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Should you trust Tools for Humanity’s iris-scanning orb? | Equity Podcast

Ever wonder if you’re talking to a real person online or just another bot? As bots increasingly outnumber humans online, leading to an explosion of deepfakes and AI-driven fraud, one company has a solution straight out of sci-fi: scanning your iris to verify your identity. Today on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Rebecca Bellan spoke with Adrian…

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Ever wonder if you’re talking to a real person online or just another bot? As bots increasingly outnumber humans online, leading to an explosion of deepfakes and AI-driven fraud, one company has a solution straight out of sci-fi: scanning your iris to verify your identity.

Today on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Rebecca Bellan spoke with Adrian Ludwig, Chief Security Officer and Chief Architect at Tools for Humanity, the company behind World’s eye-scanning Orbs appearing around the globe. Bellan and Ludwig discuss building privacy-first identity verification, the open-source approach to biometric tech, and why proving humanity matters now more than ever.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

– How zero-knowledge proofs verify that you’re over 18 (or human) without revealing your location, browsing history, or other identifying information.

– Why Tools for Humanity open-sourced the entire Orb — from hardware to firmware and software.

– How Match Group, Event Pop, and other major platforms are partnering up to combat bot abuse.

Subscribe to Equity on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod.

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CNET

Meet Soft Flying Robots Inspired by Disney, Studio Ghibli and Pokemon

A team of researchers has demonstrated the role that floating robots inspired by Tinker Bell, Pokemon and Studio Ghibli might be able to play in our lives. 0:00 – The Benefits of Soft Floating Robots 0:36 – Solving the Safety Challenges of Human-Robot Interaction 1:25 – Overcoming the Uncanny Valley and Building Emotional Connections 2:55…

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July 12, 2026

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A team of researchers has demonstrated the role that floating robots inspired by Tinker Bell, Pokemon and Studio Ghibli might be able to play in our lives.

0:00 – The Benefits of Soft Floating Robots
0:36 – Solving the Safety Challenges of Human-Robot Interaction
1:25 – Overcoming the Uncanny Valley and Building Emotional Connections
2:55 – Existing Floating Robots and Future Possibilities

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Science & Technology

When A Down Round Actually Saved a Startup

Down rounds carry a stigma, but they’re not always the end of a startup’s story. Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures shares an example of a company that survived a difficult fundraising process involving a down round and investor-friendly terms. It wasn’t easy, but making the hard financing decision ultimately gave the company a chance to…

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2 days ago

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July 11, 2026

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Down rounds carry a stigma, but they’re not always the end of a startup’s story.

Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures shares an example of a company that survived a difficult fundraising process involving a down round and investor-friendly terms. It wasn’t easy, but making the hard financing decision ultimately gave the company a chance to keep building.

For founders, the lesson is simple: The best fundraising outcome isn’t always the highest valuation — it’s the one that keeps your business alive.

Get more of Hudson’s advice in the latest Build Mode podcast episode wherever you prefer your pods.

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CNET

The Ultimate Meal Kit Buyer’s Guide: Cheapest vs. Best Quality

Choosing the right meal kit can be tough, given the many budget, dietary and time-saving factors to consider. We break down premium, midtier and affordable services to help you pick the best subscription for your kitchen. 00:00 Intro to Meal Kits 00:37 Considering the Price and Budget Options 01:55 Premium and Mid-Range Meal Kit Services…

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2 days ago

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July 11, 2026

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Choosing the right meal kit can be tough, given the many budget, dietary and time-saving factors to consider. We break down premium, midtier and affordable services to help you pick the best subscription for your kitchen.

00:00 Intro to Meal Kits
00:37 Considering the Price and Budget Options
01:55 Premium and Mid-Range Meal Kit Services
03:06 Navigating Dietary Restrictions
04:00 Pre-Prepared vs. Cook-Your-Own Ingredients
05:47 The Best Overall Meal Kit Recommendation

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