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Emerging Tech Roundup — March 4
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: Researchers connect biological and artificial neurons, the Pentagon works on an early detection system for Covid-19, Google Maps spotted the Russian invasion on Ukraine, Uber plans a new pilot program to help their drivers, Musk responds to Ukraine’s internet request within hours, Facebook tries to slow the spread of disinformation by Russia, and Google works on its Soli Radar further.
Artificial Neurons Connect to Biological Ones to Control Living Plants
(New Atlas, February 23)
A research team at Linköping University has successfully used charged ions and their signals to connect artificial and biological neurons. The pulses produced by the artificial neurons were strong enough to control a venus flytrap without harming it. This leads the team to believe that over time, the findings could be built upon and used on animals, and possibly humans, “for more responsive prosthetic limbs, implants, and robotics.”
The Pentagon is Working on an Algorithm to Detect Covid Early
(Politico, February 23)
The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit has hired Philips Healthcare to help them achieve Covid-19 detection in wearable fitness trackers. The technology has been a work in progress for over two years, but is expected to let users know of a diagnosis two days before they show symptoms. Although the technology has only just passed the research stage, it has shown about 82% accuracy and could help Covid-19 patients start treatments earlier.
Google Maps Live Traffic Showed the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
(Vice, February 24)
Open-source intelligence expert Jeffrey Lewis shared that his team spotted the incoming Russian invasion on Ukraine as it was starting. He stated that the Google Maps Live Traffic feature has “incredibly rich data on what normal patterns of life look like” and when they saw the abnormal hold up of normal drivers, they knew right away that it was caused by Russian military vehicles on the road.
Uber Revamps Driver Pay Algorithm in Large U.S. Pilot to Attract Drivers
(Reuters, February 25)
Uber is trying out a new pilot program in which drivers are able to see the total pay and destination before they choose to accept a ride. The company is trying out the new approach in hopes to gain a competitive advantage over other rideshare programs and attract more drivers. A similar program was launched in California and has been working well without any issues, including the existing fear of discrimination of passengers.
Musk Activates Starlink Satellite Service in Ukraine After Vice PM Calls Upon Him
(Interesting Engineering, February 27)
After Ukraine sent a plea to Elon Musk via Twitter, he enabled Starlink satellite service in the area within hours. While Musk is taking longer than he expected to roll out the high-speed broadband internet globally, fortunately he was able to respond and tend to the area in crisis promptly.
Facebook Cuts Off Russian Disinformation Campaign in Ukraine
(The Washington Post, February 28)
Following its action in 2020 to stop the spread of disinformation, Facebook is attempting to put a stop to Russia’s active disinformation campaigns. Facebook is enhancing privacy protections, warning Twitter and YouTube of Russia’s activity across platforms, tightening security around hackers, and more to try to mediate the situation.
Google Soli Radar Sees Your Intentions — and It’s Less Creepy and More Helpful Than You Think
(TechRadar, March 2)
Google’s ATAP team is working on the Soli Radar to help it understand the intentions of people, mainly based on body movements. Some of the movements it’s learning to recognize and react to are approaching a computer, glancing at it or passing by, and leaving a house or room. The radar “uses radio waves to build a mesh of motion” and “it’s up to the software to make sense of it.”
