Kozminski Techblog

The bionic eye and its promising future
Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetic disease that has taken the eyes off of a multitude of people. A way to partially restore their vision with a retinal prosthesis has already been developed. Argus II, however, does not restore full visual efficiency, but only allows you to recognize movement and shapes.
At the moment, the patient receives a small implant with built-in electrodes. A blind person also wears glasses with a built-in camera. The colours of light registered by the camera cause the activation of individual electrodes. The impulse entering the brain stimulates the formation of a certain image. The image is black and white and displays as 60 dots.

The next step
However, scientists do not stop there. Their goal is to create a bionic eye that accurately reflects the way the eye’s retina works.
The first problem researchers at the University of Southern California encountered was the activation of more than one axon when information was transmitted via the electrode. Axons are the network of nerve connections that corresponds to the transmission of electrical impulses in the brain. They are responsible for seeing.
By testing different options for activating single axons as well as a group of axons, scientists were able to select the most promising combination of impulses. It should generate a signal that will go directly to the selected cell.

Colour recognition
The colour issue was another conundrum. Seeing only in black and white significantly impoverishes the image seen by a given person. Scientists from USC began to look for a method that would enable colour recognition.
It was noticed that depending on the colour, the frequency of the signal sent by the axons changes. In this way, it is possible to observe reactions not only to one given colour, but also to its various shades. In addition, scientists gain a great deal of knowledge about how the human eye works and how colours are recognized.
Of course, an advanced computer turned out to be an indispensable tool in this research. Thanks to it, it was possible to create certain models, analyse a huge amount of data, and more.


Sources:
https://scitechdaily.com/advanced-computer-model-enables-improvements-to-bionic-eye-technology
https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=302598
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210409/Advanced-computer-model-could-lead-to-improvements-in-bionic-eye-technology.aspx

Many players have problems with beating a difficult level in the game. It’s also frustrating at times when you can’t leave your desk while playing online. Sony engineers decided to find a way to overcome these difficulties.

Artificial Intelligence will learn the way the game is played by the player. Based on the collected data, it will recreate the style of the game in order to achieve results similar to those possible for a given player. In the initial stages, an analysis of a certain base of basic behaviours is foreseen, but over time it will be expanded, as well as the analytical capabilities of artificial intelligence. The result is a bot that plays indistinguishably from the player who trained his neural network. Sony has patented its invention.

Sources:

https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/322179-sony-patents-ai-that-plays-games-for-you

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-has-patented-an-ai-that-will-play-your-games-for-you

https://www.pcgamer.com/sony-patents-an-ai-bot-that-will-play-your-games-for-you

https://www.techspot.com/news/89440-sony-patent-describes-ai-plays-games-you.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2021-04-sony-ai-customize-video-game.html

Although more than a year has passed since the creation of Xenobots, today we can meet their improved version. Now Xenobots are stronger, have a simple memory and their life is longer. They also differ from their predecessors in how they cope with survival in a group.

Their story began in January 2020 with an experiment, the effects of which were then impossible to predict. Researchers at Tufts University and the University of Vermont have developed an algorithm to simulate evolution. Using a supercomputer, they tested thousands of possible cell configurations. When they managed to select the most promising pair, they combined them using microsurgical instruments. The researchers used the genotype of the frog Xenopus laevis. It turns out, that genes spontaneously transform in a different way than would be the case in the development of this amphibian. For example, eyelashes usually used to generate mucus transform to gain a locomotive function.

Xenobots are created similarly to other robots, but they are made up of living components. Researchers created something between a living organism and a robot. Previous versions of Xenobots already had the ability to heal themselves. There is also some kind of cooperation between individual cells in certain situations. This valuable experience helps scientists understand how cells interact and communicate.

Sources:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210331143050.htm?fbclid=IwAR01q8XiEQB6D7vEmVfsA1UdH8fzOAvyxIQEOjy8n_POny7NlCIpXMVmU0

https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/living-micro-robots-were-born-from-frog-cells

https://www.unite.ai/xenobots-2-0-are-here-and-still-developed-with-frog-stem-cells/

https://singularityhub.com/2021/04/02/scientists-made-living-self-healing-robots-from-frog-skin-cells/

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe history of the first supersonic flights dates back to the 60s of the last century. However, until nowadays technology and regulations allow to use their potential.

Boom Technology, an American startup is working on the construction of the new supersonic plane. Their mission is to bring back the supersonic travel and make it widely affordable.

Supersonic flight has existed for over 50 years, but the technology to make it efficient and mainstream has only recently been accepted by regulators. We’re combining materials and technologies proven on other passenger aircraft into a breakthrough new design, giving passengers and airlines a revolutionary speedup.

Supersonic aircraft is able to fly faster than a speed of sound which is Mach 1. Aircraft presented by Boom Technology should reach the speed Mach 2.2. This technology allows shortening the flight time by half.

„If we can fly twice as fast, the world becomes twice as small, turning far off lands into familiar neighbours.” – Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Technology

Will supersonic flights become a norm? 

Until now, supersonic aircrafts have been used mainly for military purposes. Boom tries to make a supersonic flight a new standard for business class passengers. The company presents an idea of the business class airliner – Overture

Overture has 55 premium seats with large personal window. Places are designed in a way that guarantees privacy, convenience and conducive to productivity. The overhead storages are removed and replaced with locker located under the seat which allows easier access to the luggage.

What is the most important, Overture significantly reduces flight time in comparison to currently available air connections. Flight to London from New York can last 3h 15 min instead of 7h and from Sydney to Los Angeles 6h 45 min instead of 15h. Moreover, the cost of such a flight is to be similar to the flights offered by subsonic business class flights.

The company has already built the one-third scale, two-seat supersonic demonstrator called XB-1 Baby Boom. Boom Technology claims that “XB-1 is the first independently developed supersonic jet and history’s fastest civil aircraft.”. During the flight test in 2019 form, Mojave Air & Space Port in Southern California Baby Boom should maintain March 2.2.

An era of supersonic flights is almost here. It has not been possible on a massive scale to cover huge areas and such a short time. Soon it will be standard available for everyone. What will be the next step in improving travel quality?

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Reading Time: 2 minutesNowadays we are increasingly using different devices while driving cars. We do so to perform everyday activities in order to save time or just for entertainment. However, it is dangerous due to the significant limitation of the focus on driving the vehicle. Using phones can be responsible for every fourth traffic accident. Therefore, every driver should take care to limit the use of a smartphone while driving. One way is to reduce the number of devices to one that has all needed functions. One of such gadgets that appeared on market is Chris. It is a digital assistant made for drivers that safely operate your apps by voice and gesture while driving. It allows the driver to listen to music, messaging or calling.

For your safety, comfort and control

It is connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth which allows access to your favourite music or contact list without any cables. Dictating, sending and receiving messages happen without typing and looking at the screen. The user can give commands by voice and simple gestures that allow you to change the volume, stop music or end the incoming call. Moreover, the voice recognition works without a defined set of commands. That is because of the use of Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing which constantly improve Chris’s performance. Another advantage is the navigation system that works offline and provides real-time traffic information.

Chris is also compatible with applications like Messenger, WhatsApp, Email, Spotify, Apple Music or Google Music and allows to use them without touching the smartphone – driver’s hands stay on the wheel. It works in every car regardless of the model and with any modern smartphone. All the driver has to do is to connect Chris to the smartphone and car audio system. In addition, it is timelessly designed so it fits into every car interior. All these features make it an irreplaceable assistant for almost every driver.

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Reading Time: 3 minutesWhat will the house of the future look like? Today people are surrounded by more and more home appliances that facilitate everyday functioning. We buy more and more gadgets that relieve us in everyday duties. For instance, over thirty-nine million Americans have a smart speaker in their homes. That is around 1 in 6 people. Convenience related to the use of these devices makes us unable to imagine life without them. Self-vacuuming vacuum cleaner- why not? Smart fridge with the functions of a smartphone? Here it is!

The intelligent refrigerator

We have already seen the first smart refrigerators in science fiction movies such as The 6^th Day, The Stepford Wives or Total Recall in which they informed about the lack of drink or let leave messages through the touchscreen. Actually, these functions are no longer a figment from science fiction movies but a reality.

There are many models of intelligent refrigerators on the market and demand is constantly growing. But what exactly makes a fridge unique? Let’s look at the advantages of a smart fridge.

“The smart fridge isn’t smart because it opens up new doors and provides you with new experiences. It’s smart because it takes care of things, you’d rather not dedicate brainpower to in the first place.”[1]

 How many times have you gone to the shop and forgot to buy a product that turned out to be necessary to prepare your favourite dish? Or maybe you have prepared too much food to eat it? How often do you throw away products about which you have forgotten, and, in the meantime, they have expired?

Tons of food are wasted every day. The alarming fact is that about the quarter of the food that is wasted in the UK, US and Europe is enough to stop world hunger. Well, modern household equipment such as intelligent refrigerator may be helpful in making positive changes starting from your own household. It can help us to waste less food, manage our groceries, save money and make everyday life a little bit easier.

What’s inside? 

Many models are equipped with a touch screen and wi-fi connection, which allow access to a number of additional functions. Built-in cameras and smartphone connection allow you to see what is inside from anywhere. You can also search for a recipe that requires the use of products that are in your fridge.

What is more, you get a notification about products that will expire soon. This is especially helpful in the conscious planning of grocery shopping, makes us buy less and more reasonable. It is also a huge time saver when it comes to decision making. Thanks to these facilities, it is easier to change our eating habits for the better.

Instead of fridge magnets and stickers: notifications, calendar and notepad functions.

It allows to leave a message for your family and keep there all important information related to family life.

The end of the opening fridge from boredom.

Fridges with a tinted glass panel allow you to see the contents of the refrigerator without opening the door which stops the cold air inside. All you have to is to knock twice.

What is more, intelligent refrigerators are also highly energy-efficient. It is important due to fact that they use electricity incessantly.

For your comfort.

You can also use an internet browser and applications that allow you to order food or even an uber. Due to a function of issuing voice commands, you can easily play music while constantly cooking. The broad touch screen allows to draw, watch pictures or even play the episode of your favourite series.

What’s next?

What will be the next function of an intelligent refrigerator? All that is missing is that it fills up itself.

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Reading Time: 2 minutesThe first drones were used on a battlefield. Now they are used in many other areas and their potential is still growing. Solutions offered by drones improve the quality of life and sometimes can even save it. Here are some interesting applications of drones that are possible to use on daily basis.

Ambulance Drone

A project that aims to improve current emergency infrastructure with a network of drones capable of saving lives.[1] The drone can carry lifesaving technology such as an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Thanks to this fact, it is possible to help in cases of respiratory issues or heart attacks. Moreover, assistance provided by drones is faster than an ambulance. It is possible because drones move in the airspace in a straight line at speed of  100 km per hour, thereby avoids typically difficulties encountered in road traffic. This may increase the chances of survival from 8 to 80%. The ambulance drone is carefully designed and made using 3D printing and carbon fibre frame construction so that it is more efficient and can move faster. It is also equipped with a camera and microphone thanks to which it not only supplies the necessary equipment but also enables to contact with an emergency medical dispatcher who provides professional instructions and controls situation.

Smog fighters

Drones equipped with sensors that check the number of undesirable substances in the air can successfully fight with smog. Such drone flies close to the chimneys and captures substances characteristic for the combustion of waste, not coal or wood in the smoke. This solution is supposed to help to identify households in which rubbish are used for heating. These drones are successfully tested in Poland. However, this is not the only country which use drones to fight smog. In China, drones are also used to spray substances that bind air pollution to reduce smog. It is especially useful in case of low visibility within airports.

 Instead of fireworks

All over the world, on the occasion of such events as the New Year’s Eve, spectacular firework shows are organized. However, not everyone realizes that fireworks cause a lot of damages to the environment. Significant air pollution is one of them. A huge amount of toxins, chemicals and metal particles gets into an atmosphere in a short period of time. Next defect is the noise that has a harmful effect on the animals. Moreover, drones are safer and much cheaper than fireworks. The drone displays are often more glamorous than traditional shows. They are becoming more and more popular and have been used during the 2018 Winter Olympics, a Super Bowl halftime show in 2017, and a 2018 4th of July celebration. [2]

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