Out With the Old, In With the New
Stealth Paper Airplanes
Paper airplanes that save lives? Yep, it’s a thing. These paper planes are part of a project by Otherlab, called Aerial Platform Supporting Autonomous Resupply Actions, or APSARA for short (what a mouthful). These paper planes can carry two pounds of supplies to those in need. For example, delivering blood or vaccines during war or natural disasters. The paper gliders look similar to miniature stealth fighter jets but are made from an inexpensive material called mycelium, designed to be aerodynamic and degradable within a matter of days. It appears the class clown that used to throw paper airplanes had a plan all along. See the video here. (Source: Mashable)
Hello, Barbie!
Barbie is taking a stroll in her new holographic body. Hello, Barbie is the new Mattel product that includes Artificial Intelligence (AI) and is the perfect assistant for your child. It can answer questions like What’s the weather and can schedule reminders as she pulls out her phone to jot down notes. If you are worried about Hello Barbie keeping your child awake at night, there is a parental setting that turns the AI off at scheduled times. Forgetting to clean your room is no longer a viable excuse for your five-year-old. (Source: Mashable)
One Step Closer to Robocop
China has released a police robot. The E-Patrol Robot Sheriff can track and follow potential criminals or suspicious people via facial recognition. While fighting crime, it can also monitor air quality, and temperature, and detect safety hazards, potential fires, and suspicious activities. The E-Patrol Robot Sheriff already has a win under its robotic belt; discovering a small fire and notifying the fire department. The camera-equipped Sheriff moves autonomously and is currently located at the Zhengzhou East Railway Station in Henan. Put it on your to-do list if you’re exploring China. This is another sign of technology potentially replacing jobs, in this case, patrol officers. (Source: Mashable)
