The air was thick with anticipation for today’s keynote presentation, delivered by leading industry figure and inspiration Dr. Satwant Kaur. Hailed as the “First Lady of Emerging Technologies” by CBS and other media, Kaur is also the author of the Amazon bestseller “Transitioning Embedded Systems to Intelligent Environments: A journey through evolving technologies.”
Kaur—currently serving as Chief Technologist for Innovations, HP and formerly a Platform Strategist at Intel, among many others—took the stage with a burning passion for today’s emerging technologies, specifically the Internet of Things (IoT) and Bots and how they are revolutionizing the way we live, even working to save lives. Coupled with her bubbly personality and warm charm, the presentation was one of ITEXPO’s most rousing.
As these two technologies quickly rise to acclaim, Kaur notes four ways that they have been making a life-changing impact on the world for the better:
Google’s Smart Contact Lenses
The first item on Kaur’s list is the smart contact lens. Revealed by Google, this innovation measures glucose levels in the user’s tears. The technology works by reading early warning signs for the wearer (if anything is detected, a tiny LED light will light up). The lens is powered by a tiny wireless chip as well as a miniaturized glucose sensor, both which are embedded between two layers of soft contact lens material. Kaur noted that the chips and sensors are so small they look like bits of glitter and that the antenna is thinner than human hair.
Firefighter Smart Tracking Shoes
Stokholm, Sweden-based KTH Royal Institute of Technology has developed smart shoes that track firefighters while they are working inside of burning buildings. The technology leverages a digital positioning system that is located within the heels of the shoes. The system further boasts advanced sensors, such as an accelerometer and hygroscope, plus a processor. The invention can withstand shock and extremely high temperatures, ensuring the safety of its users and potentially saving lives.
Limb movement by BrainGate
Research team BrainGate created a bionic chip that converts thought into action, enabling motor-impaired individuals to function through the Internet. The chip interprets and translates brain signals to limb movements using a sensor that is implanted on the motor cortex of the brain. The device serves as a gateway for self-directed activities to control objects in the user’s environment, such as the TV and lights. Of this Kaur says, “It’s amazing and extremely good news for people whose limbs have been cut.”
Bacteriobots that Detect Cancer
South Korea-based Chonnam National University developed bacteriobots that detect and treat cancer cells without the side effects of chemotherapy. The bacteriobot is a genetically modified, non-toxic salmonella bacterium that is attracted to the chemicals that are released by cancer cells. The robotic innovation uses that bacteria to sense the cancer, moves towards the cancer cells and attacks it by locating the exact tumor region.
According to Kaur, “there are endless uses” of IoT and Bot technology. It’s all up to today’s leaders to determine the future of how these will be applied for the benefit of humanity.
Edited by
Ryan Sartor