By Laura Kobylecky

Rachel Crane, an Innovation and Space Reporter for CNN, is interviewing Kat Coderre, Systems Engineer/Senior Staff at Lockheed Martin, and Jana Stoudemire Commercial Innovation Officer at Space Tango. Her conversation circles largely around the ways that space travel and the ISS have inspired innovations that can apply both in space and back on earth.

The upcoming Artemis program is supposed to include another moon landing and this is the sort of situation that calls for increased radiation protection
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Kat Coderre and Astrorad

Kat Coderre is working on a project that could be very important for the future of space travel. She is working on Astrorad (1) “a vest that is designed to protect astronauts from the deep space radiation environment.” The project is an example of the kind of global collaboration that is sometimes necessary and now possible for space innovation. For Astrorad, Lockheed Martin Partnered with Stemrad, “a small Israeli business” and repurposed a product they invented to protect people from radiation on earth. With the help of “NASA, the Israeli Space Agency, and The German Aerospace Center” they are adapting it for use in space.

This project is an example of how space brings together “big players” and “a lot of smaller businesses” even those that might not normally work together. Coderre explains that “the ISS has really enabled this to happen.”

Rachel Crane, an Innovation and Space Reporter for CNN, is interviewing Kat Coderre
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This week, on the ISS, they are doing their “first set of tests” on the Astrorad. It is “an ergonomics experiment to see if the vest is comfortable.” They need to know “if the crew can actually do what they need to do” in the microgravity of space. Coderre explains that “it’s super fun” to test on the ISS and have the chance to speak with the crew. The “real-time feedback” is both crucial and exciting.

Eventually, they would like to put the Astrorad through “an actual deep-space radiation environment test.” This is crucial because once they move farther from low earth orbit, the astronauts will face even higher levels of radiation. The upcoming Artemis program is supposed to include another moon landing and this is the sort of situation that calls for increased radiation protection. In future missions to deeper space, the vests could allow the astronauts to “stay longer in space” and “fly for many more missions” by protecting the astronauts from the potential risks of cancer caused by the “high radiation dosage.”

These vests could be a crucial part of making that possible. Coderre speaks highly of working on this project with the ISS. She explains that “from the start of actually being selected as a payload all the way through opps and then post opps” you have “a really great support team. This project was a bit more complicated because it involved “human research,” but the team involved with the ISS “helped us to walk us through that process.” They will be testing to assure that the vests are safe for astronauts and won’t cause any problems on the ISS. Coderre finds it exciting to be able to “able to talk live with the crew” and also “cool to see them on the space station working with your hardware.”

Jana Stoudemire and Space Tango

Jana Stoudemire also talks about research and development in space and the work being done by Spacetango (2). They flew their first payloads in 2017 and have been part of 18 missions since then. They are focused on “leading the commercialization efforts to build new markets in low earth orbit for the space economy.” Future grown may be more possible than ever because “the infrastructure that’s being put in space” will allow them to “leverage that commercial space economy.”

There are commercial crew missions, commercial resupply missions and eventually there will be private astronaut missions. These new segments will “expand the commercial potential that we have up there.” And what’s up there is valuable. Microgravity can “change the physical and biological properties of systems.” These changes can be useful from a research perspective. Their goal is to eventually manufacture biomedical and technology related products” that can do good for the people back on the ground.

One example is LambdaVision “the first protein-based artificial retina to restore meaningful vision for patients who are blind or have lost significant sight due to advanced retinal degenerative diseases” (3). The company is an early-stage startup. According to Stoudemire they use a “a layer by layer deposition process that benefits from the uniformity you get in microgravity.”

There are other properties unique to microgravity environment and, according to Stoudemire, Space Tango intends to “to leverage those properties for manufacturing.” She explains that research in microgravity makes you think differently. The questions you ask “after you’ve worked in microgravity” are ones “that you wouldn’t have thought of beforehand.”

One thing that makes these experiments possible is automation. The astronauts are very busy and Stoudemire explains that “we really can’t thank the astronauts that are up there enough” because “they do a lot of science. The automation of some tasks “helps to offload” the burden so the astronauts can focus on the tasks they absolutely must do themselves like “spacewalks, keeping the station running and exercising to keep themselves healthy.”

Space Tango has seen great value in “automated systems” that can be initially installed by the astronauts and then commanded from the ground. According to her these automated systems don’t really “require as much of their time as some of the more manual experiments that they have to do.” By expanding automation they can expand the capacity of what can be accomplished with the help of astronauts on the ISS.

One thing that makes these experiments possible is automation
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Stoudemire speaks highly of the future of space, explaining that “it’s really an interesting time.” According to her we “have American astronauts launch from American soil on American rockets” and because of this “visibility of space is back and it’s cool.” She believes this will encourage more people to start “to get behind the space program again.” She encourages people in this time to “dream big, reach for those stars, and keep going.”

Kat Coderre and Jana Stoudemire have brought optimism about innovation in space to CES. In this time when many people are more confined than ever before, they may dream of exciting innovations and global collaborations occurring far above their heads.

Tech Trends’ Digital Consultancy services offer support for companies looking to enhance brand strategy with immersive technologies such as Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality

Laura Kobylecky is a contributing writer to Tech Trends. She is particularly interested in new and emerging technology and culture. Connect with her on LinkedIn 

The post Invention in Space at #CES2021 appeared first on Tech Trends.

By Laura Kobylecky

In this “unprecedented” time, as corporations are so fond of saying, some companies have shifted the focus of their presentations to better suit the times at CES 2021, an online-only conference. Dr. Michael Bolle, a member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH and Mike Mansuetti, president of Bosch in North America are here on behalf of Bosch with some timely missives from the company about their efforts to help the environment (using AI and other solutions), fight Covid and train workers.

Bosch is a “a leading global supplier of technology and services,” but today their focus is on sustainability, as well as technology that applies to the particular difficulties of the here and now.

Bolle introduces himself and takes a moment to “thank technology for this remarkable press conference.” He remarks aptly, that “a few decades ago, a pandemic such as the one we’re experiencing today, would have meant the total breakdown of our social and working lives.” However, thanks to technology, “hundreds of millions of people have seen little to no drop in their productivity at work.” This connectivity has allowed “us” to overcome some of “the biggest challenges of our time”

The Environment

However, in Bolle’s words “focusing on the global existential threat of the pandemic” might have reminded us that we should also be focusing on the “greater existential threat facing us all… climate change.” In part, the comparison may be drawn because both of these threats require “huge effort and collaboration” and both situations involve the reality that “doing nothing will cost even more.”

As part of their solution, Bosch became “carbon neutral by the end of 2020” and is the “first global industrial enterprise to have achieved this,” according to internal calculations. They have done this by “increasing energy efficiency” and “expanding the production of renewable energy.”

From a product perspective, Bosch has focused on heating systems that “can help individual households save 2.5 tons of CO2 annually in Germany alone.” Their dishwasherswith Zeolith technology “offer an energy savings of up to 20 percent” and their washing machines are also designed to save water. Their range of power tools are designed to last longer, reducing waste thanks to their “intelligent power management.”

AIoT: Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things

This is where AIoT and data become crucial to sustainability.

Their “cloud-based” Energy Platform helps manufacturing operations run at peak efficiency. It “uses intelligent algorithms to help predict energy consumption, energy consumption, avoid peak loads, and correct deviations in typical patterns of consumption.” Connected devices collect data and AI uses that data to make it all work out to save time and resources.

Bosch “camera ecosystem helps stores use their cameras to enforce local Covid regulations #CES2021
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Bosch contrasts their approach with “many other tech companies” where AI is “primarily about creating models of human behavior, focusing especially on purchasing preferences.” At Bosch, they focus on objects’ interactions with their environment. They “explain the physical world to machines” in order to optimize their work and “enable intelligent behavior” for things like “identifying faulty parts in production” or for an “an automotive emergency breaking assistant.”

But for all of this intelligent AI, Bosch wants to assure you that they have “created an AI code of ethics for our development and application of AI.” They are referred to as “guidelines” (1) and are about as binding as Google’s former “don’t be evil” slogan. Bosch emphasizes the need to “build trust in the technology.”

Coronavirus

For a more immediate need, Bosch has developed a rapid test for corona virus. The PCR test launched in March of 2020. The “time-to-result” period has been shaved down to under 30 minutes, an improvement from their initial two and a half hours, and cartridges accommodate “up to five samples simultaneously.” This allows for testing to be done faster. With amped up production, Bosch aims to increase “our testing capacity to three million this year.” Good news for the production of a timely test in a testing time.

The testing also harnesses AIoT, because “devices deployed in the field are also automatically updated with the optimized procedure.” As long as there is an internet connection present, the devices get updates because “this connected device gets software updates via our Vivasuite cloud platform.” Optimized procedures yield faster results. Another helpful feature.

Another Covid-oriented solution is the Bosch “camera ecosystem,” which helps stores use their cameras to enforce local Covid regulations (by equipping the cameras with “custom applications”). Bosch also created an “air-quality sensor” that includes, among other features, a measurement of “the amount of exhaled air and aerosols present in a room.” This could be highly relevant for reducing airborne transmission.

Jobs

Another side effect of the pandemic is the economic fallout of people with jobs sectors decimated by the current situation. Bosch has plans to help with that too, in their own way. Mike Mansuetti explains the Bosch’s “IoT apprenticeship” program explaining how they “recruit talented non-engineers with transferable skills. Then, we train them in system architecture, design, and coding.” Their “first cohort of IoT apprentices includes a former chef, a shop technician, and a personal banking manager,” so they truly do come from a variety of fields.

By recruiting such an assortment of people they can broaden their talent pool. This fulfills what they call their “build strategy,” a method by which they develop talent in order to meet their “software engineering needs in a very challenging recruiting environment.”

Bolle returns to explain how Bosch overall goal of ensuring “competitiveness in a world where climate change and a global pandemic are accelerating transformation and change.” For Bosch, there is no conflict between profitability and sustainability. They are in fact, “two sides of the same coin.”

A global pandemic are accelerating transformation and change #CES2021
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The pursuit of sustainability leads to energy efficiency and this creates “cost efficiency,” all while providing some protection from the instability of energy prices. It also gives them access to the popular “eco-friendly products” market. They optimistically view the challenges of “climate-friendly” design as a way to “think outside the box.” Bosch has even found “new business opportunities” by offering “carbon-neutrality consulting and services” to other companies. It’s a green on green world for Bosch.

Bosch certainly tailored some of their presentation to suit the unique problems facing the world during CES 2021. They offer some interesting perspectives and solutions. For now, it seems that profit and sustainability are balanced in the eyes of Bosch. It will be interesting to see how these ideas play out in the months and years to come.

Tech Trends’ Digital Consultancy services offer support for companies looking to enhance brand strategy with immersive technologies such as Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality

Laura Kobylecky is a contributing writer to Tech Trends. She is particularly interested in new and emerging technology and culture. Connect with her on LinkedIn 

The post #CES2021 Virtual Conference – Bosh Innovations appeared first on Tech Trends.

By Laura Kobylecky

CES is a yearly technology trade show and conference, owned and operated by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). Last year, it snuck in under the wire, on January 7-10^th in Las Vegas, before 2020’s wave of coronavirus-related cancelations. This year, like many other conferences, it happens in an online-only format.

The event features a combination of video and some interactive elements. When you log into the website, you are greeted by a short video, explaining the basic functions of the website and accompanied by a jaunty little melody. The Exhibitor showcases begin on Tuesday, January 12. On Monday the 11^th there are live videos available.   Closed-captioning is one of the bonuses of the digital experience.

This year, like many other conferences CES happens in an online-only format
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One of these live videos is the “CTA’s Tech Trends Live Q&A,” with Steve Koenig, VP of research, and Lesley Rorhbaugh, director of research for CTA.

When asked about what technologies they find exciting for this year, Rorhbaugh mentions that smartphone technology interests her. Koenig mentions Mercedes Benz new high-tech MBUX dashboard.

When asked about expectations for smart glasses, Koenig expresses enthusiasm. Saying “this is definitely the year for AR. He emphasizes that the future maybe be found in “discrete solutions” and “degrees of immersion.” The discretion can be found in wearables that you can wear “all of the time.” These sorts of glasses won’t look out of place in the day-to-day.

The “degrees of immersion” can be found by moving past the segmented world of VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality), and MR (mixed reality). Really, these terms describe only how much the “virtual” has replaced or overlaid the “real” world. With this sort of easy-wear wearable, more easily integrated in the day to day, the level of immersion is not perfectly defined and might vary based on your personal usage.

This is definitely the year for AR
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Rorhbaugh is excited about voice technology. She envisions this as something that could help in-vehicle tech, particularly autonomous vehicles. From her perspective “safety plays a really key role” in that sector and voice technology might contribute to that.

In regard to another hot topic, remote learning, Koenig is optimistic to an extent. He believes in the positive side of “extending opportunities” and feels that universities may “lean into these spaces.” In a “post-crisis” world they will have “manifold options” to continue using this technology to their benefit. He believes that some of the current “friction” in the online learning world will be improved when the world is not in a “panicked rush online.”

Koenig believes that 5G networks will become significant in the near and distant future. He believes they will reach “dense urban areas first.” After that “we’ll be talking about this at CES’s in the next few years, how 5 g is just gonna really overlay the entire global economy.”

5G networks will become significant in the near and distant future
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The CTE trend forecasting session at CES is a bright take on a complicated year
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Televisions are another subject of optimism. In Koenig’s opinion, “there’s always something next for TV at CES.” Unfortunately, CES 2021 will require a bit more imagination than years past. There’s really no way to judge the crystal clear realism of a TV when it’s viewed through the window of another screen. But Koenig remains positive that these “massive, massive, TVs” being showcased will delight the public. With 4K and HDR being standard fare at the moment he believes that “we’ll see more 8k displays” and even greater resolution. He also thinks there will be more competition in the “OLED” (organic light-emitting diode) space.

In his opinion, smart TV is another thing that “continues to get better and better.” Touch-less technology will allow greater and simpler command and control. He also has believes AI applications will learn our viewing patterns and enhance the viewing experience as they “serve up content to us.”

There's always something next for TV at CES
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Other ideas mentioned in this session are smart masks, data dashboards, smart filtration systems, and emergency alert systems that create a more connected world or leverage the Internet of Things.

The CTE trend forecasting session at CES is a bright take on a complicated year. These ideas may serve as inspiration for those curious about what’s new and next for the world of consumer technology in 2021.

Tech Trends’ Digital Consultancy services offer support for companies looking to enhance brand strategy with immersive technologies such as Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality

Laura Kobylecky is a contributing writer to Tech Trends. She is particularly interested in new and emerging technology and culture. Connect with her on LinkedIn 

The post CES: The Online Experience appeared first on Tech Trends.