No one would dispute the importance of innovation is the progress of civilization. Innovation allows us to do more with fewer resources, saving time, energy and money. Every year, the Edison Awards, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, recognizes some of the leading product and service innovations. Today, Herman Trend Alert looks at some of the innovations recently recognized by the awards organization.
Biometric Identification taken to the next level
The Biometrics Center at Carnegie Mellon University has developed a platform they call characterize as “Unconstrained Biometric Identification.” This impressive platform can enhance and identify people from very low-resolution footage that includes side views of heads and is even accurate when people are not looking directly at the camera. The platform can pick up high-resolution images of the eyes from up to 12 meters away and identify people based solely on their iris patterns. The Boston Marathon bombers could potentially have been identified sooner with this technology. Click here to take a look at the company’s video demo.
THESBOT: a pipe-inspecting robot
Since pipes are closed when they leak or get clogged, it is often difficult to diagnose the problem. Developed by HiBot Corp., the THESBOT is a snake-like robot created to inspect pipes. Due to its jointed design, it can independently climb vertical pipes and even move around elbow joints, u-bends and T-joints in pipes as small as 3 inches. While it is taking real-time images, THESBOT may carry other specialized sensors, providing invaluable information for predictive plant maintenance.
A solution to understand people with speech impediments
Many of us had experienced the frustration of trying to understand a young child’s barely intelligible communication. Engineered for people with speech disabilities due to motor, speech and language disorders, Talkitt® by Voiceitt can easily communicate using their own voice. A smartphone app, the Voice2Voice application translates unintelligible words into understandable speech and runs on any mobile or wearable device, allowing the person to communicate freely, from anywhere.
Innovation begets innovation
Recognizing innovation in a variety of fields, The Edison Awards identify impressive breakthroughs in products, services, strategy and design. To have your product or service considered, visit http://www.edisonawards.com. Fueled by the Edison Awards and other recognition programs, there will increasing numbers of breakthrough innovations vying for our global currencies.
