recent months.
A CNBC analysis, using FactSet data, showed that 20 of the world's most valuable chip companies collectively lost $1.3 trillion since the close on Friday. Among the biggest losses are:
Despite this recent pullback, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX), which monitors 30 large companies in the sector traded in the United States, maintained a positive accumulation of 92% over 12 months.
Michael Field, Chief Equity Strategist at Morningstar, commented that the investors' reaction is more related to general market sentiment than to the actual financial indicators of the corporations. He stated that the decline appears to be motivated primarily by sentiment, not by economic fundamentals.
Charlie Dai, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester, added that the market is currently reassessing whether projected revenues will be able to keep pace with record levels of investment in AI infrastructure. According to him, this movement constitutes a correction after extraordinary appreciation, and does not necessarily imply a reduction in demand for AI.
The pressure on chip stocks extended to international markets. In South Korea, SK Hynix closed the day down 9.61%, even after reporting notable quarterly results. Samsung Electronics also recorded a decline of over 5%.
In Japan, manufacturers such as Kioxia and Tokyo Electron also suffered losses. Furthermore, TSMC, considered the world's largest third-party chip manufacturer, fell by 3.51%.
Amidst the instability, some investors are identifying new opportunities. Kieron Poon, Director of Asian Equity Investments at Aberdeen Investments, observed that the correction made certain high-quality companies more attractive in terms of valuation. Meanwhile, David Riedel, founder and president of Riedel Research Group, argued that the market merely returned some of the excess valuation generated by the enthusiasm surrounding AI, keeping the sector healthy but requiring the absorption of previous accelerated gains.
