Category: Tech

Segway Robotics Defines the Future of Mobile Robots with Loomo. #Loomo #Indiegogo

Loomo is a personal mobile robot that “transforms” between a mini personal transporter and robot companion. It responds to voice, gesture, touch and app control and sees the world through Intel’s RealSense ZR300 camera for depth-sensing & motion tracking.

Segway Robotics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Segway-Ninebot Group, is proud to launch Loomo, a smart machine that toggles between a mini personal transporter and mobile robot sidekick. Loomo is now available for pre-order on Indiegogo today, with limited early bird pricing starting at $1299.

Loomo will launch with a core set of foundational features, with more capabilities unlocked over time through over-the-air (OTA) updates. Out of the box, you can ride Loomo as a mini transporter, let it follow you autonomously as a robot sidekick, or show off Loomo’s playful personality to your friends. Loomo also comes with a free Android-based SDK for professional developers and enthusiasts alike to build on top of our mobility + AI platform.

 

Loomo’s key features include:

  • Self-Balancing Transporter: Smooth ride experience across most terrain types, with speeds of up to 11 MPH, and the capacity to cover 22 miles in one charge; a voice-based tutorial allows anyone to learn how to ride Loomo in mere minutes
  • Auto-Follow Expert: With advanced computer vision, Loomo can follow you autonomously, shoot stabilized video, and more
  • Avatar: Use your smartphone as a remote control to access all of Loomo’s capabilities – see, speak, interact, and explore as if you are Loomo
  • Friendly & Expressive Personality: Powered by its emotion engine, Loomo’s lovable nature and lighthearted expressions will cheer you up and impress everyone around you
  • Multiple Control Methods: You can control Loomo via your smartphone app, voice command, gestures and touch sensors
  • New Skills Unlocked Over-the-Air (OTA): Loomo will continuously update its software and app OTA to include new features
  • Free Loomo Android SDKfor developers: Directly access Loomo’s mobility and AI capabilities to build a range of playful features or practical solutions

“Segway-Ninebot has already put millions of wheels on the ground that cover 180 million kilometers each year. But what happens if you combine Segway’s proven mobility technology with cutting-edge AI? Well say hello to Loomo,” said Li Pu, President of Segway Robotics.  “For many, Loomo is a reflection of our movie fantasies growing up… it embodies our vision of how mobile personal robots can become a part of our everyday lives.”

The Loomo Indiegogo campaign launches March 6, 2018. Limited early bird pricing will be set at $1299. The basic pack includes 1 Loomo, 1 AC/DC adapter, 1 extended air tap, and 1 USB 3.0 Type-C cable. Loomo will begin shipping to backers in May 2018.

 

 

Loomo’s core technologies include:

 

  • Mobility and Intelligent Motion Control System: Loomo incorporates Segway Mini Plus’s latest magnesium alloy base, which comprises of more than 400 self-balancing patents. A quick response motion control system and 11-inch anti-slip tires allow for smooth riding on uneven roads and the ability to keep balance in other challenging situations. Powerful motors and a large volume battery enable speeds of up to 11 MPH, up to a distance of 22 miles
  • Multi-Sensor Perception: Loomo is equipped with an Intel RealSense ZR300 camera for depth sensing and motion tracking, which enables robot mapping and obstacle avoidance. Loomo also has a 1080p HD-camera stabilized by a 3-axis gimbal which enables stable video capture while moving, a 5-microphones array on its head to determine voice/noise direction and recognize voice commands, two infrared-distance sensors and an ultrasonic sensor in the front for obstacle detection and fall warning, and several other touch sensors on its body
  • Visual Perception and Understanding: Driven by deep learning and computer vision technologies, Loomo owns a powerful visual system consisting of an object Detection and Tracking System (DTS) and a Human Understanding System (HUS). DTS enables the detection and tracking of multiple-objects in real time, and is the foundation for many applications. HUS enables Loomo to recognize faces and understand human properties, e.g. gender, gestures, and other behaviors that are required for human understanding and interaction analysis
  • Easy-to-use Android Platform: We have developed a customized Android Platform to manage hardware, software and algorithms as a whole. With our free SDK, developers can control the base assembly and robot head at a proper abstraction level. Through the hardware extension bay in the back, mechanical and electrical engineers can design and attach additional components to the robot, enabling even more flexibility and a wide range of creative possibilities

Almost two-thirds of Irish workers don’t have full remote access during #StormEmma

Storm Emma has taken everyone by surprise and frankly I don’t think we were prepared for it and it could cost the economy millions. From a business perspective things can keep going though via remote access which I do myself but there is businesses out there that could be more proactive in this department. Will the likes of these severe weather conditions be a kickstart for a business to now have a protocol in place? Some do but there is many there that do not so maybe now this might change after recent events.

Severe weather conditions have forced the closure of many Irish businesses as Status Red and Orange snow and ice warnings have been issued across the State. The resultant impact could end up costing Irish companies millions, as many fail to embrace the technology capable of empowering remote working.

Gary Hopwood, Managing Director at Ricoh Ireland, commented: “Between the severe conditions that engulfed the country this week and Storm Ophelia late last year, Ireland has experienced two Status Red nationwide weather warnings in recent times. Events such as these impact the entire workforce and can cause a huge amount of disruption to unprepared businesses, in terms of both time and money. Ensuring the safety of the workforce is paramount, however it is essential that employees can stay safe at home whilst having the capacity to work productively. That is where remote working technology comes in.

Gary Hopwood, general manager, Ricoh Ireland

A recent survey from Ricoh Ireland found that almost two-thirds (63%) of Irish workers don’t have the authorisation or remote access tools needed to work effectively from home. With extremely low temperatures and blizzard conditions caused by Storm Emma, many employees have either been unable to complete their daily work, or have seen their productivity greatly impacted by a lack of mobile workstyle supports.

“At Ricoh Ireland, we have implemented our own business continuity plan which enables all Ricoh employees to work effectively and efficiently from home. We recognise the value of mobile working during times like these, not only in terms of upholding business continuity and delivering a high standard of customer service, but also enabling employees to innovate and collaborate from remote locations. In other words, supporting mobile workstyles is advantageous for the individuals but also the organisation and, perhaps most importantly, its customers.

In addition to the impact on a company’s bottom line caused by office closures, the study found that Irish businesses are missing out on a further range of benefits by failing to empower mobile working. Respondents cited the main benefits of remote workstyles as greater flexibility (79%), the ability to attract and retain the best talent (37%), and improved customer service (36%).

The research, which was carried out in association with TechPro magazine in November 2017, surveyed 175 IT professionals from private and public sector organisations across Ireland.

Boots Ireland App update has a host of features and New Digital Advantage Card #Boots #Apps #AdvanatageCard

The Boots Advantage Card is used regularly by 1 million Irish customers and is one of Ireland’s most loved loyalty programmes. The Boots Digital Advantage Card is now available via the Boots phone app which we have covered before and will enable customers to earn points simply and swiftly at the till via the phone app, with a host of additional new functions also available. Boots Advantage Card customers earn 4 points for every €1 spent. Boots customers that download or upgrade the app can avail of a bonus 400 points when they spend €20 in store or online.

The generous points system remains unchanged, with Boots Advantage Card customers earning 4 points for every €1 spent, and members of the Boots Parenting Club, and the Over 60s programme, earning a boosted 10 points for every €1 on a selected range of products.

The new version of the Boots Ireland App has a host of features other than the New Digital Advantage Card, including:

  • A range of personalised offers for each customer
  • Online shopping and appointment booking service
  • New vitamin reminder and health advice function
  • Store locator to quickly find nearest Boots store and the services offered
  • Wide range of photo printing services

As a special offer, Boots customers can avail of a bonus 400 points when they spend €20 in store or online.

Insights from the Boots Advantage Card programme reveal that the most popular item to be redeemed via points is cotton wool pads, followed by bottled water and Boots cucumber face wipes. Looking further at the spending habits of Irish Boots Advantage Card users, Christmas is the most popular time of year for Boots customers to choose a points purchase, and Fridays top the table as the most popular day of the week for customers to pay with points – allowing a little more spending power heading into the weekend.

Commenting on the launch of the Boots Digital Advantage Card, Mark Barry, IT Director for Boots UK & Ireland said: “We are always looking to bring our customers new and exciting ways of getting better value for their purchases and bringing the Boots Advantage Card into the digital space is an important step in making it easier than ever to collect and spend points. The new app also offers a range of new services that were developed with the Boots customer in mind, which we hope will be really popular.”

Commenting on the new launch, Gillian Hennessy, Head of Marketing at Boots Ireland says: “We are really proud of what the Boots Advantage Card has offered to Irish shoppers over the last decade, and this new launch introduces the easiest way ever to carry your Boots Advantage Card. The insights show that a million Irish people regularly benefit by using the Boots Advantage Card points system, and we’re delighted the new digital version provides a streamlined way to earn and spend points.”

How to get the Boots Digital Advantage Card:

  1. Download the Boots app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
  2. Customers who have a Boots Advantage card then click ‘My Advantage Card’
  3. Click ‘Add my card’ and enter your Boots Advantage Card number and details
  4. You’re all set! Your Boots Digital Advantage Card barcode, points available to spend and personalised offers will appear in the app

For more information on the Boots Digital Advantage Card and how to download, visit boots.ie/advantage-card

 

The Studio19 SOLO EQ speaker with Dual Pressure Air Compression Technology and Enhanced 360° Optimized Sound

British audio design specialists, Studio19, is today pleased to announce the launch of the Solo EQ speaker on crowd funding platform,Indiegogo. The Solo EQ is a precision-engineered speaker system that’s ready to connect with music, movies and gaming for a premium audio experience. Built using patented Dual Pressure Air Compression (DPAC) super-bass technology and Enhanced 360° Optimized Sound, the Solo produces a fully immersive auditory experience with an exceptionally detailed and nuanced sound quality throughout the entire room.

 

Early Bird backers will be able to pick up the Solo EQ for just $379 (RRP $599) with an estimated delivery date of just 10-12 weeks.

Beautifully designed in powder-coated stainless steel, the Solo uses state-of-the-art speaker drivers with a maximum output of up to 200 watts, loud enough to handle virtually any occasion with no compromise in quality. The Solo is one of the world’s first “enhanced degree” patented 3D-effect portable Hi-Fi speakers. Unlike conventional 360° sound, the Solo’s Enhanced 360° Optimized Sound flows not only left to right but top to bottom. This creates an omni-directional spread with wide, directional waves that circulate throughout a room, giving the authentic impression of a multi-speaker environment from a single speaker.

 

Cutting edge digital processing power means that the Solo heightens the essential characteristics of the audio you listen too, resulting in a rich, dynamic sound that truly brings your music to life. The Solo EQ has a built-in professional EQ Graphic Equalizer, a digital sound enhancement not normally found in portable speakers, allowing you to fine tune your music even further. Add more bass, mid-range or treble to get exactly the sound you want.

 

Features:

  • Bluetooth Connectivity options for versatile play
  • Wifi connectivity for multi room playback and control
  • HDMI port: Connect to an HDTV for an enhanced sound bar experience
  • Active 3-band Graphic EQ to tailor your sound
  • Enhanced 360° Optimized Sound for omni-directional audio
  • Advanced DSP for full dynamic range
  • Dual Pressure Air Compression Technology for a super bass experience
  • Movie/Music/Gaming modes to optimize the sound source
  • Available in space grey or gold

Specifications:

  • Working voltage: 7.4V
  • Charging voltage: DC 5V 3A
  • Max Output: 200W
  • Driver Unit: bass 3Ω, middle 4Ω*2, treble 4Ω*2
  • Driver Size: bass 5 inch, middle 2.5 inch, treble 1.5 inch
  • Frenquency：20Hz~18kHz
  • S/N: ≥100dB
  • Distortion: ≤0.5%
  • Bluetooth Version: 4.2 with TWS
  • Bluetooth distance: 10M
  • Battery Capacity: 8800 mAh
  • Size: 143mm x 143mm x 602mm
  • Weight: 3.2kg

SUPPORT THEM ON INDIEGOGO

Thousands of employees to ‘go remote’ as Ireland prepares for #BeastfromtheEast #Remote

It would be nice if we could all do it but its not relevant to a percentage of the population but with the situation at hand it is the sensible thing to do for those that can..Many more companies could introduce a work from home set up and perhaps now is a time to look into it. 

Thousands of employees across the country will work from home in the coming days, as Ireland faces its worst blizzard since 1982.

Abodoo calls for employers to consider remote working as a longer-term option 

As the country gears up for the ‘Beast from the East’, start-up Abodoo, which champions remote and flexible career opportunities, is highlighting how remote working can help employers avoid work disruptions year-round.

Commenting today (27.02.18), Vanessa Tierney, co-founder of Abodoo, said: “When bad weather hits, many employers are thrown into disarray.  They may not have the systems and procedures in place to facilitate remote working, so a weather event like the ‘Best from the East’ can cause severe disruption to their business.

“On the other hand, those employers that facilitate remote working year-round have nothing to fear from bad weather.  They have provided flexible working options for their employees, which means their business will continue to run smoothly no matter what the weather conditions. 

“If employees can work from home, they don’t have to venture out and try to drive to work in perilous conditions.  During storms, remote working is the safest and most sensible option.

“At Abodoo, we believe remote working shouldn’t be the exception and employers should offer this option to employees throughout the year, and not just at times of adverse weather conditions.”

Business Case for Remote Working

According to Ms. Tierney, there is a strong business case for remote working, year-round.

“Apart from avoiding disruption during bad weather, remote working leads to cost-savings, better retention levels, higher rates of employee satisfaction, and greater opportunities for working parents, people with disabilities, and those living outside major urban areas,” she said.  “It’s better for the environment because people need to commute less, and it allows people more choice in where they live and the type of homes they buy.  

Abodoo highlighted the “figures that prove remote working makes sense”, including:

  • Remote workers save, on average, between €2,000 and €7,000 and hundreds of hours of travel time per year – just by removing their daily commute.
  • 82% of those who work from home report lower stress levels as a result.
  • 58% of companies in Ireland (in a 2016 survey of 540 companies) confirmed they are investing in cloud technology, of which 46% confirmed this would benefit remote working.
  • 15% of large multinational companies in Ireland now support home-working, and this figure is increasing year on year.
  • Companies that promote remote working report an increase in staff retention of over 50 per cent; and a reduction in absenteeism of 63%.
  • 91% of companies that facilitate remote working experience increased productivity.
  • Companies will save on average of €11,000 per employee that is remote and many start by implementing a hybrid or flexible model.
  • Figures from Census 2016 show the scale of the daily exodus from two out of every three local authority areas due to a lack of local job and educational opportunities. Rates of unemployment in rural areas include: 16% of Cavan; 19% of Longford; over 14% of Mayo and 15% of Wexford.

Novi PatchGuard to deliver €750,000 revenue. #Novi #IT #PatchGuard #Ransomware

Novi, the cyber security and proactive IT provider, today announces that it is launching Novi PatchGuard, a new vulnerability and patch management service. Novi PatchGuard enables Novi’s customers to automate the patch management process and reduces risk by keeping systems up-to-date and secure against malware and cyber security breaches. The new service is forecast to generate €750,000 in revenue in the next 24 months. It will be available to businesses both in Ireland and internationally.

Ransomware and associated threats are causing real problems for Irish organisations, leading to an average financial cost of €107,210 per attack and in some cases, serious reputational damage. Global ransomware damage costs are predicted to exceed $11.5 billion annually by 2019, with businesses coming under attack by ransomware every 14 seconds. As the threat landscape continues to evolve and the number of threats increases, companies are struggling to effectively identify vulnerabilities on an ongoing basis. The Novi PatchGuard service will help businesses to meet this challenge head-on. Novi PatchGuard will secure devices by streamlining the patching process, routinely identifying vulnerabilities and applying patches.

 

George O’Dowd, managing director, Novi

Novi has invested €110,000 to develop and bring the new service to market, bringing to €330,000 the amount that it has invested in launching new services in the past year. Novi’s specialist team of highly trained cyber security professionals will deliver the service from the company’s advanced Proactive Service Centre in Naas, Co. Kildare. Novi PatchGuard is managed via a centralised, cloud-based dashboard that provides real-time visibility into known vulnerabilities and missing patches across all devices. Comprehensive scanning functionality reports on patches that have been installed and identifies any that are missing. The service then automatically applies patches to all devices on a schedule, including to remote laptops and devices once they come online. This saves Novi’s customers time and effort and allows them to focus on growing their businesses.

George O’Dowd, managing director, Novi, said: “Ransomware has increased both in frequency and its potential to cause damage and companies now need to make sure to implement the necessary measures to protect their data. Failure to do so could result not only in significant financial harm, but also irreparably damage the organisation’s reputation.

Novi has invested €510,000 in a new Proactive Service Centre in Naas, Co. Kildare. Pictured is George O’Dowd, managing director, Novi.

“Novi PatchGuard will help IT administrators move away from the tedious task of manual patching, and embrace the advantages that automated patching offers, including comprehensive scanning for patch status on every single device and faster rollout of patches for commonly exploited vulnerabilities such as the Wannacry ransomware strain.

Together with Novi’s other service offerings such as our off-site data recovery service AirGap, Novi PatchGuard will enable our customers to effectively defend against cybercriminals and prevent malware from accessing their data and systems.”

First look and unboxing, The TP link WiFi AC 1750 extender . #wifi #tech #tplink

In general my WiFi is brutal at home most of the time which is another discussion for another day. We have checked out multiple devices that give you better range in your home but today we check out the TP link AC 1750. A quick unboxing today and look at the product and in the interim ask any questions you may have during the review period either ask below or on social media..

Features include

 

  • Expand Wi-Fi Network for Ultimate Performance
  • Expanded 450Mbps on 2.4GHz + 1300Mbps on 5GHz totals 1750Mbps Wi-Fi speeds
  • Three adjustable external antennas provide optimal Wi-Fi coverage and reliable connections
  • Gigabit Ethernet port acts as a wireless adapter to connect a wired device to your network at gigabit speed
  • Intelligent signal light helps to find the best location for optimal Wi-Fi coverage by showing the signal strength
  • Works with any Wi-Fi router or wireless access point
  • SEE MORE AT TPLINK  

UNBOXING

 

Xtorm announce USB-C Hubs, perfect for any situation. #Xtorm #USB

Xtorm is launching a new line of products, specifically designed to make optimal use of your USB-C laptop. The ‘Connect Series’ consists of five USB-C hubs, each with a unique combination of connections. Whatever the situation, there’s a hub for you!

Designed to connect
A USB-C hub from the ‘Connect Series’ provides the perfect solution to expand your laptop
with, for example, HDMI, Ethernet, USB 3.0, USB-C or a (micro) SD card reader. The unique
design also ensures that you can still charge your laptop through USB-C while using the Hub.

Elegant and compact
The compact design, combined with the use of aluminium, ensures that the Hub is easily
portable and that it goes perfectly with the elegant look of your MacBook. An indispensable
accessory for your laptop!

Price and availability
The prices of the five Hubs in the ‘Connect Series’ vary from €35 to €75. For more
information on each of the hubs, you can visit our website. The USB-C Hubs are available
from several (online) stores and at xtorm.eu.

Microsoft’s new €134m campus, One Microsoft Place,opens in Dublin #Microsoft #Dublin

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D., was today joined by Peggy Johnson, Executive Vice President, Microsoft Corporation; Cathriona Hallahan, MD, Microsoft Ireland and Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland at the official opening of the company’s new 34,000sqm campus, One Microsoft Place, in Leopardstown, Co. Dublin. The opening of the building marks an important milestone in the company’s ongoing cultural transformation.  This new work space facilitates team members from different parts of the business, with a diverse range of skill sets and roles, to come together as ‘One Microsoft’ to work together on behalf of local and global customers.

Commenting at the launch event the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD said: “The opening of this campus is a landmark day for Microsoft, which first came to Ireland 33 years ago, and a testament to the calibre of our tech talent who have contributed so positively to Microsoft’s global growth. As a flagship multinational investor, Microsoft has strongly endorsed Ireland as an investment location for the world’s top tech firms. The Government is determined to ensure that Ireland continues to harness emerging technologies for social and economic benefit.  We are aiming to be a European leader in STEM education by 2026 and our enterprise policy is based around supporting research and innovation.  Ireland is now ranked 10th globally for the overall quality of its scientific research, an increase of 26 places in 13 years. With this focused and ambitious approach, I believe we can make Dublin the tech capital of Europe.”

 

The design and layout of the building has been based around the theme of mountains and lakes – at the centre of the atrium space is a wood carved mountain and a digital lake with an LED waterfall flowing into it. Microsoft employees are already making use of the different rooms, open spaces and relaxation areas to work together formally and informally to solve and anticipate customer challenges. People can choose to meet at the bleacher seating, can have quiet time in one of the many phone booths, or can have lunch at the beach cafe or Italian pizzeria before picking up a loaf of Microsoft bread baked daily by the in-house baker.

 

As part of today’s celebration, Cathriona Hallahan, MD, Microsoft Ireland, detailed the local ambition that the Irish team has set itself: “As a team, we have the opportunity – and the responsibility – to educate and inform people and organisations about the greater impact they can have if they embrace digital transformation. Importantly, we have a responsibility to equip young people in Ireland with the skills and ambition they need to imagine, create and navigate their own future.

“As part of the development of the new campus, we invested over €5m in the creation of a dedicated innovation and education hub, DreamSpace, with a supporting digital skills programme. We plan to bring 100,000 young people and their teachers to our campus over the next four years to give them an understanding of the transformational nature of technology, equip them with the digital skills they need to engage fully with technology and encourage them to use their imagination to create their own future.  Working with young people, the building’s legacy will be about cementing Ireland’s position as a global digital leader, while continuing to support our customers today and tomorrow.”  

Lead designers for the building were RKD Architects and Gensler. Mace and CBRE provided project management services with BAM as the lead contractor working with its key MEP partner, Jones Engineering.

Fun Building Facts

  • 34,000sqm campus (4 floors), One Microsoft Place, in Leopardstown, Co. Dublin
  • 2,000 employees with 71 nationalities
  • Height of the building atrium is equivalent to 5 Dublin Buses sitting on top of each other
  • The new campus has the floor space of four football pitches
  • Over 125,000 LED lights have been used to create the Digital Lake
  • All desk power leaders laid out back-to-back would wrap around St Stephen’s Green 5 times.
  • Total IT cabling used in the building would stretch from Dublin to Dingle (350km)
  • Combined height of all desks in the building is twice as high as Ireland’s tallest mountain (Carrauntoohil)
  • 25,000 individual pieces of furniture have been collected from all four corners of the world for use in the building
  • 265 trees planted
  • 5 restaurants – Chefs table, Italian Quarter, Street Kitchen, Forage and Gather and Pulse salad bar
  • Microsoft bread maker on site
  • Microsoft Barista on site with two barista bars located around the building