the future

Belgian Train Station Offers a Glimpse of the Future

The Liège-Guillemins railway station looks like it belongs far in the future: a vast curving monolith of glass, steel and concrete curves extending high above the train tracks. Just as astonishing as its design is the fact that it was built while the normal train schedules continued, with no disruption.




the future

The Future Is Bright If More Teens Think About High School the Way Kavya Kopparapu Does

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma talks with the founder of the Girls Computing League about the promise of her generation




the future

Sebastian Thrun on the Future of Learning

Why the American Ingenuity Award winner believes higher education should be a basic human right




the future

The Future of the Smithsonian

We asked visitors to the National Mall what they thought should be in the Smithsonian collections in 2050. The consensus? Lady Gaga and much more...




the future

Vint Cerf of Google on the Future of the Internet

Vice president of engineering and chief evangelist at Google on the connected world in 2050. Read more at: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/vinton-cerf-on-where-the-internet-will-take-us-1128826/




the future

Is Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin the Future of Space Exploration?

Jeff Bezos | Smithsonian Magazine’s 2016 American Ingenuity Award Winner for Technology The Princeton-educated Amazon founder, Washington Post owner and new-economy pioneer also helms an innovative spaceflight company, Blue Origin, which he founded in 2000. This year it became the first aerospace manufacturer to launch, land and relaunch a rocket into space—an essential leap toward our extraterrestrial future. Bezos aims to revolutionize travel and work in space by making spaceflight so inexpensive that entrepreneurs will rush to create new businesses that have not even been imagined yet. Blue Origin’s achievement has been described as comparable to the shift from the sail to the steam engine. Read more about Bezos’ work: http://smithmag.co/GICDO2 | #IngenuityAwards And more about the American Ingenuity Awards: http://smithmag.co/77xPqy




the future

Is Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin the Future of Space Exploration?

No one had ever launched, landed and relaunched a rocket into space until the company's historic achievement.




the future

Smithsonian Second Opinion: Forging the Future

Smithsonian Institution Secretary Dr. David Skorton joins some of the world’s leading thinkers in a spirited discussion about our ever changing planet




the future

To Divine the Future, the Ancients Relied on These Chance-Based Fortune-Telling Tools

Texts like the "Sortes Astrampsychi" promised insights on clients' love lives, career prospects, financial woes and families




the future

Product designers to strut their ingenuity in Create the Future Design Contest

Competition sponsored by SOLIDWORKS and




the future

New Discovery Channel ‘Prototype This’ Show Uses SOLIDWORKS to Invent the Future

‘To design, I use my favorite tool, SOLIDWORKS’




the future

Trusting Him for the future

Perla, meaning “pearl” in Malagasy, raises awareness about human trafficking and provides skills training, coupled with discipleship, to at-risk women and girls.




the future

Goats for the future

The students of OM Malawi’s two schools are receiving something more than a Christ-centred education; a way to pay for future schooling.




the future

The future in a bubble

Rodrieck and Geraldine Snyders of Walvis Bay, Namibia, have committed themselves to giving back to God—and they’re using fish to do it.




the future

The future of data science: 7 emerging trends and technologies to watch

Data science continues to be a pivotal force driving innovation across industries. From enhancing customer experiences to optimizing operational efficiencies, the role of data science is expanding, bringing with it new challenges and opportunities. This article explores the emerging trends and technologies that are shaping the future of data science [...]

The future of data science: 7 emerging trends and technologies to watch was published on SAS Voices by Iain Brown




the future

From data to delivery: How GenAI will shape the future of public service

"Generative AI (GenAI) initiatives should support broader public goals and needs," says SAS' Ensley Tan. While governments recognize GenAI's potential to improve operational efficiency and citizen experience, there is more to it than setting up projects and expecting them to work. Tan, SAS Asia-Pacific Lead for Public Sector Consulting, said public [...]

From data to delivery: How GenAI will shape the future of public service was published on SAS Voices by Lucy Chan




the future

Departments of Labor & Education Team with Jobs for the Future to Celebrate National Youth Apprenticeship Week

May 6, 2024 Press Release WILMINGTON, Delaware – The Delaware Department of Labor (DOL), the Delaware Department of Education, Career and Technical Education (DOE) and Jobs for the Future (JFF) are teaming up with Delaware Gov. John Carney to celebrate the first-ever National Youth Apprenticeship Week in support of advancing job opportunities for young people […]




the future

DDR5 12.8Gbps MRDIMM IP: Powering the Future of AI, HPC, and Data Centers

The demand for higher-performance computing is greater than ever. Cutting-edge applications in artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and databases require high-speed memory systems to handle the ever-increasing volumes and complexities of data. Advancements in cloud computing and machine virtualization are stretching the limits of current capabilities. AI applications hosted in the cloud rely on fast access and reduced latency in memory systems, which is amplified by an increasing number of CPU and GPU cores.

Introducing the DDR5 Multiplexed Rank DIMM (MRDIMM), the next-generation memory module technology designed to meet the needs of high-performance computing (HPC) and AI in cloud applications. By leveraging existing DDR5 DRAM memory devices, MRDIMM modules not only double the DRAM data rate but also maintain the RAS capabilities of the industry-proven RDIMM modules, setting a new precedent for memory module performance.

Let’s compare RDIMM and MRDIMM modules using the same DRAM parts. Today, high-speed production DDR5 RDIMM modules run at 5600Mbps. Those modules use DDR5 DRAM parts, which also run at 5600Mbps. An MRDIMM module using the same DDR5 5600Mbps DRAM parts will run at a blazing 11.2Gbps.

One key metric for best-in-class performance, low bit error rate (BER), and ease of adoption is the eye diagram. The eye diagram illustrates at-speed system margin and accurately represents DDR system quality when captured with a pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS)-like pattern. The diagram below illustrates Cadence’s 3nm silicon write eye diagram for DDR5 MRDIMM IP running at 12.8Gbps.

Cadence 3nm DDR5 MRDIMM 12.8Gbps test chip write eye diagram, design kit is available today

The eye diagram is captured using a PRBS-like pattern, incorporating a package and system board representative of a typical MRDIMM channel. Using PRBS-like patterns is crucial for capturing accurate eye diagrams. Repetitive clock-like data patterns create deceptively “open eyes” that do not reflect the real system performance. Effects like intersymbol interference, simultaneous switching, reflections, and crosstalk are not accurately reflected in the eye diagrams for parallel interfaces like DDR using non-random data streams. Relying on improperly captured eye diagrams inevitably leads to a significantly worse real system BER than conveyed by that eye diagram.

Doubling the DDR5 RDIMM data rate is challenging. Achieving high performance while optimizing for area and power requires multiple design techniques. Feed-forward equalization (FFE), decision feedback equalization (DFE), continuous-time linear equalization (CTLE), and T-coils are required to reach 12.8Gbps MRDIMM data rates in multi-channel systems. Building a production-worthy 12.8Gbps DDR5 MRDIMM IP requires engineering expertise that comes from many generations of memory interface design and production experience. Cadence has developed this expertise through multiple DDR5/4, LPDDR5X/5, and GDDR6 designs in different technology nodes and foundries. For instance, Cadence’s GDDR6 IP is available in three foundries and ten process nodes, with mass production at speeds exceeding 22Gbps.

For your next project, consider DDR5 12.8Gbps MRDIMM, a technology that not only doubles the bandwidth of DDR5 RDIMM but also promises rapid proliferation into next-generation AI, data center, HPC, and enterprise applications. With its cutting-edge capabilities, the Cadence DDR5 12.8Gbps MRDIMM IP is ready to power the future of computing.




the future

The Future of Driving: How Advanced DSP is Shaping Car Infotainment Systems

As vehicles transition into interconnected ecosystems, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies become increasingly crucial. Infotainment systems have evolved beyond mere music players to become central hubs for connectivity, entertainment, and navigation. With global demand for comfort, convenience, and safety rising, the automotive infotainment market is experiencing significant growth. Valued at USD14.99 billion in 2023, it is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9% from 2024 to 2030.

To keep pace with this evolution, infotainment systems must accommodate a range of workloads, including audio, voice, AI, and vision technologies. This requires a flexible, scalable Digital Signal Processor (DSP) solution that acts as an offload engine for the main application processor. Integrating a single DSP for varied functions offers a cost-effective solution for high-performance, low-power processing, which aligns well with the needs of Electric Vehicles (EVs).

If you missed the detailed presentation by Casey Ng, Product Marketing Director at Cadence at CadenceLIVE 2024, register at the CadenceLIVE On-Demand site to access it and other insightful presentations. Stay ahead of the curve and explore the future of innovative electronics with us.

Cadence Infotainment Solution: Leading the Charge

Cadence Tensilica HiFi DSPs play a crucial role in enhancing audio capabilities in vehicle infotainment systems. They support applications like voice recognition, hands-free calling, and deliver immersive audio experiences. This technology is also paramount for features such as active noise control, which reduces road and cabin noise, and acoustic event detection for identifying unusual sounds like broken glass. One notable innovation is the "audio bubble," enabling personalized audio zones within the vehicle, ensuring passengers enjoy distinct audio settings.

Cadence HiFi DSP technology enriches the driving experience for electric vehicles by mimicking traditional engine sounds, while its advanced audio processing ensures optimal performance across various digital radio standards. It significantly contributes to noise reduction, hence improving the cabin experience. Integrating a Double Precision Floating Point Unit (FPU) stands out, as it upgrades audio performance and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) through efficient 64-bit processing, allowing control over numerous speakers without hitches.

These advancements distinguish the DSP as an essential tool in evolving infotainment systems, offering unmatched performance and adaptability. Tensilica HiFi processors, crucial to advanced infotainment SoCs, serve as efficient offload processors, augmenting real-time execution and energy efficiency. Cadence’s ecosystem, with over 200 codecs and software partnerships, propels the evolution of innovative infotainment systems. Introducing the HiFi 5s DSP marks a new era in connected car experiences, setting the stage for groundbreaking advancements.

Exploring Tomorrow with HiFi 5s DSP Technology

The HiFi 5s represents the apex of audio and AI digital signal processing performance. Built on the Xtensa LX8 platform, it introduces capabilities like auto-vectorization, which allows standard C code to be automatically optimized for performance. This synergy of hardware and software co-design marks a significant step forward in DSP technology. By leveraging its extended Single Instruction, Multiple Data (SIMD) capabilities alongside features like a double-precision floating-point unit (DP_FPU), the HiFi 5s delivers unparalleled precision and speed improvements in signal and audio processing tasks. Equally notable are its branch prediction and L2 cache enhancements, which optimize system performance by refining the control code execution and recognizing codec efficiency. The application of such enhancements are particularly beneficial in real-world scenarios.

AI-Powered Audio

Cadence's focus on AI integration with the HiFi 5s demonstrates significant improvements in audio clarity through AI-powered solutions.

  • AI models learn from real-world data and adapt dynamically, while classic DSP algorithms rely on fixed rules.
  • AI can be fine-tuned for specific scenarios, whereas classic DSP lacks flexibility.
  • AI handles extreme and marginal noise patterns better, generalizes well across different environments, and is robust against varying noise characteristics.

Cadence's dedication to artificial intelligence marks a pivotal shift in audio processing. Traditional DSP algorithms, bound by rigid rules, are eclipsed by AI's ability to learn dynamically from real-world data. This adaptability equips AI models to tackle challenging noise patterns and offer unmatched clarity even in noisy environments, making them ideal for automotive and consumer audio applications.

Realtime AI-Optimized Speech Enhancements by OmniSpeech and ai|coustics

OmniSpeech

Our partner, OmniSpeech, has advanced AI-based audio processing that enhances the performance of audio software, specifically for omnidirectional and dipole microphones. Impressively, their technology operates with less than 32MHz and requires only 418kB of memory.

Test results show that background noise is significantly reduced when AI employs a single omnidirectional microphone, outperforming non-AI solutions. Additionally, when using a dipole microphone with AI, there is a 3.5X improvement in the weighted Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and more than a 28% increase in the Global Mean Opinion Score (GMOS) across various background noise.

ai|coustics

ai|coustics, a Cadence partner specializing in advanced audio technologies, utilizes real-time AI-optimized speech enhancement algorithms. They leverage an extensive speech-quality dataset containing thousands of hours and 100 languages to transform low-quality audio into studio-grade audio. Their process includes:

  • De-reverb, which eliminates room resonances, echoes, and reflections
  • Removing artifacts from downsampling and codec compression
  • Dynamic and adaptive background noise removal
  • Reviving audio materials with analog and digital distortions
  • Providing support for all languages, accents, and a variety of speakers

Applications include:

  • Automotive: Enhances clarity of navigation commands and communication for driver safety
  • Consumer audio: Improves voice clarity for better dialogue understanding in TV programs. Optimizes speech intelligibility in communication for both uplink and downlink audio streams
  • Smart IoT: Boosts voice command detection and response quality

Performance Enhancements

The advancements in branch prediction and L2 cache integration have significantly boosted performance metrics across various systems. With HiFi 5s, branch prediction increases codec efficiency by an average of 5%, reaching up to 16% in optimal conditions. L2 cache improvements have drastically enhanced system-level performance, evidenced by a 2.3X boost in EVS decoder efficiency. Adding MACs and imaging ISA in imaging use cases has led to substantial advancements. When comparing HiFi 5s to HiFi 5, imaging ISA performance improvements range with >60% average performance improvements.

The Crescendo of the Future

As Cadence continues to blaze trails in DSP technology, the HiFi 5s emerges as the quintessential solution for consumer and automotive audio use cases. With a robust framework for auto-vectorization, an unmatched double-precision FPU, AI-driven audio solutions, and comprehensive system enhancements, Cadence is orchestrating the next era of audio processing, where every note is clearer, every sound richer, and every experience more engaging. It is not just the future of audio—it's the future of how we experience the world around us.

 Discover how Cadence Automotive Solutions can transform your business today!




the future

Island Economies of the Future 2019/20 – the results

Cyprus is ranked first in fDi’s Island Economies of the Future rankings, followed by the Dominican Republic and Sri Lanka. Cathy Mullan and Naomi Davies detail the results.




the future

American Cities of the Future 2019/20 - the winners

New York continues to reign as leader of fDi’s American Cities of the Future 2019/20 ranking. San Francisco retains second place with Toronto rising to third. Naomi Davies reports.




the future

American Cities of the Future 2019/20 – FDI strategy

A more detailed look at fDi's judges’ top five American Cities of the Future 2019/20 for FDI strategy. Naomi Davies reports.




the future

Fintech Locations of the Future 2019/20: London tops first ranking

London has been named fDi’s inaugural Fintech Location of the Future for 2019/20, followed by Singapore and Belfast. 




the future

Asia-Pacific Cities of the Future 2019/20 – the winners

Singapore has retained its place at the top of fDi's Asia-Pacific Cities of the Future ranking, with Shanghai and Tokyo completing the top three list. 




the future

Tourism Locations of the Future 2019/20 – FDI Strategy

Australia tops the FDI Strategy category of fDi's Tourism Locations of the Future 2019/20 rankings, followed by Costa Rica and Azerbaijan.




the future

fDi’s European Cities and Regions of the Future 2020/21 – Winners

In spite of the uncertainty caused by Brexit, London retains its position as fDi's European City of the Future for 2020/21, while Paris keeps the regional crown.




the future

fDi’s European Cities of the Future 2020/21 – London maintains European pre-eminence

London has retained its position as fDi’s European City of the Future, while Paris has climbed to second place, knocking Dublin into the third spot. 




the future

fDi's European Cities and Regions of the Future 2020/21 - FDI Strategy: London and Glasgow take major prizes

London is crowned best major city in Europe in fDi's FDI Strategy category, with Glasgow, Vilnius, Reykjavik and Galway also winning out.




the future

fDi’s European Regions of the Future 2020/21: Paris Region retains supremacy

Paris Region has kept its fDi European Region of the Future title, while Dublin Region holds on to second place and North Rhine-Westphalia is in third. 




the future

fDi's European Cities and Regions of the Future 2020/21 - FDI Strategy: North Rhine-Westphalia takes regional crown

North Rhine-Westphalia is fDi's top large region for FDI Strategy, with the Basque Country topping the table for mid-sized regions and Ireland South East first among small regions. 




the future

fDi’s European Cities and Regions of the Future 2020/21 - London leads LEP ranking while Oxfordshire makes rapid rise

London LEP and Thames Valley Berkshire LEP hold on to their respective first and second places in the Local Enterprise Partnership rankings, while Oxfordshire LEP jumps up eight places to third. 




the future

Major energy group banks on hydrogen to power the future

Canadian utilities giant ATCO was struck by Australia’s unique ability to make green hydrogen by harnessing its abundant sunshine. This capacity, combined with the country’s can-do attitude and commitment to the development of renewable energies, compelled the company to invest in Australia’s first Clean Energy Innovation Hub to fast-track sustainable solutions for future energy needs.




the future

The History of the Future, Part 1 (Revelation 1:1-8)

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.






the future

The Future of Civic Freedoms: Lessons from My Time at CIVICUS

When I joined CIVICUS in 2019, I came in with two decades of work on influencing and monitoring public policies through grassroots and global activism. Joining CIVICUS as Secretary-General felt familiar, like returning home after a period of separation. My first international role in 2006 – as Campaign Director of the Global Call to Action […]




the future

Afghan Girls Share Their Despair and Visions for the Future Under Taliban Rule

The 15 August 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan devastated the lives of millions of Afghans. But the rights and freedoms of women and girls in particular have been progressively trampled by a series of edicts that have created a virtual system of gender apartheid.




the future

Summing Up Pharmacological Reviews 75th Anniversary Year and a Look to the Future [75th Anniversary Celebration Collection Special Section-Editorial]




the future

Bill Gates's Netflix series offers some dubious ideas about the future

In What's Next? Bill Gates digs into AI, climate, inequality, malaria and more. But the man looms too large for alternative solutions to emerge, says Bethan Ackerley




the future

Do the 2024 Nobel prizes show that AI is the future of science?

Two of the three science Nobel prizes in 2024 have been won by people working in AI, but does this mean that AI models are now vital for science?




the future

SwitchBot S10 Review​: “This Is the Future of Home Robots”



I’ve been reviewing robot vacuums for more than a decade, and robot mops for just as long. It’s been astonishing how the technology has evolved, from the original iRobot Roomba bouncing off of walls and furniture to robots that use lidar and vision to map your entire house and intelligently keep it clean.

As part of this evolution, cleaning robots have become more and more hands-off, and most of them are now able to empty themselves into occasionally enormous docks with integrated vacuums and debris bags. This means that your robot can vacuum your house, empty itself, recharge, and repeat this process until the dock’s dirt bag fills up.

But this all breaks down when it comes to robots that both vacuum and mop. Mopping, which is a capability that you definitely want if you have hard floors, requires a significant amount of clean water and generates an equally significant amount of dirty water. One approach is to make docks that are even more enormous—large enough to host tanks for clean and dirty water that you have to change out on a weekly basis.

SwitchBot, a company that got its start with a stick-on robotic switch that can make dumb things with switches into smart things, has been doing some clever things in the robotic vacuum space as well, and we’ve been taking a look at the SwitchBot S10, which hooks up to your home plumbing to autonomously manage all of its water needs. And I have to say, it works so well that it feels inevitable: this is the future of home robots.


A Massive Mopping Vacuum

The giant dock can collect debris from the robot for months, and also includes a hot air dryer for the roller mop.Evan Ackerman/IEEE Spectrum

The SwitchBot S10 is a hybrid robotic vacuum and mop that uses a Neato-style lidar system for localization and mapping. It’s also got a camera on the front to help it with obstacle avoidance. The mopping function uses a cloth-covered spinning roller that adds clean water and sucks out dirty water on every rotation. The roller lifts automatically when the robot senses that it’s about to move onto carpet. The S10 comes with a charging dock with an integrated vacuum and dust collection system, and there’s also a heated mop cleaner underneath, which is a nice touch.

I’m not going to spend a lot of time analyzing the S10’s cleaning performance. From what I can tell, it does a totally decent job vacuuming, and the mopping is particularly good thanks to the roller mop that exerts downward pressure on the floor while spinning. Just about any floor cleaning robot is going to do a respectable job with the actual floor cleaning—it’s all the other stuff, like software and interface and ease of use, that have become more important differentiators.

Home Plumbing Integration

The water dock, seen here hooked up to my toilet and sink, exchanges dirty water out of the robot and includes an option to add cleaning fluid.Evan Ackerman/IEEE Spectrum

The S10’s primary differentiator is that it integrates with your home plumbing. It does this through a secondary dock—there’s the big charging dock, which you can put anywhere, and then the much smaller water dock, which is small enough to slide underneath an average toe-kick in a kitchen.

The dock includes a pumping system that accesses clean water through a pressurized water line, and then squirts dirty water out into a drain. The best place to find this combination of fixtures is near a sink with a p-trap, and if this is already beyond the limits of your plumbing knowledge, well, that’s the real challenge with the S10. The S10 is very much not plug-and-play; to install the water dock, you should be comfortable with basic tool use and, more importantly, have some faith in the integrity of your existing plumbing.

My house was built in the early 1960s, which means that a lot of my plumbing consists of old copper with varying degrees of corrosion and mineral infestation, along with slightly younger but somewhat brittle PVC. Installing the clean water line for the dock involves temporarily shutting off the cold water line feeding a sink or a toilet—that is, turning off a valve that may not have been turned for a decade or more. This is risky, and the potential consequences of any uncontrolled water leak are severe, so know where your main water shutoff is before futzing with the dock installation.


To SwitchBot’s credit, the actual water dock installation process was very easy, thanks to a suite of connectors and adapters that come included. I installed my dock in between a toilet and a pedestal sink, with access to the toilet’s water valve for clean water and the sink’s p-trap for dirty water. The water dock is battery powered, and cleverly charges from the robot itself, so it doesn’t need a power outlet. Even so, this one spot was pretty much the only place in my entire house where the water dock could easily go: my other bathrooms have cabinet sinks, which would have meant drilling holes for the water lines, and neither of them had floor space where the dock could live without being kicked all the time. It’s not like the water dock is all that big, but it really needs to be out of the way, and it can be hard to find a compatible space.

Mediocre Mapping

With the dock set up, the next step is mapping. The mapping process with the S10 was a bit finicky. I spent a bunch of time prepping my house—that is, moving as much furniture as possible off of the floor to give the robot the best chance at making a solid map. I know this isn’t something that most people probably do for their robots, but knowing robots like I do, I figure that getting a really good map is worth the hassle in the long run.

The first mapping run completed in about 20 minutes, but the robot got “stuck” on the way back to its dock thanks to a combination of a bit of black carpet and black coffee table legs. I rescued it, but it promptly forgot its map, and I had to start again. The second time, the robot failed to map my kitchen, dining room, laundry room, and one bathroom by not going through a wide open doorway off of the living room. This was confusing, because I could see the unexplored area on the map, and I’m not sure why the robot decided to call it a day rather than investigating that pretty obvious frontier region.

SwitchBot is not terrible at mapping, but it’s definitely sub-par relative to the experiences that I’ve had with older generations of other robots. The S10 also intermittently freaked out on the black patterned carpet that I have: moving very cautiously, spinning in circles, and occasionally stopping completely while complaining about malfunctioning cliff sensors, presumably because my carpet was absorbing all of the infrared from its cliff sensors while it was trying to map.

Black carpet, terror of robots everywhere.Evan Ackerman/IEEE Spectrum

Part of my frustration here is that I feel like I should be able to tell the robot “it’s a black carpet in that spot, you’re fine,” rather than taking such drastic measures as taping over all of the cliff sensors with tin foil, which I’ve had to do on occasion. And let me tell you how overjoyed I was to discover that the S10’s map editor has that exact option. You can also segment rooms by hand, and even position furniture to give the robot a clue on what kind of obstacles to expect. What’s missing is some way of asking the robot to explore a particular area over again, which would have made the initial process a lot easier.

Would a smarter robot be able to figure out all of this stuff on its own? Sure. But robots are dumb, and being able to manually add carpets and furniture and whatnot is an incredibly useful feature, I just wish I could do that during the mapping run somehow instead of having to spend a couple of hours getting that first map to work. Oh well.

How the SwitchBot S10 Cleans

When you ask the S10 to vacuum and mop, it leaves its charging dock and goes to the water dock. Once it docks there, it will extract any dirty water, clean its roller mop, extract the dirty water, wash its filter, and then finally refill itself with clean water before heading off to start mopping. It may do this several times over the course of a cleaning run, depending on how much water you ask it to use, but it’s quite good at managing all of this by itself. If you would like your floor to be extra clean, you can have the robot make two passes over the same area, which it does in a crosshatch pattern. And the app helpfully clues you in to everything that the robot is doing, including real-time position.

The app does and excellent job of showing where the robot has cleaned. You can also add furniture and floor types to help the robot clean better.Evan Ackerman/IEEE Spectrum

I’m pleasantly surprised by my experience with the S10 and the water dock. It was relatively easy to install and works exactly as it should. This is getting very close to the dream for robot vacuums, right? I will never have to worry about clean water tanks or dirty water tanks. The robot can mop every day if I want it to, and I don’t ever have to think about it, short of emptying the charging dock’s dustbin every few months and occasionally doing some basic robot maintenance.

SwitchBot’s Future

Being able to access water on-demand for mopping is pretty great, but the S10’s water dock is about more than that. SwitchBot already has plans for a humidifier and dehumidifier, which can be filled and emptied with the S10 acting as a water shuttle. And the dehumidifier can even pull water out of the air and then the S10 can use that water to mop, which is pretty cool. I can think of two other applications for a water shuttle that are immediately obvious: pets, and plants.

SwitchBot is already planning for more ways of using the S10’s water transporting capability.SwitchBot

What about a water bowl for your pets that you can put anywhere in your house, and it’s always full of fresh water, thanks to a robot that not only tops the water off, but changes it completely? Or a little plant-sized dock that lives on the floor with a tube up to the pot of your leafy friend for some botanical thirst quenching? Heck, I have an entire fleet of robotic gardens that would love to be tended by a mobile water delivery system.

SwitchBot is not the only company to offer plumbing integration for home robots. Narwal and Roborock also have options for plumbing add-on kits to their existing docks, although they seem to be designed more for European or Asian homes where home plumbing tends to be designed a bit differently. And besides the added complication of systems like these, you’ll pay a premium for them: the SwitchBot S10 can cost as much as $1200, although it’s frequently on sale for less. As with all new features for floor care robots, though, you can expect the price to drop precipitously over the next several years as new features become standard, and I hope plumbing integration gets there soon, because I’m sold.





the future

Are federal IT systems supporting the targeted service outcomes? Deloitte examines the future role of the government

In an interview with IT World Canada, consulting giant Deloitte highlighted the importance of an ecosystem-based approach to tackle issues around digital equity in Canada and service delivery challenges in the public sector. “Our strong view is that the people of Canada benefit when there’s effective collaboration between public and private organizations, including on critical […]

The post Are federal IT systems supporting the targeted service outcomes? Deloitte examines the future role of the government first appeared on ITBusiness.ca.




the future

MWC 2024: A wild Journey to the Future in Hall 6

The future and all that is possible was on full display this week at MWC Barcelona 2024 in Hall Six of Gran Via, the site of an innovation zone that featured hands-on and immersive demos of things ranging from devices that enhance the growing of fruit to what has been described as the “world’s first […]

The post MWC 2024: A wild Journey to the Future in Hall 6 first appeared on ITBusiness.ca.





the future

Hopes And Fears For The Future Of The World, With Ted Koppel

The conflict in Syria rages on, the United States' relationship with Iran remains strained, and China is taking hold as an emerging superpower. As part of TOTN's "Looking Ahead" series, NPR commentator Ted Koppel looks to the future of international relations.




the future

Ars online IT roundtable: What’s the future of the data center?

Join Sean Gallagher, Dell's Ivan Nekrasov, and me today, January 21, at 3:15pm Eastern!




the future

Glimpse of the future at Vegas

The Consumer Electronics Show is a toy wonderland for hi-tech fanciers.




the future

The future of transport is utterly ridiculous

YOU could avoid peak hour traffic congestion and overcrowded public transport by flying to work. Yes, flying. It’s something that could actually happen.




the future

Unlocking the Future of Radioligand Therapy: From Discovery to Delivering at Scale

As radiopharmaceuticals enter a new phase, industry leaders must rethink external services and internal capabilities to master the complexities of delivering advanced therapies.

The post Unlocking the Future of Radioligand Therapy: From Discovery to Delivering at Scale appeared first on MedCity News.