GADGET GIZMO SPECIAL .....HOT STUFF 2015

GADGET GIZMO  SPECIAL HOT STUFF 2015





At the beginning of every year, companies unveil some of their newest products that will set the trend for the next 12 months. Techtonic picks some of the coolest gear and technologies that will change the way you live and travel... 

IN YOUR WARDROBE

The SMS BioSport In-Ear headphones are a pair of smart plugs that includes fitness monitoring biometric technology in the form of built-in optical sensors which continuously measure your heart rate as you exercise.

The self-charging system ­ with Intel technology ­ detects in-ear pulses and syncs this data with the RunKeeper app on your phone. Additionally , audio technologies dynamically remove noise signals caused by your body's motion during workouts to ensure you are only served with highfidelity sound.

Then, there's the D-Shirt S (Digital Shirt Smoozi) by Cityzen Sciences that takes the idea of wearable tech to yet another level. The fabric is infused with smart sensors that convey the wearer's bio signals to a smartphone app for monitoring and real-time coaching. Users can monitor their heart rate, running speed, distance and altitude in real time. They are also informed about the amount of calories they've burnt and their level of fatigue.

And when it comes to foot care, there's the Sensoria Fitness Socks that come with their own electronic anklet.

The socks by themselves are equipped with three proprietary sensors on the sole that detect foot landing technique, running form, cadence, step counting, distance and speed as you run.

Conductive fibres then relay this data to magnetic contact points below the sock cuff.These points serve as a connector to the adjustable anklet that links to the Sensoria mobile app via Bluetooth.

The anklet ­ with flexible electronics and a 3-axis accelerometer to further enhance data monitoring ­ supports active usage of over six hours on a single charge.

But the application of such wearable tech goes beyond mere sports training.Future applications could include self monitoring of vitals by patients, allowing for better medical follow-ups. Doctors will be able to use data from these smart materials to formulate precise diagnostics and make long-distance treatments more reliable, reducing hospitalization costs.

AT HOME

You no longer need professionals to set up your home security systems.

Companies, such as Fibaro, Myfox (bottom left), Nexia Home Intelligence, Opcom and Oplink Connected, have introduced starter kits that homeowners can install by themselves.Each set comprises a `hub' or a `smartbox' that acts as a link between your Wi-Fi connection and components like wireless cameras, motion and window sensors (which can be attached to door and window frames using industrial strength adhesive strips), smart lights (that can be dimmed and brightened remotely), and the siren alarm that you've installed.

Then, using mobile apps, you can configure each of the components, and even monitor the safety of your home remotely from your smartphone or tablet, provided your home Wi-Fi connection is up and running.

Those looking for a simpler set up might find the Sengled Snap (top) indoor-outdoor LED lamp more appealing. Resembling a light fixture, which can be screwed into a simple bulb holder, the Snap is a welldisguised security system by itself, complete with a 720p HD IP camera, microphone, and speaker. The gizmo supports cloud recording and playback, voice and motion activation, along with facial and activity recognition for home security .It connects to the internet through Wi-Fi on 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies, and this means house owners are provided with a real-time view and playback of video footage directly on their mobile devices through an Android and iOS app.

And finally, for protected access to your PC, you can consider the eyeLock Myris (bottom right) ­ an iris scanner that connects to your PC via a USB port.The camera in the Myris captures a video of your eyes to verify identity, and since no two irises are alike, the chances of a false match are less than one alike, the chances of a false match are less th in 1.5 million. Only DNA is more accurate.

Installation is quite simple too. Just plug Myris in, find the app on the desktop and launch. During setup, you'll be guided through a few steps to set up your profile and generate your unique iris-based ID. The system looks at the unique characteristics of each iris and generates an encrypted code, which will allow only you to unlock your PC.

ON THE ROAD

The Mercedes-Benz F 015 is a self-driving proto type that's equipped with stereo cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors to monitor its surroundings in every direction. Additionally , it uses high-precision GPS data along with 3D maps for location to the exact centimetre.

The F 015 is capable of authenticating its owner by means of their smartphone or wearable device to open doors automatically . Its activated digital dashboard then shows driving-related information, such as vehicle speed, navigation, climate control, and ventilation. And all of this can be controlled by a combination of eye tracking and gestures.To initiate control, for instance, the driver simply needs to look at the desired element on its display .As soon as the system detects eye movement, hand gestures are interpreted as control inputs.

The head-up display in the windscreen flashes placeand object-related content, including street names, buildings, information on parking spaces, restaurants, and the occupancy of hotels near to the vehicle's location. Thanks to its full internet connectivity , the F 015's systems can be programmed from a PC or by using a mobile device app. In effect, it can even be sent off to search for its own parking space, or perhaps to a specific location to collect the user or other occupants.

What's more, this automated behemoth is kitted with a high-precision laser system that allows the vehicle to project a virtual zebra crossing, which indicates to pedestrians that it is safe to cross. And if the F 015 brakes with the intention of stopping, a projected display marks the position where it will come to a stop. To build this hi-tech vehicle's body , Mercedes has used F1-grade carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), which boasts of an impact protection that's five times higher than steel or aluminium. This results in a vehicle weight that's about 40% lighter when compared to today's automobiles.

Other car manufacturers like Audi and BMW also have similar technologies. Like the MercedesBenz F 015, the Audi A7 Sportback is capable of autonomous driving, while BMW has kitted its existing models with a self-parking feature that finds a space by itself. It also returns to the entrance of the parking lot when the owner taps on its smartphone app, while avoiding obstacles on the way .

TOI 24JAN15