More for me than general consumption, but the link below is for a series of talks at the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Engineering Technology Leadership Institute (ETLI) that I wanted to keep:
With the Internet of Things (IoT) becoming a “big deal”, IEEE has started a big push to get ahead of the game. They created a new IoT Web Portal for the latest news and also started a new IEEE IoT Journal.
There is also work underway to create Standards for IoT communications protocols so IoT devices can talk to each other on ONE standard (maybe we can finally get to that “Digital Convergence” we were prommissed back in 2000 by the CueCat)
You might want to also check out THIS ARTICLE on a Kit for the Internet of Things that IBM and ARM have teamed up to create.
Just ran across an ad for a robot I haven’t seen before: Ozobot.
Looks to be geared towards teaching kids programming.
More info at: http://shop.ozobot.com/
This video explains why we have reached the end of Moore’s Law and what Quantum Computers are and how they work.
Who hid a backdoor in a popular corporate VPN program?
from: The Institute (IEEE)
By KATHY PRETZ 1 December 2015
Members are making it possible for all your appliances and devices to communicate with each other
That once-futuristic vision of a home full of smart gadgets that anticipate our needs, keep us healthy, and save us money is slowly taking shape. Thermostats now learn our preferred settings and schedule, lights turn on and off as we come and go, and refrigerators adjust their temperatures according to how much food they hold.
Such applications make the home a bit smarter, but they’re not really intelligent. That’s because most home-automation devices are loners: They don’t work with each other. They’re made by different manufacturers, and by the way, they lack privacy and security protection. IEEE is working with industry to build an architecture that provides connectivity; simultaneously, it is developing standards and addressing security concerns.
“The smart home is a great example of where many technology and business domains start interacting and leveraging the Internet of Things,” says IEEE Member Oleg Logvinov, chair of the IEEE P2413 Standard for an Architectural Framework for the Internet of Things Working Group. “IoT probably represents the biggest tidal wave in technology development since the industrial revolution.”
Published on Nov 16, 2015
Computer science is a foundational field that opens doors for all boys and girls. Starring Sheryl Sandberg, Jasmine Lawrence, Karlie Kloss, May-Li Khoe, Mia Epner, Alice Steinglass, Jess Lee, Jessica Alba, Paola Mejía Minaya, Malala Yousafzai, and Susan Wojcicki.
Start learning at http://code.org/
Yet another robotic gift guide for 2015, this one done by IEEE, can be found at IEEE Spectrum – 2015 Robot Gift Guide
In short, their list includes:
Drones
Robot Toys and Kits
Home Robotics
From: Robotics Trends
By Steve Crowe December 11, 2015
A major step forward has been taken in the movement to sanction robotics as an official sport in high schools across the country. FIRST and BEST Robotics have partnered with the University Interscholastic League (UIL) to launch sanctioned robotics competitions throughout Texas that will end in two statewide championships – one in the fall and one in the spring.
The Texas robotics pilot program, and similar initiatives in Connecticut and Minnesota, allow for high school robotics teams to be recognized as official sports teams and receive similar support of other activities. These benefits include extracurricular program structures; the active support of school executives, teachers and community leaders; and the opportunity to apply for varsity sports letters for high performance.
“There is a clear need to prepare today’s students for the jobs of tomorrow, many of which are STEM-related,” UIL Executive Director Charles Breithaupt said. “STEM is a top priority for UIL, and FIRST and BEST have a proven track record of success in preparing students for a future in STEM careers through robotics competition.”
These efforts come at a critical time as STEM occupations are growing 1.7 times faster than non-STEM careers in the United States, according to the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The Houston Chronicle reported “that less than 20 percent of all high schools in Texas have a robotics program,” adding that the “new UIL distinction could help smaller school districts get in on the growing science, technology, engineering and math field.”
Scott Rippetoe, who runs the robotics program for the Conroe Independent School District, said the official designation will help get more students interested in – and aware of – robotics as an extracurricular option. Conroe introduced its robotics team in 1997, Rippetoe said, and the team now has 65 students.
“I’ve been doing robotics for so long that to have the district get on board, having the UIL designation adds to that. It’s like robotics is coming of age,” Rippetoe told The Houston Chronicle.
Meanwhile in Georgia, coding will soon be among the core requirements for high school graduation. The State Board of Education is expected to approve standards for three new computer science courses – Embedded Computing, Web Development, and Game Design: Animation and Simulation – that students can substitute for math, science or foreign language credits.
“Robotics is a sport for the 21st century. The skills students can learn, including teamwork, collaboration and problem solving, are the same as those learned in other sports but unlike most sports, robotics provides all students – no matter their background or physical ability – the opportunity to become a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professional,” said FIRST President Donald E. Bossi. “That’s why FIRST believes all states should recognize the hard work of students, Coaches and Mentors with statewide support.”
