TECHSWU #83

Arc’teryx and tech startup Skip have teamed up to create the Mo/Go hiking pants, a pair of exoskeleton pants that promise to make you a better hiker. Priced at $5,000, the pants feature braces and carbon fiber arms that take pressure off your legs when climbing stairs or mountains, allowing you to hike 40% harder.

The exoskeleton bars are attached to both legs and are designed to cushion footfalls, help navigate inclines, and reduce strain on the knee. The pants weigh a total of 7 pounds, including the 3-hour power pack that sits at the belt line.

Skip, whose founders were originally from Google, plans to release a related product designed to help people with neurological conditions.

The Brilliant Labs Frame is a pair of smart glasses that aims to fill the void in the wearable technology market. However, this review finds that the product falls short of meeting consumer expectations.

The Frame is described as a "pocket-sized AR device for imaginative hackers," but the reviewer, a general consumer, found it difficult to even classify it as a consumer product. The glasses are lightweight and customizable, but they lack important features such as a battery life indicator and a power button.

The main function of the Frame is to provide access to OpenAI ChatGPT, allowing users to interact with an assistant named NOA. However, the review highlights issues with the reliability and consistency of NOA's answers.

Furthermore, the glasses require monthly credits to use, which can quickly run out. The review concludes that, at its current state, the Brilliant Labs Frame is not a viable option for normal consumers.

San Francisco has successfully reduced its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 48% since 1990, despite a 12% increase in population during that time. The city's 2022 Sector-based Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory also revealed that emissions have remained flat following the economic and social rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.

This achievement is a result of the city's ongoing efforts to tackle climate change and promote sustainability. San Francisco has implemented various initiatives, including transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency in buildings, promoting public transportation, and encouraging cycling and walking.

The city's success in reducing emissions demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted climate action and sets a positive example for other cities striving to achieve their sustainability goals.

The Lunar Eclipse Hybrid Watch concept by designer Priyanshu Jaiswal combines elements of a smartwatch with analog features. The watch features a circular screen that incorporates an analog structure, inspired by the notch or cutout seen on smartphone screens.

In the middle of the screen, where a camera would typically be located, there is a mechanical watch. The rest of the screen can display icons and text, which can also be animated.



This concept represents the trend of hybrid analog-digital interfaces, blending traditional analog designs with modern digital interfaces. Circular screen smartwatches are also becoming popular, as they provide a more natural and visually pleasing user experience.

The integration of mechanical components within digital devices is another growing trend, as it enhances the functionality of smart technology.

This concept has implications for the wearable technology industry, as it combines fashion and function.

Smartwatch manufacturing is also focused on creating devices with unique design elements to attract consumers, while luxury consumer electronics are seeing an increasing demand for high-end devices that combine sophisticated technology with elegant design.

NVIDIA is providing leading robot manufacturers, AI model developers, and software makers with a suite of services, models, and computing platforms to accelerate the development of human-like robots. The offerings include new NVIDIA NIM microservices and frameworks for robot simulation and learning, the NVIDIA OSMO orchestration service for running multi-stage robotics workloads, and an AI- and simulation-enabled teleoperation workflow.

The NIM microservices provide pre-built containers that reduce deployment times, and the OSMO service simplifies robot training and simulation workflows. The teleoperation workflow allows developers to generate synthetic motion and perception data from a small amount of teleoperated demonstrations, saving time and reducing costs.

NVIDIA is also launching the NVIDIA Humanoid Robot Developer Program, which provides early access to these new offerings and other NVIDIA technologies.

In this article, the author shares her personal experience with compression boots for muscle recovery. She explains that she suffered from knee pain while training for a marathon, but after incorporating compression boots into her recovery routine, she no longer experienced any pain or muscle soreness.

The author reached out to Gilad Jacobs, Chief Innovation Officer at Hyperice, to explain how compression works. He says that compression therapy uses dynamic air compression to increase circulation, reduce swelling, and revive muscles.

Jacobs explains that the Normatec 3 Legs by Hyperice delivers precise treatment to different zones of the legs, and has been scientifically proven to provide restorative benefits. While compression boots can be costly, the author argues that they are a worthwhile investment for those looking to enhance muscle recovery and improve overall well-being.

The article also includes a list of the best compression boots currently on the market.

In a viral TikTok video, Breanna Iglesias shares her frustrating experience at a nail salon. Iglesias, who had been a long-time customer at the salon, recounts her encounter with a rude and unprofessional nail technician who did a subpar job.

Throughout the appointment, the technician made insensitive comments about Iglesias' sweaty hands and feet due to her hyperhidrosis condition. The technician also cut Iglesias' skin twice and laughed in response.

To make matters worse, Iglesias was shocked when she was charged $120 for the service, much more than she had ever paid before. Iglesias confronts the salon and finds out that the actual price was $75.

Despite the ordeal, Iglesias still loves the salon and its other technicians, but advises viewers to stick with the nail technicians they trust. The video sheds light on the importance of good service and communication in the beauty industry.

The recent Supreme Court decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion has raised concerns about data privacy for period tracking apps and wearable devices. With the potential criminalization of abortion in some states, the information logged into these apps or tracked by devices like Fitbit or Oura Ring could be used as digital evidence in court cases.

Many users of these apps and devices are now questioning the privacy policies and security measures in place to protect their data. Some have chosen to delete the apps altogether due to concerns about where their information is stored and who has access to it.

Data privacy experts warn that the data that could be used in prosecuting abortion cases extends beyond just what is logged in a period tracking app. Overall, users must be vigilant and attentive to the terms and conditions of these apps and devices to protect their data related to their reproductive health.

In the battle against counterfeit products, companies are turning to technology for help. As retail counterfeits become more sophisticated, high-tech tools are being developed to fight them.

These tools include artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and machine learning algorithms.

Artificial intelligence can analyze large amounts of data to identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate counterfeit products.

Blockchain technology, on the other hand, provides a secure and transparent way to authenticate products throughout the supply chain. Machine learning algorithms can be used to identify fake products by analyzing their physical characteristics, such as color, texture, and weight.



Companies are also using advanced authentication technologies, such as QR codes and holograms, to protect their products from counterfeiting. These technologies make it easier for consumers to verify the authenticity of a product before making a purchase.



Overall, the use of technology is helping companies in the fight against counterfeit products, ensuring that consumers get the genuine products they pay for.

Date Everything! is a unique dating simulation game developed by Sassy Chap Games, a Los Angeles studio founded by a group of talented voice actors. Unlike traditional dating games, Date Everything! allows players to search for love with literally anything, as the game transforms items in the player's home into human date candidates.

To enhance the immersive experience, players will wear a pair of glasses called the Dateviator.

The game will be distributed by independent game publisher Team17 and will be available on various platforms such as PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

Date Everything! represents a shift in the dating simulation genre, expanding the horizons of emotional engagement in gaming by introducing unconventional and non-human elements.

This game showcases innovation within the gaming industry, breaking conventional boundaries and opening new avenues for niche markets.

The use of wearable technology, such as the Dateviator glasses, enhances the sensory experience and pushes the boundaries of immersive technology. Additionally, the involvement of voice actors in game development brings unique storytelling and character dynamics that appeal to a global audience.

The Geek Squad scam is a new online scam that involves criminals impersonating the Best Buy tech support team, known as Geek Squad, to deceive unsuspecting victims. The scammers use various tactics, such as sending fake invoices or phony emails claiming that the recipient's Geek Squad membership or service plan is about to be renewed, to trick people into providing personal information, financial details, or access to their computers.

To protect yourself from falling victim to this scam, it's important to verify communications, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and make sure to contact the company directly using official contact information. If you do fall for a Geek Squad scam, it's essential to cease further interaction, run a scan of your devices, change any passwords, report the scam to the authorities, and contact your bank or credit card company if you provided any financial information.

Staying vigilant and keeping up-to-date with cybersecurity measures can help you avoid scams like the Geek Squad scam.

The ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index is expected to experience a rebound as new advancements in the industry bring about a massive upgrade cycle and open up new markets. Companies like GXO, Joby, and Doosan, which are all members of the index, have been making significant strides in the robotics and automation space.

GXO, for example, has partnered with Apptronik to develop humanoid robots for the logistics industry. Joby has received FAA approval for its air taxi operations and has recently achieved a milestone in forward flight using hydrogen.

Doosan, on the other hand, has announced a strategic restructuring that will see it incorporate Doosan Bobcat as a subsidiary, positioning itself as a "Global Full-range Autonomous/Automated Solution Provider." Overall, the growth in the index is expected to come from increased revenue exposure to the construction industry as robotics and automation technologies are integrated into prefab or modular builds.