I’ve been wearing the Even Realities G1 glasses for four months, and while many people have commented on my new frames, only two friends asked if my glasses were “smart.” For someone who wore Google Glass in public and lived to tell the tale, this technological anonymity is high praise indeed. They look like glasses you might actually want to wear, and they don’t draw unnecessary attention to your (OK, my) face.
But as Clark Kent accessed his superpowers after taking off his spectacles, inversely, this mild-mannered reporter benefits from real-time language translation, access to AI, turn-by-turn navigation, and a personal assistant, all by keeping his glasses on.
Most smart glasses, like the Ray-Ban Meta, rely on Bluetooth audio, but the G1 features a small but brilliantly effective heads-up display called the Holistic Adaptive Optical System, or HAOS. Look carefully at the lenses and you’ll see a faint rectangle in each eye. This is where a micro-LED optical engine projector displays crisp, green digital text (640 x 200 pixels). Glance up (choose the angle via the app) and a seemingly two-foot-wide text homepage appears to float around five feet in front of you. Considering all this, it’s astonishingly clever given how light and, well, normal the frames feel.
The digitally surfaced lens is actually two bonded lenses but manages to be no thicker or heavier than a standard design. Prescription lenses cost $129 extra and, aside from the occasional glimpse of the projector screen in bright sunshine, works as well as any glasses I’ve ever owned.
Nestled on the end of each arm you’ll find two rubbery nodules. These contain the battery, buttons, and antennae that exchange real-time data with your phone over Bluetooth. They’re marginally heavier than standard glasses, but because the weight is kept away from the nose, they feel good. The frames are made from solid magnesium and have a cool matte finish, with the temples coated in silicon for added grip. Add in screwless hinges and a classic oval shape, and you’ve got a stylish proposition even before you charge them up.
Photograph: Christopher Haslam
The charging case is equally well designed and holds enough power to recharge the glasses 2.5 times. The 60-mAh battery in the glasses has enough power for 1.5 days.
So, they’re nice glasses—but what do they actually do?
Virtual Assistance
The idea of the G1 is not to replace your smartphone but rather to offer a pared-back interface that gives you help and information when you need it, then vanishes when you don’t.
After installing the app and syncing the glasses, when you glance up you will see a screen with the date, time, battery level, and upcoming diary dates (assuming you’ve given permissions). You can also receive messages and alerts from social and messaging apps. You can’t respond to any messages, though, which seems both odd and a shame given the onboard microphones and the transcription software used.
The right side of the main display is for QuickNotes. If you pinch the small box on the right arm, a note will flash up saying “Quick Note Recording.” When you speak, your words will be saved and displayed on the screen when you next look up. If you mention a date, time, or place, the AI assistant will add it to your diary. It’s great if you are a fan of voice notes. I’m not, but as someone who meets new people all the time but remains terrible at remembering names, I loved being able to have names, and even job titles, on display, for my eyes only.
Translation
Open up the Translate box on the Even Realities app, choose from one of 13 languages (including Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean), decide what language you’d like things translated into (in this case English), and press Engage. If someone then speaks to you in that language, the G1 glasses will listen, translate, and write the words on your HUD.
Annoyingly, however, it’s no Babelfish. With one-on-one conversations it worked OK, and I enjoyed understanding my wife’s rusty Spanish. Similarly, I had success rewatching Squid Game without subtitles. But without someone wearing their own pair and translating my English, it is one-way traffic.
A new generation of sustainable practices is transforming the architectural landscape. What is its ‘secret’? The combination of innovation, ecological awareness, and, fundamentally, the revaluation of natural resources that have accompanied humanity since its earliest days. While this knowledge was never truly lost, the techniques associated with these materials have long remained in the background. Today, they are making a resurgence, adapting to modern challenges, and reestablishing themselves as essential, timeless elements in tomorrow’s architecture.
This re-emergence addresses both aesthetic needs and environmental imperatives. In contemporary architecture, the goal is to create livable and smart spaces, not necessarily through advanced systems but through a more conscious use of resources, aiming to minimize environmental impact. Refined by modern techniques, new proposals are emerging—such as Caneplexus, which, through its know-how, develops architectural and decorative solutions based on natural materials. This fusion of tradition and modernity facilitates the creation of efficient spaces that respect their context, achieving a balance between functionality and sustainability.
Products’s composition. Image Courtesy of Caneplexus
The collection features solutions crafted from bamboo, willow, branches, reeds, and other natural materials, along with handmade weaves and wallpapers lined with these materials sourced from their countries of origin. This diverse selection encompasses a variety of qualities and types, continually enriched with new forms and variations. All solutions undergo selective cultivation, specific harvest timing, and natural drying, supplemented by hot air when necessary. Quality control is conducted by local partners, with each product undergoing a phytopathological inspection. The company adheres to ISO standards, with 75% of its natural materials coming from FSC-certified sources. The wallpapers also meet certifications for fire retardancy and waterproofing.
Product range. Image Courtesy of CaneplexusCourtesy of Caneplexus
Across various projects and collaborations, Caneplexus processes, manufactures, and delivers diverse natural building materials and solutions. With extensive expertise in the field, the company has played a significant role in architectural and design initiatives. Notable projects include Aman Zoe, Athens Marriott, Atlantica Group, Caravia Beach, Cavo Tagoo, Domes Resorts, Elounda Hotels, Peliva Nature & Suites, Four Seasons Astir Palace, the Hellinikon project, Theros All-Suite Hotel, Hilton Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, among others.
Highlighted projects showcase leaves as versatile design elements that enhance covered spaces and outdoor environments. These natural materials exhibit slight variations in diameter and color, contributing to the uniqueness of each piece. Different varieties, such as Makuti, Cocopalm, and Alag, make each application unique. Complementing this variety, natural and peeled willow provides a distinct aesthetic and serves effectively as a light cover. This solution can be installed in regular patterns, V-shapes, or circular designs for sunshade umbrellas. Additionally, options are available in different diameters, heights, and shades, ranging from light to dark.
Courtesy of CaneplexusCourtesy of Caneplexus
One advantage of this diverse selection is the harmonious coexistence of textures and colors, creating a cohesive environment manifested through various elements and formats, from wall decoration to garden design. For example, poles can evoke serene and natural atmospheres due to their irregular shapes, which enhance the diversity of forms and sizes commonly found outdoors. By combining these poles with bamboo fabrics and handmade mats, the collection offers numerous possibilities for designing both residential and hospitality projects.
Courtesy of CaneplexusCourtesy of Caneplexus
The approaches discussed reflect a significant shift toward sustainable architectural practices, underscoring a renewed commitment to the mindful use of resources and the integration of tradition with innovation. Backed by over 25 years of experience in natural materials, construction, and interior decoration, Caneplexus offers versatile and tailored options for exterior and interior spaces.
Courtesy of CaneplexusCourtesy of Caneplexus
Distinguished by contemporary design and construction flexibility, these products promote an architectural future grounded in harmony between the natural and the built environment. This approach demonstrates how architecture can drive aesthetic transformations while making a meaningful environmental impact.
To learn more about these and other natural material solutions, visit the Caneplexus website or refer to the product catalog.
“We can manage what we measure, but what we mostly measure are things like money or speed,” Nduka says. “What we can’t really measure is quality. And quality is about emotions. And emotions can be sensed most sensitively with expressions.”
AI Vision
Humanity has been asking whether AI can truly know how people feel for a long time, and most of the answers come down to, well, probably not. Even without a bunch of advanced cameras and AI smarts, reading emotions can be tricky.
“Gauging emotion through facial expressions is kind of somewhat debatable,” says Andrew McStay, a professor and director of the Emotional AI Lab at Bangor University in the UK. McStay says that even if the company were using AI to “smooth out” the data collected by the sensors to make it more usable, he’s not convinced it can actually read emotions with accuracy. “I just think there are fundamental flaws and fundamental problems with it.”
Cultural differences also inform how different people display emotion. One person’s smile might mean congeniality or joy, while others might be a nervous expression of fear. That type of signaling can vary widely from culture to culture. How emotions register on the face can also fluctuate depending on neurodivergence, though Emteq says it wants to help neurodivergent users navigate those kinds of awkward social interactions.
Strand says Emteq is trying to take all of these factors into account, hence the pursuit for more and more data. Emteq is also adamant that its use cases will be wholly vetted and overseen by health care providers or practitioners. The idea is that the tech would be used by therapists, doctors, or dietary consultants to ensure that all the data they’re collecting straight off your face isn’t used for nefarious purposes.
“You’ve got to be thoughtful about how you deliver information, which is why we have experts in the loop. At least right now,” Strand says. “The data is valuable regardless because it empowers whoever is making the assessment to give good advice. Then it’s a question of what is that advice, and what’s appropriate for that person in their journey. On the mental health side, that’s especially important.”
Strand envisions therapy sessions where instead of a patient coming in and being encouraged to share details about stressful situations or anxious moments, the therapist might already have a readout of their emotional state over the past week and be able to point out problem areas and inquire about them.
Nearsighted
Regardless of how good Emteq’s smart glasses are, they’re going to have to compete with the bigwigs already out there selling wearable tech that offers far wider use cases. People might not be interested in sporting a bulky-ish pair of glasses if all they can do is scan your face and look at your food. It’s not far-fetched at all to imagine these internal facing sensors being incorporated into something more feature rich, like Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.
“This has always been kind of the way with these kinds of products,” McStay says. “These things often start with health, and then quickly they kind of get built out into something which is much more marketing oriented.”
Organized by Monaco Marina Management (M3), the 4th edition hosted on September 22nd & 23rd at the Yacht Club de Monaco, has brought together 250 maritime industry professionals alongside worldwide investors and innovators to encourage the development of virtuous marinas. With the common goal to modernize and make maritime infrastructures more responsible, this annual networking gathering demonstrates how sustainability is becoming a true driver of change by connecting the whole marina ecosystem and promote the development of efficient & attractive marinas.
An Architectural competition with a clear mission
For the 2024 call for entries, professionals and students were invited to design an innovative and sustainable floating marina in environmentally sensitive areas along the French Mediterranean Coast. With the aim of further preserving the environment, particularly the Posidonia in Mediterranean Sea, while keeping boaters & yachtsmen satisfied, this protectionist architecture competition encouraged the use of innovative materials, functionalities and energy-efficient technologies to promote sustainability and preserve biodiversity in the maritime tourism sector.
41 architects and students, representing 14 nationalities, submitted a total of 24 projects highlighting 3 key tasks: energy production and optimization, water management and biodiversity in their modular structures, while demonstrating ingenuity and creativity and adapting to seasonal needs.
The international jury, composed of architects and marina experts, was chaired this year by Effie Nakajima of Zaha Hadid Architects. The distinguished panel of judges has rigorously evaluated each submission based on criteria such as innovation, sustainability, aesthetics, and functionality to select the winner in professional and student category while the audience was able to select the “Coup de Coeur” Award.
2024 Winners: Talent at the service of tomorrow’s infrastructures
This competition has seen Houses of Excellence and Innovative Spirit of new generation of architects such as Arrogant Architects, AND, APEX Architects, Belligham Marine inc., Direction Architects, Perkins & Will, Tongli Studio LLC, The Ocean Edition, Structurelab, Francesco Grugni – University of Pavia (Italy), Melek Serra Saral/Sude Balci/Yunus Emre Akku – Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi (Turkey), Abhitha Batikeri/Nathan Gach – Cornell University (USA) and even more exceptional students.
Student Award: The SeaforeStation, designed by Cornelia Bosman – University of Pretoria (South Africa), presented a thoroughly comprehensive narrative, showcasing well-researched insights, innovative ideas and good design process. Her project offered a unique approach made from reclaimed catamarans turned into unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). Anchored using advanced mooring systems that avoid damaging seabeds, this project included a Posidonia nursery for reforestation, contributing directly to the conservation of the meadows.
The marina integrated renewable energy sources, like ocean current turbines and solar desalination, and provided a tribute to Jacques-Yves Cousteau. It also created a space for research and awareness, emphasizing how smart marina design can coexist with marine biodiversity.
Winning Student Architecture Project: Cornelia Bosman, University of Pretoria (South Africa). Image: Monaco Marina Management
Professional Award: The Lotus Marina by Structurlab (Germany) embraces a lotus flower-inspired design with modular platforms for quick assembly and reconfiguration, demonstrating high effectiveness and commendable presentation style. The project used recycled materials, solar power, and rainwater collection systems, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. It has minimized ecological disruption while adapting to seasonal visitor flows, with eco-friendly anchoring methods that better protect the underwater ecosystem, while allowing larger boats to moor outside no-boat zones, thus, safeguarding the Posidonia meadows.
Winning Professional Architecture Project: Structurlab (Germany). Image: Monaco Marina Management
Public Choice “Coup de Coeur” Award: Arrogant Architects won public favor thanks to their project named Modularity, Responsibility, Mediterranean. The submission was thorough and detailed, with clear evidence of extensive research particularly with the installation of artificial nurseries, thermal insulation improvements, seawater heat pumps, and the use of prefabricated local materials to reduce CO2 emissions. Their modular approach also optimizes construction processes, reducing costs and maximizing efficiency.
Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous: Experts took the floor
Marina used to be nautical businesses, but they are now hospitality businesses. You go there to spend a good time with no need to necessarily have a boat as you can access by land, too. There is a new social component in the marina that was not present 20 years ago, which is where architecture can play an important role in making it an attractive destination –Oscar Siches, Marina Specialist and Designer.
In addition to the Architecture Call for Ideas, the edition also featured workshops on Resilient Marina infrastructures, Energy Efficient Marina Design and conferences on the importance of architecture in marina design. This discussion brought together Effie Nakajima from Zaha Hadid Architects, Nicolas Jarry, Head of Maritime Projects and Port Structures at Tractebel Engineering, Janna Bystrykh, Director of the Master’s Program in Architecture at the Academy of Architecture (Netherlands), and Henry Glogau, architect & innovator. They emphasized the need to apply regenerative architectural principles in marina design, while agreeing that collaboration between architects and engineers is essential to tackle contemporary environmental challenges.
As a watch enthusiast or investor looking for a good quality and potentially–profitable timepiece to invest in, a Richard Mille watch should be on your list of considerations. Although they’re pricey (arguably the most expensive watch in the market), Richard Mille watches are still very famous with buyers.
People desire these watches for their unique design, superior craftsmanship, and innovative materials. The limited supply quantity and rarity of Richard Mille timepieces also contribute to their value in the secondary market. Richard Mille wrist watches have the potential to increase in value over time as they become sought-after by collectors. The watchmaker also makes several limited or special edition series, with greater appreciation potential compared to the regular line of watches.
Richard Mille’s growing influence and reputation are also contributing to the rising investment value of its watches. Despite all of these, any smart investor needs to weigh the risks and rewards of their investment to determine if they’re making a smart financial decision. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the investment potential of Richard Mille watches.
Is Richard Mille Watch a Good Investment?
The quality and level of craftsmanship that goes into creating a Richard Mille watch has never been in doubt. Although the watchmaker has only been in business for about two decades, Richard Mille has grown to become one of the biggest names in the luxury watch industry.
The RM brand has grown so big that it easily rivals some of the biggest names in the business. The Richard Mille price is often a common talking point when people talk about this brand. But why are Richard Mille watches so expensive, and how can we be certain they’ll make a good investment?
Based on what we know about the luxury watch market and the Richard Mille brand, timepieces made by this watchmaker can indeed be a good investment despite their high price tag. Here are some of these reasons why investing in a Richard Mille watch can be a smart investment decision.
Quality and Craftsmanship
Richard Mille takes horological craftsmanship to new heights. When the company was launched in 2001, the founder’s aimed to create a watchmaking brand that produced high-quality watches that would revolutionize the watchmaking industry through the adoption of innovative materials and advanced technologies. Richard Mille has stayed true to this brand ethos since the first day.
Every Richard Mille timepiece is an embodiment of exceptional quality and craftsmanship. The brand creates visually stunning watches with bold aesthetics. These timepieces are also built with technologically advanced components, allowing them to operate with the most meticulous precision.
Durability and light weight are two enduring qualities of Richard Mille time pieces. By adopting innovative materials, Richard Mille has been able to achieve its goal of building rugged watches that still feel light and comfortable on the wrist. The combinations of these qualities contribute to the value of RM watches as a potentially valuable investment.
Prestige and Exclusivity
Owning a Richard Mille watch is gradually becoming a flex. Very few things signify high status like a timepiece that costs several thousand dollars. Only a handful of high-profile personalities, such as athletes and celebrities, can afford to buy a Richard Mille watch.
The Richard Mille brand has always taken pride in the high cost of its timepieces. Consequently, many wealthy people seek out Richard Mille watches just to add to their collection. The high demand for this timepiece drives its secondary value over time.
In addition to being a symbol of class and status, Richard Mille watches are also produced in limited quantities. In fact, this watchmaker makes the least amount of products yearly compared to other watchmakers with a similar reputation. This is one of the primary reasons why it is so difficult to find a Richard Mille for sale.
The fact that Richard Mille watches are produced in limited quantities means collectors and enthusiasts have to scramble for the few examples available for each model. When they can get these watches in the retail market, they turn to the secondary market, allowing investors to make a profit on their watches.
Brand Reputation
Although a relatively young company, Richard Mille is gradually building a reputation for itself. The brand has become synonymous with horological excellence and technological advancement.
People who wear high-value luxury watches often want others to be able to tell by merely looking at their wrists. Richard Mille watches all come with a tonneau shape and skeletonized dial that makes them instantly recognizable. In addition to their innovative construction, Richard Mille watches are also known for their luxurious craftsmanship and precise technology.
The Richard Mille brand’s ability to consistently meet and exceed the expectations of collectors and enthusiasts further fuels its growing reputation. No other modern watchmaking company, created by a living founder, has had such a significant impact on the horological industry.
In a world where a brand name sells more than anything, Richard Mille has been able to craft a unique identity for himself, which makes them highly sought after by collectors. Some specific RM models have also stood out over the years, and their popularity has boosted their potential as a store of value.
Investment Potential and Market Performance
To fully understand the investment potential of any timepiece, one has to examine the past market performance of different Richard Mille models. Historically, you’ll find several Richard Mille timepieces that have grown in value since they were first released.
The quality of these watches ensures that they remain durable and maintain their value over time. This way, you can always be sure you’ll be getting a reasonable return on your investment when you decide to sell.
As mentioned earlier, Richard Mille watches are also quite rare. This is particularly true for limited edition versions or timepieces with high complications. As the years pass, watches like these tend to appreciate, making them highly sought after in the secondary market.
Risks of Buying a Richard Mille Watch
Investing in a luxury timepiece, especially one as expensive as a Richard Mille watch, is a big decision. To determine if this timepiece is a viable investment, you have to weigh the benefits against the risks and figure out how to mitigate them. Here are some of the potential downsides of buying a Richard Mille watch as an investment.
High Cost
Richard Mille watches are already quite expensive in the retail market, some of them ranging into six figures or even more. This might pose a challenge since a hefty price tag automatically limits the pool of potential buyers who can afford to buy the watch in the secondary market. It is also a high-risk investment, considering you’ll be spending a significant amount on buying the watch even though you’re not absolutely certain of how well it will perform over the next few years.
Maintenance Cost
Although they’re built to be durable, Richard Mille and other luxury watches require regular maintenance to keep them in optimal condition. Servicing these watches can be quite expensive since they can only be handled by qualified watchmakers with solid knowledge of the intricacies of the watch movement. You’ll have to factor in the maintenance cost, especially if you intend to hold on to the timepiece for a long time.
Market Volatility
Generally, Richard Mille watches tend to hold their value well. However, the luxury watch market can be unpredictable. Prices can fluctuate based on several factors, including the global economy, fashion trends, and so on. Even the brand’s decision to discontinue certain models or introduce new ones can affect the performance of any Richard Mille timepiece you buy. It’ll be difficult to predict all of these factors, especially for newly released models with limited historical data on market performance.
Counterfeits
This is one of the biggest problems faced by investors in the luxury watch market. While high quality brands like Richard Mille are difficult to replicate, fakes do exist, and you should be wary of these. Buying a Richard Mille watch from sellers who aren’t authorized dealers raises the risk of ending up with a replica Richard Mille.
Whether you’re buying new or preowned, always ask for documentation and verify their authenticity before buying. Examine the watch as well and look out for the material, finishing, and other tiny details that may be out of place. Richard Mille maintains exceptional quality standards for all its watches, which are difficult for counterfeiters to keep up with.
Conclusion
Considering the long list of luxury watch brands in the market today, deciding if a brand is an ideal option to invest in can be a daunting task. However, Richard Mille remains top on the list of top quality watches to buy as a collector or investor. While the watchmaker does not have a rich legacy or decades of experience behind it, Richard Mille has become quite popular for its innovative designs, which makes them instantly recognizable.
However, it is important to note that investing in watches isn’t the same as other regular investment options like real estate or stocks. Although Richard Mille watches are likely to fetch a good return over time, the luxury timepiece market can be quite unpredictable, and there are no sure guarantees. Of course, when you consider all the favorable factors, buying a Richard Mille timepiece sounds like a smart financial decision.
Though many head into the wild to recharge their batteries with the sights and sounds of nature, there are those who need to be entertained. Smart projector maker JMGO has launched a portable HD projector that can be slipped into the bottle pouch of your backpack to take movie nights to camp.
The PicoFlix portable projector’s aluminum alloy housing measures 24 cm in length (9.5 in) and has a diameter of 8 cm (3.15 in). And it weighs in at 1.3 kg (2.8 lb), which isn’t too bad though every ounce counts when you’re heading into the wilderness.
Still, if you want to catch up with your favorite shows while at camp, it might be worth sacrificing a few non-essentials to do so. The portable DLP projector can throw 1080p visuals at up to 150 inches, and its LED light source puts out 450 ANSI lumens – so you’re definitely going to be watching stuff after dark.
The PicoFlix throws 1080p visuals and puts out 450 ANSI lumens
JMGO
You’ll have to find a spot where you can use your cell phone as a mobile hotspot to tap into the onboard streaming services while out and about, but at home you can connect to a router and take advantage of cooked-in Google TV – which includes direct access to Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube from the remote, as well as thousands of apps via the Play Store.
The Picoflex features Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4, and there’s also HDMI for cabling to media sources, plus USB ports for plugging in a thumbdrive. Its 10,000-mAh internal battery is reckoned good for up to 4.5 hours of play time in eco mode (there are three power modes) before needing to be topped up over USB-C, or 7 hours when using the device as a BT music player through the 10-W speaker.
Usefully, the unit includes a twisty gimbal-like stand that rotates 127 degrees for flexible positioning, while real-time image adjustment features such as auto keystone correction, “lossless zoom” and screen-fit help keep visuals sharp. Built-in eye protection will reduce beam intensity when someone crosses its path.
The JMGO PicoFlix is available now for US$599, which is the same as Dangbei’s Freedo model but more expensive than the T2 from Yaber.
Surgical stitches are good for helping wounds heal, but they can pop open with too much movement. Scientists in China have now turned that weakness into a strength, developing stitches that generate an electric charge when stretched and heal wounds faster.
Sutures are the standard treatment for large and deep wounds in skin, physically bringing cells on either side of a wound back in contact so they can patch up the damage. Without them, injuries heal slower, leave larger scars, and run a higher risk of infection.
But they’re not without their own complications. Movement of the affected area can open them up, and they usually need to be removed by doctors after they’ve served their use. In a new study, scientists at Donghua University in China have solved both of those problems.
The new stitches are made with a specialized mechanoelectrical fiber. Essentially, when the core and sheath layers of the fiber touch and separate as a result of movement, they generate electric fields, which in past research has been shown to speed up healing.
A diagram of the new electrical stitches, and how the fibers generate electricity with movement
Zhouquan Sun and Chengyi Hou
The team tested the idea on cell cultures in the lab. A wound that took up 69% of the surface area was reduced to just 10.8% with electrical sutures after 24 hours, while a control group that had regular sutures still covered 32.6% in the same timeframe. The key seems to be that the electric signals speed up the migration of fibroblasts, cells that help build new connective tissue by secreting collagen.
Next, the researchers moved onto rat tests. They found that after 10 days, the electrical sutures had closed the rats’ wounds by 96.5%, while the control sutures had only closed by 60.4% in the same time.
Finally, they tested the infection rates of the electrical and traditional sutures. Whether the wound was disinfected daily or not, the rats treated with electrical sutures showed significantly lower levels of bacteria than those with regular stitches.
Other examples of using electricity to promote wound healing have involved systems of biosensors, batteries and electrical stimulators. But the new one has the advantage of doing it all passively, as the patient moves around.
As a bonus, because the electrical stitches are made of bioabsorbable materials, the team says they should be able to safely degrade in the body. That would save patients the invasiveness of surgical removal.
At this stage, there’s still plenty of work to do to get it ready for testing in humans before it can make its way to clinical use. But it’s an intriguing idea that could eventually help wounds heal faster and more safely.
Tiny homes don’t often have a full suite of smart gadgets, but Massimo Modular rings in all the bells and whistles with the futuristic, nearly completely see-through, tiny E9 smart home.
Massimo Modular, based out of Garland, Texas, has designed an eco-friendly smart home that’s able to be placed nearly anywhere with just a two-hour install time.
With a design that wouldn’t look out of place in a science fiction movie about settling an exoplanet, the E9 features 409 square feet (38 sq m) of luxury living space in a 37.7-ft-long (11.5-m) by 10.8-ft-wide (3.3-m) footprint. It’s also 10.5 ft (3.3 m) tall, meaning no one should feel cramped dwelling inside.
The Massimo Modular E9 in all its glory
Massimo Modular
Getting into the E9 is a cinch, as the front door features a smart lock. Once inside the living room area, you’re greeted by a stylish minimalist layout with integrated LED strip lights in the ceiling around a central skylight as you walk upon its “environmental wood flooring.”
Just outside of the living room is a small deck patio big enough for a chair or two.
Floor-to-ceiling insulated 270-degree panoramic double-glazed windows offer stunning views of whatever you happen to plop E9 next to – as well as stunning views of its occupants to nearby prying eyes. No fear, however, as the E9 also has automatic curtains integrated into its all-in-one smart control system that can be accessed through your smartphone.
The view looking out the front towards the tiny house’s tiny deck
Massimo Modular
Also integrated into the smart suite is an underfloor heating system to keep your tootsies toasty as well as two 3-hp AC/heat pump mini-split units which are more than ample to handle even the hottest or coldest days.
The kitchen has a simple single-bin-style sink and a two-burner induction stovetop. With the island that separates the kitchen from the living quarters, you’ll have plenty of counter space for meal prep. From the photos, it looks like there might be room for an optional small refrigerator under the island, otherwise we can’t readily identify where a fridge might go.
The E9 features a dry bath with a walk-in shower and a full-size residential toilet. Water is plumbed to a water heater and all wastewater runs to a sewer joint.
Moving further back to the bedroom, there’s a modest amount of storage but it looks to have plenty of room for a standard-sized queen bed. No short queen for modest living in the E9, even if that comes at the cost of hanging more than a few days’ worth of clothes. The bedroom also has panoramic 270-degree views, giving this little tiny home a full 360-degree view while letting in all the natural light one could ever hope for.
The views when you wake up could be spectacular
Massimo Modular
The overall modular design is fully ready to be hoisted into place with a crane in just a short few hours and promises a 70-year service life. It’s designed to survive 8.0 earthquakes and Category 1 hurricanes.
The E9 comes plumbed with a water/sewer connection on the exterior, and is pre-wired for HVAC. Electricity connection only requires a 2-phase, 220-volt, 150-amp power source to run everything all at once (underfloor heater, HVAC, stove, etc.).
Massimo Modular’s Canton, Texas planned project featuring the E9 tiny homes
Massimo Modular
You can buy one from the Massimo Modular website for US$95,995.00
Pirelli and Bosch have signed a joint development agreement to create a software-driven “intelligent tire” system that will combine Bosch’s hardware and software know-how with Pirelli’s tire-integrated sensors tech.
We’ve seen many a concept tire over the years, from Michelin and GM’s airless tires to the shape-shifting wheels from Korea that can deform in response to rough terrain. While these are innovative ideas, Pirelli and Bosch’s Cyber Tyre seems more likely to be hitting store shelves in the not-too-distant future. First announced as a concept in 2019, it essentially uses tire data to assist in fine-tuning software-controlled car features to suit various driving conditions.
Each tire is equipped with an advanced integrated sensors that connect to the car’s electronics, enabling the vehicle to adjust its setup based on the fitted tire. The primary function of the tech will be to optimize ABS braking performance and enhance stability and traction control – all in real time.
The data era for tires has arrived
Pirelli
For an initial joint project with Pagani, Bosch developed an ESP (Electronic Stability Program) application specially tailored to a the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires on an 852-horsepower Pagani Utopia Roadster, which comes with a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12 engine. The tires have built-in sensors that link to the car’s ABS and traction control systems, which the companies say allows for the best possible utilization of each tire’s unique characteristics and capabilities, resulting in improved control and customized driving expereiences.
Each tire has an integrated sensor within that captures key metrics
Pirelli
The partnership will leverage Bosch’s experience in MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensor technology and tire pressure sensors that use BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) wireless communications technology, while Pirelli will contribute its experience in developing in-tire device hardware and software and tire modeling. It’s believed that together, these capabilities will enable real-time tire data collection, processing, and very low-power transmission via BLE to the vehicle’s electronic control system.
Cyber Tyre: more safety, comfort, and driving dynamics
Pirelli and Bosch day the Cyber Tyre should also bring environmental benefits, as it should reduce tire wear, which plays a significant role in a car’s overall environmental impact, primarily due to the release of microplastics and other pollutants into the environment.
The big question now is when this technology will reach passenger cars for widespread use, as Pirelli and Bosch haven’t given a timeline for that. When they do arrive, Cyber Tyres are sure to be pricier than your standard set of shoes, but there are certain to be plenty willing to pay for an improvement in driving experience if the tires can deliver on their romise.
Meta’s AI-powered Ray-Bans have a discreet camera on the front, for taking photos not just when you ask them to, but also when their AI features trigger it with certain keywords such as “look.” That means the smart glasses collect a ton of photos, both deliberately taken and otherwise. But the company won’t commit to keeping these images private.
We asked Meta if it plans to train AI models on the images from Ray-Ban Meta’s users, as it does on images from public social media accounts. The company wouldn’t say.
“We’re not publicly discussing that,” said Anuj Kumar, a senior director working on AI wearables at Meta, in a video interview with TechCrunch on Monday.
“That’s not something we typically share externally,” said Meta spokesperson Mimi Huggins, who was also on the video call. When TechCrunch asked for clarification on whether Meta is training on these images, Huggins responded, “we’re not saying either way.”
Part of the reason this is especially concerning is because of the Ray-Ban Meta’s new AI feature, which will take lots of these passive photos. Last week, TechCrunch reported that Meta plans to launch a new real-time video feature for Ray-Ban Meta. When activated by certain keywords, the smart glasses will stream a series of images (essentially, live video) into a multimodal AI model, allowing it to answer questions about your surroundings in a low-latency, natural way.
That’s a lot of images, and they’re photos a Ray-Ban Meta user might not consciously be aware that they’re taking. Say you asked the smart glasses to scan the contents of your closet to help you pick out an outfit. The glasses are effectively taking dozens of photos of your room and everything in it, and uploading them all to an AI model in the cloud.
What happens to those photos after that? Meta won’t say.
Wearing the Ray-Ban Meta glasses also means you’re wearing a camera on your face. As we found out with Google Glass, that’s not something other people are universally comfortable with, to put it lightly. So you’d think it’s a no-brainer for the company that’s doing it to say, “Hey! All your photos and videos from your face cameras will be totally private, and siloed to your face camera.”
But that’s not what Meta is doing here.
Meta has already declared that it is training its AI models on every American’s public Instagram and Facebook posts. The company has decided all of that is “publicly available data,” and we might just have to accept that. It and other tech companies have adopted a highly expansive definition of what is publicly available for them to train AI on, and what isn’t.
However, surely the world you look at through its smart glasses is not “publicly available.” While we can’t say for sure that Meta is training AI models on your Ray-Ban Meta camera footage, the company simply wouldn’t say for sure that it isn’t.
Other AI model providers have more clear-cut rules about training on user data. Anthropic says it never trains on a customer’s inputs into, or outputs from, one of their AI models. OpenAI also says it never trains on user inputs or outputs through its API.
We’ve reached out to Meta for further clarification here, and will update the story if they get back to us.
