The Internet of Things

I was reading an article about technology recently and I was introduced to the term the "internet of things". I hadn't heard of this term before, and I was interested in its meaning. According to Wikipedia, the internet of things refers to the recent trend towards embedding identifiable computing devices within the infrastructure of the internet. The growing number of so-called "smart" products are just one example of this movement. Although, it could refer to something much larger like a smart power grid that uses streamlined information from suppliers and consumers to adjust and improve electricity output. It is the possibility of automating nearly every aspect of our lives through technology and the internet. According to a recent article from entrepreneur.com not all consumers would be okay with having their lives completely automated in their households. The article shows a list of some potential "smart products" and their uses and gives their desirability from a survey of consumers.

 What are some ideas for automated "smart" products that you think would be convenient?

What potential benefits could a future interconnected world provide for businesses?

What potential negative outcomes could come from the "internet of things"?

Activity Trackers

The company Jawbone, has created a new tracking device that will allow you to move more and get fit. Its the simplest way to credit your steps, exercise and the calories you have burned during, also allowing you to track your hours of sleep and quality of sleep.

The idea of creating this wearable heart rate monitor is called the UP3. It is said to be made comfortably that you will be able to wear in bed, easy to use and no need to change modes to capture the heart rate, and feed them knowledge that will better themselves when it come to making healthier choices to maintain that long-term health. With this new technology, Jawbone stands out better than any other company because they made their product do something that others couldn't. Everything comes down to how long a product can last. As a consumer you don't want to buy something that you plan on wearing throughout the day that is just going to die within a few hours. Battery life was the big factor in this creation. 

Another way the UP3 stands out is because this invention can now monitor your heart rate during activity, resting heart rate which is then broken into sub categories like long term health, energy, and metabolic efficiency, and the measure your heart rate throughout the day. whether that's based on the food you eat, if you are staying hydrated or not, if you have stress or anxiety, and lastly the amount of coffee you drink.

Creating this heart rate monitor as advanced as it is to me is very smart. The way technology is today people are becoming more lazy than how it use to be. With this wearable monitor, it is helping us develop those healthy habits for long-term heart health. For all those who aren't able to sleep at nights, the UP3 can track and determine your REM and deep sleep stages. With how advanced this world is becoming, I really hope people start taking advantages of products like these to really benefit themselves in the long run.

New Commercial Rocket Descent Data May Help NASA with Future Mars Landings

NASA has captured thermal images of a rocket launch.  This doesn't sound like much but these thermal images could provide critical engineering information for future missions. NASA plans to have missions to Mars' surface.  Robert Braun, principal investigator for NASA's PDT project, states, "Because the technologies required to land large payloads on Mars are significantly different than those used here on Earth, investment in these technologies is critical.  This is the first high-fidelity data set of a rocket system firing into its direction of travel while traveling at supersonic speeds in Mars-relevant conditions. Analysis of this unique data set will enable system engineers to extract important lessons for the application and infusion of supersonic retro-propulsion into future NASA missions."


The NASA's PDT project manager, Charles Campbell says, "NASA's interest in building our Mars entry, descent and landing capability and SpaceX's interest and experimental operation of a reusable space transportation system enabled acquisition of these data at low cost, without standing up a dedicated flight project of its own."
Micheal Gazarik, NASA's associate adminitstor or Space Technology goes on to further explain,
"Through our partnership with SpaceX we're gaining access to real-world test data about advanced rocket stage design and retro-propulsion.  Through this partnership we're saving the taxpayer millions of dollars we'd otherwise have to spend to develop and test rockets and flights in-house. This is another great example of American companies partnering with NASA to enable our future exploration goals."


I have always thought of technology to be expensive.  And it can be, but to think about all the information it provides.  Here we see how NASA has gained new data and information about design, saving millions of dollars.  Technology may be expensive but the pay off and gain of information is worth it. 


For more information click here.

Technology changing diaster relief

Disasters around the world have spurred on technology to increase the importance of them. With the Haiti earthquake, many were homes were destroyed, communication was lost, and lives were taken as well. Dr. Paul Gardner-Stephen who is a researcher at Flinders University in Australia, created technology to help reach out to those in affect from the Haiti earthquake. With tents, water, and the main items needed to survive, planes dropped over 1,000 solar powered lanterns that were attached to chargers for your mobile devices. This allowed communication amongst the people even though there was no network coverage. People were allowed to send text messages, make calls and send files.

With the Haiti earthquake, projects have been born to help situations like this one. Tera (Trilogy Emergency Relief Application), is a program that allows a person to realize when a major crisis has come about and able to send a message of 140 characters to every phone user in that given area such as flood warnings, or any natural disasters, medical help, shelter, etc. This was invented due to the Haiti earthquake.

 

To me its crazy to think that something that we use when we go camping or if the power goes out, can be used to help survival of a country. I never would have thought that a simple lantern could impact lives so much. Its good to see that we have this new technology not only for the gadgets, but surviving a purpose and saving countries.