Come December 2024, and the Indian Space Research Organisation  (ISRO) will make a significant leap forward by launching its first fully electric-propelled satellites, a mission that promises to redefine India’s approach to space exploration. Known as the Technology Demonstrator Satellite (TDS-01), these satellites will highlight India’s ability to create lightweight, but powerful, spacecraft using modern electric propulsion systems. The launch is significant as it demonstrates India’s progress in space technology.

Experts point out that the integration of electric propulsion systems signifies a departure from traditional chemical thrusters and highlights the agency’s drive to enhance satellite efficiency, longevity, and operational flexibility. This move not only demonstrates ISRO’s technological capabilities but also places it in step with leading space agencies and private players, such as SpaceX, OneWeb, and China, all of which have been deploying electric propulsion in their satellite constellations. 

Electric propulsion offers several key advantages that make it an attractive choice for ISRO. “It drastically reduces the amount of propellant needed compared to chemical propulsion. Traditional satellites rely on chemical fuel for orbit-raising and station-keeping, consuming a significant portion of their mass in the process.  Electric propulsion, by contrast, uses small amounts of propellant, which is accelerated to high speeds using electrical energy, allowing satellites to perform the same tasks with much greater fuel efficiency. This efficiency enables ISRO to reduce the weight of its satellites, allowing more room for payloads or additional instrumentation, ultimately enhancing mission capacity,”  remarked Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, which is into design, fabrication and launch of small satellites, spacecraft and ground systems. 

Moreover, electric propulsion extends the operational life of satellites. With traditional systems, once a satellite runs out of fuel, it becomes inoperable, even if its components are still functional. Electric propulsion, with its efficient use of fuel,  allows satellites to stay operational for longer periods, providing better value or money and reducing the need for frequent replacements. This is particularly valuable for communications satellites, which need to maintain precise positions in geostationary orbit for years. 

“A  ajor critical advantage of electric propulsion is its flexibility in orbital maneuvering. Satellites equipped with electric propulsion can make more precise orbital adjustments, making them suitable for missions that require fine control over satellite positioning, such as remote sensing, navigation, and scientific research missions. This flexibility will allow ISRO to expand its satellite capabilities, opening new possibilities for advanced Earth observation systems and interplanetary missions,” added Kesan. 

Interestingly electric propulsion, a technology that dates back to the 1960s with the Soviet Union’s Zond 2 probe, has evolved to become a cornerstone of modern satellite design. The first commercial application of this technology came with PanAmSat’s PAS-5 satellite in 1997, which used an electric thruster for station-keeping, marking the beginning of the transition from chemical to electric propulsion for satellites. In recent years, this technology has gained widespread adoption, thanks to its ability to drastically reduce fuel consumption and extend satellite lifetimes. 

The TDS-01 satellite will be the first Indian satellite to feature an electric propulsion system developed entirely indigenously. This system operates by using gases, such as argon, which are ionized (charged) and then powered by solar energy to generate thrust. This method makes the satellite more efficient and reduces the need for large amounts of fuel.  

“The satellite’s solar panels capture energy from the Sun and convert sunlight into electricity, which then powers various functions, including the electric propulsion system. This process not only helps the satellite move but also ensures that it uses less fuel, making the spacecraft lighter and more cost-effective. In addition to the electric propulsion system, the satellite will include travelling wave tube amplifiers  (TWTAs), devices that are crucial for strengthening the satellite’s communication signals and remote-sensing tasks. TWTAs ensure the signals are powerful enough to reach Earth or other spacecraft. This allows for clear data transmission and reliable communication between the satellite and ground stations,” explained space and aerospace expert Girish Linganna. 

All parts of the satellite, including the electric thrusters and TWTAs, have been completely developed in  India. This highlights the country’s ability to create advanced satellite technologies on its own. “Electric thrusters are engines used in satellites and spacecraft that generate thrust by using electricity to accelerate charged particles (ions). Unlike traditional rocket engines that burn fuel to create force, electric thrusters use much less fuel and are more efficient over long periods, making them ideal for space missions. The satellite will weigh less than two tons, but have the same power as a traditional satellite that weighs four tons. The electric propulsion system will help the satellite stay in orbit for a longer time, which will extend its overall lifespan,” added Linganna. 

Experts point out that since electric propulsion requires less fuel and results in a lighter satellite, it can significantly reduce launch and operational costs. Electric propulsion enables more efficient control of the satellite’s position and movement in orbit. Compared to chemical propulsion, electric systems produce fewer emissions, making them more environment-friendly. 

There are challenges too. “Electric propulsion produces less thrust than chemical systems, making it slower for the satellite to reach its final orbit. As said earlier, while chemical thrusters can reach a geostationary orbit in about a week, electric propulsion may take up to three months.  Additionally designing and implementing electric propulsion systems is more complex and requires advanced technology and specialized knowledge,” said  Linganna. 

Strands is a brand new daily puzzle from the New York Times. A trickier take on the classic word search, you’ll need a keen eye to solve this puzzle.

Like Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword, Strands can be a bit difficult to solve some days. There’s no shame in needing a little help from time to time. If you’re stuck and need to know the answers to today’s Strands puzzle, check out the solved puzzle below.

How to play Strands

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strand answers

Today’s spanagram

We’ll start by giving you the spangram, which might help you figure out the theme and solve the rest of the puzzle on your own:

Today’s Strands answers

• ROOK
• KNIGHT
• QUEEN
• PAWN
• KING
• TIMER
• BOARD
• BISHOP

Google continues to expand the availability of physical stores dedicated to Pixel and related products in the US. The Mountain View giant is about to open its fifth retail location. If you can’t wait for the opening, here are some images showing what the new Google Store Oakbrook looks like.

The Google Store Oakbrook is located in an outdoor mall. In fact, of the company’s five physical stores, this is the first one that bets on this type of location. The store will open tomorrow (Friday) to start selling products from the Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit lineups. Essentially, it will stock nearly all the products available on the online Google Store.

Google continues to expand its physical stores with the Google Store Oakbrook

A few years ago, Google changed its strategy regarding Google Pixels. Initially, the company was betting on a completely online approach. However, the Mountain View giant has set out to make its products capture a larger market share, making them part of the mainstream rather than remaining “niche.” Opening multiple physical retail locations is part of this strategy.

For the Google Store Oakbrook, images (courtesy of 9to5Google) show that the company has maintained the heavily wood-based aesthetic of the others. The wooden facade includes the name “Google Store” in a single color. Unlike previous years, the latest Google product boxes feature a monochromatic logo design. So, it seems that the brand is pursuing a more sober and minimalist aesthetic.

A wood-theme store where you can buy, test products, and get help

Returning to the Google Store, the wood-based theme is clearly visible from the outside through the windows. Upon entering, visitors will see large counters, shelves, and desks displaying the company’s products. One of the benefits of physical stores is that potential buyers can try out devices. This always gives a greater sense of confidence before making a purchase. However, the store also allows you to buy products online and pick them up in person later.

The Google Store Oakbrook will not only sell devices, but there is also technical support. If you have any problems, you can go to the “Here to Help” desk, where you can get advice and tips, or directly initiate device repair requests. The new physical Google retail location will be open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST, Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST.

Panic slipped some major news into its fall Playdate Update: Season Two is happening, and we’ll see it next year. Can I get a “hell yeah!”? It’s been over two years since Season One dropped, and in the time since, it’s remained unclear whether another would ever follow. But in today’s livestream, Panic’s Video & Podcast host Christa Mrgan confirmed that Season Two is a go, and it’s “happening next year.” Consolation for killing the Stereo Dock, perhaps?

There are a lot of details we still don’t know about Season Two, like how much it’ll cost (Season One was included with the purchase of a Playdate), but a PR person for Panic confirmed to Engadget that Playdate owners will have to buy it from the Catalog. Information on pricing and the exact number of games will be released in 2025. The first season brought two games per week over the course of 12 weeks, amounting to 24 games in all. According to Mrgan, Season Two so far includes “about a dozen games.” There’s also apparently another “really cool surprise thing” that we aren’t allowed to know the details about just yet, and my curiosity is definitely piqued.

In addition to the Season Two announcement, the fall update also highlighted some upcoming Catalog games to look out for in the coming weeks and into 2025: Owlet’s Embrace, a metroidvania about an owl who is scared to fly; Comet, a puzzle-adventure game about a girl who is forced to face her fear of the dark after her brother goes missing; Office Chair Curling, which is exactly what it sounds like and looks absolutely absurd in the best way; Bwirds, a cute word puzzle game; a pinball game called Devils on the Moon from the makers of the Tetris-like, Pullfrog; and the top-down boat racing game, RowBot Rally.

There’s also a huge Catalog sale going on right now that runs through November 14. Some of our favorite Playdate games are deeply discounted, so if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to scoop up all the titles on your “to play” list, now would be the time.

Update, October 31 2024, 2:45PM ET: This story has been updated to include additional information from Panic/Playdate’s PR.

Microsoft’s OmniParser is on to something.

The new open source model that converts screenshots into a format that’s easier for AI agents to understand was released by Redmond earlier this month, but just this week became the number one trending model (as determined by recent downloads) on AI code repository Hugging Face.

It’s also the first agent-related model to do so, according to a post on X by Hugging Face’s co-founder and CEO Clem Delangue.

But what exactly is OmniParser, and why is it suddenly receiving so much attention?

At its core, OmniParser is an open-source generative AI model designed to help large language models (LLMs), particularly vision-enabled ones like GPT-4V, better understand and interact with graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

Released relatively quietly by Microsoft, OmniParser could be a crucial step toward enabling generative tools to navigate and understand screen-based environments. Let’s break down how this technology works and why it’s gaining traction so quickly.

What is OmniParser?

OmniParser is essentially a powerful new tool designed to parse screenshots into structured elements that a vision-language model (VLM) can understand and act upon. As LLMs become more integrated into daily workflows, Microsoft recognized the need for AI to operate seamlessly across varied GUIs. The OmniParser project aims to empower AI agents to see and understand screen layouts, extracting vital information such as text, buttons, and icons, and transforming it into structured data.

This enables models like GPT-4V to make sense of these interfaces and act autonomously on the user’s behalf, for tasks that range from filling out online forms to clicking on certain parts of the screen.

While the concept of GUI interaction for AI isn’t entirely new, the efficiency and depth of OmniParser’s capabilities stand out. Previous models often struggled with screen navigation, particularly in identifying specific clickable elements, as well as understanding their semantic value within a broader task. Microsoft’s approach uses a combination of advanced object detection and OCR (optical character recognition) to overcome these hurdles, resulting in a more reliable and effective parsing system.

The technology behind OmniParser

OmniParser’s strength lies in its use of different AI models, each with a specific role:

• YOLOv8: Detects interactable elements like buttons and links by providing bounding boxes and coordinates. It essentially identifies what parts of the screen can be interacted with.
• BLIP-2: Analyzes the detected elements to determine their purpose. For instance, it can identify whether an icon is a “submit” button or a “navigation” link, providing crucial context.
• GPT-4V: Uses the data from YOLOv8 and BLIP-2 to make decisions and perform tasks like clicking on buttons or filling out forms. GPT-4V handles the reasoning and decision-making needed to interact effectively.

Additionally, an OCR module extracts text from the screen, which helps in understanding labels and other context around GUI elements. By combining detection, text extraction, and semantic analysis, OmniParser offers a plug-and-play solution that works not only with GPT-4V but also with other vision models, increasing its versatility.

Open-source flexibility

OmniParser’s open-source approach is a key factor in its popularity. It works with a range of vision-language models, including GPT-4V, Phi-3.5-V, and Llama-3.2-V, making it flexible for developers with a broad range of access to advanced foundation models.

OmniParser’s presence on Hugging Face has also made it accessible to a wide audience, inviting experimentation and improvement. This community-driven development is helping OmniParser evolve rapidly. Microsoft Partner Research Manager Ahmed Awadallah noted that open collaboration is key to building capable AI agents, and OmniParser is part of that vision.

The race to dominate AI screen interaction

The release of OmniParser is part of a broader competition among tech giants to dominate the space of AI screen interaction. Recently, Anthropic released a similar, but closed-source, capability called “Computer Use” as part of its Claude 3.5 update, which allows AI to control computers by interpreting screen content. Apple has also jumped into the fray with their Ferret-UI, aimed at mobile UIs, enabling their AI to understand and interact with elements like widgets and icons.

What differentiates OmniParser from these alternatives is its commitment to generalizability and adaptability across different platforms and GUIs. OmniParser isn’t limited to specific environments, such as only web browsers or mobile apps—it aims to become a tool for any vision-enabled LLM to interact with a wide range of digital interfaces, from desktops to embedded screens. 

Challenges and the road ahead

Despite its strengths, OmniParser is not without limitations. One ongoing challenge is the accurate detection of repeated icons, which often appear in similar contexts but serve different purposes—for instance, multiple “Submit” buttons on different forms within the same page. According to Microsoft’s documentation, current models still struggle to differentiate between these repeated elements effectively, leading to potential missteps in action prediction.

Moreover, the OCR component’s bounding box precision can sometimes be off, particularly with overlapping text, which can result in incorrect click predictions. These challenges highlight the complexities inherent in designing AI agents capable of accurately interacting with diverse and intricate screen environments. 

However, the AI community is optimistic that these issues can be resolved with ongoing improvements, particularly given OmniParser’s open-source availability. With more developers contributing to fine-tuning these components and sharing their insights, the model’s capabilities are likely to evolve rapidly.