Exploring Local Large Language Models for Enhanced Privacy and Control

Volkswagen ADMT, the autonomous vehicle testing subsidiary of the carmaker, has partnered with Hivemapper’s Bee Maps to enhance its self-driving operations through real-time mapping data. This collaboration underscores the increasing reliance on crowdsourced geospatial data by autonomous ride-sharing companies, which are in search of more accurate and current mapping infrastructure. The street-level imagery collected by contributors using Hivemapper cameras will play a crucial role in validating Volkswagen's self-driving technology, particularly in improving the precision of curbside pick-ups and drop-offs. The partnership also highlights the rise of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), which leverage blockchain incentives to facilitate real-world data collection. Hivemapper is recognized as a leading DePIN project within the Solana ecosystem. Ariel Seidman, CEO of Hivemapper, emphasized this transition from static to dynamic mapping, stating that the effectiveness of real-world autonomy is contingent upon high-quality data that adapts as rapidly as urban environments do. In recent months, Volkswagen's autonomous driving unit has been actively testing its 'Robotaxi' fleet and has entered into a partnership with Uber to introduce the service in U.S. markets, with pilot operations slated for late 2025 and a broader launch anticipated in 2026. Contributors to Bee Maps earn cryptocurrency rewards for their contributions, while AI technology processes the images to identify important elements such as signage, construction zones, and lane closures, ensuring that the data remains up-to-date.

Theta Network has announced the addition of Hongik University as the 21st academic customer of its EdgeCloud Hybrid platform. The High-Performance Data Processing & Analysis Lab at the university, led by Associate Professor Eun-Sung Jung, will collaborate with Theta as a research partner. The lab specializes in scalable computing platforms for AI, distributed systems, IoT, and cloud-native architectures, receiving support from various Korean governmental organizations and international institutions. This partnership aims to leverage Theta EdgeCloud Hybrid, the first decentralized hybrid GPU platform, to enhance research in AI model training, big data workflows, and real-time IoT systems. Professor Jung expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating that Theta’s EdgeCloud Hybrid provides a valuable resource for advancing their data-driven research. The lab will utilize high-performance and cost-effective GPU capacity, particularly the NVIDIA 3000s and 4000s series, to accelerate their work in AI/ML, big data infrastructure, and edge-based IoT analytics. The lab's research focuses on high-performance computing for AI/ML, cloud computing for big data, and IoT data analysis, aiming to solve large-scale computing challenges in both academic and industrial settings. By joining a global network of prestigious institutions utilizing EdgeCloud Hybrid, including Stanford University and Seoul National University, Hongik University reinforces Theta’s mission to support open and scalable AI development through decentralized computing. Mitch Liu, CEO and Co-Founder of Theta Labs, highlighted the appeal of EdgeCloud due to the availability of high-performance NVIDIA A100s and H100s, as well as community-run NVIDIA 3090s and 4070s/4080s/4090s, which became accessible in the GPU marketplace on June 25. This partnership is expected to significantly advance research capabilities in AI and IoT fields.

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Mawari Network is an innovative decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) that aims to transform spatial computing by providing real-time, low-latency streaming of high-fidelity 3D content for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and extended reality (XR) applications. Built on the Solana blockchain, Mawari utilizes a global mesh of GPU-powered nodes to ensure seamless delivery of immersive content to devices like Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro. Founded in 2017 by Luis Oscar Ramirez and Takeo Yatabe, the project has already established itself as a leader in the XR market with significant partnerships including KDDI, T-Mobile, BMW, and Netflix. Recently, Mawari Network successfully raised $17.3 million from notable investors such as Anfield Ltd. and Borderless Capital. This funding will support its mission to enhance user experiences in gaming, digital twins, and fan engagement platforms like Vtubexr. The network generates an impressive annual revenue of $1.5 million through infrastructure fees and enterprise services, showcasing its robust business model and patented technology. With an upcoming mainnet launch and a Spatial Streaming SDK for developers, Mawari is poised for significant growth in the DePIN and spatial computing sectors. In addition to its technological advancements, Mawari Network is also engaging its community through airdrop opportunities. Users can earn XR Credits and mint soul-bound XR Chips by completing social media tasks and referring friends. To participate, users need to log in with their Web3 wallet and follow specific steps outlined on the Mawari portal. This initiative not only incentivizes community involvement but also fosters a vibrant ecosystem around the Mawari Network, making it an exciting project to watch in the evolving landscape of blockchain technology and spatial computing.

The Theta ecosystem is witnessing significant advancements as it gains traction across various sectors including sports, media, academia, and AI startups. In the latest June Roundup, several noteworthy developments have been highlighted. One of the major updates comes from EdgeCloud, which has launched EdgeCloud Hybrid, a decentralized GPU marketplace catering to both consumer and enterprise users. This innovation is expected to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of GPU resources within the Theta network. In the realm of sports, the NBA's Houston Rockets have officially introduced ClutchBot, an AI-powered mascot developed with EdgeCloud technology. Additionally, Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union has announced plans to launch a new fan app that will leverage Theta's capabilities. These initiatives signify a growing trend of integrating blockchain technology into sports, enhancing fan engagement and interaction. Furthermore, ThetaCrypto.com has opened trading for THETA and TFUEL to U.S. users, coinciding with a new marketing and trading campaign aimed at expanding its user base. Esports continues to embrace the Theta ecosystem, with prominent organizations like Gen.G and Sheep Esports launching new AI bots on EdgeCloud. Moreover, Theta has joined Aethir's AI Unbundled Web3 x AI Alliance, further solidifying its position in the AI and blockchain intersection. AlphaCrypto has also introduced new trading analysis features powered by EdgeCloud, while EdgeCloud has added support for the DeepSeek R1 LLM. Looking ahead, the premier Theta hackathon, BlockJam, is set to take place during ThetaEuroCon in Berlin this September, promising to be a significant event for developers and enthusiasts alike.

IoTeX, the decentralized network bridging the physical and digital worlds, announced a significant expansion into artificial intelligence. This move introduces a unified ecosystem for Physical AI, a new category of intelligence powered by real-world data from machines, devices, and decentralized infrastructure. The transition of AI systems from digital environments to real-world applications emphasizes the importance of access to live, trustworthy data from the physical surroundings. IoTeX aims to enable a new class of AI grounded in reality by creating a shared infrastructure where machines and AI agents can coordinate via verified, real-time data, transforming decentralized networks into a foundation for responsive, real-world AI systems. Since its establishment in 2017, IoTeX has been at the forefront of technologies bridging physical devices with blockchain networks. The company's latest AI expansion aligns with its vision of linking the demand for real-time, verifiable data from AI developers with the supply of connected devices and DePIN participants on IoTeX. The AI infrastructure is powered by IoTeX Layer 1 Blockchain for secure coordination, the ioID Protocol for decentralized machine authentication, Quicksilver AI framework for transforming raw machine signals, and the IOTX Token for governance and incentives. Central to IoTeX's AI architecture are Realms, evolving knowledge bases of real-time, real-world data that synthesize insights from machines, people, and sensors to generate actionable intelligence in various sectors like mobility, health, energy, and robotics. Realms serve the dual purpose of providing real-time situational awareness for AI agents and offering dynamic environments for training the next generation of Physical AI models. As data flows into a Realm from connected devices and DePIN nodes, its intelligence becomes more precise, adaptive, and valuable, evolving into living knowledge bases that scale with participation. IoTeX's vision is to build dynamic economies of intelligence where machines, people, and AI collaborate to generate continuously evolving knowledge, forming a global constellation of verified environments where physical intelligence becomes a scalable and monetizable resource for real-world AI applications.