It was about a year ago that we first heard about Transcend Air Corporation’s Vy 400, a planned vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) six-seater aircraft that will ferry passengers in and out of cities. Now, the Boston-based company has announced plans for floating environmentally-friendly landing pads for the aircraft. Known as “vertipads,” the barge-based landing spots are being developed in […]
Eco Vertipads
Next Gen Milk Carton
Although many people throw milk away once it reaches its “best before” date, the fact is that the milk will still likely be good for several more days. In order to eliminate such waste, scientists at Cornell University are designing a “smart” carton. Being developed through the university’s Milk Quality Improvement Program, the carton will incorporate both a QR code […]
A.I System Grabs Reins Of Drones
Irresponsibly-piloted drones can cause a lot of problems, such as when they’re illegally flown into restricted airspaces. And while anti-drone measures do exist, many cause the aircraft to fall to the ground, potentially harming bystanders. A new system, however, takes remote control of rogue drones. Developed by Dr. Houbing Song at Florida’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the setup initially utilizes an […]
Robot To Handle Handwriting & Sketches
Imagine if you were working with a robot that could leave you written messages, or draw diagrams to explain concepts. Such a scenario has come a step closer to reality, as a university student has taught a robot how to copy what we write, and what we draw. Atsunobu Kotani, an undergrad at Rhode Island’s Brown University, started by creating […]
“Hear” Ear Infection
The symptoms of ear infections can be a little vague, and can be easily confused with other conditions. But now, researchers from the University of Washington have come up with a mobile app that can help clear up diagnoses by detecting fluid behind the eardrum using just a cone of paper and your phone. According to the National Institute on […]
Self-Driving Wheelchairs
In a bid to help those with limited mobility get to the gate, Tokyo Narita International Airport is set to welcome a number of self-driving wheelchairs to its floors. With the ability to navigate the airport all on their own, the new wheelchairs are hoped to streamline foot traffic in one of Japan’s busiest airports and form part of a […]
The Future Of Medical Wearables
Wearable health-monitors are everywhere, from Fitbits for the health conscious to continuous glucose monitors for diabetics, but most are limited in what they can tell us, and there are issues around accuracy, calibration and reliability. Researchers in Sweden are working to change that. The technology, developed by scientists at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, employs multi-purpose electrochemical sensors […]
New Generation Of Travel Membership Clubs
A new generation of travel clubs are appealing to affluent millennials who are looking for deeper experiences as well as a sense of community. The brands are bringing together creative professionals from metropolitan areas and attracting them largely through word of mouth networks… and Instagram. Skift spoke to the co-founders and teams of four different member-based travel organizations to find […]
Whistling Wind Turbines Can Help Save Bat Lives
According to a US Geological Survey estimate, anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of bats are killed by wind turbines annually – in the US alone. New technology may help reduce those numbers, however, by causing the turbine blades to whistle at the animals. Bats are killed either when they collide with the blades, or when the […]
The Future Of Wellness In Meetings & Events
Wellness has been a buzzword in the travel world for years now. But it’s taken the hospitality industry a while to realize that wellness is not just about providing access to fitness centers, organic food items, and spa treatments. In a world in which work has become more fast-paced and smartphones are glued to hands, people are looking for ways […]