Category Archives: CES 2016

Ziro – World’s First Robotics Kit That You Can Control with Your Hand

January 30, 2016CES 2016ces, CES 2016, ZeroUITodd Cochrane

Ziro is the world’s first hand gesture controlled robotics kit for everyone. With a few hand gestures, you can make a robot move. Ziro brings the Ironman type of quality, or brings “The Force” to everyone that wants to enjoy it with some really cool robots. This type of technology is great for STEM education.

John Rocha, VP, Marketing at ZeroUI spoke with Jamie Davis and Daniel J. Lewis at CES 2016. The mission for ZeroUI is to remove the barriers between people and technology. They want people to interact with mechanical things and other types of devices in a way that is extremely intuitive. The only way to do that is through hand gestures and other simple ways.

The Ziro kit comes with four actuator modules and one smart glove. The kit enables people to build 3 different robots that they can configure. One is a mars rover robot, another is a humanoid robot, and the third is a robotic dog. A person can use the smart glove to steer the robot in a direction with just the flick of a hand. Pricing for the kit will run about $199. Those that are interested in Ziro can get on a list to be informed when it will become available. It is expected to retail this summer.

Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly which can be found at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic, and health journalist.

Daniel J Lewis dares you to get started in podcasting with The Audacity to Podcast.

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Skulpt Monitors Fat and Muscle Mass for Fitness

January 23, 2016CES 2016, HealthJamie Davis

Jose Bohorquez, founder and CEO of Skulpt chats with Health Tech Weekly host Jamie Davis, the Podmedic at CES Unveiled at the CES 2016 conference in Las Vegas. Skulpt is a muscle and fat quality monitoring system that is used by top athletes to keep track of their training regimen and the effectiveness of their practice.

The technology behind the Skulpt Aim® is called electrical impedance myography or EIM. ‘Myography’ literally means “The description of muscles.” When applied to the skin, a very weak current passes between the outer two electrodes. This current is high-frequency and alternating in nature. As the current moves through the skin, the subcutaneous fat, and the muscle, it loses a little bit of energy due to the resistance of the tissue and this change is then measured by the two inner electrodes.

By combining these multiple electrode configurations with multi-frequency electrical measurements, and by using a variety of algorithms, the Skulpt Aim can separate out the condition of the muscle from the amount of fat in a region in just a matter of seconds. The system gives you a percentage body fat reading and a muscle quality reading for the muscle group being examined.

By comparing left and right muscle groups, an athlete can track their symmetrical muscle development. This is important for high-performance athletes to ensure optimal performance and avoid injury. You can find more information at Skulpt.me and get the Skulpt Aim system for yourself and help you meet your fitness goals starting at just $99.

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Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly which can be found at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic, and health journalist.

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Iris by Lowe’s Has Unique Uses for Health and Safety

January 23, 2016CES 2016, Health, HomeJamie Davis

Iris by Lowe’s Companies Inc. is a do-it-yourself home automation and security system that ties hundreds of sensors and products together in one easy to control and monitor system. Health Tech Weekly host Jamie Davis, the Podmedic chats with Kris Bowring from Iris Home Systems at Lowe’s at CES 2016 about the unusual and inventive ways their customers are using the Iris system to monitor and manage the health and safety of the customer’s loved ones.

This is a trend we are seeing more and more often at CES. Consumers are not just using the electronic technology they see there but also adopting the technologies into new and inventive uses. For example, you are worried your elderly mother lives alone. She won’t get a monitoring service to notify responders and you if she falls or has a health emergency. That’s okay, you have access to the customizable Iris System.

You get a couple of motion sensors to place around the home in strategic locations. Then you add a few door/window sensors and place them on the medicine cabinet doors and kitchen cabinet doors to make sure that not only is Mom moving around her home but she’s taking her medicine and making food for herself.

All of this is monitored by a mobile app that unobtrusively lets you know when the system is activated at any time you want. Your mother gets her much-cherished independence and you get the peace of mind knowing that she is okay and doing well each day, throughout the day.

This is just one example of how the Lowe’s Iris Home System customers are using creative and unique solutions using common home monitoring and safety tools. Check out the whole video below for more about this amazing story and learn how others help their loved ones in interesting and unique ways.

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Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly which can be found at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic, and health journalist.

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SPLT Rides is Bringing an All New Rideshare to CES

January 21, 2016CES 2016ces, CES 2016, SPLT RidesTodd Cochrane

The current riidesharing craze is something that seems so obvious now. But it was hardly thinkable in a pre-mobile app world. And while companies like Uber and Lyft have gained most of the attention in the ridesharing space there are still plenty of others who are trailblazing their own paths. One up and comer at this year’s CES is SPLT Rides.

Benjamin Seidman, Director of Business Development at SPLT Rides sat down with Todd and Don to talk about the service. SPLT is focused on companies rather than individual consumers. SPLT uses dynamic routing and scheduling along with on-demand service to accommodate riders who are going to the same destination, such as a shared office building or workspace. Drivers who take SPLT passengers get reimbursed for that time behind the wheel directly thru SPLT’s mobile app. Reimbursement rates are usually based on state per-mile regulations but in some cases, companies are opting to pay their own reimbursement rates to SPLT drivers. Also, SPLT will soon be looking at providing its ridesharing services to events.

Don Baine is the Gadget Professor and he holds classes at TheGadgetProfessor.com.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice weekly Geek News Central Podcast which can be found at GeekNewsCentral.com

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Brinno Brings Impressive Roster of Cameras to CES

January 20, 2016Cameras, CES 2016ces, CES 2016Todd Cochrane

Brinno Logo It’s kind of cliche now that nearly every moment of our lives is captured by a camera somewhere. Whether or not that’s a good or bad thing depends upon your own point of view. Regardless, camera manufacturer Brinno is bringing innovative new cameras to market that can help anyone get the footage they desire.

Chris R. Adams from Brinno stopped off to speak with Todd and Don at this year’s CES. Chris brought along four new devices and was ready to show them off. First up is Brinno’s PanLapse camera base. PanLapse isn’t a camera itself. Rather, it’s designed to hold a number of different cameras. Everything from smartphones to dSLR’s. PanLapse relies on programming from the Brinno smartphone app. This programming tells the device how and when to pan thru its field of motion, giving the attached camera the ability to pan and sweep as needed. PanLapse is on the market now for $130.

Next up is the TLC120 time-lapse camera. TLC120 is a small, weatherproof, HDR time-lapse camera that can take up to 270,000 pictures and store them on a 32GB SD card. TLC120 can also stream images to a smartphone or computer. The camera works over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and it comes with a built-in tripod stand. TLC120 can be set for use in starlight, daylight, low light, and other scenarios. TLC120 is available for purchase for $299.

Brinno has also brought a special package to CES called the BCC200 Pro. The BCC200 is a higher-end version of the company’s TLC120 camera and it’s being sold as part of a package exclusively thru B&H Photo. Suggested price for the BCC200 is $239.

The last item Chris had to share this year is Brinno’s PHV1325 PeepHole Viewer camera. The name pretty much says it all in this case. PHV1325 comes with a peephole replacement kit for your door. When you install the PHV1325 camera, it’ll record any activity it detects at your door and it can even send that video directly to your smartphone or computer. PHV1325 works with a system of sensors that can be placed on your doorbell, under a doormat, detect when someone knocks on the door or simply walks in front of your door. When the PeepHole Viewer detects movement at your door, it can instantly notify you and send you images of what’s going on. The device carries a retail price of $199.

Don Baine is the Gadget Professor and he holds classes at TheGadgetProfessor.com.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice weekly Geek News Central Podcast which can be found at GeekNewsCentral.com

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Qardio Brings Trio of Health Devices to CES

January 20, 2016CES 2016, Healthces, CES 2016, Health, QardioTodd Cochrane

If CES 2016 was any indicator, personal health technology is turning into a quickly expanding market. Manufacturers are introducing all kinds of new and innovative products to help us better understand what’s going on inside our bodies. One such company is Qardio.

Qardio CTO Rosario Iannella stopped by the booth to talk with Todd and Don about three new products: The QardioArm, the QardioBase, and the QardioCore.

QardioArm is a cuff-style blood pressure monitor that goes over a user’s upper arm. The monitor works similarly to a traditional style blood pressure monitor. QardioArm sends readings wirelessly to a smart phone app where they can be stored and shared. QardioArm is currently on the market for $99.

Next up is the impressive full-body scale, the QardioBase. This device is like your old bathroom scale pushed to the max. QardioBase conducts a super low-voltage current thru the person standing on it and uses that current to measure things like body water, body fat, bone composition and more. Qardio has done extensive testing on QardioBase to ensure its accuracy. The base can share its measurements with other devices, connecting over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The device is currently available for purchase at a price of $199.

Last but definitely not least we have QardioCore, a wearable EKG monitor. Unlike traditional personal EKG’s, QardioCore uses a strap to hold itself into place, as opposed to an adhesive patch. The device has built-in accelerometers that help to ensure the device is placed properly onto the user’s body. QardioCore will be available later this year and it’s expected to sell for $499.

Don Baine is the Gadget Professor and he holds classes at TheGadgetProfessor.com.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice weekly Geek News Central Podcast which can be found at GeekNewsCentral.com

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Omron Brings Modern Blood Pressure Monitors to CES

January 20, 2016CES 2016, Healthces, CES 2016, Health, omron healthcareTodd Cochrane

Omron Healthcare Logo Personal healthcare technology has come a long way over the years. It’s now easier than ever to track vital health information at home. Omron Healthcare is leading the way in this field with its new line of blood pressure monitors.

Todd and Don met with Ranndy Kellogg from Omron. Ranndy showed off his company’s latest high-tech blood pressure monitor prototype. Key features of this device include:

Can be worn continuously and used not just as a blood pressure monitor but also an activity tracker for things like counting steps.
Data collected by the device can be transferred to mobile Android or iOS devices. From there, it can be shared with family members, doctors, and other caretakers.
Monitor uses standard oscillometric technology validated to the same accuracy as all upper arm blood pressure monitors.
Built-in sensor lets users know when blood pressure monitor is in proper position for use.
Single battery charge can last up to 14 days, depending on usage.

The blood pressure monitor seen in the video is a working prototype. Omron will take these devices to production then they will go thru clinical studies and eventual FDA clearance. They’re anticipating the testing and clearance time will take about nine months. Once the monitor is ready, it should retail for around $200.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice weekly Geek News Central Podcast which can be found at GeekNewsCentral.com

Don Baine is the Gadget Professor and he holds classes at TheGadgetProfessor.com.

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RightEye Eye-Tracking Tech for Concussion Testing

January 20, 2016CES 2016, HealthJamie Davis

RightEye takes standard eye-tracking technology and adapts it for concussion testing and tracking for athletes and trauma victims. RightEye offers a revolutionary eye-tracking solution that measures your visual skills and health in just 2 minutes. With eye-tracking therapy, they help you achieve what they call Maximum Vision Performance.

In just two minutes, the RightEye eye-tracking test records eye movement data on precisely where a person is looking and measures an array of vision characteristics that are automatically compared to a database of the general population.

After the test, the software delivers a real-time, customized RightEye report that identifies strengths and weaknesses in vision performance and underlying health conditions, and recommends customized eye-tracking based vision training games that improve vision performance along with any needed medical follow-up.

It can also be used to track changes over time for concussion patients to track when they return to normal and can return to work or the playing field.

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Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly which can be found at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic, and health journalist.

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Jacoti Harnesses Smartphone for Hearing Impaired

January 15, 2016CES 2016, HealthJamie Davis

Hearing loss is a big problem worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that 10% of the world’s population has significant hearing loss or deafness. Experts estimate another 10 to 20% suffer from lesser levels of hearing loss. All of these people with partial hearing loss can benefit from the Jacoti Hearing Suite of apps available for free in the app iOS app store.

Jacoti Hearing Suite is a set of cloud-enabled mobile applications that grants anyone – from people with normal hearing to those with profound hearing losses – ubiquitous hearing support with reliability and capabilities far beyond existing and expensive hearing aids and assistive listening devices.

These apps harness the power of the pocket computer that is your smartphone to bring the sounds around you and on your device to life. You can now listen to your own music, enhanced for your personal hearing loss challenges, hear the voices of those around you, and even share you testing information with an audiologist or other medical professional.

Jacoti believes that hearing loss compensation and personalization of audio should be a fundamental part of all audio- enabled computing devices. Hearing loss is both a medical condition and a consumer challenge. Therefore, it needs consumer-driven and consumer-oriented solutions.

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Jamie Davis is the host of Health Tech Weekly which can be found at HTWeekly.com. He is a nurse, paramedic, and health journalist.

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