Important Innovations

New Device Generates Electricity from Moisture in the Air Source:  UMASS Amherst Potential Green Energy Gamechanger Scientists at UMASS Amherst have invented a device that uses a natural protein to create electricity from the moisture in the air.  They call it the "Air-Gen" for air powered generator.  The device doesn't need sunlight or wind and creates clean energy 24/7.  It's a renewable process that works off the moisture in the air, both outdoors and indoors.  The inventors say it is low-cost, renewable and nonpolluting. Big Energy Possibilities The system now can power small electronic devices.  The team wants to take it to the commercial level to power electronics wearables and smartwatches.  They foresee the day when this system could eliminate the need to plug in your smartphone for energy.  Their system eliminates the need for batteries. How It Works The UMASS system connects electrodes to unique protein nanowires.  It...

Connectivity and Style - Fashion Titan Yves Saint Laurent Partners with Google Source:  Yves Saint Laurent Smart Shoulder Strap Powered by Google Project Jacquard It's called the Cit-E Backpack and it features a smart shoulder strap that's powered by Google.  Specifically, by Google's Project Jacquard, that transforms ordinary objects like clothing and backpacks into interactive surfaces.  It weaves touch and gestures into any textile to enable connectivity.  The smart backpack is manufactured by Yves Saint Laurent in a partnership with Google.  YSL is a fashion titan and the price is pricey at $878. Smart Strap, Smart Phone There's a tiny module containing a battery and hardware made by Google that fits into a hollowed-out space in the backpack's compartment.  The module works with the wearer's cellphone and allows the left shoulder strap to control the phone.  There's a special cell phone pocket inside the backpack. Backpack w...

Real Time, Advanced Monitor for When Fido is Home Alone Source:  PetNow Seeing Your Dog's POV PetNow of Toronto, Canada has invented what they're calling the world's 1st, wearable, High Definition camera for dogs.  It shows you the world from your dog's perspective.  And, most importantly, it is a real time monitor, loaded with technology, that shows you exactly what your dog is doing when they're home alone.  The smart camera is WiFi enabled and sits in a harness around the dog's neck.  The system also has 2-way, live audio that allows you to communicate to your pet in real-time. Home Security This advanced dog security monitoring system can be detached from the dog's harness and function as a standard home security camera. For the dog POV, the video from the camera can be lived streamed to a paired device via the internet.  The device can store, record, share the video and capture still images.  As mentioned, there's also a 2-way talk syste...

Tracks Player Performance Source:  Playmakes Playmakes Innovation from UK This is a foot worn wearable that fits around a soccer player's boot.  It provides detailed performance data and insights to the soccer player and their coach.  The purpose is to help boost performance to the next level.  Playmakes takes smart soccer monitoring to a whole new level and was just unveiled by its UK headquartered inventors.  The company has operations in the UK, US, China and Israel. Monitors Play Action and Injury Rehabilitation to Keep Upping Your Game This tracking system goes beyond typical measurements and offers precise measurements on 30 different performance metrics including time on the ball, time to release, motion type, stride length and load monitoring.  Monitoring the lower limbs lets the player and coach check for symmetry and whether the player is favoring one foot or lifting one leg higher than the other in order to correct it.  It also ca...

Wearable Cools in Summer and Warms in Winter Source:  Reon Pocket by Sony Reon Pocket by Sony This new device would have been very handy this hot summer.  The Reon Pocket is a wearable device that's smaller than your smartphone.  Designed to be worn on your back in a special tee-shirt, the gadget cools you in the summer and warms you in the winter. Sony expects to launch the personal temperature device in 2020, most likely in time for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.  For a great news blog, go to Important Innovations Collection: Sony's Wearable Air Conditioner : Smart Phone Controlled Source:  Sony's Reon Pocket Reon Pocket - Cools In Summer and Warms in Winter This is an innovative gadge...

Tracks Your Pet's Location and Their Health Source:  Whistle Whistle Wearables These new gadgets, The Whistle Go and Whistle Explore, help you keep track of your pet's health and location simultaneously.  The device provides location alerts, real time tracking, fitness features, escape alerts from their space and health monitoring.  The battery lasts ten days and the device is waterproof.  It may be Fido's new best friend for protection. GPS Tracking These devices have real-time GPS tracking.  The Whistle Explore is designed for athletic, outdoor dogs that run longer distances in rural locations and rugged environments. Whistle Go Whistle Go is designed for more typical dogs that stay closer to home.  It has GPS but it also monitors your dog's behavior like scratching and sleeping.  It also has an updated app system including weekly heat maps, the dog's daily trips and the progress that your pet is making toward health goals.  It's a...

Get - A Very Smart  Gadget Source:  Get smart bracelet Receive Phone Calls Without Answering the Phone Get is a high tech bracelet developed using bone conduction technology.  It passes audio through the bones in your wrist.  The bracelet decodes sound waves and converts them into vibration. The gadget enables you to take phone calls without pushing a button on your phone, listen to audio and test messages and make payments.  All of these functions while tracking your physical activity, health, biometrics hydration and sleep. It was invented by a team in Turin Italy.  They say it's a hybrid solution between a smartwatch and smart bands. Phone Calls The wearable device has the functionality of a smartwatch with a lot more.  You can leave your smartphone in your pocket.  You take phone calls by simply touching your finger to your ear.  All commands to the device are made by voice and gesture.  There are no screens or but...

New Wearable Gadget Source:  Spryng Mimics and Accelerates Circulation Spryng wearable aids for muscle recovery were created to help injured athletes recover more quickly.  It accelerates injury recovery time by using pneumatic compression.  The pads which go around the lower legs are designed to be used for fifteen minute sessions. Mimics Legs' Natural Physiology The device can be used while you're in motion or at rest.  It is wrapped around the calves.  It massages the legs using pneumatic compression in a "Wavetech" pattern that the company says mimics the natural physiology of the legs.  It aids and accelerates blood circulation to speed up recovery time and flush out lactic acid. Muscle Recovery Gadget The company calls the gadget the world's most advanced muscle recovery tool and claims that it provides faster muscle recovery, better performance and improved circulation.  It mimics natural muscle contractions and increas...

MultiUse Wearable Health Monitor Comprehensive Health Armband for Athletes and Patients In Sweden, KTH Royal Institute of Technology researchers have invented a wearable armband that provides a comprehensive health monitoring system by analyzing both sweat and blood.  It sends the information to an app.  It was designed for runners but also works for patients.  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: Comprehensive Wearable Health Monitor : Swedish Invention:  Multipurpose Sensor Monitors Blood & Sweat Source:  KTH Royal Institute of Technology New Health  Armband For ...

Mobile Heart Telemetry Rhythm Express RX-1 The Rhythm Express RX-1 is an advanced, remote cardiac monitoring system invented by VivaQuant of Minneapolis. It has just been cleared for use by the FDA. The wearable, wireless heart monitor provides heart patients continuous coverage and gives them more freedom.  It monitors a patient's arrhythmia with its artificial intelligence and patented wavelet-based analytics, 24/7 at home, work, wherever they are. Mobile Cardiac Telemetry The one piece device also functions as a Mobile Cardiac Telemetry unit, wirelessly transmitting the readings for remote analysis by medical staff, allowing the patient to be monitored and diagnosed no matter where they are.  The inventor, Dr. Marina Brockway says it provides faster, higher quality diagnosis at a lower cost. It works continuously for two weeks without a recharge.

EpiWear Tech on Your Wrist Source:  Rice University Epiwear Watch to Halt Severe Allergic Reactions Innovation from Rice University Engineers The Rice University Engineering team calls this emergency medicine at hand at all times in case of a severe allergic reaction.  It's an innovative, wearable epinephrine delivery device for your wrist that the developers say works much quicker than the traditional EpiPen, that's halts allergic reactions with its epinephrine shot. Small, Foldable Watch This is a small, foldable, watch-like device with a spring activated injector that will deliver a .3 millimeter dose of epinephrine into the body when needed.  It's designed as a less obtrusive and more conventional alternative to the traditional EpiPen. Function and Style The Rice team is streamlining this prototype design to make it easier for people to keep what is life-saving medicine close at hand.  This device was personally inspired by one of the researchers who...

Breakthrough in Wearables from South Korea Machine Washable, Solar Powered Wearable from South Korea's KAIST This is important new wearable innovation from South Korea's KAIST.  The wearable, electronic textile is machine washable and self powered by solar energy.  It may be a gamechanger in wearables.  For a great news blog with more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: New Washable, Wearable Display : Solar Powered Wearable Source: KAIST New Wearable Display From South Korea's KAIST A South Korean electrical engineering team has...