In-car device monitors blood sugar for diabetic drivers

QR code People with diabetes and their caregivers know that careful and constant monitoring of their blood sugar levels is critical to managing the disease. But even while driving?

In an unusual marriage of medical technology, consumer electronics and automotive engineering, Fridley, Minn.-based Medtronic Inc. and Ford Motor Co. on Wednesday unveiled a prototype device that uses the automaker's in-car communications system to help drivers track their blood glucose activity while on the go.

"It's a real high-tech approach to the old saying, 'I've fallen and I can't get up!' " said Phil Nalbone, an analyst with Wedbush Securities. "This makes good use of widely available communications technology to safeguard patients and improve quality of care."

Using Bluetooth connectivity, the system links the automaker's popular in-car infotainment system, called Sync, to a Medtronic continuous glucose monitor. If a driver's glucose levels are too low, an alert sounds or a signal appears on a dashboard screen.

Low blood sugar, in particular, can cause light-headedness, blurry vision and other potentially dangerous symptoms that could cause a traffic accident. The American Diabetes Association estimates nearly 26 million adults and children in the United States have diabetes, but of that amount, only a portion use glucose monitors and insulin pumps.

The Ford-Medtronic prototype is still being researched, so it's unclear when - and if - the technology will ever be marketed. "Today it's all about possibilities," said Medtronic senior vice president James Dallas, who attended an unveiling at Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., on Wednesday. "There's nothing formal yet, but the technology has reached a point where possibilities can become probabilities."

The idea has won some preliminary fans in the diabetes community. "I know when I'm driving, if the 'check engine' light comes on, I'm going to pay attention," said Dr. Richard Bergenstal, executive director of Park Nicollet's International Diabetes Center. "It's kind of the same principle."

For Medtronic, the partnership signals a growing movement toward managing health remotely through smartphones, tablets, laptops and, possibly, cars. Dallas said the company is in talks with other tech leaders, such as IBM, Cisco, Apple, Verizon and Qualcomm, for other partnerships. "It helps us extend our reach in new ways," Dallas said.

Medtronic's $1.2 billion diabetes business has led the way in continuous glucose monitoring, which records blood sugar levels throughout the day and night. The readings permit patients to make adjustments to insulin levels, often using a Medtronic insulin pump, or by ingesting sugar to coax levels back into normal territory.

"Ideally, we will get to a place where the sensor and pump communicate and when you get a reading, the pump automatically adjusts," Medtronic spokesman Brian Henry said.

Pairing the Medtronic technology with automotive engineering may seem far-fetched at first blush, but Ford maintains that 78 percent of U.S. consumers are deeply interested in "mobile health solutions." According to a study by MobileStorm cited by the company, medical and health care applications are the third-fastest growing category of smartphone apps.

Ford also announced a project on Wednesday to provide drivers with allergy alerts and pollen levels on the Sync device for those suffering from asthma and severe allergies.

"Ford's approach to health and wellness in the vehicle is not about trying to take on the role of a health care or medical provider," said Gary Strumolo, the company's global manager of interiors, infotainment, and health and wellness research. "We're a car company."

By partnering with "experts," Strumolo said, the Sync system can be used as a kind of "secondary alert system and alternate outlet for real-time patient coaching services."

Ford released Sync in 2008 to mostly positive reviews. Developed with Microsoft, the system enables voice control of phones and audio systems and is available in most models of Ford vehicles. (It's an extra $395 when optional.)

However, as safety concerns mount over potentially distracted drivers using cell phones for texting, talking and other activities, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood expressed concern last fall about systems like Sync and General Motors' OnStar, even if they are "hands free."

There are also questions about whether there's significant money to be made. "It remains to be seen how Medtronic will monetize this and whether it will contribute to a meaningful revenue stream," Nalbone said. "But it's an intriguing idea."

(c) 2011, Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Toyota to set up social networking service

QR code Toyota is setting up a social networking service with the help of a U.S. Internet company and Microsoft so drivers can interact with their cars in ways similar to Twitter and Facebook.

Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp. and Salesforce.com, based in San Francisco, announced their alliance Monday to launch "Toyota Friend," a private social network for Toyota owners that works similar to tweets on Twitter.

In a demonstration at a Tokyo showroom, an owner of a plug-in Prius hybrid found out through a cellphone message from his Prius called "Pre-boy" that he should remember to recharge his car overnight.

When the owner plugged in his car to recharge it, the car replied, "The charge will be completed by 2:15 a.m. Is that OK? See you tomorrow."

The exchanges can be kept private, or be shared with other "Toyota Friend" users, as well as made public on Facebook, Twitter and other services, the company said.

The companies did not give details of how the technology, such as the content of the talking car's dialogues, will be managed. A launch where such details will be offered is set for Tuesday.

Toyota is investing 442 million yen ($5.5 million), Microsoft Corp. is investing 335 million yen ($4.1 million) and Salesforce.com 223 million yen ($2.8 million) in the project.

Many cars are already equipped with navigation and other network-linking capabilities, and can function as a mobile device just like an iPhone or a Blackberry.

Toyota's service, built on open-source cloud platforms that are the specialty of Salesforce.com, as well as on Microsoft's platform, will start in Japan in 2012, and will be offered later worldwide, according to Toyota.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda, a racing fan, said he always "talks" with his car when he is zipping around on the circuit.

With the popularity of social networking, cars and their makers should become part of that online interaction, he said.

"I hope cars can become friends with their users, and customers will see Toyota as a friend," he said.

Salesforce.com chief executive Marc Benioff said social networks can add value to products and companies. It can also help Toyota gain massive information not only about their buyers but about how the car is working or not working, he said.

"I want a relationship with my car in the same way we have a relationship with our friends on social networks," he said.

Toyoda, who has always been interested in telematics, or the use of Internet technology in autos, has been aggressive in forging alliances with new kinds of companies, including one with U.S. luxury electric carmaker Tesla Motors that he announced last year.

Partnerships with dot.com types have been a bright spot in Toyoda's bumpy career as president. He has faced growing doubts about reliability and transparency because of the massive global recalls that began two years ago, shortly after he took office, and which now affect more than 14 million vehicles.

Toyota is also battling parts shortages after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan destroyed key suppliers, hampering production.

Pioneer previews integrated floating image display technology

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The Pioneer FV-01 Floating Vision system.

(PhysOrg.com) -- Pioneer has recently conducted a demonstration of its floating image display technology, which is being called Floating Vision, that allows for a small sized 3D floating screen to be projected into spaces like the dashboard of a car. The system, which was shown off at the Embedded Systems Expo, uses a set of infrared sensors that allow this projected screen to be used in a manner similar to that of the current touch screen systems in use, in a limited capacity at the present moment. The system was demonstrated both in a car, and in the context of a customer service scenario.

The system makes use of a 3D module that has an LCD module mounted on the back. The system then uses a specially designed 3D lens, mounted in the front, which allows the image to appear as if it is floating in space. Since it only relies on one projection, and not the traditional right and left eye perspectives of older 3D systems the screen can project a clear image from a variety of angles and without the use of glasses.

At the Embedded Systems Expo demonstration the in-car navigation system was paired with multiple touch panel displays. The system allows a user to select an object on the touch screen panel the same way that you would with most navigation systems. Then once a hand is swiped over the Floating Vision display the image of the object that the user selected is projected into the 3D display map.

This system is similar to the FV-01, a PC connection system that creates a floating 3D display, currently being sold by Pioneer. The company hopes to move from the USB connections of the current systems to integrated systems in the future with the use of the Floating Vision system.This video is not supported by your browser at this time.

FV-01 system

Japanese public broadcasting group highlights two new television technology innovations

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Image: Techon

(PhysOrg.com) -- NHK Science and Technology Research Laboratories, the research arm of Japan’s NHK public television company, recently held its annual open house, which serves to show off the latest innovations in television and digital media. This year's event, in conjunction with Nippon Telephone and Telegraph, highlighted both a new way to transmit 3-D content and a way to broadcast animation in a more personal way.

The new 3-D technology involves sending signals for the left and right eyes separately; one over a communication line, the other over airwaves. The end result, when combined, is full HD equivalent video for both eyes, as opposed to the current 50% video now in use in Japan, where data is compressed before transmission. To sync the dual signals, a time stamp is embedded in both signals and a processor on the receiver ensures the signals arrive at the viewer’s eyes at exactly the same time. The idea was presented as part of a new concept STRL is working on called Hybridcast, where video content and supporting data are sent simultaneously to both a television service and a computer such as an iPad; allowing content providers to supply backing material to a device such as an iPad while video plays on the television.

Also, in a completely unrelated technological innovation, STRL showed off what it calls, Interactive IP rendering; which doesn’t even come close to describing what it is; and that is, a technique for marrying animated characters to the environment in which they "live." Which is another way of saying, they live in a box, instead of on a two dimensional screen. Thus, when the box (the television screen) is physically turned onto its side, the animated characters on screen react by sliding sideways down the slope created, till they crash into the edge. The technology, similar to the effect created when watching movies on an iPad when it is physically turned, goes one step further by adding a 3-D component and by making the content “aware” of what is happening and reacting to it. By combining the effect with realistic 3-D animation, the characters onscreen are also able to fall forward or backward, etc., if the screen is tilted as such.

To achieve its startling effect, the IP rendering method uses a technology it calls ray reproduction to recreate the way light is represented to the viewer, i.e. in a more natural, real world way.

This year’s open house, the 65th, was themed, “Experience the Future of Digital Broadcasting” and though muted by the ongoing recovery efforts due to the earthquake and tsunami still deeply affecting the country; the event was still clearly a success judging by demonstrations of such innovative technology.

More information:
via Techon

Airbus shows off a see-thru concept plane (w/ video)

QR code (PhysOrg.com) -- Airbus has begun to show off its version of the plane of the future. It is somewhere between cool and disturbing, depending on who you ask, but it definitely represents some interesting new technology that could make flying more energy efficient and a give you something a lot more interesting to look at then the in-flight movie.

The presentations, which took place in London, feature concept art from the design that the company hopes one day to make into a flying model. The plane would be almost completely see-through, thanks to the creation of a biopolymer membrane. This membrane would make every seat into a window seat by default and allow you to see the world below as you pass it by.

The real power saving innovation was alluded to by Charles Champion, head of engineering for Airbus. When he described the plane to Telegraph he described a section of the plane known as the SmartTech zone. In this zone users body heat is converted in to power for the plane. Mr. Champion was not specific about in which systems would use body heat as a power source and which would not, which has raised some speculation as to what exactly humans will be the power source for.

The plane is not expected to be released until the year 2050, if it ever makes it off of the drawing board to begin with, so do not expect to be getting rides in a see-thru plane any time in the near future.

More information:
via Telegraph

Apple patents a 1-meter-range wireless charging system

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(PhysOrg.com) -- According to a recently submitted patent application by Apple, wireless charging may be a whole new boost. That patent, which is entitled "Wireless power utilization in a local computing environment" is a system designed to exploit research in the area of mid range wireless power transfer physics. This means that the device listed in the patent is designed to use of a wireless near field magnetic resonance (NFMR) power transmission in order to power devices that are within the 1 meter range. Think wireless charging without having to be on a specialized charging mat.

While at this point no specific devices have been proposed by Apple based on this patent the prospects are tantalizing at best. The idea of being able to charge your iPhone or iPad simply by having it near your desktop or lap Mac is one that would appeal to many users who already have their USB ports occupied with peripheral devices instead of using it as a substitute for finding an outlet nearby. Since this could, in theory allow for charging anywhere at any time, it would represent a step up from the current generation of induction charging pads, since the charging pad itself needs to be plugged into an outlet in order to give your devices the juice that the need.

While nothing is definite at this point, this patent may explain why Apple has chosen not to create an inductive wireless charging device for iPods, iPhones, and iPads currently. Given Apple's tendency to take existing technology and turn it on its head, this would not be a completely out of left field.

Start up creates a 'no-focus' point and shoot camera

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(PhysOrg.com) -- If you have ever used a "Point and Shoot" style of camera in the last few years then you know that that term is a misnomer because unless you are using a disposable camera you are going to be waiting for that camera to auto-focus and that focus can take up to 45 seconds to find its focus and allow you to take a picture. It is annoying to say the least if the action that you wanted a picture of can't be stopped like a posed photo. Since that focus can mean that you may miss a winning goal or a really cute moment it can be more than just annoying.

One start up, based in the Silicon Valley, is looking to change all of that. The company is named Lytro and it is based on the work of Dr. Ren Ng whose dissertation on light-field technology was published five years ago to accolades by his Alma Matter Stanford University.

Dr. Ng has recently received $50 million in funding in order to create his company, which is about to launch a digital camera that is free of the focus factor, by getting all of the information about the surroundings that is possible. "Shoot now, focus later," Dr. Ng said today in a blog post describing this innovation.

This video is not supported by your browser at this time.

The machine takes a photo by getting as much of the information about the field of light in the general area as possible. This will allow users to adjust the focus as many times as they want after the photo has been taken. It will also allow users to alter a photos level, and depending on your setup may even allow users to create images that are three-dimensional.This video is not supported by your browser at this time.

Lytro is having the cameras made itself and did not disclose the planned price.

More information: Picture gallery: http://www.lytro.c … ure_gallery#