Technology
Aktiia trained AI on 11 billion data points of blood pressure, and now a clinically certified app is coming
Hypertension, a major risk factor for conditions like stroke and heart disease, affects 1.3 billion people globally, yet only 20% have it under control due to the limitations of current monitoring devices. Swiss startup Aktiia has developed a groundbreaking solution, eliminating the need for bulky hardware like blood pressure cuffs. The company’s new app, which uses a smartphone camera to measure blood pressure from a fingertip in just 90 seconds, recently received the CE mark for meeting EU safety and health standards. Powered by generative AI trained on 11 billion data points, the technology could revolutionize hypertension management by making monitoring more accessible and affordable, with an expected market launch in 2025.
Neuralink's vision-restoring brain chip secures FDA “breakthrough” designation
Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain-chip startup, has received "breakthrough device" designation from the FDA for its experimental vision-restoring implant, Blindsight. This recognition is intended to expedite the development of medical technologies like Blindsight, which aims to restore sight to individuals who have lost their vision, including those blind from birth, by stimulating the visual cortex. Founded in 2016, Neuralink focuses on brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to help people with disabilities. Alongside Blindsight, the company is testing an implant that allows paralyzed patients to control digital devices with their thoughts. While no timeline for human trials has been set for Blindsight, Neuralink has already successfully demonstrated its technology with another patient who used their implant to play video games and learn 3D design.
Synex founder, once detained at the border with a 80-pound magnet, is building portable MRIs to test glucose
Ben Nashman, founder of Synex Medical, has been driven by an obsession with longevity and MRI technology since his teenage years. After a memorable night detained by US customs for transporting an 80-pound homemade magnet, Nashman continued his pursuit to create a non-invasive, portable MRI device for glucose monitoring. Today, his company raised $21.8 million in Series A funding to advance this technology, aiming to eliminate the need for painful finger pricks for people with diabetes. Despite stiff competition and challenges in miniaturizing the device, Synex is working toward FDA approval, with potential to revolutionize health monitoring by tracking glucose and other biomarkers.
AWS brings OpenSearch under the Linux Foundation umbrella
AWS created OpenSearch in 2021 as an open-source fork of Elasticsearch and Kibana after Elastic switched to a more restrictive proprietary license. OpenSearch is a search and analytics engine that allows users to index, search, and visualize large datasets in real-time, similar to Elasticsearch, but remains open under the Apache 2.0 license. Recently, AWS transitioned OpenSearch to the Linux Foundation to foster broader community involvement and independent governance. This move aims to shed its AWS-driven perception, enable innovations like cloud-native architecture, and attract more contributors and enterprise adoption. Several major companies are joining the new OpenSearch Foundation.
Japan introduces enormous humanoid robot to maintain train lines
Japan unveils 12-meter tall humanoid robot for railway maintenance. The robot is designed for tasks like painting and trimming tree branches. It's mounted on a rail-capable truck and remotely controlled. The robot has a 12-meter vertical reach and 40kg weight capacity. Different attachments like brushes and chainsaws can be equipped. The robot aims to address worker shortages and improve safety. It reduces risks of falls and electric shocks for human workers. West Japan Railway sees the robot as a solution for future labor shortages. The company hopes to use robots for all kinds of infrastructure maintenance.
Meet LignoSat, the world's first wooden satellite
LignoSat aims to explore wood as a sustainable material for space applications. Wood is lighter and burns cleaner than metal, reducing space debris. Magnolia wood was chosen for its stability and resistance to cracking in space. LignoSat is a small cube packed with sensors to monitor space conditions. The success of LignoSat could be a game-changer for sustainable space exploration. Wood's natural radiation shielding and insulation properties are beneficial for space habitats. Researchers envision cultivating wood forests on Mars for future use. Challenges include confirming wood's long-term integrity in space. LignoSat's success could pave the way for eco-friendly satellites.
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses now let you share images directly to your Instagram Story
Meta updates Ray-Ban smart glasses with new hands-free features. Users can share photos to Instagram Stories directly from glasses. Voice commands allow hands-free control of Amazon Music and Calm app. New glasses styles include Skyler and Headliner in different colors. Meta expands Ray-Ban sales to 15 countries. This follows Meta's AI update that translates languages through the glasses. The goal is to make Ray-Ban a smart assistant like Humane's Ai pin.
Legged hopping robot to explore microgravity environments
ETH Zurich students are designing a hopping robot called SpaceHopper to explore asteroids and moons. SpaceHopper is designed to navigate low-gravity environments using a jumping-like motion. Asteroids and moons may contain valuable mineral resources. The SpaceHopper project was first launched as a focus project for Bachelor’s degree students. The robot is designed with a triangular body made of aerospace-aluminum, featuring articulated legs. Deep-learning-based software is used to control leg movements and allow it to perform various functions. The robot can jump, maintain orientation while in flight, and land at predetermined locations. Initial tests were conducted in an ETH Zurich lab to emulate low-gravity conditions. The SpaceHopper was also taken on an Air Zero G parabolic flight to test its jumping ability. The robot’s three-legged layout is designed to reduce size and weight.
How Switzerland is preparing for the quantum computing revolution
A Swiss foundation, GESDA, believes quantum computing will be the next big technological disruption. Quantum computing is expected to solve complex problems impossible for today's computers. GESDA hopes to establish rules for quantum computing use before it becomes widespread. Unlike AI, GESDA wants to anticipate quantum computing's impact and create regulations. GESDA was founded to look into the future and prepare Switzerland for coming technological changes. GESDA aims to keep Geneva a relevant diplomatic hub for future technological discussions. Quantum computers are expected to be thousands of times more powerful than today's computers. GESDA fears that a few companies controlling quantum computing could lead to a concentration of power. GESDA hopes Switzerland can be a neutral party in discussions on governing quantum computing. GESDA launched a new Open Quantum Institute inside Europe's science lab CERN.
Apple becomes the latest tech giant under siege
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) sued Apple for allegedly monopolizing the smartphone market through an "illegal monopoly." Apple has a dominant market share, with CCS Insight estimating 72% of smartphone sales in North America for the last quarter of 2023 being iPhones. The DOJ claims Apple unfairly shuts out competition through its "walled garden" approach. This means Apple products work seamlessly together, but all apps, payments, and updates are strictly controlled by Apple. Apple argues their system prioritizes security and offers developers access to a vast customer base. They deny wrongdoing and plan to fight the lawsuit. The European Union has challenged Apple's App Store restrictions and mandated a common charger standard (USB-C) for all phones, which Apple is now complying with. The article acknowledges the court case's uncertain outcome. While the DOJ hasn't had much success with similar lawsuits against Big Tech companies in the US (last successful case in 2001 against Microsoft), the EU's actions show some regulatory bodies are scrutinizing Apple's practices.