Technology Discoveries on Road Trip 2010
On June 24 CNET reporter Daniel Terdiman began his journey up and down the East Coast in search for new and interesting technology, research and development. Throughout the tour Terdiman will stop at NASA, the Naval Academy, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia. His latest stop was the Media Lab at MIT where he took a look at some groundbreaking technological advances, a few of are definitely worth mentioning:
-NETRA, or near-eye tool for refractive assessment, is a smartphone application and device combo that would provide large numbers of people around the world with quick and easy eye tests, similar to what is available in a doctor’s office. An application of this kind could easily serve the 2 billion people with refractive issues, especially those in rural areas.
-Electrodermal sensors fitted to autistic children will help occupational therapists during sessions better understand the child’s emotional moods and work constructively. These sensors are the combination of biosensors, artificial intelligence and assistive technologies.
-The CityCar, better referred to as the folding vehicle, can fit into the tiniest parking spaces and could radically change urban environments. The battery-electric car is expected to average at least 150 miles per gallon, can rotate on its own axis- 360°- park sideways, and because there is no central engine it can be folded into a smaller vehicle.
What could the CityCar mean for the energy crisis? Do you think applications like NETRA will help developing countries become more competitive?
