Oceania
Event-Based Visual Teach-and-Repeat via Fast Fourier-Domain Cross-Correlation
Nair, Gokul B., Fontan, Alejandro, Milford, Michael, Fischer, Tobias
Visual teach-and-repeat navigation enables robots to autonomously traverse previously demonstrated paths by comparing current sensory input with recorded trajectories. However, conventional frame-based cameras fundamentally limit system responsiveness: their fixed frame rates (typically 30-60 Hz) create inherent latency between environmental changes and control responses. Here we present the first event-camera-based visual teach-and-repeat system. To achieve this, we develop a frequency-domain cross-correlation framework that transforms the event stream matching problem into computationally efficient Fourier space multiplications, capable of exceeding 300Hz processing rates, an order of magnitude faster than frame-based approaches. By exploiting the binary nature of event frames and applying image compression techniques, we further enhance the computational speed of the cross-correlation process without sacrificing localization accuracy. Extensive experiments using a Prophesee EVK4 HD event camera mounted on an AgileX Scout Mini robot demonstrate successful autonomous navigation across 4000+ meters of indoor and outdoor trajectories. Our system achieves ATEs below 24 cm while maintaining consistent high-frequency control updates. Our evaluations show that our approach achieves substantially higher update rates compared to conventional frame-based systems, underscoring the practical viability of event-based perception for real-time robotic navigation.
Intention-aware Hierarchical Diffusion Model for Long-term Trajectory Anomaly Detection
Wang, Chen, Erfani, Sarah, Alpcan, Tansu, Leckie, Christopher
Long-term trajectory anomaly detection is a challenging problem due to the diversity and complex spatiotemporal dependencies in trajectory data. Existing trajectory anomaly detection methods fail to simultaneously consider both the high-level intentions of agents as well as the low-level details of the agent's navigation when analysing an agent's trajectories. This limits their ability to capture the full diversity of normal trajectories. In this paper, we propose an unsupervised trajectory anomaly detection method named Intention-aware Hierarchical Diffusion model (IHiD), which detects anomalies through both high-level intent evaluation and low-level sub-trajectory analysis. Our approach leverages Inverse Q Learning as the high-level model to assess whether a selected subgoal aligns with an agent's intention based on predicted Q-values. Meanwhile, a diffusion model serves as the low-level model to generate sub-trajectories conditioned on subgoal information, with anomaly detection based on reconstruction error. By integrating both models, IHiD effectively utilises subgoal transition knowledge and is designed to capture the diverse distribution of normal trajectories. Our experiments show that the proposed method IHiD achieves up to 30.2% improvement in anomaly detection performance in terms of F1 score over state-of-the-art baselines.
SwarmChat: An LLM-Based, Context-Aware Multimodal Interaction System for Robotic Swarms
Eumi, Ettilla Mohiuddin, Abbass, Hussein, Marcus, Nadine
Traditional Human-Swarm Interaction (HSI) methods often lack intuitive real-time adaptive interfaces, making decision making slower and increasing cognitive load while limiting command flexibility. To solve this, we present SwarmChat, a context-aware, multimodal interaction system powered by Large Language Models (LLMs). SwarmChat enables users to issue natural language commands to robotic swarms using multiple modalities, such as text, voice, or teleoperation. The system integrates four LLM-based modules: Context Generator, Intent Recognition, Task Planner, and Modality Selector. These modules collaboratively generate context from keywords, detect user intent, adapt commands based on real-time robot state, and suggest optimal communication modalities. Its three-layer architecture offers a dynamic interface with both fixed and customizable command options, supporting flexible control while optimizing cognitive effort. The preliminary evaluation also shows that the SwarmChat's LLM modules provide accurate context interpretation, relevant intent recognition, and effective command delivery, achieving high user satisfaction.
Towards Transparent and Incentive-Compatible Collaboration in Decentralized LLM Multi-Agent Systems: A Blockchain-Driven Approach
Qi, Minfeng, Zhu, Tianqing, Zhang, Lefeng, Li, Ningran, Zhou, Wanlei
Large Language Models (LLMs) have enabled the emergence of autonomous agents capable of complex reasoning, planning, and interaction. However, coordinating such agents at scale remains a fundamental challenge, particularly in decentralized environments where communication lacks transparency and agent behavior cannot be shaped through centralized incentives. We propose a blockchain-based framework that enables transparent agent registration, verifiable task allocation, and dynamic reputation tracking through smart contracts. The core of our design lies in two mechanisms: a matching score-based task allocation protocol that evaluates agents by reputation, capability match, and workload; and a behavior-shaping incentive mechanism that adjusts agent behavior via feedback on performance and reward. Our implementation integrates GPT-4 agents with Solidity contracts and demonstrates, through 50-round simulations, strong task success rates, stable utility distribution, and emergent agent specialization. The results underscore the potential for trustworthy, incentive-compatible multi-agent coordination in open environments.
V-shaped UFO filmed hovering over Los Angeles as expert reveals incredible details of sighting
Trump drops bombshell Tylenol autism announcement as he vows to rip up'disgraceful' vaccine schedule in major medical shake-up Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return TOMORROW after host was canned over Charlie Kirk comments Tylenol maker responds to Trump's plans to link everyday drug to autism The six hidden messages in the texts between Charlie Kirk's'assassin' and his trans lover DECODED Top plastic surgeon reveals secrets behind Catherine Zeta-Jones' youthful appearance: 'This isn't what happens when we age' Common kitchen spice may reverse Alzheimer's disease, study suggests Barack and Michelle Obama arrive apart on Spielberg's yacht after ex-president's startling marriage confession Miley Cyrus shares the medicine that has kept her'grounded in a sober lifestyle' for 5 years Jimmy Kimmel steps in to'protect' Ivanka Trump from handsy comedian in resurfaced video Seven charities including Teenage Cancer Trust cut ties with Sarah Ferguson after leaked email showed her apologising to'supreme friend' Jeffrey Epstein Heather Locklear fans can't believe how amazing the Melrose Place vet looks at 63... 40 years after fame hit'Brazilian Josef Fritzl' makes chilling claim to police after'holding stepdaughter captive for 22 years' American'sexpert' deported from Indonesia after furious Muslim officials accused her of hosting KAMA SUTRA demonstrations Beloved actress who played loud, loving matriarch in 2002 romcom makes rare outing in LA...can you guess who? Face of man who tried to'murder Jeffrey Epstein' days before pedophile financier's mysterious suicide Candace Owens says she'll make Brigitte Macron submit to MEDICAL EXAM after'French first lady is a man' claim sparked lawsuit Blindfolded and awaiting death: Horrifying footage shows Hamas executing'Israeli collaborators' in Gaza streets as baying crowd screams'Allahu Akbar' All the'Biblical signs' pointing to the Rapture coming TOMORROW as believers spread fears the end is nigh New'loaded water' trend slashes cravings so you can lose weight... as expert reveals how to maximize benefits Clear and startling images of what appears to be a UFO were captured over Los Angeles, sparking fresh debate about what's flying over America's biggest cities. A pair of Los Angeles residents were on their balcony when they spotted a black, V-shaped craft covered in lights moving slowly over the city on August 28. The sighting went on for roughly 25 minutes, with the UFO flying south until the witnesses eventually lost sight of it around 11:38pm local time (2:38am ET). The pair was able to capture both pictures and clear videos with a cellphone camera, zooming in to see nine white lights along the UFO's hull.
Google experiences deja vu as second monopoly trial begins in US
After deflecting the US Department of Justice's attack on its illegal monopoly in online search, Google is facing another attempt to dismantle its internet empire in a trial focused on abusive tactics in digital advertising. The trial that opened Monday in an Alexandria, Virginia, federal court revolves around the harmful conduct that resulted in US district Judge Leonie Brinkema declaring parts of Google's digital advertising technology to be an illegal monopoly in April. The judge found that Google has been engaging in behavior that stifles competition to the detriment of online publishers that depend on the system for revenue. Google and the justice department will spend the next two weeks in court presenting evidence in a "remedy" trial that will culminate in Brinkema issuing a ruling on how to restore fair market conditions. If the justice department gets its way, Brinkema will order Google to sell parts of its ad technology - a proposal that the company's lawyers warned would "invite disruption and damage" to consumers and the internet's ecosystem.
AI 'carries risks' but will help tackle global heating, says UN's climate chief
'Done properly, AI releases human capacity,' Simon Stiell said. 'Done properly, AI releases human capacity,' Simon Stiell said. AI'carries risks' but will help tackle global heating, says UN's climate chief Mon 22 Sep 2025 15.54 EDTLast modified on Mon 22 Sep 2025 16.04 EDT Harnessing artificial intelligence will help the world to tackle the climate crisis, but governments must step in to regulate the technology, the UN's climate chief has said. AI is being used to make energy systems more efficient, and to develop tools to reduce carbon from industrial processes. The UN is also using AI as an aid to climate diplomacy.
Nvidia to invest 100bn in OpenAI
US tech giant Nvidia will invest up to $100bn (£73bn) in OpenAI, the firm behind ChatGPT, the companies announced. Nvidia said it will supply high-performance chips needed for the processing power required by artificial intelligence (AI), of which OpenAI is a specialist. Described as a strategic partnership by Nvidia, it is the latest move by two high profile tech firms in the global AI race, where China is an emerging rival. The announcement comes after a series of high-profile investments by Nvidia, including a $5bn investment in Intel and a £2bn investment in the UK's AI sector. Nvidia said its latest investment will go towards growing data centres for OpenAI's next-generation AI infrastructure.
First-ever footage of leopard shark sex shows an unexpected trio
"The males lost all their energy and lay immobile on the bottom while the female swam away actively." Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Marine biologists recently documented a promising (if intimate) marine moment in the ocean waters near northeast Australia. For the first time, researchers recorded a leopard shark () mating event. But the footage doesn't showcase a pair of the endangered predators going at it--the brief tryst involved three participants.
Instagram tightens its teen policy: Meta-owned app begins using AI to find accounts belonging to under-18s - even if they list an adult birthday
Gabrielle surging into major hurricane as forecasters warn of'life-threatening' impact to East Coast Fed governor installed by Trump outlines bold case to slash interest rates to 2.5% in months So is Meghan Markle's former best pal about to tell all? Jessica Mulroney has an axe to grind and'knows where the bodies are buried', friends warn amid claims she's penning memoir Incredible secret DNA weapon that nailed Bryan Kohberger... and how no criminal can hide again Why Jennifer Aniston is'being silenced' from speaking out on close friend Jimmy Kimmel's firing Six charities including Teenage Cancer Trust cut ties with Sarah Ferguson after leaked email showed her apologising to'supreme friend' Jeffrey Epstein Will Smith's'nepo baby' son Jaden sparks outrage after landing coveted job at designer fashion brand I've had crippling anxiety for years. Heather Locklear fans can't believe how amazing the Melrose Place vet looks at 63... 40 years after fame hit Whoopi Goldberg claims The View is too fearless not to discuss Kimmel canning... despite completely avoiding subject at crucial moment There's a new dating trend that's great news for guys who struggle to get laid. Even divorce lawyers say it's the secret to happiness. But ladies, I promise it'll backfire I'm a 49-year-old beauty editor and menopause gave me hair loss and short, brittle locks that wouldn't grow.