Category Archives: Futurism

From Skin to Brain

The brain is one of the most vital organs in the human body, so damage to the brain from injury or aging can have major impacts on peoples quality of life.Neurological disorders representsome of todays most devastating medical conditions that are also difficult to treat.Among these is Alzheimers disease.

Usually, research involving Alzheimers rely on brain cells from mice. Now, neurobiologists from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) have developed a method that could allow the use of human cells instead of animal ones to help understand neurological diseases better.

In their study, which was published in the journal Neuron, the researchers found a way to transform human skin cells into stem cells and program them into microglial cells. The latter make up about 10 to 15 percent of the brain and are involved in the removing dead cells and debris, as well as managing inflammation. Micgrolia are instramentalin neural network development and maintenance, explained researcher Mathew Blurton Jones, fromUCIs Department of Neurobiology & Behavior.

Microglia play an important role in Alzheimers and other diseases of the central nervous system. Recent research has revealed that newly discovered Alzheimers-risk genes influence microglia behavior, Jones said in an interview for a UCI press release. Using these cells, we can understand the biology of these genes and test potential new therapies.

The skin cells had been donated by patients from UCIs Alzheimers Disease Research Center. These were firstsubjected toa genetic process to convert them into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells adult cells modified to behave as an embryonic stem cell, allowing them to become other kinds of cells. These iPS cells were then exposed to differentiation factors designed to imitate the environment of developing microglia, which transformed them into the brain cells.

This discovery provides a powerful new approach to better model human disease and develop new therapies, said UCI MIND associate researcher Wayne Poon in the press release. The researchers, in effect, have developed a renewable and high-throughput method for understanding the role of inflammation in Alzheimers disease using human cells, according to researcher Edsel Abud in the same source.

In other words, by using human microglia instead of those from mice, the researchers have developed a more accurate toolto study neurological diseases and to develop more targeted treatment approaches. In the case of Alzheimers, they studied the genetic and physical interactions between the diseases pathology and the induced microglia cells. These translational studies will better inform disease-modulating therapeutic strategies, Abud added in the press release.

Furthermore, they are now using these induced microglia cells in three-dimensional brain models. The goal is to understand the interaction between microglia and other brain cells, and how these influence the development of Alzheimers and other neurological diseases.

This is all made possible by reprogrammable stem cells. Indeed, this study is one more example of how stem cells arechanging medicine.

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A New Technique Transforms Human Skin Into Brain Cells - Futurism - Futurism

In BriefThe Ontario Premier revealed details about a UBI pilot programthat will run in three areas of the province. This UBI experimentwill help the government decide whether to adapt a full-scale UBIprogram in the future. No Strings Attached

On Monday,Premier Kathleen Wynne of Ontarioannounced the details ofthe Ontario Basic Income Pilot, a universal basic income (UBI) program that will begin this spring andrun for a period of three years. A total of 4,000 people from three areas Hamilton, Thunder Bay, and Lindsay will be receiving income.

Ideally, under a UBI program, every citizen of legal age regardless of social status and employment situation is eligible to receive a fixed amount of income with no strings attached. This basic income can be given either on a regular basis or in lump sum. In the case of the Ontario UBI program, the Toronto Star reports, the recipients will be chosen randomly.

The project will explore the effectiveness of providing a basic income to people who are currently living on low incomes, whether they are working or not, Wynne said in Mondays speech. People participating in our pilot communities will receive a minimum amount of income each year a basic income, no matter what.

Single adults between the ages of 18 and 64 are eligible to receive $16,989 annually. Meanwhile, couples would be given up to $24,027 and persons with disabilities would receive an added $6,000. Its not an extravagant sum by any means. For a single person, we are talking about just under $17,000 a year, but even that amount may make a real difference to someone who is striving to reach for a better life, Wynne explained.

Other countries and nonprofit groups have been running UBI pilots most notably Finland, the Netherlands, and a startup called GiveDirectly thats been running basic income programs in several Kenyan villages. Another effort from a non-profit in the U.S. focused on giving basic income via a cryptocurrency.

Experts put themselves on both sides of the UBI debate. Those who support the idea see UBI as a better alternative to existing social welfare models, and as a potential solution to the impending unemployment that could come withincreased automation. On the other hand, critics raise concerns over how UBI can lead to a less productive society by encouraging people not to work. Still others point out the difficulty in raising the funds needed to run a full-scale basic income program.

The debate is an ongoing one. The viability and effectiveness of UBI still needs to be proven, and running pilot programs like Ontarios is the best way to go about it. As the OntarioPremier said in her speech: We want to find out whether a basic income makes a positive difference in peoples lives [] and whether it is an approach that deserves to be adopted across our province as a whole.

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Canada Has Unveiled the Details of Its Highly Anticipated UBI Program - Futurism

In Brief Tesla will double the number of its Superchargers and Destination Charging connectors in urban centers and on long distance routes in 2017. This is part of the company's ongoing commitment to clean energy. Doubling Teslas Charging Network

On the heels of announcements about a more affordable Model 3 and a Tesla pickup truck, Tesla has begun to prepare for the mass-market in earnest for the first time by making more charging stations for available for their vehicles. To that end,Teslas blog announcedon Monday, April 24, that the company would be doubling the Tesla charging network in 2017. This includes expanding existing sites in city centers and along highways so drivers need never wait to charge before gettingback on the road.

Since the charging network began in 2012, Tesla has constructed more than 5,400 Superchargers to make long distance travel possible and even convenient for Tesla owners. Theyve also built more than 9,000 Destination Charging connectors equipped with Wall Connectors at restaurants, hotels, and other locations.

By the end of 2017Tesla plans to have more than 10,000 Superchargers and 15,000 Destination Chargers in place around the world. Superchargers will increase by 150 percent in North America, and 1,000 additional Superchargers will be built in California alone. Site selection is underway now so many will open before summer travel season begins. Tesla will place charging sites in urban centers for quicker charging. Larger sites, which will accommodate simultaneous charging for several dozen drivers, will be constructed along the most-used travel routes for Tesla drivers.

Teslas investment in infrastructure represents a vote of confidence in the success of its newest products as well as the potential for the auto industry to continue shifting toward electric vehicles. Teslas overall plan is to change the way we thinkabout power and energy. Experts are already acknowledging that Tesla will be disrupting the auto industry, and the energy industry is next.

Teslas newest solar panels integrate seamlessly with the Tesla Powerwall battery system and will be available this summer. By 2018, the Tesla Gigafactory will reach full capacity; when it does, it will be producing more lithium ion batteries than the rest of the world combined. These tools will allow Tesla owners to power their homes and their vehicles with solar power, greatly reducing their carbon footprints.

With the ability to harness and store enough renewable energy, we could end our reliance on fossil fuels once and for all and Musk thinks thats somethingEarth urgently needs. In terms of the effects of pollution and fossil fuel use, hes right: our planet cant wait.

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Tesla Just Announced Plans for a Major Expansion - Futurism

In Brief Late last year, Google founder Larry Page was spotted driving around in a flying car. Today, the first footage of his prototype going airborne was finally released.

Kitty Hawk, the flying car company thats backed by Google founder Larry Page, just released its first video footage of their prototype in action.

The Kitty Hawk Flyer, as the company explains, is a fully electric aircraft that can fly over water and wont require drivers to have a pilots license to fly. The company also asserts that anyone who wants to operate the vehicle will be able to learn how to do so in just minutes.

In the video, which you can view below, the Kitty Hawk Flyer is shown lifting off over a lake. And while it certainly looks a lot more like a jetski with wingsand much less like a flying carthe company says that they have already received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly the first iteration of the vehicle in uncongested areas.

Weve all had dreams of flying effortlessly. Im excited that, one day very soon, Ill be able to climb onto my Kitty Hawk Flyer for a quick and easy personal flight, Page said to the New York Times.

Best of all, Kitty Hawk is prepping to bring their vehicle into commercial production by the end of this year (2017). Yes, you will be able to buy one this year; however, when it does become available for sale, it will likely face some stiff competition from other manufacturers.

Ultimately, there are a host of individuals and companies working on flying cars. For example, theresLithium Aviation, AeroMobil, and PAL-V, who have been pushing to get their own versions of an all-electric airborne vehicle into the market in recent months.

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An All-Electric Flying Car Just Launched, and You'll Be Able to Buy It This Year - Futurism

In BriefNew intelligence systems and perception technologies areallowing trucks to navigate around equipment by themselves andletting machine operators steer entire fleets from the safety oftheir offices. Sci-Fi Visions

Have you ever wanted to drive a bulldozer? What about a bulldozer thats miles away? What about a fleet of bulldozers that are all 3000 miles (4800 km) away? It sounds like something from a far off, sci-fi future, but in truth, people are already doing thisand if you went to the 2017 Edison Awards, you could have as well.

At the Awards, attendees had a chance to see a demonstration ofCaterpillars (CAT)driverless technologiestechnologies that are already saving lives.

As Tazio Grivetti, the Innovation Viability Manager atCaterpillar Inc., notes, mining is sometimes a dangerous business, with drivers being forced to navigate up and down steep and precariously thin inclines. If they arent navigating inclines, then drivers are often tasked with maneuvering enormous vehicles around other mining equipment, which, of course, require operators of their own.

To that end, the company has installed a host of advanced intelligence tech in their vehicles in order to save lives.

For example, they are using onboard artificial intelligence systems to pull drivers out ofthe (rather dangerous) drivers seat, sophisticated perception technologies to help vehicles work safely around people and other equipment, and other operator-assist techthat control various vehicle functions in order to boost both productivity and safety.

Ultimately, the semi-autonomous features allow operators to control vehicles from the comfort of their office, and the perception technologies installed on the equipment serve as a kind of kill switch that stops vehicles from hitting other machinery (or people).

It costs a little extra to add these technologies to a vehicle, butits impossible to put a price tag on a human life. Grivetti succinctly summarizes the main point, asserting, safety is our number one priority. And he continues by noting that CAT operators are already controlling fleets of three dozers from over 3000 miles away.

Sound impressive? This is just the beginning.

Grivetti states that the tech isnt limited to just a few thousand miles, but that it works equally well from any part of the world. As a result, an individual could be in an office in one country and be operating a small fleet thats literally on the other side of the world.

So the next time that someone tells you that autonomous vehicles will be the future of driving, think again. That future actually arrived some time ago. As the company notes, While automakers and tech companies plan for a future that includes self-driving cars, Caterpillar is already there.

Editors Note: This article has been updated to clarify points made byGrivetti about safety.

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Truck Drivers Can Now Control A Fleet of Vehicles From Over 3000 Miles Away - Futurism

Canada Defending Net Neutrality

Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers (ISPs) should treat all data that travels through their networks equally, without favoring any sites, services, or apps. In other words, the business that gets you online should not control where you go, what you do, or what you see. Without net neutrality rules, ISPs can keep users from visiting certain sites, provide slower speeds for streaming services that use more data like Hulu and Netflix, or redirect users from one site to a competing site that pays the ISP or is otherwise favored by it.

Without net neutrality regulations, larger, wealthier companies can pay ISPs to give their sites faster, more reliable access than those of their competitors potentially passing the costs on to users. This deters small businesses and innovative start-ups.

In general, ISPs oppose net neutrality, probably because they stand to make more money without these regulations. In contrast, more than 100 tech companies including Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, Netflix, Vimeo, and Yahoo support net neutrality regulations, citing their role in promoting innovation.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Canadas telecommunications regulator, just ruled that Canadian ISPs cannot exempt certain kinds of content, such as streaming video, from counting toward a users data cap a practice called zero-rating. The decision arose from a complaint against Videotron, a wireless carrier which operates mostly in Quebec.

In 2015, Videotron launched a promotional feature that allowed customers to stream music from services like Google Play Music and Spotify without it counting against a monthly data cap. This practice lets ISPs charge different prices based on the kinds of services or apps a person uses. This is similar to the sponsored data approach in which a company pays your ISP to exempt their service (and probably passes the cost on to you).

Supporters of differential pricing including Videotron say that the practice supports innovation and offers lower costs and more choice to consumers. However, consumer advocacy groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation,disagree, arguing that these practices favor some kinds of internet activity over others in violation of net neutrality. The CRTC took the latter position in this case.

Net neutrality remains under threat in the US. Net neutrality principles were passed in 2015, requiring American ISPs treat all Web traffic equally. This reform was major achievement of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) during the time it was led by Tom Wheeler, who has since been replaced by Ajit Pai, a Trump appointee. The net neutrality regulations were widely praised by open-Internet advocates and consumer groups. Many see them as central to a continued level playing field in terms of access to the internet.

Although Pai has stated that he believes in a free and open internet, he has also stated in a press interviewthat the government should not prevent businesses from offering free data plans, like those that are part of zero-rating schemes. Regarding net neutrality regulations in particular, he stated in a press conference: During the Trump administration, we will shift from playing defense at the FCC to going on the offense. We need to fire up the weed whacker and remove those rules that are holding back investment, innovation, and job creation.

The challenge for Pai will be overcoming the fact that current net neutrality regulations appear to be working. This means he will be in the difficult position of arguing that US courts should change their recent rulingswithout evidence that those rulings are causingproblems. This could be a tough sell to judges. There is a recognition from the industry that we cant re-litigate every time theres a new administration, Harold Feld of the digital rights advocacy group Public Knowledge told Wired.

The key here is that its already been tested in the courts and the court upheld this, Representative Anna G. Eshoo, (D-California) told The New York Times. Ajit Pai is intelligent and genial, but he is not on the side of consumers and the public interest.

Similarly, Pantelis Michalopoulos, who was involved in litigating anet neutrality case, told Law360 that Pais intention to repeal net neutrality regulations and instead get voluntary commitments from ISPs will still need a backup plan. I think it sounds easier than it will turn out to be because the devil will be in the details. He continued, the very idea of a voluntary commitment raises a question of what would be in place if that voluntary commitment is not voluntarily made.

While some doubt Pai will take this risk, other administration moves, such as repeated litigation of immigration bans and a signaled return to the healthcare issue, both undertaken without safety nets in place, seem to indicate that neither re-litigating issues nor proceeding without backup plans will be out of the question. Consumer advocacy groups are concerned about Pais net neutrality agenda. Craig Aaron, president of communications advocacy group Free Press, stated in his organizations press release: Ajit Pai has been on the wrong side of just about every major issue that has come before the FCC during his tenure. Hes never met a mega-merger he didnt like or a public safeguard he didnt try to undermine.

Netflix has stated that it is likely to be unaffected by the rollback of net neutrality regulations as a larger company, but that it supports the regulations on principle. On a public policy basis, however, strong net neutrality is important to support innovation and smaller firms, the company wrote in itsquarterly earnings reportin January. No one wants ISPs to decide what new and potentially disruptive services can operate over their networks, or to favor one service over another. We hope the new US administration and Congress will recognize that keeping the network neutral drives job growth and innovation.

However, Pai and the FCC have already begun implementing their agenda. At the beginning of 2017, Pai released twelve actions that put net neutrality at risk, including the denial of federal subsidies under the FCCs Lifeline program and the ending of investigations into zero-rating practices.

With these strong-arm tactics, Chairman Pai is showing his true stripes, Matt Wood, consumer group Free Press policy director, stated in a press release from his organization. The public wants an FCC that helps people, he added. Instead, it got one that does favors for the powerful corporations that its chairman used to work for.

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Canada Just Took a Major Stand for Net Neutrality - Futurism

In Brief Tesla's market cap was recently announced to be $51 billion, higher than both GM and Ford's and a steep increase from their value in 2016. Hopefully, this financial bubble doesn't burst, or SpaceX, Neuralink, and the Gigafactory could all suffer. Risky Business

Tesla seems set on taking over the world, and after their most recent market surge, they might be on track to do it that is, if the supposedly inflated financial bubble theyre in doesnt, well, burst.

This month, Teslas market cap hit a value of $51 billion, which was higher than General Motors at the time and $15 billion higher than Teslas own value in 2016. While Elon Musk disagrees, in the eyes of many experts, the company isovervalued, perhaps dangerously so.

Tesla will undoubtedly, as any company does, face roadblocks in new design and innovation. While they will most likely continue to produce incredibly popular, inventive, and successful vehicle models, some say the overvalued bubble in which they currently reside is heading for bursting.

For Tesla to keep up with its upward-trending market value, they will need to continue innovating at the tremendous rate that they have been.

From designing the first autonomous semi truckto driving down the price of their electric vehicles (EVs), Tesla has been keeping pace with, and moving ahead of, customer requests and demands. However, with other EV optionscosting a fraction of a Tesla vehicle, the company will have to get even further ahead of the game in terms of innovation if they want to maintain their value.

Elon Musk and his team arent the only ones hoping for Teslas continued success. If Tesla were to go under or begin to fail financially, more than just a luxury car company would suffer SpaceX, Neuralink, the Gigafactory, and more would be at risk of feeling the hit. The future of space travel and exploration, the advancement of alternative energy sources and usage, and the fight against climate change hang in the balance, so lets all hope that this bubble doesnt burst.

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The Age of Elon: Can Tesla Really Take Over the World? - Futurism

In Brief Ridley Scott's film production studio has opened a dedicated VR division called RSA VR, and is working towards bringing the "Alien" world in virtual reality. It's another example of just how much VR is changing the way we interact with reality. Aliens in VR

As if the movies werent enough to give you chills, Ridley Scott, director of the sci-fi flick Alien,now wants to bring the horrificexperienceinto virtual reality (VR). RSA Films, a production studio Scott co-founded, recently launched its dedicated, in-house VR division called RSA VR. According to the companys short write up, this VR division wont just be limited to VR. It will also include projects that explore augmented reality (AR) and other so-called mixed media.

Leading the helm in RSA VR is Jen Dennis, who was involved in Scotts first VR foray. I think VR is one of the most exciting areas in the industry today, with potential to influence how we consume content for generations to come, she said in a prepared statement.

I enjoy everything from assembling teams and forging partnerships to create, distribute and market VR content, to having an ongoing informative and often inspirational dialogue with colleagues in the space. I consider us in a unique position to undertake this with RSAs talented roster of directors, Dennis added.

RSA VRs first work will be set in the world of Scotts latest addition to the Alien franchise, the upcoming Alien: Covenant. The VR division is working with Twentieth Century Foxs FoxNext and Technicolors MPC to deliver this experience and it may even involve keeping that baby alien from wrapping around your face.

Undoubtedly, VRs gaming and entertainment applications are broad and varied, not to mention enjoyable. However, this technology isnt just limited to fun and games. Already, VR is seeing wider, more real-life applications. These include assisting doctors in medical proceduresandletting you tour the world. VR is also set to change social interaction, as social media giant Facebook is working towards bringing it to their platform. Even McDonalds is in on it. VR is changing how we interact with reality.

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Get Ready. Ridley Scott Is Making a Terrifying New Alien VR Experience - Futurism

In Brief Your flying car might finally be on the way as the all-electric, two-seater Lilium Jet took its first test flight this week. Lilium Aviation's prototype consumes around 90 percent less energy than drone-style aircraft and could be the transportation mode of the future. The Lilium Jet

If youve been beggingthe universe for a flying car for your entire life, you may soon be able to stop asking (sort of). This week, Germany-based companyLilium Aviationtook its new all-electric, two-seater vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) prototype for its first test flight. The jet was piloted remotely during the tests, but its creators say the vehicles first manned flight will happen soon.

Thirty-six separate jet engines mounted on 12 movable flaps on the Lilium Jets 10-meter-long wings power the craft. The flaps point down at take-off to provide vertical lift, and then they tilt gradually into a horizontal position for forward thrust. Lilium says that its electric battery enables the aircraft to reach a maximum cruising speed of 300 kph (183 mph) and achieve a range of 300 kilometers (183 miles), all while it consumes around 90 percent less energy than drone-style aircraft, according to a recent press release.

The startup plans to build a five-passenger version of the jet eventually, and Lilium envisions its product being used in an on-demand capacity in dense, urban areas the Uber of flying cars (though Uber itself is working on its own flying model). Patrick Nathen, co-founder and head of calculation and design for Lilium Jet, told The Verge that the companys ultimate goal is to make the technology accessible for everyone, replacing expensive ground taxi trips in urban areas with flights at a fraction of the cost.

Although electric-powered aviation is not yet highly developed, this prototypes design makes it far more efficient in terms of power consumption than other electric aircraft. And although electric cars with the same 1,000-pound batteries used in this aircraft are typically limited to a range of about 482 kilometers (300 miles) per charge, Nathen says thats enough for their jet.

This jet and virtually all other innovative vehicles in development right now will run on renewables. This is more than a trend it is simply the way of the future. Tesla vehicles will soon be as affordable as standard vehicles, and their semi trucks and pickups are on the way. This kind of electric-powered aircraft is the next step in truly getting clean energy off the ground while leaving fossil fuels in it.

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A Real Life, All-Electric Flying Car Just Took Off - Futurism

In Brief At Facebook's developer conference last week, Oculus Research predicted that AR glasses would replace smartphones in the near future. The ability to augment reality is just one of the futuristic technologies Facebook is working on. Augmenting Technologies

Last week, Facebooks annual developer conference (FB8) gave us a glimpse of the future. While most of the announcements made during the event were meant for developers, it doesnt take a techie to understand how they will impact the lives of Facebooks more than 90 million consumers.

One of the most interesting project announcements came from Facebooks uber-secretive Building 8 (B8). The divisionis currently working on a top-secret brain-computer interface (BCI)similar to Elon Musks neuralink, but that BCI project isnt the only future tech Facebook currently has in the works.

According to Michael Abrash, chief scientist at Facebook-owned Oculus Research, super augmented reality (AR) glasses could replace smartphones as the everyday computing gadget in the next five years.

Its definitely not an outlandish prediction. Abrash explained that despite all the current hype around AR, the tech hasnt yet reached its defining moment. [I]t will be five years at best before were really at the start of the ramp to widespread, glasses-based augmented reality, before AR has its Macintosh moment, he said on Day 2 of FB8.

Widespread adoption, however, would take a few more years. 20 or 30 years from now, I predict that instead of carrying stylish smartphones everywhere, well wear stylish glasses, claimed Abrash. Those glasses will offer [virtual reality], AR, and everything in between, and well use them all day.

IfFacebooks Oculus team has any say, these super AR glasses would be capable of far more than just augmenting reality. They could give the user superpowers by enhancing the wearers memory, providing them with instant foreign and sign language translation, and isolating and muting distracting sounds and noise.

Facebook isnt the only company invested in AR. Apple CEO Tim Cook has also been rather bullish about AR as the technology of the future, and with so many tech behemoths involved, five years seems like a completely realistic timeline for tech that will change everything about reality as we know it. After that, itll be on to combining these AR glasses with BCI, and thats a truly high-tech future worth waiting for.

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Facebook Engineer Asserts That Augmented Reality Will Replace Smartphones in 5 Years - Futurism