Basket Weekly News
- Dimitris Schoen
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Turing Targets Tokyo with AI-Powered Self-Driving Taxis
Japanese startup Turing, founded just five years ago, is emerging as a serious contender in the autonomous vehicle industry. Backed by AMD and powered by AMD GPU technology, the company has developed self-driving systems designed for deployment on Tokyo's streets.
With significant financial backing from AMD, Turing aims to challenge Nvidia's dominance in automotive AI. The company is collaborating with Nissan Motor, UK-based Wayve Technologies, and Uber Technologies to launch autonomous taxi services in Tokyo by the end of 2026.
If successful, the initiative could make commuting across Tokyo more convenient for residents and visitors while helping to improve accessibility and reduce traffic congestion.
Swiss Researchers Develop Promising Antibiotic-Free Meningitis Treatment
Engineers at ETH Zurich (ETHZ) have developed a promising new treatment designed to prevent meningitis in newborns without the use of antibiotics.
The therapy has produced encouraging results in laboratory studies but remains in the experimental phase. It has not yet entered human clinical trials or received regulatory approval.
Although meningitis in newborns is relatively rare, it can have devastating consequences. If future testing confirms its effectiveness, this breakthrough could help save thousands of lives worldwide.
Basket Security
Apple has released important security updates for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch users.
The updates address vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorised access to personal information or devices. Basket strongly recommends installing the latest software as soon as possible.
To update your devices:
iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Mac: Open System Settings > General > Software Update.
Keeping your operating system updated is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your personal data. If you use third-party antivirus software on your Mac, ensure it is also up to date.
Wearables: Smart Rings vs Smartwatches
Health-focused wearable technology continues to grow in popularity, and for good reason. Devices such as smartwatches can monitor heart rate, sleep quality, activity levels and other important health metrics, providing valuable insights into everyday wellbeing.
At Basket, we still appreciate the craftsmanship of traditional watches. However, we also recognise the benefits offered by devices such as the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch.
A rapidly growing category is the smart ring.
While smartwatches provide larger displays, notifications, navigation, music controls and access to apps, smart rings focus primarily on discreet, continuous health monitoring. They are lightweight, comfortable to wear throughout the day and often offer significantly longer battery life.
Which Should You Choose?
If you prefer a wearable that blends naturally with your everyday style and quietly tracks your health, a smart ring could be the ideal choice.
If you want richer functionality—including notifications, fitness apps, navigation and phone controls—a smartwatch remains the more versatile option.
Many users are now choosing to wear both, using a smartwatch during the day and a smart ring overnight for sleep tracking.
The smart ring market continues to expand rapidly. Industry forecasts estimate sales will grow from approximately $417.5 million in 2025 to more than $2 billion by 2033.
Leading manufacturers include Oura and Samsung, whose devices monitor sleep, heart rate, activity and other wellness metrics. While no wearable should replace professional medical advice, these devices continue to improve and represent one of the fastest-growing areas of consumer technology.
At Basket, we believe smart rings are one of the most exciting wearable innovations currently available.
Solar Farming Continues to Expand
Solar farms are becoming an increasingly important source of renewable energy around the world.
Countries including China, Australia, Italy and Switzerland have invested heavily in large-scale solar installations to diversify their energy mix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Unlike nuclear power, solar farms generate electricity without radioactive waste, although they depend on weather conditions and require energy storage or complementary power sources when sunlight is unavailable.
Increasing domestic renewable energy production can also strengthen energy independence and improve long-term energy security.
Individuals interested in supporting renewable energy can contribute by installing rooftop solar panels, investing in community solar projects or selecting renewable electricity plans offered by local energy providers.
Smart Glasses: Exciting Technology with Real Privacy Questions
Smart glasses are attracting growing attention, particularly following the collaboration between Meta and Ray-Ban. Other major technology companies, including Google and Samsung, are also preparing to enter the market with their own devices.
At Basket, we admire the innovation behind smart glasses. Hands-free access to information, AI assistance and seamless integration with other wearable devices have enormous potential.
However, we also have concerns.
The ability to discreetly record photos and videos raises important privacy questions. Many people may feel uncomfortable not knowing whether they are being recorded in public spaces such as buses, cafés or restaurants.
As wearable cameras become more common, manufacturers will need to place greater emphasis on privacy protections, clear recording indicators and responsible AI features that help prevent misuse.
Another consideration is notifications. Many users already receive alerts through smartphones, smartwatches or wireless earbuds. Adding yet another notification source may increase digital distractions rather than reduce them.
For people already struggling with excessive screen time, smart glasses could either improve convenience or simply become another device competing for their attention.
Basket's View
Smart glasses undoubtedly represent an exciting step forward in wearable technology. They offer hands-free computing, instant access to AI, navigation, photography and real-time information.
However, they also raise legitimate concerns about privacy, unwanted recording, and digital well-being.
For now, Basket believes smart rings strike a better balance between innovation, practicality and everyday usability. They provide meaningful health insights while remaining discreet and unobtrusive.
That said, we will continue watching the smart glasses market closely. With Google, Samsung and other manufacturers preparing new products, the next generation of wearable technology could significantly reshape how we interact with digital information.
Lee, M. J. (July 6, 2026). Self-driving startup Turing gets AMD backing and adopts AMD GPUs. The Japan Times. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/07/06/companies/self-driving-startup-amd/
(July 10, 2026). Smart Rings Market Size And Share Report, 2026-2033. Grand View Research. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/smart-rings-market-report
(July 6, 2026). Best smart ring 2026: the best from Oura, Samsung, RingConn and more.
Bessi, A., Guidolin, M. & Manfredi, P. (2024). Diffusion of Solar PV Energy in Italy: Can Large-Scale PV Installations Trigger the Next Growth Phase?. Energies 17(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/en17030726
