Meet Mercedes-Benz’s semi-autonomous bus

While there are ride-hailing apps and self-driving cars, there is still a need for public transport, especially since these can fit more people in. But there’s also a need for it to evolve and that’s what Mercedes-Benz is trying to do with the semi-autonomous Future Bus program. It follows a route from Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport to the town of Haarlem, which is a route that has a number of bends, traffic lights, and tunnels. The Future Bus was able to navigate this route of over 20 kilometers. It has a top speed of 70km/h and promises to drive gently and smoothly so it’ll still be a safe ride for standing passengers. Yes, it still has a human driver ready to take over in case of an emergency. But Mercedes-Benz believes the technology called CityPilot in the Future Bus makes the ride both safe and efficient.

CityPilot technology is adapted from the software they use for their autonomous trucks made under the Daimler name. The bus can detect objects on the road and bus stops. And it can connect to the city’s infrastructure network so it can get information like when traffic lights will change as well as collect data for the city using its cameras to see things like road wear and tear. Inside of the bus gets so tech upgrades too as there are things like wireless charging spots in them.

Source: Daimler

Smart thermometer doesn’t need to touch your skin to take your temperature

One of the hardest things to do when your baby is sick is trying to take their temperature. The most accurate way to get their temperature is using a rectal thermometer. What if we told you there’s now an alternative to that? Withings introduced back in CES 2016 the Thermo, a device that just needs to do a forehead sweep to check if you or anyone else has a fever. It recently got FDA clearance in the U.S., which means they consider it safe and an accurate tool to measure temperature with. The Thermo has an array of infrared sensors in it that’s designed to measure your temporal artery, which runs up your temple and across your forehead.

Your temperature will show up on the screen on its other end after around two seconds or so. It takes into consideration things like the room temperature. And if you want to find out what your body temperature means, it’s a must to use the smartphone app that goes with it. The app also keeps track of past temperatures so you can see how a fever is going. It can also keep track of temperature readings for you and your family so it’ll know if your current temperature reading means you have a fever. It runs on two AAA batteries rated at having two-year life span. It retails for US$100 or around CA$130.

Source: Gizmodo

Twitter to let users apply to be a verified account

Twitter is offering its users the “blue tick” badge to all its users. This symbol for verified accounts was first made available to high-profile users, such as celebrities, politicians, public figures, etc.  But now all users can apply to get that blue tick attached to their profile. According to Twitter’s Tina Bhatnagar, Twitter’s goal is to give users access to “high-quality accounts to follow, and for creators and influencers—no matter where they are in the world—to easily connect with a broader audience.”

If you want to apply for the badge, you can check this link to access the online application form and Twitter will need you to meet some criteria, including a verified phone number, email address, website, and public tweet settings attached to them.

Source: Twitter | Via: The Guardian

HP's enterprise-focused Windows 10 phone, the Elite X3 coming to Canada

HP has responded to a need that Microsoft itself seems to have failed to address, which is the need for a true flagship Windows 10 smartphone that's powerful enough to be considered for the enterprise.

HP is bringing the HP Elite x3 Windows Phone to Canada in time for the upcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update (SP1), this is a premium mobile productivity device designed for business users who want simple and seamless access to the people, apps, and data they care about without the burden of switching from one device to another.

They can start a task on the go, and finish at their desk or another location without saving, synching or restarting when using the Elite x3 with Microsoft Continuum, HP Workspace, and the optional HP Elite x3 Desk Dock and HP Elite x3 Lap Dock.

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