Impact Lab – Page 593 – A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience

cutting edge, Record Breaker, Science & Technology News, Solar Energy, Solar Power

These hyper-efficient solar panels could actually live on your roof soon

February 28, 2019

The clean energy boffins in their labs are always upping the theoretical limit on how much power you can get out of sunshine, but us plebes actually installing solar cells are stuck with years-old tech that’s not half as good as what they’re seeing. This new design from Insolight could be the one that changes all that.

Insolight is a spin-off from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, where they’ve been working on this new approach for a few years — and it’s almost ready to hit your roof.

Usually solar cells collect sunlight on their entire surface, converting it to electricity at perhaps 15-19 percent efficiency — meaning about 85 percent of the energy is lost in the process. There are more efficient cells out there, but they’re generally expensive and special-purpose, or use some exotic material.

Continue reading… “These hyper-efficient solar panels could actually live on your roof soon”

App, Health & Fitness, Science & Technology News, Weather

Mood-forecasting tech could help stop bad moods even before they strike

February 28, 2019

Wearable devices might even help prevent suicide by giving a heads-up about worrisome behavior.

Watch for sports with smartwatch. Jogging training for marathon.

The same technology that is used to track physical activity could be used to track our psychological health.

Imagine an app or wearable device that could tell a day in advance that an at-risk individual would experience suicidal thoughts — and alert the person and their trusted contacts. That might soon be a reality, thanks to the nascent field of mood forecasting.

We’ve become used to fitness trackers and other electronic devices that monitor our physical activity, and now scientists say similar technology can be used to track our psychological health in ways never before possible.

Continue reading… “Mood-forecasting tech could help stop bad moods even before they strike”

Automobiles, Driverless cars, Driverless vehicles, Insurance, Science & Technology News, Tesla

Self-driving cars might kill auto insurance as we know it

February 27, 2019

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Without humans to cause accidents, 90% of risk is removed. Insurers are scrambling to prepare.

Dan Peate, a venture capitalist and entrepreneur in Southern California, was thinking of buying a Tesla Model X a few years ago—until he called his insurance company and found out how much his premiums would rise.

“They quoted me $10,000 a year,” Peate recalled.

Continue reading… “Self-driving cars might kill auto insurance as we know it”

AI, Artificial Intelligence, Legal Issues, Science & Technology News

The Big Apple is getting tough on biased AI

February 27, 2019

New York City has a new law on the books demanding “algorithmic accountability,” and AI researchers want to help make it work.

Background: At the end of 2017, the city’s council passed the country’s first bill to ban algorithmic discrimination in city government. It calls for a task force to study how city agencies use algorithms and create a report on how to make algorithms more easily understandable to the public.

Rubber, meet road: But how to actually implement the bill was left up for grabs. Enter AI Now, a research institution at NYU focused on the social impact of AI. The group recommends focusing on things like making sure agencies understand the technology better, and providing a chance for outside groups to look at algorithms.

Why it matters: The federal government has fallen way behind in setting up rules or guidance for AI. What happens in New York could lead the way for the rest of the US.

Via Technology Review

3D Printer, Automation, Engineering, Science & Technology News

The ‘Hexbot’ transforms your desk into a 3D printer and high-tech assembly line

February 27, 2019

And yes, you can also play games with it.

In the early-to-mid 1960s, sci-fi television shows like The Jetsons and Lost In Space introduced America to the idea of personal, at-home robots (Rosey and “the Robot,” respectively) that also served a practical purpose. Rosey was primarily used for domestic chores, while “the Robot” helped the Robinson family with travel and security. And as the years went on, countless other science fiction series and movies further cemented the idea that it was only a matter of time before we’d all be using robots at home to solve real problems.

Fifty years later, an extraordinary amount of technological progress has been made. But we still seem to be lacking the personal, at-home robots we were promised. Sure, AI-assistants like Alexa are common, but they lack the physical presence we’ve come to expect. And while there are plenty of amazing toy robots and robot companions available, most lack any practical value. But a new Kickstarter campaign hopes to introduce the public to a robot that is both intelligent and practical.

Continue reading… “The ‘Hexbot’ transforms your desk into a 3D printer and high-tech assembly line”

DaVinci Institute, Futurist, Science & Technology News, Tom Frey

Futurist to GLI: Millions of new industries will spin from technology

February 26, 2019

Futurist to GLI: Millions of new industries will spin from technology

In the next decade or two, Thomas Frey predicts we’ll build our houses from 3D printers, shop at mobile convenient stores brought to our doorsteps and wear “smart” clothes that track our movements and guide us through the day.

Frey is a futurist who founded the Colorado-based DaVinci Institute. He’s also a sought-after speaker on the topic of how technological innovation will transform our lives.

He told 1,000 business people and community leaders gathered Monday night for Greater Louisville Inc.’s annual meeting at the Kentucky International Convention Center that while there are dire predictions of massive job losses from advances in artificial intelligence and automation, thousands of new industries will sprout from what’s right on the horizon.

Continue reading… “Futurist to GLI: Millions of new industries will spin from technology”

Analysis, Employment, Human Behavior, Latest Trend, Science & Technology News

Millennial life: How young adulthood today compares with prior generations

February 26, 2019

Over the past 50 years – from the Silent Generation’s young adulthood to that of Millennials today – the United States has undergone large cultural and societal shifts. Now that the youngest Millennials are adults, how do they compare with those who were their age in the generations that came before them?

In general, they’re better educated – a factor tied to employment and financial well-being – but there is a sharp divide between the economic fortunes of those who have a college education and those who don’t.

Continue reading… “Millennial life: How young adulthood today compares with prior generations”

Aviation, Engineering, Science & Technology News, Transportation

This futuristic jet takes off vertically so you can keep it in your backyard

February 25, 2019

Meet the TriFan 600.

Made by XTI Aircraft, the personal jet could change the way people travel with its ability to take off and land vertically.

The jet is equipped with three ducted fans that allow it to lift off and land vertically. That means you could stash this plane on a helipad near your house since it doesn’t need a runway.

Continue reading… “This futuristic jet takes off vertically so you can keep it in your backyard”

AI, Artificial Intelligence, Corporate Manipulation, Insurance, Science & Technology News

Very risky business: the pros and cons of insurance companies embracing artificial intelligence

February 25, 2019

The enabling technology for insurers to use AI is the ‘ecosystem’ of sensors known as the internet of things.

It’s a new day not very far in the future. You wake up; your wristwatch has recorded how long you’ve slept, and monitored your heartbeat and breathing. You drive to work; car sensors track your speed and braking. You pick up some breakfast on your way, paying electronically; the transaction and the calorie content of your meal are recorded.

Then you have a car accident. You phone your insurance company. Your call is answered immediately. The voice on the other end knows your name and amiably chats to you about your pet cat and how your favourite football team did on the weekend.

You’re talking to a chat-bot. The reason it “knows” so much about you is because the insurance company is using artificial intelligence to scrape information about you from social media. It knows a lot more besides, because you’ve agreed to let it monitor your personal devices in exchange for cheaper insurance premiums.

This isn’t science fiction. More than three-quarters of insurance executives believe artificial intelligence will revolutionise the industry within a few years. By 2030, according to McKinsey futurists, artificial intelligence will mean your car and life insurance premiums could change based on whether you decide to take one route or another.

Continue reading… “Very risky business: the pros and cons of insurance companies embracing artificial intelligence”

AI, Artificial Intelligence, Employment, Science & Technology News

Here’s when machines will take your job, as predicted by A.I. gurus

February 25, 2019

An MIT study predicts when artificial intelligence will take over for humans in different occupations.

While technology develops at exponential speed, transforming how we go about our everyday tasks and extending our lives, it also offers much to worry about. In particular, many top minds think that automation will cost humans their employment, with up to 47% of all jobs gone in the next 25 years. And chances are, this number could be even higher and the massive job loss will come earlier.

So when will your job become obsolete? Researchers at the University of Oxford surveyed the world’s best artificial intelligence experts to find out when exactly machines will be better at humans in various occupations.

Continue reading… “Here’s when machines will take your job, as predicted by A.I. gurus”

China, Science & Technology News, Solar Energy, Solar Power, Space

How China’s space-bound solar installation will beam power down to earth

February 24, 2019

Solar panels in space

Researchers are exploring new means of providing power.

Researchers in China are planning a solar farm in space, an ambitious project that could deliver energy at six times the intensity of installations on Earth. The project, which made the front page of China’s Science and Technology Daily last week, would orbit in space and beam down energy to a receiver.

The station would reportedly orbit 22,000 miles above the Earth and benefit from harvesting energy without any complications from seasonal changes or atmospheric conditions, providing energy 99 percent of the time. It’s expected to weigh a staggering 1,000 tons, around 600 tons more than the International Space Station, so the researchers are exploring alternatives like using robots and 3D printers to build the construction in space. The idea is nothing new: NASA started researching the idea in the mid-1970s during the Arab oil embargo, and even devised bold concepts like the SunTower:

Continue reading… “How China’s space-bound solar installation will beam power down to earth”

Aviation, Inventions, Science & Technology News, Transportation, Travel

This futuristic Airbus smart seat prototype may make the future of economy flying a bit less miserable

February 24, 2019

Move Airbus seat concept

The Move seat concept was created by London-based design firm Layer for Airbus.
The seats are made from lightweight polyester wood smart textile wrapped around an aluminum frame.
Electrical currents running through the smart textile allow passengers to control the firmness and the temperature of the seat.
Move seats can be adjusted using an app.
According to Layer, the seats are meant to help create an innovative passenger experience for economy class travelers.

Continue reading… “This futuristic Airbus smart seat prototype may make the future of economy flying a bit less miserable”