Ambient Computing

We’re now in the decade of ambient computing — and if you didn’t notice, that’s part of the plan. Ambient computing is all about A.I. decisions made without human involvement, and it has big implications for the world of technology. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting new field of computing. Ambient computing history and definition Ambient computing […]

LG ProBeam Projectors

The global pandemic has seen many business people and students working from home. As lockdowns ease, offices and schools are starting to reopen and LG is readying two projectors for release to help make boardroom and classroom presentations pop. Both ProBeam models are reported capable of use during daylight hours thanks to peak brightness of 6,000 ANSI lumens and 3,000,000:1 […]

Apple Opens Up Global Device Location Network

If you misplace your iPhone, or someone makes off with it, Apple’s Find My network can help zero in on its location so you can retrieve it. Now the application has been opened up to third-party products, and among the first are ebikes from VanMoof. The Find My network leverages the reach of hundreds of millions of active Apple devices […]

Robotic Dragonfly Detects Oil Spill

From slow-moving machines inspired by sloths to others that burst from the water and soar through the air like flying fish, robots that mimic the behavior of real-world creatures have exciting potential when it comes to environmental monitoring. A new creation out of Duke University is yet another interesting example, taking after a dragonfly to skim across water and check […]

EU Contracts Airbus For In-Orbit Satellite

Europe is getting into the space manufacturing race as the European Commission awards Airbus a €3-million (US$3.5-million) contract to prepare a low-Earth orbit demonstration project. Currently an A/B1 phase study contract, the PERIOD (PERASPERA (short for Per Ardua ad Astra) In-Orbit Demonstration) project will spend two years developing a concept to manufacture and assemble satellites in space. With a cost […]

Electrically Charged Paper Switches Hardness At A Flick

Taking inspiration from the way sea cucumbers can strengthen their exterior when in danger, scientists in Germany have developed a novel wafer-thin paper material that can transition from firm to soft via an electrical switch. The researchers envisage a number of uses for their creation, including adaptive damping materials that harden when subjected to heavy loads. The material was developed […]

Unique Banknote “Fingerprints”

Although an increasing number of countries are switching to sturdier, harder-to-copy polymer banknotes, the things still are being counterfeited. A new technology could help weed those fakes out, by taking their fingerprints. During the production of polymer banknotes, the application of a layer known as the opacity coating leaves a random dispersion of impurities in the ink. The resulting pattern […]

Spotting Deepfakes

Driven by advances in artificial intelligence, doctored video content known as deepfakespresent a serious and growing danger when it comes to the spread of misinformation. As these altered clips become more and more convincing, there is a pressing need for tools that can help distinguish them from real ones. Computer scientists at the University of Buffalo have just offered a […]

Two-Factor ID Requires Users To Make Faces 

Although facial ID verification tech may seem pretty impressive, it can be thwarted. An experimental new system is claimed to be more foolproof, by requiring users to make specific facial movements. According to Utah’s Brigham Young University (BYU), existing facial ID technology – such as that utilized on some smartphones – can be circumvented by holding the phone up to […]

Integrating Cameras & AI For Easier To Use Exoskeleton

Robotic exoskeletons are already making a huge difference to people who are otherwise unable to walk, but the things do still have some limitations. Researchers are now seeking to address those problems, using onboard cameras and AI. Although motorized exoskeletons automatically help move the wearer’s legs as they walk along level ground, most have to be manually switched over to […]