Monthly Archives: October 2013

Exoskeleton Expansion

In 2008, the United States Army began to develop a technology that would lead a single doctor to save over 100 soldiers a leg amputation. The Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis is in essence a support system for legs injured by battle, created by making a mold of the injured leg and creating a carbon-fiber cast. It’s not a prosthetic, and it’s not a brace, but it functions a little like both. The relatively low-tech solution works by supporting the weaker parts of the leg with energy gathered from regular steps.

The most important part of this technology is that it is completely functional. Inventor Ryan Blanck says that many of his patients have considered amputation as a solution. “They might be able to stand on it, but they can’t fully bear weight on it. They can’t push off from it.” Blanck’s invention helps soldiers regain the use of their legs, eventually strengthening muscles and joints. The device can reduce pain to almost nothing, and can be used for daily wear, as well as more strenuous exercises like hiking and running.

Even better, this device will soon be available to civilians, allowing for even more people to regain their mobility. According to Mashable, several dozen patients are already waiting for their own.

What Sparks Our Fire: Low-tech solutions to serious medical issues, allowing soldiers and civilians to maintain their independence.

Do you know anyone who would benefit from this invention?

Lighter Than Air

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On October 22nd, Apple unveiled the newest iteration of the iPad, the iPad Air. This  offering has not generated the kind of buzz that the recent iPhone has, but the new Air is a large upgrade over the previous iPad 4. The new device is significantly thinner and lighter than the previous one, without compromising battery power or performance. In fact, the performance of the iPad has been significantly upgraded thanks to the new A7 processing chip and 64-bit architecture, making the iPad Air every bit as powerful as a desktop computer. The bezel dimensions have been reduced, making the Air as thin as the iPad Mini, accomplished via a smaller, more efficient battery. As well, Apple is quick to emphasize the durability and usability of the Air, maintaining that it is a product to be taken and used everywhere.

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What Sparks Our Fire: Modern technology that improves upon itself exponentially every six months. Also, Marc wants one.

Will you buy a new iPad Air?

Sing, O Muse!

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“Tell me a story.”

“There’s an app for that.”

It’s been said that storytelling is a lost art. The oral tradition of telling a story vocally, injecting the emotion and creativity of the teller, has not been the preeminent form of information transfer since the invention of the Gutenberg Printing Press and the literacy that came along with it. However, the oldest form of information transfer has been integrated with the newest, enter an app that brings the stories of thousands to your fingertips.

The Moth is an organization that collects and collates recordings of real people telling their own stories in their own words. The organization has been doing this since 1997, when it was founded by poet and novelist George Dawes Green, who wanted to recreate in New York the feeling of sultry summer evenings on his native St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, where he and a small circle of friends would gather to spin spellbinding tales on his friend Wanda’s porch. The movement grew, and has brought more than 3,000 live stories to over 100,000 audience members.

This October, The Moth has launched its own app, effectively bringing the common threads of thousands of stories to your iOS or Android device.  Previously only available by podcast, The Moth app focuses on the listening experience, allowing you to save your favorite stories, share them, or download them.

What Sparks our Fire: We are inspired by the unique stories that people are willing to share with others.

Will you download this app and share your personal narratives?

Unconventional Medium

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For those of you who haven’t yet heard, the graffiti artist known as Banksy has begun residency in New York City, prompting a scurry by those familiar with his work to search it out and see for themselves. While those of us in NYC are familiar with graffiti, Banksy’s work is more than street tags. His work is more commonly known as street art and has a great deal to say. Often, his pieces will have a social or political commentary and they have been sold for thousands of dollars.

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The identity of the artist remains unknown, but his fingerprints have been left all over the city, from Queens to the Meatpacking District, in the form of art installations ranging from moving exhibits to wall paintings to anonymous one-off sales of his work in Central Park. Check out his blog here.

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What Sparks Our Fire: The anonymous artist manages to have his voice heard throughout the city, spreading his message through an unconventional medium.

Have you seen any of these pieces in person?

Okay Glass

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We’ve written before about Google Glass: it’s the anticipated game-changer in wearable technology, with voice, movement, and touch commands, currently in beta production. The revolutionary heads-up display will change the way that people interact with the world around them and launch a new age of computer-human interface… according to Google. We’ll have to wait and see about that.

However, every day new information comes out about the Glass technology that makes it more impressive, increasing its capability to integrate into the lives of its users. For instance, up until recently the voice commands had to start with “Okay Glass”, as in “okay glass, show me my schedule,” or other things to that effect. The newest information from Android Police shows that there is a much longer list of potential commands, including specific voice commands such as “find a recipe,” “tune an instrument,” or “translate this.”

These new commands can work with specific apps, such as “take a note” with Evernote, or “play a game”, which might be used in the future to integrate with game apps. All together, there are 19 new voice command capabilities, including “create a 3D model”, “start a round of gold”, and “check me in.”  In addition, there are new eye commands, including a “double blink” command, which adds to the ability of being able to take a photo by winking.

What Sparks Our Fire: This cutting edge of computer interface may revolutionize the way we interact with our devices for years to come.

When the Google Glass is released on a large scale, will you be interested in purchasing one?