I’m always amazed by the ideas innovators can glean from nature. It’s called biomimicry, and some of our brightest new technologies are being enhanced by animals and plants. (See my blog post on this here) Case in point, spiders. Scientists studying the threads spun by brown recluse spiders: have learned that these web threads are…
Here is an activity tracking product that is trying to disrupt its way into the wearable wristband market: a ring for your finger! The Motiv Ring Activity + Sleep Tracker monitors your sleep and fitness, including steps, calories and distance. It also has an optical heart rate sensor. The developers say the battery life lasts…
A blockchain is a data structure that makes it possible to create a digital ledger of transactions and share it among a distributed network of computers. It uses cryptography to allow each participant on the network to manipulate the ledger in a secure way without the need for a central authority. I’ve written more about…
Do you frequently travel to places like India or China, in cities where smog van be a problem? Plume Labs has designed a wearable device focused on tracking pollution in your environment. The Flow tracker works both indoors and out, and tracks nitrogen dioxide, ozone, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), temperature, and humidity. Wearers can clip…
Do you know what produces the most value for our customers today? Many companies are looking for new, tangible value to incorporate in their strategy to win customers. My friend Robert Tucker over at The Innovation Resource has come up with six ways you can examine our overall value proposition to strengthen your strategy. I’ve…
The care of our planet is always on the minds of innovators who are presenting the newest technology and scientific advances. Ensia, an independent, nonprofit magazine presenting new perspectives on environmental challenges and solutions, asks, “What should we be thinking about when we think about the future of biodiversity, conservation and the environment?” Here is…
A few weeks ago I posed the question: Have you jumped on the blockchain wagon? A blockchain is a data structure that makes it possible to create a digital ledger of transactions and share it among a distributed network of computers. It uses cryptography to allow each participant on the network to manipulate the ledger…
Birds flying near plane engines are dangerous. If they get sucked into the engines, there will definitely be an “incident report.” Now one company, Clear Flight Solutions, has developed “Robird,” a drone that flaps its wings to frighten other birds. The developers say they designed Robird to mimic the movements of a raptor, gliding through…
If you are thinking of buying or selling your home this year, you may find these trends interesting. The housing market is slowing a bit, according to Forbes. Here are the first of eight things housing experts expect to see in 2017: 1. Prices will continue to rise–but more slowly. Prices rose every month last year…
One of the top trends in robotics this year isn’t just about how cool the functionality is getting; it’s robots designed so that consumers will develop affection for them. There is a purpose in making these robots “cute” and friendly. Innovators know that the number one thing they would look for in a personal robotic…
