DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF by Maryanne Kane, Journalist
DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF
By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane
A LITTLE TIPSEY? YOUR SMARTPHONE MAY SAVE THE DAY!
Source: Stock
- Smartphones may be able to detect how drunk someone is and provide an alert that it's not safe to drive. Here's what we know:
- Based on changes in your voice, smartphones could recognize that you've had too much to drink
- Sensors in the phone can pick up changes in the voice
- Scientists from Stanford University and the University of Toronto assessed 18 adult's sobriety status via sensors that could be enabled on smartphones
- Their sensors were able to determine levels of intoxication with 98% accuracy
- The accuracy is stunning and surprising according to lead researcher Prof. Brian Suffoletto, who used highly advanced signal processing tech, machine learning and acoustical analysis
- The research goal is to develop a just-in-time intervention system on the smartphone to alert people that they are too intoxicated to drive
- The team envisions combining several sensors for voice, gait and texting behavior
- This will likely be a smartphone app with sensors to determine the level of intoxication
- They hope to develop an intervention system that people are willing to use that will help to prevent accidents, injuries and save lives.
- Professor Suffoletto suggests that these findings show the potential to deploy smartphones as a warning system and deterrent to prevent driving mishaps and deaths as a result of excessive drinking
- As smartphones are so widespread in use, this innovative preventative drunk driving app could be a potential lifesaver.
NEW TYPE OF AIRSHIP FROM CO-FOUNDER OF GOOGLE
- Google co-founder Sergey Brin is a big fan of dirigibles and is bankrolling the development of a huge, new type of dirigible airship. Here are some key facts:
- Next-G, new type of airship-dirigible, developed over the past ten years by LTA (Lighter Than Air) Research in California
- It's called Pathfinder 1
- It's being called the world's largest aircraft
- Has latest technologies like electric motors, lidar sensor system, fly-by-wire controls
- Filled with non-flammable helium for lift
- Vertical take-off and landing vehicle
- Top speed - 75 mph
- Hybrid propulsion system has 2, 150 Kw diesel generators with 24 batteries to power 12 electric motors
- Just successfully flew its 1st test flight
- Single pilot vehicle that can carry 14 people
- Funded by billionaire Brin to achieve big breakthroughs in the old blimp technology
- All electric
- Longer than 3 Boeing 737's at 408' long
- Can carry 200 tons of cargo as an alternative to cargo planes, ships and trains
- Brin wants the Pathfinder to be used for humanitarian relief missions that are not road accessible
- This new type of aviation doesn't require much infrastructure for takeoffs and landings
- LTA Research is moving to Akron, Ohio, home of the Goodyear Blimp
- Next steps: making Pathfinder bigger and a lot more flight testing on this green airship.
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