November 3, 2016
With a relatively simple software update, your smartwatch could be even smarter. Researchers have developed a proof-of-concept that can take any smartwatch and make it capable of telling what object (which must be vibrating in your hand) you are currently holding. This is done by changing how often the watch […]
October 28, 2016
California’s tech sector is expanding into new areas. It’s Governor, Jerry Brown, recently signed a law allowing for self-driving cars with no steering wheel, no pedals and don’t need a human driver. Maximum speed: 35 mph. However, this law doesn’t apply to the whole state of California; it’s specific to […]
October 24, 2016
It’s a scary, ominous thought: The cybersecurity systems we currently have in place aren’t working. That’s what Ron Ross told the National Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity during a meeting in Minneapolis. Ross should know what he’s talking about; he’s the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s top computer security […]
October 12, 2016
I came across some articles recently about Nissan’s autonomous chairs (here and here). Wait! Is that a typo? Should “chairs” be “cars”? No, it was not a typo. Seriously? Then is it a parody? Nope. Nissan does have autonomous chairs. Instead of standing in a line, patrons can instead sit […]
September 29, 2016
A few companies are working on developing autonomous long-haul trucks for freeways. Articles here, here, and here mention the following as some of the driving (pun intended) factors for this technology: A driver shortage exists. Old drivers are retiring faster than new ones are joining. Trucks can stay on the […]
September 27, 2016
You’re driving down a road in the middle of the winter. It’s the morning rush hour, and ice still clutches the roads. Without you being aware of it, the bridge up ahead of you sends a signal (via an internet connection) to your car, warning you to slow down because […]
August 19, 2016
We interact with embedded systems every day. You wake up, and turn on the coffee machine. You watch TV as you get dressed. At work, you send a fax. After work, you stop by the bank’s ATM, then use a GPS system to find a new restaurant. Some people return […]
August 4, 2016
When the new self-driving Tesla S car is in autopilot mode, a number of embedded systems are activated: Forward radar. Forward-looking camera. 360-degree ultrasonic sonar capable of detecting cars, children and pets 16 feet in any direction. A high-precision, digitally-controlled electric assist braking system. Thus, it’s no surprise that on […]
July 28, 2016
While many people wonder if they’re ready for self-driving cars, maybe we ought to be asking, “Are autonomous cars ready for us to use?” With almost daily headlines about such cars getting into accidents, it’s clear that they still struggle to discern conflicting data which we humans even struggle resolving. […]
July 12, 2016
Could you be wasting money on the next USB cable you buy? It’s possible. Maybe even probable. Recently I needed to monitor the current flow through a USB cable charging the battery in a USB device as part of a patent claim analysis. I used an oscilloscope with data-collection capabilities […]