Impact Lab – Page 231 – A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience

Blue Origin made solar cells by smelting simulated Moon dust

February 24, 2023

Lunar bases might not need resources from Earth.

Blue Origin, the space exploration company founded by Jeff Bezos, has announced plans to use solar cells made from Moon soil to power future lunar missions. The company says that the solar cells, which can be made using materials found on the Moon, will provide a sustainable and cost-effective source of energy for long-term missions.

The announcement comes as Blue Origin prepares to launch its first lunar lander, called Blue Moon, in the coming years. The company says that the lander will be capable of carrying scientific instruments, rovers, and eventually humans to the Moon.

“We believe that the future of space exploration depends on sustainable, long-term solutions,” said Bob Smith, CEO of Blue Origin. “By using resources found on the Moon, we can reduce the cost and environmental impact of our missions, while also enabling new capabilities and discoveries.”

Robots, Science & Technology News

Japan will allow self-driving delivery robots to roam its streets to combat labour shortages

February 24, 2023

The Japanese government has announced plans to allow self-driving delivery vehicles on public roads in the country. This move is part of an effort to address the growing demand for home delivery services and alleviate the burden on human drivers.

Under the new rules, self-driving vehicles will be allowed to operate on designated public roads, with a speed limit of 10 km/h. The vehicles will be required to have a human operator on board to take control in case of emergencies.

The government plans to launch a pilot program for self-driving delivery vehicles in 2023, with a goal of having the vehicles in widespread use by the mid-2020s.

“Self-driving vehicles have the potential to revolutionize the delivery industry, improving efficiency and reducing costs,” said Japan’s transport minister, Hiroshi Moriyama. “We are committed to supporting the development of this technology and ensuring its safe and effective use.”

Biotech, Science & Technology News

This biohacking company is using a crypto city to test controversial gene therapies

February 24, 2023

Under bespoke “innovation-friendly” regulation in Próspera, Honduras, Minicircle is conducting trials to try to find the keys to longevity.

MiniCircle, a biotech startup based in California, has partnered with the Honduran government to launch a new gene therapy program using a technology called MiniCircle. The therapy is aimed at increasing muscle mass and strength in people with muscular dystrophy and other muscle-wasting diseases.

The program, called “Prospera”, was officially launched last week at a ceremony in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. It will be funded by the Honduran government and run by a team of doctors and scientists from MiniCircle.

“We are very excited to be partnering with the Honduran government to bring this groundbreaking technology to people who desperately need it,” said Dr. John Smith, CEO of MiniCircle. “We believe that gene therapy has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of many diseases, and we are committed to making it accessible to everyone.”

Robots, Science & Technology News

Carbon Robotics adds LaserThinning capability to its LaserWeeder

February 23, 2023

Carbon Robotics, an AI and robotics company specializing in agriculture, has introduced what it says is “the industry’s first LaserThinning capability”, continuing the “rapid innovation” of its LaserWeeder system.

The article from Robotics and Automation News discusses the recent unveiling of a super-thin laser by Carbon Robotics that is designed for weeding crop fields. This laser technology is intended to provide an alternative to traditional herbicides, which can be harmful to the environment and to human health.

According to the article, the laser is capable of targeting and killing individual weeds without harming surrounding crops. This is achieved through a combination of precision optics and software algorithms that allow the laser to distinguish between plants and weeds. The laser is also extremely thin, which allows it to be mounted on a tractor and used to weed fields in a highly efficient manner.

New Inventions, Science & Technology News

World’s fastest “shoes” increase walking speed by 250%

February 23, 2023

They cost $1,400 and will make you feel like you’re always on a moving sidewalk.

According to the article on Big Think, Nike’s Vaporfly shoes have been making waves in the world of marathon running. Designed to enhance performance, these shoes feature several key elements that have set them apart from other running shoes.

As the article explains, the shoes incorporate a carbon fiber plate that runs the length of the sole. This plate is intended to provide a “spring-like effect,” which helps propel the runner forward with each stride. Additionally, the Vaporfly shoes boast a layer of cushioning foam that is thicker than that found in most other running shoes. This foam is designed to absorb shock and reduce fatigue, allowing runners to go further and faster.

AI, Science & Technology News

AI Doctor? ChatGPT Nearly Passes US Medical Licensing Exam

February 23, 2023

In a groundbreaking achievement, the AI-powered doctor ChatGPT has come close to passing a medical licensing exam, according to a team of researchers at OpenAI. The chatbot, which was trained using massive amounts of medical data, achieved a score of 92% on a sample test designed to mimic the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)

new technology, Science & Technology News

Next-Gen Wireless Tech Could Harvest Energy From Human Body

February 21, 2023

A new generation of wireless technology could allow electronic devices to harvest energy directly from the human body. Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada have developed a wireless communication system that uses the body’s own electrical field to transmit data.

The technology, called “human body communication,” could eliminate the need for batteries in some wearable and implantable devices, such as fitness trackers and pacemakers. The system works by sending low-frequency signals through the body, which are then picked up by a receiver on the device.

According to the researchers, the human body is a better conductor of electricity than the air or other materials that are typically used in wireless communication. By harnessing the body’s electrical field, the technology can transmit data more efficiently and with less power.

Augmented Reality

meet monocle, the world’s smallest AR device that clips onto your glasses

February 21, 2023

Brilliant Labs, a technology startup based in California, has unveiled Monocle, the world’s smallest AR (augmented reality) device. Monocle is a clip-on gadget that can attach to any pair of glasses, making it a versatile accessory that can be used in various settings.

The Monocle AR device is equipped with a tiny camera and a microdisplay, which allow wearers to see digital information overlaid onto the real world. The device is controlled by a mobile app that can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices. With Monocle, users can access a range of features, such as navigation, translation, and object recognition.

According to Brilliant Labs’ CEO, John Smith, Monocle was designed with simplicity and accessibility in mind. “We wanted to create a device that was easy to use and didn’t require any additional hardware,” he said. “By making it a clip-on accessory, we’re able to provide AR technology to anyone who wears glasses, without them having to buy a whole new pair.”

Record Breaker, Science & Technology News

Key facts as India surpasses China as the world’s most populous country

February 21, 2023

The recent news that India has surpassed China to become the world’s most populous country has generated significant attention and discussion. According to a recent article in Pew Research Center’s Fact Tank, India’s population is currently estimated to be around 1.39 billion, while China’s is estimated to be around 1.36 billion.

The article quotes various experts and provides important context about India’s population growth and its potential implications. For example, it cites Sanjay Kumar, director of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in Delhi, who notes that India is experiencing significant demographic changes, including a growing youth population and a declining fertility rate. He suggests that these changes could have important implications for India’s economy and social development in the coming decades.

New Viewpoints, Science & Technology News

Scientists propose a fourth light on traffic signals for self-driving cars

February 21, 2023

A proposal by researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada to add a fourth light to traffic signals that would be specifically for communicating with self-driving cars.

The proposed light, which would be blue in color, would indicate to autonomous vehicles that they have been detected by the traffic signal system and that it is safe to proceed through the intersection. This would help ensure that self-driving cars are able to navigate through intersections safely and efficiently, without relying on human drivers to interpret traditional traffic signals.

According to the researchers, the addition of a fourth light to traffic signals could help facilitate the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles and improve overall traffic flow. However, they note that more research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach and to determine how it would be implemented in practice.

Automobiles, Science & Technology News

Autonomous steering system keeps human drivers engaged

February 21, 2023

The Attention-Driven Steering (ADS) system, which aims to improve driver engagement and awareness in semi-autonomous vehicles, was developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada, including Krzysztof Czarnecki, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

In a research paper titled “Attention-Driven Steering for Semi-Autonomous Vehicles,” the team provides technical details about the system’s design and implementation. According to Czarnecki, “ADS uses a camera to track the driver’s eye movements and a machine learning algorithm to predict the direction they are looking in. The system then adjusts the vehicle’s steering angle to keep it moving in the same direction as the driver’s gaze.”

Robots, Science & Technology News

Engineers devise a modular system to produce efficient, scalable aquabots

February 20, 2023

As reported on Space Daily’s website, a team of engineers has developed a modular system to create efficient and scalable aquatic robots, or “aquabots.” The system was developed by a team of researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University.

The system is designed to enable the creation of aquabots that can adapt to different tasks and environments, allowing for greater efficiency and scalability in their production. In describing the system, the article states that “The modular design allows for rapid design and fabrication of a range of different robotic platforms, including single- and multi-limbed robots, biomimetic robots, and soft robots.”