1. Hugs From HuggieBot
Scientists say that we can get a lot from a single hug. Research shows that hugging is extremely effective at healing sickness, disease, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress. But what if we don’t have anyone around to hug? According to lead researcher Alexis Block, a Ph.D. student in the Haptic Intelligence Department at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, “We’re advocating for this technology to be used as a complement to other people in situations where it is difficult or uncomfortable to get the support a person needs or wants from another human.” Can we really feel better after a cold hard hug from a piece of metal?
Watch this video to see how the robot works.
(Source: NBC News)
2. Facebook and Snapchat Compete
Mark Zuckerberg is testing Facebook messages, deleting the messages after they’ve already been sent. Snapchat claims they are releasing an update in the next few weeks where users can do the same thing. Are they a copycat if they do it first? As Snapchat has been salty in the past about Facebook “borrowing their ideas,” it’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out. It would be nice to skip out on some of those embarrassing snaps during a night out… This update could possibly take #SnapSawItFirst to another level.
(Source: TechCrunch)
3. The Show Must Go On
The World Cup is officially back, but the US will be watching from the sideline for the first time in more than three decades. After a 2-1 defeat against Trinidad and Tobago, the US men’s national team was disqualified for the big event. Nonetheless, Americans are still getting hyped and new technologies may revolutionize the game on and off the field. Take a look at the top 5 technologies to watch out for in Russia:
- Video-Assisted Referee (VAR) — Allows on-field referees to refer situations to a video referee.
- 4K UHD Video & VR — The first time a 4K feed will be made available to broadcasters.
- Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems (EPTS) — A tablet-based system that gives every coach access to player statistics and video footage in real time.
- 5G in Russia — Covers stadiums, fan zones, transportation hubs, and landmarks.
- Adidas Telstar ball — “Telstar 18” is a reimagining of Adidas’s first World Cup ball and claims to improve performance durability both in the stadium and on the street.
(Source: Time Magazine)
