Linaro Connect Las Vegas 2016 opening keynote
This is the official keynote video by George Grey, CEO of Linaro welcoming attendees to the conference and giving an update on the latest projects taking place at Linaro. You can check Linaro's official YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/linaroorg for videos of all the keynotes and sessions at the Linaro Connect Las VEgas 2016 which is happening right now September 26-30th 2016.
Meccano Robots
Meccano has displayed their new robots here dubbed Meccano G16, and the Meccanoid G16-KS (Kid-sized). Programming is possible through the app or voice recognition. Programming can be done to sing, talk and dance. The smallest model is expected to retail for US$40, US$140 for the medium size model, and US$400 for the biggest model.
BenQ Smart Window, transparent, opaque, translucent..
BenQ demonstrates their smart window concept that allows a transparent pane to turn opaque on passing a current through it. The display room shown here also demonstrates their H.A.D.E.S. system, a network of devices that allows one to control window opacity, ceiling light intensity (lit by LEDs), and a privacy window that blocks light from outside but allows users from inside to see out. Power consumption for the prototype is 10mW/m^2.
AirButton NFC multi-functional button
Air Button is an NFC patch that can be stuck on to the NFC region on one’s smartphone. The only requirement is that the phone itself have NFC; here we see the Button demonstrated on a Sony Xperia Z1, being used to launch the camera application as well as take a picture with the same button. It uses its own app and can launch any installed phone app, audio file, or even a sequence of actions. The company is founded in Hong Kong, and has successfully completed their crowdfunding attempt on Kickstarter.
Airboard personal mobility scooter from Motor Norway, FreeGoChina scooter
The primary scooter shown here is the Airboard, product of a company from Norway. This scooter is meant to be intuitive to use; the only way of controlling it is to lean forward or backward depending on the direction on wants to travel in. There are some bugs with the scooter but they are easy to sort out. The company, Motor Norway, also manufactures dirtbikes, ATVs, electric bicycles and scooters in addition to the AirBoard. It is not fit for outdoor/winter use, though. We also see a few other manufacturers such as FreeGoChina displaying their personal mobility products.
CarDroid auto data logging and diagnostics module
CarDroid is a solution used to gather data in real time from a running car, and log this data onto the microSD card that can be mounted inside. Featuring 4GB of internal memory, microSIM card slot, GPS for positioning, two WiFi modules in case there is no WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth and a standard OBD-II port for connecting to the car’s diagnostic features, the CarDroid costs US$150 and is meant to track car location, detect theft and break-ins, in addition to displaying real time data such as speed. It uses an ARM Cortex-M3 CPU.
Avaid wireless charging phone case
Avaid Technology Co., Ltd, based in Shezhen, China, is a company that here displays their phone case, lending wireless charging capacity to phones that weren’t designed to incorporate the feature. The displayed model is an iPhone 6 Plus placed on a 5000mAh power bank, charging wirelessly through the case in multiple orientations. With an MoQ of 1000 pieces, the charger is expected to cost US$19.5.The company also manufactures DVD players and speakers that double up as lights.
Freelander foldable electric scooter
Freelander is a Shenzhen-based company that demonstrates their own electric scooter. Being foldable in design, the X70 scooter is opened up and used briefly. It can last for 25-30km before dying out, and is expected to cost US$260 per piece on a minimum order of 100. The scooter can be specified in various colours. The company also makes a scooter akin to the Airboard from Motor Norway, selling for US$160 with a minimum quantity of 100. It uses aircraft grade materials and weighs 8.2kg.
Innodoo RCKCOM smartwatch, bicycle-mounted headlight + music player
Innodoo, a part of RCK Communications Ltd, makes smartwatches and Bluetooth speakers, both of which are displayed in their booth here. The smartwatch seems to feature a normal watch dial with Bluetooth connectivity, vibration functions and LEDs that light up to indicate various things. For example, tapping the dial of the watch flashes LEDs to indicate the percentage of the daily walking steps target achieved. The Bluetooth speakers showcased use BT 4.0, a unique stereo configuration (though the host device only sees one BT speaker). Lastly they have on display their LED light meant for bicycles, which also doubles up as a music player through its SD card slot.
Platysens SEAL swimming sensor for force and lap time measurement
Platysens shows their “SEAL” finger-mounted sensors that are meant to help swimmers improve techniques. The force used against the water by the swimmer’s hands as well as the path of the hands made as the swimmer proceeds along a path, are both calculated and recorded inside the device. Battery life is rated for 3 hours and price is US$150 for a pair. “Marlin” is a “swim meter” that involves a small unit strapped to the head, with a single earphone plugged into the swimmers ear. It reads out loud the lap time after a lap is done.
