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Archives for February 2014

Wednesdays on the Web: February 26th

A weekly round-up of innovation, social impact, and design news from around the web.
1. Denver Urban Ramble

On March 8th, 2014, Join TEDxYOUTH@MileHigh speaker and Founder of Walk2Connect, Jonathon Stalls, on a free TEDxMileHigh-themed 5.5 mile walking trip exploring some of Denver’s most popular neighborhoods. More information can be found here.

2. Quality Control by Darpa

The military will now have a new way of detecting faulty equipment. Darpa will be creating a new device that will be used by the armed forces to detect used and counterfeit electronic components in the Pentagon’s supply chain.

3. X-class Solar Flare Imaging

On Monday, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory—which is on sun watch 24/7—caught an X-class Solar Flare on camera through six different wavelengths. You can see the images

4. Creating Interaction While Drinking Tired of going out and not talking to the people you are with? Porto Alegre is a new Brazilian brand cooler that blocks all mobile signals within a five-foot radius.

5. Strangers Meeting for Art Ice breakers can be awkward, but artist Hunter Franks is looking to get communities engaged and talking by traveling four different cities over the next several months to stage a series of three-week-long “creative interventions.”

6. Student Designed Library

Libraries have always been important to education in America. Now, students in Berkeley, California are designing their own library in order for it to reflect their experiences.

7. A Streetcar Named Colfax

Back in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Denver had a few streetcar lines for citizens to use to get around the city. Now, as Colfax Avenue continues to be redeveloped, there is talk of bringing those streetcars back, starting with Denver’s main street.

8. Google Glass on the Battlefield

As more technology like Google Glass develops at an astounding rate, the military will now be using the Q-Warrior, a gadget that soldiers can wear over their eyes to aid in combat.

9. Engineering Custom Dollhouses

Roominate is a new toy that will allow little girls to design, wire, and engineer their own dollhouses. This may lead to more girls and young women to pursue jobs in STEM.

10. New Planets Discovered

With NASA’s $600 million Kepler Space Telescope, over 715 new exoplanets were discovered recently, effectively doubling the number of known planets.

Wednesdays on the Web: February 19th

A weekly round-up of innovation, social impact, and design news from around the web.

1. Google Fiber Expanding

Google has announced that they are exploring the idea of expanding Fiber to nine more metropolitan areas around the country, bringing the new total of cities with Fiber to 34. Some of these new cities include Portland, Raleigh-Durham, Nashville, San Antonio, and Salt Lake City.

2. A New App for Firefighters

Firefighter and app designer Patrick Jackson has created a new app that can be used to help fight fires. Some of its features include displaying incoming emergency dispatches and maps of where incidents are, fire hydrant tracking, and copies of building plans.

3. Screens for Plane Windows

 The new Spike S-512 Supersonic Jet will be a little different than most other private jets of its caliber. Instead of windows, it will feature huge screens that project images of the sky around them using micro-cameras attached to the outside of the plane.

4. Waterproof MP3 Players by Sony

Sony has released a new line of MP3 players that are reported to be waterproof. How can that be proven without them breaking? They are being sold in water bottles.

5. Bone Regeneration

What if we could regrow bones? In this TED Talk, Molly Stevens discusses a new method of bone regeneration that involves stem cells and the natural function of bone itself.

6. 3D Heart Imaging

Doctors may now be able to get 3D renderings of vital organs, specifically the heart. A team at Georgia Tech designed this tiny chip that can be placed at the end of a catheter wire and be used to take images and record noises.

7. Fitness-tracking Earbuds

Apple has just patented a new kind of earbud. They go in and around your ear and can be used not only for music, but also to track your heartbeat and improve your fitness.

8. Seeing Inside Cells

This new quantum microscope may have the ability to see inside living cells. Using laser technology, the microscope would be able to prove cells at nanometer scales.

9. The First Stretchy, Bendy Light Circuit

Researchers in Belgium have now developed the first ever stretchable light circuit. It will be able to carry light signals no matter how bent it is.

The (Uncertain) Future of Humanoid Robotics

Back in December, I was home for the holiday season. It was wonderful to sleep in my old bed, see family, reconnect with friends, and enjoy some time for reflection. Not to mention I am a big fan of Christmas carols and anything flavored with peppermint. All this holiday cheer and merriment was brilliant, but one moment from my week at home stands out in particular. My two cousins, my sister, and her boyfriend all decided to go out one night. While enjoying a cold pitcher and a game of bingo, we noticed that the man at the table next to us was wearing Google Glass. We were all naturally quite curious, having heard our fair share of rumors and stories about this new form of augmented reality. The man was contracted by Google’s developers to travel with Glass and let people he encounters try it on for a few minutes. The five of us each then got the chance to play around with Google’s latest creation. I was impressed. But with my favorable opinion also brought about a certain sense of confusion and critical concern; where’s the personality? Where’s the personalization? And where’s my “Her” hiding? Scarlett Johansson may not have been talking to me while I was trying out Glass, but I wouldn’t have minded considering most find it easier to connect with the warmth of another human than with a machine.

TEDxMileHigh (and certainly TED) is particularly interested in robotics and new forms of reality. Former TEDxMileHigh speaker Easton LaChappelle created a robotic prosthetic arm and spoke about it at our June 2013 event at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Easton’s use of 3D printing and modeling techniques allowed him to create, build, and print a prosthetic arm for around $450. A similar advanced prosthetic arm on the market would cost $80,000. Easton’s arm has the same level of strength, stamina, and functionality of any human arm, but at a price point that is incredibly affordable. But Google Glass and new forms of prosthetics target very specific groups of people. What about robotics that serve  a wider audience?

It’s no surprise to me that people are curious about Google Glass, robotic arms, and other forms of virtual reality and robotics. And we’re investing a lot of time, money, and energy on making these advancements available to the public quickly and efficiently. Take vacuuming, for example. It’s a household chore that everybody has to do, but nobody really wants to (unless you do, in which case, I’d love to hire you). Dyson is planning on spending $8 million on a robotics research lab in order to make robot vacuums more accessible to the masses. In their press release, founder James Dyson is quoted saying that his “generation believed the world would be overrun by robots by the year 2014. We now have the mechanical and electronic capabilities, but robots still lack understanding — seeing and thinking in the way we do. Mastering this will make our lives easier and lead to previously unthinkable technologies.” In other words, the robots are here, but we need to fine tune them to make them more like us. More like humans. Humanoid robots. Robots that are like Easton’s robotic arm or Google Glass: able to fully interact with the human body.

What would this “humanoid robot” look like? I believe it will have the best qualities of robots and humans. It will be able to perform necessary tasks and projects, but will be able to interact with humans in such a way that lasting connections can be made. Developers in England are already creating a robot that can sing, act, and dance. They are hoping to continue researching and create a robot that will also be able to jump and skip. The most exciting part? These robots can remember past interactions, conversations, patterns, and trends, and can recognize human emotions. They have been programmed to not take over the world, so there’s no need to worry about a 1970’s sci-fi movie style takeover by robots anytime soon. Technologies like Google Glass can become even more relevant in our lives if the same level of personalization and human-like qualities can be implemented into its user experience.

It’s easy to say that robots and other forms of technology make our lives easier. From household appliances to cell phones equipped with voice command, to security measures found in airports and other public places, robots and virtual reality are everywhere and maximize efficient systems and other protocols. With this ease and comfort, though, we can lose human contact and connection. We sit behind screens and keyboards and touch pads rather than across tables and counters. It’s hard to pick up on eye contact and body language when the body you are trying to communicate with is not next to you. We need to find a better way to integrate them into our world, so we don’t have to sacrifice either their technical advancements or our cognitive capabilities to develop meaningful relationships. Google, Dyson, and other organizations are working to do that for us.

Of course, there is a lot of work left to be done, but that is where Easton LaChappelle, Google, and other individuals and companies enter the equation; innovative minds are creating new solutions that combine robotics and humans, but more can be done. What do you think? What are the next steps in integrating robots into a world of humans? When will robots essentially be the same as humans? Do we even want that to happen? These questions and more are crucial when considering the impact that these new technologies have on us. So, what do you think?

Registration is open for TEDxMileHighLive!

What’s TEDxLive?

TEDxLive is an extension of the TEDx program, launched by TED in 2010.TEDxLive events are TEDx events built around the live webcast of TED Conferences. TEDxLive events enable TED enthusiasts all over the world to experience live sessions of the TED Conference; events can be simple viewing events, and may also host live speakers.

What should I expect?

At the event, you’ll hear from some of the world’s leading thinkers and doers (see below) in a room full of TEDxers in Denver. All programming at TEDxMileHighLive will be simulcasted directly from TED2014 in Vancouver, Canada. Tickets are free and there are three sessions available. 

Who’s in the lineup?

Tuesday, March 18, 2014, 9:30am-11:15am MDT

Session 1: Retrospect

  • Bran Ferren - desaturate

    Bran Ferren
    Technology designer 

  • Marc Kushner - desaturate

    Marc Kushner
    Architect

  •  Raspyni Brothers - desaturate

    Raspyni Brothers
    Jugglers

  • Yoruba Richen - desaturate

    Yoruba Richen
    Documentary filmmaker

  • Mark Ronson - desaturate

    Mark Ronson
    Music Producer and DJ

Tuesday, March 18, 2014, 12:00pm-1:45pm MDT

Session 2: Reshape

  • Michel Laberge - desaturate

    Michel Laberge
    Plasma physicist

  • Amanda Burden - desaturate

    Amanda Burden
    Urban planner

  • David Kwong - desaturate

    David Kwong
    Cruciverbalist

  • Matthew Carter - desaturate

    Matthew Carter
    Type designer 

Tuesday, March 18, 2014, 7:00pm-8:45pm MST

Session 3: Wish

  • Gavin Schmidt - desaturate

    Gavin Schmidt
    Climate scientist

  • Melinda Gates (with Bill) - desaturate

    Melinda Gates (with Bill)
    Philanthropist

  • Bill Gates (with Melinda) - desaturate

    Bill Gates (with Melinda)
    Philanthropist

  • Zak Ebrahim - desaturate

    Zak Ebrahim
    Peace activist

  • The TED Prize Winner - desaturate

    The TED Prize Winner
    Wishmaker

  •  Sting - desaturate

    Sting
    Composer, singer, author, actor, activist

Where do I get tickets? 

You can order tickets directly below or visit our Eventbrite page for more information.

Wednesdays on the Web: February 12th

A weekly round-up of innovation, social impact, and design news from around the web.

1. Silicon Cities

Artist Alfred Twu has created these renderings of what he would imagine several of Silicon Valley’s most prominent tech companies would look like if they built entire citiesout of their current campuses. Included are Google, Facebook, Electronic Arts, and Apple.

2. Rapid Medical Diagnosis Device

QuantuMDx Group has released a new device that can help doctors in diagnosing diseases and drug resistance. The Q-POC is a new tool that can diagnose ailments and allergies in as little as ten to fifteen minutes with just one single prick of blood.

3. Microsoft Going Mobile

Microsoft is the latest company to dip into the smart phone market. They are aiming to have a new device ready for consumers by the end of the month.

4. Disney Startup Accelerator

Disney is partnering with Techstars to launch a media entertainment startup accelerator, which will aim to award thousands of dollars to companies looking to make their mark in the entertainment industry.

5. Virgin Atlantic Using Google Glass

Google Glass continues to make its impact. Some Virgin Atlantic employees  at London’s Heathrow Airport are now wearing Glass in order to promote themselves as more glamorous and personalized.

6. Faster Internet on a Tiny Chip
Google Fiber delivers fast internet, but this tiny chip will bring it to users even faster. Once installed, internet will be delivered at a rate 400 times faster than Fiber and 5,000 times faster than the average U.S. connection.

7. Lung in a Box

TransMedics has developed an experimental device that will allow vital organs to continue “breathing” during transport. This will allow for better transplant results.

8. Social Networking for Readers

Reading is usually considered a solitary activity, but with Goodreads, it will become a new form of social interaction. The founders believe letting users catalogue the books they have read will inspire discussion and debate.

9. Denver’s Chocolate Crisis Center

Chocoholics rejoice! The Chocolate Crisis Center in Denver’s RiNo Art District is open and offering all kinds of sweets to help sooth any and all cravings.

10. Sochi at Night

The Winter Olympics are well underway. See what Sochi looks like at night from space.

Ready? Introducing our first TEDxMileHigh Adventure of 2014

2014 is going to be a big year. TEDxMileHighLive is slated for March 18 at City Hall, we’re holding a 2000-person youth event on April 16 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, and TEDxMileHigh is happening again June 14.

Beyond our events, TEDxMileHigh is pleased to announce the full-force launch of our Adventure platform, which will provide behind-the-scenes, exclusive access to the people and places that make Greater Denver so dynamic.

Intrigued?

Our first adventure of 2014 is February 20, 6-8pm at Converge Denver. We are tremendously excited that award-winning, internationally-recognized poets Bobby LeFebre and Ken Arkind will be hosting, both of whom gave performances at TEDxMileHigh. There are only 20 slots available, and the event will be free-of-charge.

Bobby sent us the following as a representation of what you’ll experience at our first 2014 Adventure:

“Poetry, like all living things, is always growing and evolving. The art-form has served as an essential component of our history and collective consciousness, and every person that has ever walked this earth has had a story to tell. Although poetry is often viewed as a mere exercise in the esoteric, we argue it was never meant to be relegated to that hollow identity. Join us in an exclusive TEDxMileHigh Adventure where we will utilize 21st Century literary tools and performance techniques to travel to unfamiliar places. Using our names, the subconscious, and imagination as our transportation, we will discover worlds within ourselves that lay dormant, but complete. Everyone has stories buried inside themselves; during this Adventure, we will dig until we unearth what lives beneath. Join us for an evening of defining, (re)defining, discovering, and/or (re) discovering your personal, professional, and entrepreneurial self/intent.”

 So, what are adventures?

+Adventures are designed to deepen connections in the local TEDxMileHigh community and put ideas into action.

Adventures:

ARE UNIQUE, BEHIND-THE-SCENES EXPERIENCES. Adventures are an invitation to unparalleled, behind-the-scenes access to the people and places that make the Greater Denver area so dynamic. They extend the TEDx phenomenon beyond a single-day conference format, and offer a platform for the community to interface with speakers and innovators throughout the year.

ARE FREE TO ATTEND. TEDxMileHigh is committed to offering accessible experiences and cultivating a diverse, multi-generational audience by offering free admission to our Adventures.

OFFER ACCESS TO THOUGHT-LEADERS. Adventure organizers and participants go deeper into the concepts introduced through our talks, providing up-close-and-personal contact with speakers and ideas, in a format that encourages discussion and learning.

ARE PROFESSIONALY PLANNED + EXECUTED. TEDxMileHigh Adventures are designed to happen any time of the week, at any time of the day, at interesting venues around the Mile High region. They are cutting-edge, interactive, community-building, highly intimate events that deliver an alternate format to accelerating and advancing big ideas. Adventures will always have less than 25 people, and will be curated and executed by a professional team of TEDxMileHigh volunteers.

For more information, contact [email protected] or brandon@tedxmilehigh. 

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