🎉 OpenAI Hardware Trademarks, Deep Research, Robots Can Jump, Google Makes Phone Calls for You, Realtime Replit Apps

OpenAI Files Robot & Other Hardware Trademarks, Deep Research Saves Humans Days, NVIDIA Makes Robots Ball, AI Calling AI, Replit Makes Personalized Apps for Free

Welcome to this week’s edition of AImpulse, a four point summary of the most significant advancements in the world of Artificial Intelligence followed by a cool new AI tool I’m trying out this week.

Here’s the pulse on this week’s top stories:

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What’s Happening: OpenAI just filed a trademark application covering everything from humanoid robots to AI wearables, hinting at ambitions to move into physical products through partnerships with hardware veterans like former Apple designer Jony Ive.

The details:

• The application includes smart jewelry, VR/AR headsets, wearables for ‘AI-assisted interaction,’ smartwatches, and more.

• Also listed are ‘user-programmable humanoid robots’ and robots with ‘communication and learning functions for assisting and entertaining people.’

• OpenAI has frequently been linked to Jony Ive, with Sam Altman reiterating that he hopes to create an AI-first phone ‘in partnership’ with him last week.

• The company recently began rebuilding its robotics team, with Figure AI also abruptly ending its collaboration agreement with OpenAI this week.

Why it matters: While competing in consumer hardware would’ve felt insane a few years ago, Apple’s turbulent rollout of AI and unprecedented growth of OpenAI could offer a new window of opportunity. Altman has also said that AI advances warrant a “new kind of hardware” — and maybe humanoids are that final form he envisions.

What’s Happening: OpenAI just launched Deep Research, a new ChatGPT feature that conducts extensive web research on complex topics and delivers detailed reports with citations in under 30 minutes.

The details:

• The system uses a specialized version of o3 to analyze text, images, and PDFs across multiple sources, producing comprehensive research summaries.

• Initial access is limited to Pro subscribers ($200/mo) with 100 queries/month, but if safety metrics remain stable, it will expand to Plus and Team users within weeks.

• Research tasks take between 5-30 minutes to complete, with users receiving a list of clarifying questions to start and notifications when results are ready.

• Deep Research achieved a 26.6% on Humanity’s Last Exam, significantly outperforming other AI models like Gemini Thinking (6.2%) and GPT-4o (3.3%).

Why it matters: ChatGPT excels at quick, instant answers, but Deep Research represents the first major consumer attempt at tackling complex tasks that take humans days. Combined with the release of Operator, the landscape is shifting towards longer thinking with autonomous actions — and better results to show for it.

What’s Happening: Nvidia and Carnegie Mellon researchers just introduced ASAP, an AI framework that lets humanoid robots learn complex movements from simulations — enabling the replication of iconic celebrations and moves from professional athletes.

The details:

• The system works in two stages: initial training in simulation followed by a specialized neural network that adapts movements for real-world physics.

• Unitree G1 robots demonstrated complex motions in testing, including recreating moves from athletes like LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo.

• The framework reduced motion errors by 53% compared to existing methods — a major advance in bridging the gap between virtual and physical training.

• Hardware limitations remain challenging, with two test robots suffering damage from overheated motors during high-intensity movements.

Why it matters: The acceleration in robotic movement capabilities over the last year has been mind-blowing. As training gets faster and more efficient, the next step may be for robots to take the actual field in leagues of their own.

Check out video footage of the movements here.

What’s Happening: Google just released two new Search Labs experimental features that handle phone calls on a user's behalf, including ‘Ask for Me’ for inquiring about local services and ‘Talk to a Live Representative’ for customer service calls.

The details:

• ‘Ask for Me’ can contact local businesses to gather pricing and availability information for services like auto repairs and nail salons.

• Users enter requirements through a search interface, with Google's AI handling the phone call and providing a summary via text or email within 30 minutes.

• A separate ‘Talk to a Live Representative’ feature waits on hold with customer service lines and alerts users when a representative is available.

• Both features utilize Google's advanced Duplex AI technology for natural-sounding voice interactions.

Why it matters: With much of the younger generation hating phone interactions, these new Google features could have major mass appeal. With much of customer service also transitioning to artificial intelligence, the future is (for better or worse) likely looking like a wave of AIs calling other AIs.

AI Tool to Know: Turn your ideas into apps with Replit’s new iPhone AI app.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Replit iPhone app Here.

2. Prompt an app idea and answer basic questions in the chat window.

3. Watch Replit code an MVP (minimum viable product) for you in real time.

4. Add features with natural language and push to production.

Pro tip: Replit saves your apps for future use so have at it and experiment. Send me anything cool you come up with!