circuitbreaker

A big trend in AI is the transition from cloud to edge computing. Instead of AI devices doing their computation remotely via an internet connection, they’re increasingly handling things locally, with algorithms working directly on-device. Benefits of this approach can include faster results, greater security, and more flexibility. But how far can you push this model? Seattle-based startup Xnor is certainly right at the bleeding-edge. This week the company unveiled a prototype AI camera that runs entirely off solar power — no battery or external power source required. The camera has a piddling 320 x 320 resolution, an FGPA chip to handle processing, and is loaded with a state of the art object recognition algorithm. You could, theoretically, stick a device like this anywhere outdoors and have it transmit data back to you indefinitely. It’s compatible with a few different low-energy wireless communication protocols (because Wi-Fi drains too much battery) which let it … [Read more...] about This wireless AI camera runs entirely on solar power

An update to Samsung’s wearables app has inadvertently revealed an entire lineup of new products that are presumably set to be unveiled alongside the Galaxy S10 next week. The Galaxy Wearable app for Android, formerly known as Samsung Gear, now displays several new products on the front page including wireless earbuds, a smartwatch, and a fitness band. The update was spotted by Twitter account SamCentralTech. The Galaxy Watch Active is first on the list, and looks to be the same sports-focused smartwatch that recently leaked under the supposed name Galaxy Sport. It has a 40mm case, according to the app, and comes in at least two colors. Nothing about the new head-on image gives any further clues about how Samsung might replace its traditional rotating-bezel UI, however. Next is the Galaxy Fit and Galaxy Fit e, two fitness bands with watch-style rubber straps. The “Galaxy Fit e” name leaked through a Bluetooth certification last month, but this is the first time … [Read more...] about Samsung leaks entire new wearables lineup through its own app

Move over, sex buttons, it turns out that the company most likely to improve couples’ relationships and save marriages is actually... Ford? The company has been known to develop conceptual prototypes that utilize its car technology in unexpected ways, like this smart crib that puts babies fast asleep by replicating car rides, or this noise-canceling dog kennel. This time, the company’s created a conveyor belt bed that takes inspiration from Ford’s lane-keeping technology to keep bed hoggers on their own side. The bed has a pressure sensor that can tell when your partner has clearly violated your half of the bed, which is rightfully yours. Ford’s blog says the conveyor belt gently returns “selfish sleepers” to where they should be, much like how Ford’s Lane-Keeping Aid shifts vehicles back in to their correct lanes by “nudging” the steering wheel in the correct direction. Though it’s just a prototype, Ford’s definitely … [Read more...] about Ford made a conveyor belt mattress to keep bed hoggers in their own lane

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been running out of HDMI ports for as long as they’ve existed. Beats me why no TV manufacturers ever equip their sets with more than four. Maybe it’s only a problem for people who perpetually feel the need to own every modern gaming console and a streaming box. But right now I have all four ports occupied, the fourth by a five-way splitter that itself is entirely occupied. What this means is that each time an enticing new TV-adjacent gadget comes out, I have to make a tough decision about what to remove from my setup. Until this past week, I’d barely touched the PlayStation Classic I bought on a Boxing Day fire sale, simply because I didn’t have anywhere to plug it in. Half its value as a product is as a cute ornament, sure, but I should at least be able to play the odd round of Ridge Racer Type 4. Then I took delivery of a pink battery-powered monitor and everything was fine. The Taihe Gemini is a 15.6-inch monitor … [Read more...] about The Taihe Gemini will sell you on battery-powered monitors

If you’ve ever wanted to indulge in a life of luxury, with the weirdly specific desire to shower like a billionaire, you’re in luck. Silicon Valley shower startup Nebia is releasing a cheaper, updated version of its Nebia Spa Shower, which uses atomized water droplets to conserve water. The company’s partnered up with Moen, and their Kickstarter for the Nebia Spa Shower 2.0 launches today. Since it was founded in 2014, Nebia’s gotten some pretty big names attached to it — its product design engineers previously worked at NASA, Tesla, and Apple, and the company is backed by the likes of Tim Cook, Eric Schmidt, and Y Combinator. Nebia says its halo showerhead and wand can spray you with “millions of tiny droplets with 10 times more surface area than your regular shower,“ and saves 65 percent more water in the process. So far, the first Nebia shower has saved 100 million gallons of water, and is on track to saving one billion gallons in the next … [Read more...] about The Tim Cook-backed ‘shower of the future’ is back with a Moen partnership