2016
December 31, 2016
In 2016, there will be nearly 30,000 injuries and 15,000 deaths from gun misfirings. These injuries and deaths have radically changed the lives of all their families. Gun control is a hot topic politically, and trying to balance the Second Amendment while trying to minimize accidental deaths and injuries is […]
December 8, 2016
I like airplanes and dramas with happy endings. So I followed the story of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and his handling of US Airways Flight 1549 when a flock of birds disabled both engines forcing him to land in the Hudson River. I enjoyed the recently-released movie, Sully, starring Tom Hanks, […]
December 6, 2016
Coding is increasingly becoming a more valued skill in today’s job market. Introducing the concept of coding early on to kids and teenagers could help introduce them to a life-long career. One helpful tool that was specifically designed to teach coding is the Raspberry Pi, which is a small multipurpose […]
November 22, 2016
Have you ever used virtual reality (VR) before? The technology is so promising, you can’t help but wonder all the things it will one day be used for! One industry which VR will especially impact is healthcare. Scientists, computer engineers, doctors and more have been working together to assist in […]
November 3, 2016
With a relatively simple software update, your smartwatch could be even smarter. Researchers have developed a proof-of-concept that can take any smartwatch and make it capable of telling what object (which must be vibrating in your hand) you are currently holding. This is done by changing how often the watch […]
October 28, 2016
California’s tech sector is expanding into new areas. It’s Governor, Jerry Brown, recently signed a law allowing for self-driving cars with no steering wheel, no pedals and don’t need a human driver. Maximum speed: 35 mph. However, this law doesn’t apply to the whole state of California; it’s specific to […]
October 24, 2016
It’s a scary, ominous thought: The cybersecurity systems we currently have in place aren’t working. That’s what Ron Ross told the National Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity during a meeting in Minneapolis. Ross should know what he’s talking about; he’s the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s top computer security […]
October 12, 2016
I came across some articles recently about Nissan’s autonomous chairs (here and here). Wait! Is that a typo? Should “chairs” be “cars”? No, it was not a typo. Seriously? Then is it a parody? Nope. Nissan does have autonomous chairs. Instead of standing in a line, patrons can instead sit […]
September 29, 2016
A few companies are working on developing autonomous long-haul trucks for freeways. Articles here, here, and here mention the following as some of the driving (pun intended) factors for this technology: A driver shortage exists. Old drivers are retiring faster than new ones are joining. Trucks can stay on the […]
September 27, 2016
You’re driving down a road in the middle of the winter. It’s the morning rush hour, and ice still clutches the roads. Without you being aware of it, the bridge up ahead of you sends a signal (via an internet connection) to your car, warning you to slow down because […]