Business Technology ⯀  

As the internet of things or IoT continues to permeate into work and life, there is a rapid movement across industries toward adopting new technologies and systems that facilitate its integration. IoT introduced new concepts of doing business, from virtual workplaces, connected apps, to cloud computing technology. In turn, tech advancements facilitated connectivity and data transmission between applications, smart devices, and gadgets through the internet.

Internet of Things ⯀  

We use the connected technologies of the Internet of Things (IoT) to run our homes more efficiently and to be more productive at work. We even wear IoT devices on our bodies now. Recently, the technology has also begun making an impact in medical laboratories. 

Let’s take a look at three exampl

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es of how this technology excels in that sector.

It Aids in Tracking and Distribution Measures

The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly relying on bar codes and RFID codes to reduce instances of medication errors.

However, an MIT research affiliate named Stephen Miles believes a serialized identification system for medication could go beyond cutting down on prescription-related mistakes.

He points out if we could track medicines around the world through unique identifiers and wireless data transmission technologies, pharmaceutical laboratory personnel could learn whether given medical interventions were worthwhile for patients, which could be useful during clinical trials.

Doctors could also find out whether patients who received medications went through the next step of taking them as prescribed.

Miles also wants to branch out and use his serial number-based ID system to develop and synchronize processes for handling biomaterials such as cells and antibodies. He believes that approach would be advantageous in both laboratories and manufacturing environments.

It Makes Lab Result Validation More Efficient

The Appalachian Regional Healthcare System relied on the power of connected tech when upgrading its lab information systems (LIS). The LIS team consists of only two people but relies on support from people in other departments. In 2015, the health system had the daunting task of tackling a major upgrade to lab results validation tools in only nine months.

To compensate, it relied on Software Testing Solution’s (STS) SoftBank Test Suites to get the job done. Not only was that company able to provide detailed reports that impressed upper management, but it relieved the burdens of overtaxed lab workers by transferring some of their time-consuming tasks to the software interface.

To put this in perspective, diagnostic tests carried out with assistance from laboratories aid doctors in deciding whether they should discharge a patient and evaluating whether that person is receiving the proper treatment. They affect 70 percent of medical decisions overall, so more efficient and accurate labs could increase physician confidence and lead to better patient care.

It Facilitates More Compatibility Between Different Types of Lab Equipment

Today’s lab systems and tools are extremely advanced. However, until the recent introduction of IoT tech, many of them could not work with each other.

For example, in the past, if a laboratory invested in a new type of freezer, it didn’t always interact with other freezers that were on an existing monitoring system.

That meant if a temperature-related malfunction affected the older freezers, maintenance workers would get alerts about it. However, that wasn’t the case with the newer, incompatible freezer, which often meant investing in another type of temperature monitor just for the newer model. Now, IoT technologies allow for connecting external sensors to lab equipment and tools and controlling all of them through a single interface.

Lab workers can view details about sensor-equipped items in facilities through web browsers and quickly make adjustments to things such as temperature parameters and associated alarms. They can also look at characteristics related to individual pieces of equipment and how those factors have changed over time.

Someone might notice a connected item has been behaving strangely over the last few weeks. That observation could lead to scheduling a service call and prevent a disaster that could significantly affect a lab’s resources and profits.

These are just a few fascinating examples of how tech connectivity has changed how laboratory professionals operate and minimized some of the challenges associated with their work.

As IoT capabilities improve, the lab industry will continue to benefit in meaningful ways that benefit employees and consumers alike.

By  Kayla Matthews	Embed
Kayla Matthews writes about marketing innovation and business solutions for Inc.com, Convince & Convert and WeWork. You can read more posts by Kayla on her blog, Productivity Theory.

Internet of Things –  

Thanks to medical and nutritional breakthroughs, people are now leading longer, healthier lives. About 65 million US citizens are providing elderly care for their parents and grandparents, and this number is expected to increase.

We all want to live independently our entire lives, but as we get older, it becomes more difficult. In the past, elderly individuals incapable of leading fully independent lives often found themselves confined in nursing care or rehabilitation centers.

Their loved ones don't want them living at home by themselves despite the fact that they may still have mental acuity and physical strength. Taking care of an aging loved one at home is still — has always been — an option. Anyone who has ever played to role of a sole caregiver to an aging loved one is quite familiar with the anxieties that come with it– is grandpa wandering out of the house in the middle of the night? Is mom's bedroom warm enough in the middle of winter? Is Nana safe while home alone?

The Internet of Things

Fortunately, the adoption of smart home technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) is making this transition significantly easier. It allows people to stay at home without affecting their independence or costing the earth. When it comes to in-home care, smart home technology, and IoT comes with significant improvements for the companies providing care, families arranging for the care, and for the individuals requiring care.

It doesn't matter whether they live at home or a nursing facility, the Internet of Things will improve the quality of life for the elderly. But how exactly will IoT improve the quality of elderly care? Here's how:

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Home Care Companies Will Enhance Customer Experience with IoT Solutions

Home care companies are using IoT technology to provide a high level of care at an affordable cost. Home care companies can use smart home security systems with sensors placed in mattresses, windows, and doors to transmit data. If these systems are installed in a multi-unit apartment, it can be used to develop a system that alerts the building supervisor in case of a problem. This can facilitate quick responses via remote monitoring.

Remote patient supervision can significantly reduce the cost of care for both the home care company and the family. In addition to that, the use of IoT solutions facilitates a high level of autonomy and privacy for an individual. Reporting and the use of dashboards allows better communication between the facility and the individuals family — they know their loved one is doing okay and is well taken care of.

Remote Monitoring Offers Safety and Peace of Mind

The ability of IoT and other smart technologies to provide remote monitoring to increase safety and security is a huge concern among many families. They are worried that something might happen to their loved ones if no one is around to provide assistance. Previously, this required the presence of a professional to monitor an individual. Many people who were after a certain level of privacy and autonomy didn't like this, plus hiring a night caregiver made the entire process more expensive.

The availability of IoT and other smart home solutions allows these companies to implement remote caregiving for their clients. Caregivers can be remotely updated as events happen in real time. Knowing this, safety and concern is no longer a concern for families — which gives them peace of mind — and individuals can get their desired level of autonomy and privacy.

Mobile Technology Has Made Everything Easier

Mobile technology has made the process of providing care for aging individuals easier. Families can refill prescriptions online, conduct remote interviews with potential employers, and individuals within the facilities can initiate video chats with colleagues and friends. Mobile technology and the Internet of Things, in addition, are on the verge of revolutionizing health care. Patients can easily connect with clinicians via mobile devices for services such as prescriptions, advice, diagnosis, and more.

The advantages of IoT and other smart home technologies will continue to become even more essential as the population increases and the demand for family caregivers continues to increase. Home care providers will become more affordable amidst the increasing aging population, thanks to technology, the Internet of Things, and smart homes. The future is even more promising since technology solutions will become more affordable, which will make the IoT and other artificial intelligence systems accessible to many homes and families.

By  Isaac Christiansen	Embed
After graduating from medical school at the University of Michigan, Isaac started his own private orthopedic practice in Riverton Utah. Having dealt with and overcome many of the obstacles that come with entrepreneurship and small business ownership, Isaac has found a passion for helping the up and coming generation thrive in their careers and ultimately their lives.

Moore's Law  

IBM and Samsung have developed a first-of-a-kind process to build silicon nanosheet transistors that will enable 5 nanometer chips. The resulting increase in performance will help accelerate artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT) and other data-intensive applications delivered in the cloud. The power savings alone might mean that the batteries in smartphones and other mobile products could last two to three times longer than today’s devices, before needing to be charged.

"The economic value that Moore’s Law generates is unquestionable. That’s where innovations such as this one come into play, to extend scaling not by traditional ways but coming up with innovative structures."

IBM and Samsung, have announced the development of an industry-first process to build silicon nanosheet transistors that will enable 5 nanometer (nm) chips.

The breakthrough means that silicon technology has yet again extended the potential of Moore's Law.

Less than two years after developing a 7nm test node chip with 20 billion transistors, the researchers involved have paved the way for 30 billion switches on a fingernail-sized chip.

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The resulting increase in performance will help accelerate artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other data-intensive applications delivered in the cloud. The power savings could also mean that the batteries in smartphones and other mobile products could last two to three times longer than today’s devices, before needing to be charged.

“The economic value that Moore’s Law generates is unquestionable. That’s where innovations such as this one come into play, to extend scaling not by traditional ways but coming up with innovative structures,” says Mukesh Khare, vice president of semiconductor research for IBM Research.

Scientists working as part of the IBM-led Research Alliance at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering’s NanoTech Complex in Albany, NY achieved the breakthrough by using stacks of silicon nanosheets as the device structure of the transistor, instead of the standard FinFET architecture, which is the blueprint for the semiconductor industry up through 7nm node technology.

IBM scientists at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering’s NanoTech Complex in Albany, NY prepare test wafers with 5nm silicon nanosheet transistors, loaded into the front opening unified pod, or FOUPs, to test the process of building 5nm transistors using silicon nanosheets. Image Source - Connie Zhou / IBM

The silicon nanosheet transistor demonstration, as detailed in the Research Alliance paper Stacked Nanosheet Gate-All-Around Transistor to Enable Scaling Beyond FinFET, and published by VLSI, proves that 5nm chips are possible, more powerful, and not too far off in the future.

Pictured: a scan of IBM Research Alliance’s 5nm transistor, built using an industry-first process to stack silicon nanosheets as the device structure – achieving a scale of 30 billion switches on a fingernail-sized chip that will deliver significant power and performance enhancements over today’s state-of-the-art 10nm chips. Image Source - IBM

Gary Patton, CTO and Head of Worldwide R&D at GLOBALFOUNDRIES stated. “As we make progress toward commercializing 7nm in 2018 at our Fab 8 manufacturing facility, we are actively pursuing next-generation technologies at 5nm and beyond to maintain technology leadership and enable our customers to produce a smaller, faster, and more cost efficient generation of semiconductors.”

IBM Research has explored nanosheet semiconductor technology for more than 10 years. This work is the first in the industry to demonstrate the feasibility to design and fabricate stacked nanosheet devices with electrical properties better than FinFET architecture.

The scientists used the same Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography approach used to produce the 7nm test node and its 20 billion transistors to the nanosheet in the new transistor architecture. Using EUV lithography, the width of the nanosheets could be adjusted continuously, all within a single manufacturing process or chip design.

This adjustability allowed for the fine-tuning of performance and power for specific circuits – something not possible with today’s FinFET transistor architecture production.

Dr. Bahgat Sammakia, Interim President, SUNY Polytechnic Institute said that, “We believe that enabling the first 5nm transistor is a significant milestone for the entire semiconductor industry as we continue to push beyond the limitations of our current capabilities.”

Full implementation of this technology will still require 10 to 15 years of further development according to some reports.

The details of the process will be presented at the 2017 Symposia on VLSI Technology and Circuits conference in Kyoto, Japan.

SOURCE  IBM

By  33rd Square	Embed

Internet of Things  

What exactly do people mean when they refer to the "Internet of Things?" Guest writer Blaine Kelton explores how the IoT is already impacting our lives, from smart house systems to transportation to personal health.

If you're like me, you might find the phrase "Internet of Things" to be somewhat shrouded in mystery. Indeed, it's tossed around quite a bit these days, and sometimes it's hard to get a grasp of what exactly people mean when they're talking about it. Frankly, a lot of us use the label when it doesn't really apply; the real Internet of Things (IoT) simply refers to the automatic connection and communication between systems and devices.

In terms of applications, it's an entirely different subject and one that's becoming increasingly clear by the day. As we gain a better grasp of where and how the the Internet of Things is impacting society most, it's become clear that various aspects of health, safety, and security are the priorities. The ability for devices and automated systems to communicate, record and analyze data, and optimize functionality holds enormous potential to improve our quality of life.

The global market for Internet of Things systems related to digital security is on pace to exceed $28.9 billion by the year 2020

The most recent example of progress is in a report by MarketWatch that suggests the global market for Internet of Things systems related to digital security is on pace to exceed $28.9 billion by the year 2020. That's a pretty mind-blowing number, and it speaks to the significance (and business potential) of improved digital security systems. Basically, these systems include identity protection, device security, file encryption, and cloud securities—all sectors that contribute to protecting the personal information of individuals and companies alike.

A $28.9 billion market would certainly be among the largest of those being created by the evolution of the Internet of Things, but the information security sector is by no means the only one already on pace for significant growth in the coming five years or so. We're seeing significant Internet of Things expansion in the following areas, too.

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Smart Home Systems

Arguably the most exciting application of the Internet of Things for the general public, the idea of a "smart home" seemed tech-y and vaguely futuristic just a few years ago. Now, it's an ever-expanding reality that exemplifies the potential of the Internet of Things on a smaller scale (as opposed to the vast world that comprises digital security). The idea is that intelligent devices within the home connect together to keep your environment safe, comfortable, energy-efficient, and optimized to your preferences. Security, climate control, utility usage, and entertainment are all under the umbrella of the smart home concept. With all kinds of companies beginning to sell the products and systems needed to make it happen, a 2014 VentureBeat article claimed that this will be a $71 billion market by 2018!

Vehicle Fleet Regulation

While home systems make perfect sense to a growing consumer base that's used to seeing related products in stores, vehicle fleet regulation is an enormous branch of Internet of Things implementation that is less familiar to the public. Yet when you consider the potential of linking up fleets to each other and to company bases through WiFi and GPS tracking, the implications are far-reaching. As illuminated in a report by Networkfleet, such connectivity can help businesses with "making more informed dispatching decisions, monitoring fuel economy, vehicle maintenance," and more. With these benefits spread across the innumerable businesses that still utilize vehicle fleets, it's clear that the potential market size for devices in this area is gigantic.

Personal Health Management

Healthcare is one of the most expansive and influential sectors in which the Internet of Things is becoming relevant, and to some extent that's because it's being utilized in hospital data sharing. However, as Forbes noted in an article last year, there are also numerous unique applications of Internet of Things principles in personal healthcare. That article touched on infant monitors, insulin trackers for diabetics, smart diapers that can detect infections, and even smart pills that can help to record whether or not medication is being used appropriately. We're also seeing fitness trackers and other wearable technologies significantly improve the ways in which we monitor exercise and basic health. Personal health management ultimately has the potential to bring about some of the most significant use of smart products alongside the implementation of the Internet of Things.

Considering all of these examples, it's anyone's guess how many billions go into the expansion and improvement of the Internet of Things in the next five years. It'll definitely be interesting to watch it all unfold.

By  Blaine Kelton

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Author Bio - Blaine Kelton is a freelance writer currently living in Beverly Hills, Calif., who enjoys covering a number of different topics. From the latest technological advancements to new albums by his favorite artists, he's eager to just write and get his work out there.

Artificial Intelligence  

Could artificial intelligence hold the key to the success of the internet of things? Some experts think so. Here’s an interesting look at how AI and the IoT relate to one another. 

One of the most heavily hyped concepts of the decade, the Internet of Things promises to create a whole new world of convenience. Massive volumes of data will be created by interconnected devices and sensors, allowing a multitude of industries to grow and change with this new insight. Yet at the moment there are still several barriers between the present and an exciting interconnected future.

Relationship between AI and IoT

If you look at the capabilities of the Internet of Things from Nokia Networks or other providers currently working on it, it involves the movement of vast amounts of data. This data can be used in a variety of real life situations, predicting the flow of traffic in a city or assisting with logistics in agriculture. Eventually, with the use of sensors and cameras, new devices like self-driving cars will become a reality. Yet at the same time the sheer volume of data required to carry out these tasks is often beyond human analysis. This is why many industry experts believe that artificial intelligence will need to be able to step in and fill these gaps.

For the IoT to work on a widespread basis, big data analysis requires both speed and accuracy on a level beyond human capabilities. But with the assistance of AI technology, intelligent machines would be able to take vast quantities of data points and quickly sift through them to pull out the points that are the most relevant. With those points, real-time updates and decisions can then be made to facilitate the operation of the IoT.

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AI applications for IoT

There are a number of ways in which the two technologies could work together – equipped with new sensors, smart machines can gather a wider range of information. This can be used to give machines the ability to see with cameras and hear with sonic sensors. With more data to work with, AI systems can make increasingly accurate predictions based on an individual’s preferences, making machines smarter than ever. At the same time, AI applications can cull through mountains of data points to extract the bits that will be meaningful for users.

Fitness trackers are already one of the most popular types of IoT devices. The next step is that the data collected by fitness trackers will be shared with a health service. For example, if your heart rate was irregular, your doctor would receive an alert. Yet the system must be able to understand what is “irregular” in the first place, sifting through mountains of data to find any irregularities. This is where AI would step in, to analyse data from millions of users at a speed that could save lives.

The bottom line

There are still a number of issues that need to be worked out in both spheres of technology. For AI and IoT to work together in perfect synchronicity, issues with compatibility will need to be smoothed over. Security and privacy is a major issue for the Internet of Things, particularly with recent high-profile cyber-attacks in the public consciousness. Yet the trajectory of this future trend has already been put in motion. If billions of objects are connected in the next few years, it means that AI could be the viable support system that will allow this technology to soar.

By  33rd Square

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IoT  

The idea of the brilliant inventor waking up to find an automated breakfast being made, their favorite music played, and a notification from their house robot that they have twenty-three minutes to leave for work once seemed so futuristic that we would never get there. Today, however, the internet has made this a possibility not just for geniuses, but for anyone with a good wifi connection.

If your hope is to awaken to a fully automated home, you already can. You can schedule your coffee and shower to start, preheat your oven if you want to bake, turn your radio or television to your favorite show and even lock the door behind you. The future of these smart items can even go further than this. There are both personal and commercial applications, and the limits are only due to lack of imagination.

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Efficiency

Smart power meters from electric companies offer the opportunity not only to know how much power is used within a day but how much is used at any time. Smart items can keep track of when they are working, and this can offer a look at exactly what percent of your energy bill is being caused by anything from a bathroom heater to the lights in a single room to each appliance in your home. With this information, you will know exactly what upgrades will save you the most in energy bills and pay for themselves.

Security

Smart locks that are opened remotely by you and a few others are a great way to create an unpickable door. Potentially, it can also lead to a door and windows that will lock a thief inside, take a picture of them and notify the authorities with a photo of the intruder while keeping you updated by smartphone. If you are the parent of a teen you can also see if they are actually going to school or coming home when expected.

Targeted Advertisements

The internet has discovered the power of targeted advertisements. Smart commercial audio-visual equipment applications can have new, personalized uses. If you have Bluetooth or locating software activated, advertisers can offer to place discount codes on your smartphone when you enter a store that they cover, in exchange for watching an advertisement that you would like. This could be done on your phone, on video billboards within the store, or even on smart contact lenses or glasses.

Health Monitoring

Finally, it may be possible to wear smart bracelets if you are at a health risk that can take and analyze pulse, sweat, electrical current and possibly even blood. This can let you know, long before you otherwise would, when to seek medical care that can save your life. It may even be able to call 911 for you if you become unresponsive.

By Marlena Stoddard

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Author Bio- Marlena Stoddard is a freelance writer who received her BA from the University of Georgia. She currently resides in Atlanta with her husband, two kids, and puppy Molly Belle.

Computers  

More than just a programmer generating computer code, a software engineer involves a lot more design factors critical to the successful creation and management of software. A software engineer will typically plan out the tasks and conditions with which other programmers in a team project will need to comply. 

Since every system's software needs and its functionality are different, a competent software engineer must concern themselves with the safety of how the system will operate in terms of the software driving the system and its component machinery. They must also anticipate how to make such software-based projects cost-effective for the client soliciting their services. Here are a few reasons why software engineering is an in-demand field for today and the future.

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The Licensing Factor

According to Webopedia.com, U.S. Law requires anyone using the title engineer to be licensed by a state licensing board. Such individuals must also be in good standing. Generally, job titles that are regulated in this fashion are typically more difficult to acquire and this fact tends to generate more demand for qualified people to fill such positions.

Custom Software Design

Clients are often in search of professionally licensed software engineers to evaluate their systems and determine how to design safe, affordable software to comply with all the conditions they have set forth to be met. Since new systems are always being introduced to the market, the need for software engineers to approach these problems—while following industry standards and best practices along the way—tend to be in demand due to the fact that changes in technology create more custom problems to be resolved by software engineers from places like Cogitechsolutions.com. This is not a problem going away anytime soon, either.

Complexity Creates Demand

As in-house systems and their infrastructure increase in complexity, it becomes difficult for business owners to operate and manage these systems on their own. This is good news for software engineers as we head into the future. This means that the skills a software engineer brings to the table are rooted in areas that pretty much guarantee job security for as long as these computer systems continue to increase in complexity. Since the technology behind business-specific, in-house systems tends to become more complex over time, this ends up being a trend that will not cease in the foreseeable future.

The Internet of Things

With the emerging frontier of the Internet of Things (IOT), the potential exists for a transformation in how the tech industry will think about software engineers. Instead of a software engineer answering to a client requiring their in-house system to be controlled by efficient software solutions, software engineers may end up becoming in demand for a whole new reason. As millions of Internet-ready devices hit the market, it will only be a matter of time before consumers who need device connectivity-based software solutions will be banging down the doors of software engineers for specific solutions to a broad range of new software-based interfacing and connectivity problems.
Today software engineers earn great salaries for the work they do.

As technology evolves, qualified software engineers will undoubtedly become needed to tame the technological evolution that continues to emerge. Humanity truly lives in the age of machines, which is a place designed for software engineers to thrive for many years to come.

By Anica Oaks

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Author Bio - A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she's used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.

Cloud Computing  

We are only at the dawn of a cloud computing revolution—one that is sure to change how we interact with technology, and each other in a profound way.

Cloud technology promises to free devices from the shackles of memory space. It enables us to carry our documents, eBooks, music, video files and much more in our gadgets, while eliminating the need for an actual download onto the device. One of the best cases in point is the Kindle—eBooks purchased on the Kindle are stored on the Kindle cloud, but they are easily accessible on the device and all devices synced to the Amazon account it was purchased from.

Fluidity in all aspects

Cloud and mobile applications have become reliable substitutes for stand-alone software applications today. The cost advantage of cloud services was recognized early and tech companies are pouring in funds for further R&D to explore the potential further. Cloud technology is accessible to small, medium and large companies alike. The only factor that causes some apprehension in the minds of those wanting to adopt it is security and privacy.

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Moving on from decentralized peer-to-peer model, many large companies, namely, Microsoft, Amazon and Google, have embraced a centralized structure for internet-based systems. An evolved interaction can be viewed between applications, large centralized system and gadgets.

Gadgets for the cloud

With increasing development of cloud computing, gadgets are now being designed with this new model in mind, building on the benefits of cloud solutions. Cloud tablets like Chromebook, storage devices, and consumer electronics like vacuum cleaners, home security systems, navigation devices, speakers and more are prominent examples of devices that are solely web-enabled.

The data is stored on cloud and is accessible via the user’s personal email account and in some cases mobile numbers. Wearable devices such as Apple's new Watch and Google Glass have opened up a new avenue for cloud computing with mobile applications that are designed to suit the compact needs of the system. With cloud technology, hard drives and similar storage devices are increasingly becoming irrelevant. All technology is progressing towards solutions that are smaller, faster and internet-based. A cloud-based app suffices to meet all data storage, access and analysis needs.

Samsung expects that by 2020 all devices will be connected to the cloud

Gadgets that are tapping the potential of cloud technology are yet in their nascent development stage when compared to the projected implications of cloud-based systems. Smart homes and smart cities are only part of the future in which these gadgets are leading us to. That is a future where everything from street lights to washing machines can be remotely monitored and operated.

Cloud- then, now and in the future

Better telecom infrastructure, wider internet access and the continually-reducing prices of smartphone components and other internet-enabled technology will contribute towards greater penetration of cloud technology. We are staring into a future where very soon gadgets will have very few or no stand-alone applications and data will be stored completely on cloud. The wave in mobile and web application development that is covering a plethora of functions and is easily accessible on devices of varying sizes is an indication of the future for cloud computing.

For businesses that are adopting cloud computing a pressing issue is that the ROI estimation is difficult to compute. It is hard to gauge whether the immediate investment can offset the future returns. Also, considering the rapid evolution in technology, it cannot be ascertained how soon the existing technologies are likely to become obsolete.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things and the shared ecosystem of internet-enabled devices have their foundation in cloud computing. Wearable technology, household technology, and web and mobile applications are at work, taking over the most elementary to very complex tasks. Industry leaders like Samsung already expect that by 2020 all devices will be connected to the cloud and we are staring at a future where sensors in objects around us will respond to our feelings and thoughts.

By Vaishnavi Agrawal

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Author Bio -Vaishnavi Agrawal loves pursuing excellence through writing and has a passion for technology. She has successfully managed and run personal technology magazines and websites. She currently writes for intellipaat.com, a global training company that provides e-learning and professional certification training.
The courses offered by Intellipaat address the unique needs of working professionals. She is based out of Bangalore and has an experience of five years in the field of content writing and blogging. Her work has been published on various sites related to Hadoop, Big Data Training, Business Intelligence, Cloud Computing, IT, SAP, Project Management and more.

 Technology  

Researchers have invented a prototype video camera that is the first to be fully self-powered. They created a pixel that can not only measure incident light but also convert the incident light into electric power.

The components in digital cameras and solar panels have some common elements that can convert light into electric current.  A camera does this to measure the intensity of light, and a solar panel does it to create usable power.

Now a group of Columbia University engineers under the guidance of computer science professor Shree Nayar have used this duality to create a camera that powers itself.

"A camera that can function as an untethered device forever—without any external power supply—would be incredibly useful."

The camera, which is made from off-the-shelf parts and was unveiled recently for the International Conference on Computational Photography.

The proof of concept doesn't take the sharpest pictures (see example recording below), but then again neither did the first digital cameras invented at Kodak.

The camera's image sensor is the key to this development. Normally, this component senses the intensity of the light hitting the lens with millions of photodiodes — semiconductors that convert light into electric current, which gets encoded as digital data.

“We are in the middle of a digital imaging revolution,” says Nayar. He notes that in the last year alone, approximately two billion cameras of various types were sold worldwide. “I think we have just seen the tip of the iceberg. Digital imaging is expected to enable many emerging fields including wearable devices, sensor networks, smart environments, personalized medicine, and the Internet of Things. A camera that can function as an untethered device forever—without any external power supply—would be incredibly useful.”

In the self-powered camera, the photodiodes cycle back and forth between the image-taking mode and an energy-collecting mode, in which the current instead charges the battery. This means that if the camera is in a bright area, it can continuously take a photo every second, indefinitely, without ever needing an external charge. The scientists claim it's the first camera that's fully self-powered.

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The team was able to construct the camera from off-the-shelf parts. The prototype camera has a sensor with 30-by-40 pixels, each of which toggles back and forth between capture and charge.

Eventually, this sort of technology could be used in what's called the Internet of Things. The inexpensive, small camera that can be left on indefinitely could have all sorts of uses. It could perhaps be part of an array of face-recognizing security cameras, for instance, or a series of cameras that sense when someone's in the room to adjust the heating or lighting accordingly.

“A few different designs for image sensors that can harvest energy have been proposed in the past. However, our prototype is the first demonstration of a fully self-powered video camera,” Nayar continues. “And, even though we’ve used off-the-shelf components to demonstrate our design, our sensor architecture easily lends itself to a compact solid-state imaging chip. We believe our results are a significant step forward in developing an entirely new generation of cameras that can function for a very long duration—ideally, forever—without being externally powered.”



SOURCE  Columbia Engineering

By 33rd Square

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 Internet-of-Things  

Quietly and deliberately Amazon is getting into your home.  New home automation features unveiled for the Amazon Echo device should make the device even more desirable, and not incidentally, make it easier for you to send orders though to Amazon.

B efore it is even widely available, Amazon's Echo digital assistant speaker has added a new home automation connectivity that could be a real game-changer. Along with streaming music from the cloud, checking the weather, and asking questions on Wikipedia, users can now control WeMo switches and Philips Hue lights using their voice.

Echo can be used to switch on the lamp before getting out of bed, turning on the fan or space heater while reading in your favorite chair, or dimming the lights from the couch to watch a movie - all using Echo's always-on far-field voice recognition capability. WeMo switches can already be controlled via smartphone apps, but with Echo, you won't have to get your phone out of your pocket, unlock it, open the app and use the control.

If your Keurig brewer were set up, you could even pretend you were Captain Picard — "Alexa, tea, Earl Grey, hot!"

Set-up of the connected devices looks to be straightforward. If your smart home products are on the same Wi-Fi network as your Echo and you have identified them appropriately in their respective apps, you simply need to ask Echo to discover your appliances.

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So far the number of connected devices is limited, but as the Internet-of-Things (IoT) continues to develop it is not hard to see Amazon updating the Echo's capabilities further.

Along with Amazon's new Dash Button, the device that lets you re-order supplies with a single click, Amazon’s is unveiling its strategy of insinuating itself into your home. The Dash Button comes with a reusable adhesive and a hook so you can hang, stick, or place it right where you need it. Keep Dash Button handy in the kitchen, bath, laundry, or anywhere you store your favorite products. When you're running low, simply press Dash Button, and Amazon quickly delivers household favorites so you can skip the last-minute trip to the store.

As Forrester Research connected home analyst Frank Gillett told Wired, “Amazon has the unique advantage that the Amazon Echo can suggest—or eventually be certified to work with—the products they sell on their Home Automation page.”

With these releases, Amazon may have just got a leg up on the competition in the Internet-Things race.



SOURCE  Wired

By 33rd Square

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 Home Automation  

Internet-of-Things technology may make our lives more convenient, there are considerations that need to be made about the implementations of the technology.

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s technology improves, many homeowners are taking advantage of that technology for personal benefit. While IoT technology may include everything from smartphone features built into a watch to faster Internet connections and much more, there are also technological features that are available for modern homes today as well as for homes of the future. These technological innovations may be the wave of the future and may be designed to help you improve your life in many ways, but they also pose security concerns in some cases. Consider these key points carefully before you decide if you want to make your home more technologically advanced.

Automated Homes

Home automation has advanced in recent years, and the technology has become more affordable at the same time. This means that many homeowners are already taking advantage of home automation while others are thinking about making this change in the future. Home automation essentially connects everything from your garage door to your coffee maker on a single control system. While this gives you greater control over your home, it also gives criminals who break into the system the ability to have control over your home.

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Online Controls

More than that, many of the control systems for automated home features have online controls. The selling point with them is that you can monitor and control your home from any location where you have an Internet connection. However, this also means that anyone monitoring the system, such as if your Internet connection was not secure, could also have access to your home. Cyber criminals today are evolving their efforts to keep up with technology, and gaining access to a home through this type of hacking activity is a very real possibility.

Digital Keys and Locks

There are now innovative keys and locks available that are designed to give you improved control over accessibility to your home. Some locks do not have keys at all, and you may be able to log into a system to remotely control entry and exiting of those in your home. For example, if the cleaning crew comes to clean your home while you are at work, you can be the one to let them in the door. They will not need their own key. You can also receive immediate alerts about your locks so that you can contact authorities if there is a break in. However, as with any other type of technological device, these systems can be infiltrated by criminals without your knowledge.

EZON Digital Lock from SAMSUNG

Controls on Your Smartphone

It is listed as a benefit to homeowners that many of these technological advancements give you access to your home's features through your smartphone or another mobile device. However, these devices can be lost, stolen or hacked into. While you may regularly keep your phone close to you, the fact is that thieves can pick your pocket, steal the purse where you have your phone or make other efforts to obtain it. In the future, there may also be equipment available to scan phones even when a criminal is standing next to you, and they may not need to physically obtain your phone to obtain data from it.

The bottom line is that technology can benefit your life, but it can also create greater security concerns. It is imperative for homeowners to take steps to safeguard their home. You may even want to consider reading a NorthStar alarm review today to learn more about the latest features available in modern security systems. While criminal activity and efforts may be evolving to keep pace with the advanced technology that homeowners are increasingly choosing to use, the fact is that homeowners can now take advantage of improved security features available in the most modern alarm systems.

By Karleia Steiner

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