Week 14 (#3): Indoor Navigation

We're all familiar with the GPS units we have in our cars to get us from point A to point B; but these GPS systems are limited to navigating outdoors. Now there is a new system for in-store (or in-mall) navigation being developed. The new system, called MST-Smartsense Sensor, uses simple sensors to assess where a person is in a building at any time and works when a QR code is scanned at a location. Scanning the QR code identifies the person's current position (using a downloaded 3D map of the building); from there, a built-in pedometer and compass assess the speed and direction the person is going, and rather than relying on GPS signals the system can tell where that person is going simply based on stride length.

In addition to identifying an individual's precise location, the module can recommend an ideal walk route if desired. The amazing part is that the module does not need to be calibrated by the user, but rather the device is able to gauge stride length on its own. The module uses a series of sensors including an acceleration sensor that tracks the motion of the body, and a magnetic field sensor that measures the alignment of the body through its position relative to the earth's magnetic field. These two sensors work together to map a precise pattern of movement. MST has its own processor built-in, and is the size of a fingernail, and thus could work with nearly any mobile device including tablets and smartphones.

Source:
http://techcrunch.com/2012/05/04/lost-in-the-supermarket-a-new-sensor-will-navigate-for-you-indoors/

http://sciencebusiness.technewslit.com/?p=9314&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=navigation-module-for-inside-buildings-in-development

Week 14 (#2): Free Online Classes from Harvard??

We have been talking a lot in class about the rise in online education in recent years. Although these classes require a lot fewer resources than an on-campus class, the tuition is basically the same. Wouldn't it be nice if this online education was a reduced price, or even better...FREE?!

Harvard and MIT announced a partnership this week to offer online courses to students around the world, in an initiative known as edX. The initiative will be run by a non-profit organization controlled by the two schools. The first courses will begin this fall, and there is no admission process but there are exams and other assessments. Although students won't receive university credit for the classes, certificates are available for a fee to students who demonstrate mastery of the material.

Princeton, Stanford, Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania announced that they will be offering free web-based courses too. MIT and Harvard said that they hope to eventually partner with other universities to expand the offerings on the edX platform.

Source:

http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/02/technology/harvard-mit-online/index.htm

Week 14 (#1): EcoATM: An Easy Way to Sell Your Old Electronics!

We all know what kiosks are...Coinstar and Redbox are two well-known kiosks. One gives you cash for your loose change, and the other rents out DVDs for $1 per night. Well now there is a new type of kiosk making a presence in the market. EcoATM is a company that creates kiosks that automate the buy-back of used mobile phones and other used portable electronics directly from consumers. 


How EcoATM Works:
The seller places their phone (or MP3 player or other gadget) into the kiosk (the company says it will not damage the phone nor read/copy any personal data from the device). The kiosk then visually identifies the phone as best it can from a database of around 4,000 devices and uses visual recognition technology to determine if the device has been damaged. The kiosk also analyzes whether or not the device boots up. Based on the type of phone and the shape it's in, EcoATM makes an offer. Users can cash out (or cancel the transaction and get their phone back at any time), with the option to donate any percentage of the sale to a charity. Every week, the company picks up the phones sold and sells these to middle market electronics refurbishers, who fix the devices up and resell them or sell the parts to other electronics companies.


There are about 50 EcoATM kiosks operating in the US  currently, mostly in California for now. They are located primarily in malls, grocery stores and big-box retailers. The company expects to expand nationally.


Source:
http://techcrunch.com/2012/05/01/ecoatm-raises-17m-from-coinstar-and-others-for-electronics-recycling-and-resale-kiosk-system/