This week we will discover Prothetic Limbs that are a significant advance on current versions. We will look at how supermarkets are changing, a new system for protecting our email from hackers and a potential universal flu vaccine. Finally we will examine a new WiFi chipset that will connect the billions of devices on the Internet of Things.
Modular Prosthetic Limbs
Johns Hopkins University has developed an artificial limb that includes over 20 joints, 15 actuators (the piece responsible for moving the limb) and over 200 sensors. Atom Limbs from San Francisco is working to commercialize the work.
A fully functioning hand has approximately 10,000 sensors however current prothetic hands rarely have more than a few sensors. Adding over 200 sensors increases the information available for use by the AI that drives the operation of the limb. The system will learn what the person is trying to do and aid in execution.
The limb can be controlled by the mind via a band wrapped around the remaining part of the limb. The band reads the nerve impulses sent by the brain and translates them into a specific action. The team has also developed a haptic feedback mechanism that will allow the user to feel what the prosthetic hand is feeling, be it force, texture or temperature. This sensory feedback is critical to successfully achieving a natural and intuitive control mechanism for the limb. The user can feel how hard they need to grip. It also allows tactile exploration of textured objects.
DARPA (you may remember DARPA, the Defence Advance Research Projects Agency in the US that founded the first challenge for developing Self Driving cars) founded the Revolutionizing Prosthetics Program in 2005. Since then, Johns Hopkins and partners have received grants of US$120million to develop their research.
Atom Limbs is poised to make a major announcement on 15 October 2020 (US time).
Supermarkets are changing
There is a lot of development in the supermarket space. Ranging from cashier less checkouts in the Amazon Go stores to smart shopping carts. There is also change coming to the look and feel of the supermarket.
Adroit Worldwide Media (AWM) has developed a smart shelf. It uses small high definition cameras to power computer vision algorithms and AI to automatically track what people purchase (i.e. it manages inventory and ordering in real time). It then links this with real time branding and advertising via smart displays.
For example, if you pick up some pasta the system can then point out some specials the store is having on pasta sauce or mince and direct you where to find the complementary products. The store knows where you are so it can easily direct you to the products. Alternatively you could upload a recipe and the store will direct you to each of the ingredients. Combine this with a automatic payment system (some stores can already monitor what you have taken off the shelf and automatically charge your credit card as you leave the store) and you have a frictionless system. Facial recognition systems can be added for loyalty programs and other cross selling.
It is not only the shelves that will change. Cooler Systems have replaced the glass doors on the freezer and cold cabinets in the supermarket. The big bright displays not only show the products and prices of what’s inside, but can also change to become dynamic ad spaces.
Add in some facial recognition, a database of my purchases and preferences and you have personalized advertising as you walk towards the fridge. I may need to wear my full face mask next time I go to the supermarket.
Finally Amazon has introduced Amazon One. A hand recognition system for payment, loyalty points, entering stadiums or office buildings. No more forgetting or losing your office security pass. That of course assumes we will one day return to an office.
Universal Flu Vaccine
MIT researchers have made progress towards a Universal Flu Vaccine. Once we have been vaccinated for a particular flu our immune systems generate antibodies that target a protein on the virus called hemagglutinin. A flu virus has a head and stem both containing hemagglutinin. The immune system targets the head of the virus more easily than the stem due to the geometry of the virus. Also the head of the virus mutates more easily than the stem. This leads to different strains of the flu that although similar are different enough to require an annual flu shot.
The research is concentrating on developing a vaccine of hemagglutinin stems that are similar but not identical to the strains a patient’s immune system has seen. This may cause the immune system to shift its’ focus from the head of the virus to the stem. This has been validated in preliminary research on mice. It is still early days but we may one day have a single flu shot and be set for life.
Email Security
Email security is a problem for many individuals and organizations. Hackers are sophisticated and persistent. HacWare from Dallas Texas is trying to make email security easier for small business.
HacWare sits on a company’s email server and uses machine learning to categorize and analyze every message for risk. It examines suspicious links and attachments whilst also looking for phishing emails. The system also uses simulated phishing attacks using the contents of each users inbox, to test the user and to provide feedback.
Humans will always be the weakest link in the security chain. Advanced features like two-factor authentication help but are not a panacea. HacWare is trying to help staff make sound cybersecurity decisions.
A new WiFi
Sydney based Morse Micro will soon release its’ wifi chipset for the new WiFi standard 802.11ah. The standard is called WiFi HaLow (pronounced Hey Low) and is designed as an ultra low power connector for Internet of Things devices. The standard will compete with bluetooth.
The standard uses the sub 1 gigahertz frequencies and supports more devices (8,000+ per access point), is 10 times more efficient (multiyear on a single coin battery) and goes 10 times farther (1km range, 100 times area and 1000 times volume). The standard operates on license exempt spectrum and reduces the need for meshes and repeaters. Thus reducing infrastructure and operational costs.
Uses include, wireless cameras, security access, industrial automation and mobile devices. Morse Micro’s investors include a host of Australian VC’s and the team includes some of the original inventors of WiFi and WiFi chips.
Paying it Forward
If you have a start-up or know of a start-up that has a product ready for market please let me know. I would be happy to have a look and feature the startup in this newsletter. Also if any startups need introductions please get in touch and I will help where I can.
If you have any questions or comments please email me via my website craigcarlyon.com or comment below.
I would also appreciate it if you could forward this newsletter to anyone that you think might be interested.
Till next week.