The two class sessions filled with poster presentation turned out to be a great interactive activity! I really enjoyed the experience! Tweeting on the posters was pleasant! I found it to be a great way to really absorb the information available on the poster boards. I also enjoyed how the presenters were very approachable and relayed information in a clear and concise manner. Tweeting about specific posters, allowed me to absorb the information more than if I were to not use social media. Therefore, social media aided in our learning experience, by reinforcing what we learned and sharing it with other classmates on Twitter. It would have been nice to have a similar poster presentation in the beginning of the semester as well, so that we could see how we progressed in researching innovative emerging technologies. Comparing the two poster presentations, with time in between, would've been a grand way to document our progress.
A memorable emerging technology from the poster experience was the shockingly lifelike robotic technology called Big Dog. The most interesting feature of this enormous life-like dog to me is that it has the ability to carry large amount of supplies for the military. It also has a tracking device which can help rescue wounded soldiers. I found this technology to be very interesting, although a bit intimidating, in terms of size, which appears the size of three full grown gorillas.
Another memorable technology from the presentations was the growingly popular Kindle, which can compress your 1,000 book library into a roughly 2 pound technology. Once this product launches an advertising campaign for college students, their stock is sure to soar. The cost of purchasing Kindle-reader-compatible textbooks would surely be more economic than purchasing actual textbooks for four years. The back strain involved in carrying heavy textbooks would also be eliminated with the Kindle. I believe that this is a great product for the everyday consumer and I'd love to see how they enhance the Kindle in the future.
MY RESEARCH SUMMARY:
My Emerging Technology Poster- Sharp and KDDI's Solar-Powered AND Waterproof Cell Phone
(a different technology from my previous cell phone blog entry)
The technology I chose to present has many implications for the individual, especially in regards to safety. Sharp and Japanese, KDDI, have teamed up to create the world's first solar-powered and waterproof cell phone. This product was released only in Japan in June of 2009. It plans to release in third-world countries; the specific date is still unknown. The two companies have not publicly discussed a release date for the U.S. or if it will even enter the North American market at all. Currently, there is no information about its exact price. This cell phone has a waterproof casing, allowing it to be completely dropped in water and still function afterwards. It has solar panels on the front, which conveniently charge the phone. The solar charge is recommended because it reduces CO2 emissions. Therefore, this cell phone is very earth-friendly, which aligns perfectly with Sharp's initiatives to build "greener" technologies.
Sharp and KDDI's initial plan for this cell phone is to aid third-world countries in implementing better rescue efforts by enhancing communication. This cell phone is extremely functional for third-world countries, where sun (solar power) is abundant and electricity is scarce. This cell phone can derive 80 percent of it's charge from solar power, no matter if it is placed directly in sunlight or carried in your pocket. Regardless of location, this cell phone absorbs sunlight and transforms it into cellular talk-time and standby time. The implications on the individual in these countries would be in regards to safety. For example, if a monsoon were to transport an Indian village to near disaster, this cell phone would still be in working condition, not affected by water and charged by the sun. This cell phone could aid many to be found during natural disasters.
