Impact Lab – Page 371 – A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience

Electric Vehicles, Science & Technology News

This Solar-Powered Electric Ferry Is the First Maritime Robotaxi in Europe

August 4, 2021

Robotaxis are not news anymore, with several self-driving car services all over the world. But transferring this concept to water-based transportation is something to talk about. This pioneering ferry isn’t just an autonomous vessel for transportation, but it’s also solar-powered and available for ridesharing.

Startups are really taking a leading role in this new automotive wave based on electrically-powered, autonomous vehicles. Buffalo Automation might not sound familiar, but this American company has already achieved a lot since 2015, when it was founded. Specializing in AI solution for autonomous transport and navigation, it has developed a predictive marine navigation system, AutoMate, which is adapted for large commercial ships.

In 2020, Buffalo Automation launched a new product line based on the Greycraft autonomous navigation technology. Greycraft made its debut in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it’s the concept behind this first European commercial robotaxi service.

Medical Breakthrough, Science & Technology News

AngelMed announces first commercial implantation of real-time heart attack warning system

August 4, 2021

Angel Medical Systems, Inc., (dba AngelMed) a proactive diagnostics company focused on the advancement of long-term management of high-risk coronary disease, announced today the first commercial implantation and U.S. launch of its flagship product, The Guardian™ device.

The procedure marks The Guardian’s first use following its recent FDA approval. Indicated for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) events, including silent heart attacks, The Guardian System is the first implantable cardiac detection monitor and patient-warning system.

The outpatient procedure was successfully performed by cardiac electrophysiologist and cardiologist Dr. Andrew J. Kaplan of Cardiovascular Associates of Mesa in Mesa, Arizona.

Dr. Kaplan is a pioneer of new cardiac technologies and has played a significant role in The Guardian’s commercialization. He is a clinical trial investigator and serves on AngelMed’s medical advisory board.

“The first commercial implant of The Guardian marks a pivotal advancement in cardiac care. The device detects impending ACS events, including silent heart attacks, and leads to earlier patient treatment,” said Dr. Andrew Kaplan. “Given the device’s clinical success, the cardiovascular community can feel confident in this new, first-in-kind technology. The Guardian fills a true unmet need in high-risk ACS patients.”

Alternative Transportation, Science & Technology News

FLEETS OF MICROCARS COULD BECOME ANOTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPTION

August 3, 2021

The vehicles are self-charging and powered by solar energy

Spotted: Navigating tightly packed city streets just got a lot easier with the introduction of the Squad car. Created by The Netherlands-based Squad Mobility sustainable transport company, the Squad car is several steps up in comfort from scooters. Squad cars have two or four seats, with storage space in the back of the vehicle. Completely free to use, they are self-charging, so door-to-door use is a reality. There is no need to park it anywhere in particular, or find a renewable energy charging station.

Doors and windows are removable during the summer months, and with seatbelts and a full roll bar cage structure, the cars are designed for safety. They travel at a maximum speed of 45 kilometres an hour and include dashboard smartphone integration for handsfree navigation and communication.

AI, Science & Technology News

AI technology helps fire prevention specialists spot fires in the early stages

August 3, 2021

By DREW REEVES

PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) – Technology that has expanded across the state of Oregon is helping fire prevention specialists to spot fires in rural areas quicker before they grow to something more catastrophic.

Oregon has seen an increase in megafires in the last 20 years. The Bootleg Fire is the latest megafire and is burning right now in southern Oregon.

Fires in rural areas, where few people live, and work can easily go undetected by humans, which could lead to thousands of acres burning before anyone notices. Previously these kinds of fires would be spotted by a person manned at a lookout station.

As these lookout stations got older and became expensive to replace, the Douglas Forest Protective Association found a new alternative. They started implementing cameras that could detect changes, including the development of smoke.

Douglas County implemented the first cameras in 2006 and switched to them completely in 2011. From there, they quickly expanded across the state.

Science & Technology News, Space Flight

Lightweight Carbon-Fiber Tanks: The Future of Space Travel

August 3, 2021

By Ron Jefferson

One of the most prominent obstacles of space exploration is the weight of the rocket and the payload. Scientists must find a way to lighten the weight of the rockets so that there is more space for cargo that onboard personnel may need for scientific exploration.

Thankfully, because of ground-breaking research headed by the European Space Agency’s Future Launchers Preparatory Program, future rockets could be made using lightweight carbon-fiber tanks reinforced with plastic.

brain-computer interfaces, Science & Technology News

New York company gets jump on Elon Musk’s Neuralink with brain-computer interface in clinical trials

August 2, 2021

Elon Musk might be well positioned in space travel and electric vehicles, but the world’s second-richest person is taking a backseat when it comes to a brain-computer interface (BCI).

New York-based Synchron announced Wednesday that it has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to begin clinical trials of its Stentrode motor neuroprosthesis – a brain implant it is hoped could ultimately be used to cure paralysis.

The FDA approved Synchron’s Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application, according to a release, paving the way for an early feasibility study of Stentrode to begin later this year at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital.

New York-based Synchron announced Wednesday that it has received FDA approval to begin clinical trials of Stentrode, its brain-computer interface, beating Elon Musk’s Neuralink to a crucial benchmark.

The study will analyze the safety and efficacy of the device, smaller than a matchstick, in six patients with severe paralysis.

Meanwhile, Musk has been touting Neuralink, his brain-implant startup, for several years—most recently showing a video of a monkey with the chip playing Pong using only signals from its brain.

However, the company reportedly has been plagued by setbacks and unrealistic timelines.

‘The approval of this IDE reflects years of safety testing performed in conjunction with FDA,’ Synchron CEO Thomas Oxley said in the release.

Driverless cars, Science & Technology News

200 MPH Autonomous Cars Will Make History in World’s First High-Speed Robo-Race

August 2, 2021

By Otilia Drăgan

Only a few years ago, this might have sounded crazy, but it’s here now – the first head-to-head, high-speed race without the actual racing drivers. Autonomous vehicles will soon be competing against each other at the Indy Autonomous Challenge, an event that will probably be remembered for years to come.

Back in 2004, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Grand Challenge paved the way for autonomous vehicle development. Now, some of the innovators who have competed in that challenge are taking things further as advisors for the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC). Organized by Energy Systems Network and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IAC is addressed to university teams from all over the world, who will compete for the $1 million grand prize.

Hundreds of students from over 40 schools entered the first stage of the challenge. As of this month, the 10 final teams have been established, with more than 200 students from 19 universities. One of the most fascinating aspects of this historical competition is that all the racing cars will basically be the same, so it won’t be about the build or the technology, but about maneuvering and making essential decision in a high-speed context, such as avoiding unanticipated obstacles.

DNA, Science & Technology News

Scientists Have Created the First Genetically Engineered Marsupial

August 2, 2021

By RIKEN

Genome editing targeting a gene responsible for making body pigments resulted in albino offspring, suggesting that the genetic engineering was successful in marsupials. Credit: RIKEN

Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) have succeeded in creating the first genetically engineered marsupial. This study, published in the scientific journal Current Biology, will contribute to deciphering the genetic background of unique characteristics observed only in marsupials.

Genetically modified animals, particularly mice and rats, are extremely important tools for researching biological processes. For example, researchers often silence genes to find out what their normal functions are. Since marsupials have unique characteristics, studying them requires developing a representative animal model. To date, the best option is the opossum, which is thought to be the ancestor of all marsupials. The first marsupial to have its entire genome sequenced, the opossum makes a good model animal because its size and breeding characteristics are similar to those of mice and rats.

Robots, Science & Technology News

Could you beat this bipedal robot’s 5K run time?

August 1, 2021

It completed the distance in 53 minutes

By James Vincent

Researchers from Oregon State University have coaxed a bipedal robot off the couch to successfully complete the first ever robotic 5 kilometer outdoors run. The bot, Cassie, completed the route in 53 minutes, untethered and on a single battery charge. So next time you’re out for a jog, remember: that’s the time to beat if you want to out-pace the killer robots.

(For now.)

Cassie is the creation of OSU spin-off Agility Robotics, which has been pushing the commercial case for bipedal robots for a while. Cassie itself was the company’s first product, manufactured between 2017 and 2019, and now embraced by research labs. Agility now makes an updated bipedal bot, Digit, which has arms to handle packages and has been used by Ford as part of a research project into autonomous delivery robots.

Bipedal machines are a tricky sell, though. Their big advantage is they can easily navigate spaces made for humans, like stairs and tight corridors. But their bipedalism means they’re inherently less stable, especially compared to quadrupedal robots like those made by Boston Dynamics. It’s just harder to knock something over when it’s standing on four legs.

NASA, Science & Technology News

What comes next after the International Space Station ends

August 1, 2021

By Miriam Kramer

NASA is at risk of losing a foothold in orbit after the end of the International Space Station.

Why it matters: Without an operating base in space, the agency’s plan to shift from being a sole provider of services in orbit to becoming a customer of companies operating there is in jeopardy.

NASA is hoping that instead of running its own space station, it will have the option to send its astronauts to privately run space stations in orbit by the time the ISS ends.

Driving the news: NASA this month put out a final call asking for companies to submit their ideas for space stations they could build and operate where astronauts could visit and perform experiments.

Those space stations would need to be up and running by the time the ISS comes to an end by 2030 or earlier.
NASA will award money to the companies chosen for certain milestones, but the agency isn’t going to fully fund the development of these space stations, according to the request for proposals.

Blockchain, Science & Technology News

India launches world’s largest blockchain diploma verification system

August 1, 2021

By Sam Cooling

Amid widespread diploma forgery, and driven by the intense competition in India’s job market, the Maharashtra state government has announced the launch of a new blockchain verification system to ensure transparency for genuine qualifications.

The new system will be the world’s largest educational blockchain system, and the Maharashtra State Board of Skill Development (MSBSD) has taken the active decision to overrule the nationwide ban on crypto technologies in order to deliver the progressive project.

“In the last 10 years, there has been a rampant increase in forgery of government-issued documents which have caused huge financial and reputational losses to the stakeholders involved,” said the Chair of the MSBSD as he announced the new system.

AI, Science & Technology News

How AI can take optimised healthcare resource utilisation to the next level

July 31, 2021

Healthcare facilities are looking to artificial intelligence to optimise operational performance at a time when rising demand for their services is stretching resources and limiting the patient experience.

Improving operational efficiency has emerged as a priority for healthcare facilities as they seek predictive ways to manage and allocate resources at a time of ever-increasing demand for their services.

Many of them are now turning to AI as a key enabler of a more progressive approach, helping them to plan their logistical responses based on the latest data – and maintain their focus on delivering end-to-end patient care of the highest quality.