Getting fresh coffee into our hands usually exacts a huge carbon footprint, requiring thousands of air miles and myriad packaging at every stage of the production chain. Coffee machines normally use beans that have already been roasted, which involves a resource-heavy heating process as well as shipping beans from one place to another over extended periods of time. Israeli startup ansā has developed a unique method that allows coffee drinkers to roast their own green beans at home, without plenty of wasteful, non-sustainable packaging and the pollution that comes from heating them. H/T NoCamels for the scoop! https://nocamels.com/2023/05/coffee-goes-green-with-home-roasted-beans/
You may be surprised to learn that patients receive painkillers in addition to a general anesthetic during an operation – even though they’re unconscious. However, the body still responds to painful stimuli by increasing blood pressure or heart rate – which can be dangerous, especially for frail patients or those with heart issues. A new AI-powered device, developed by Medasense, an Israeli startup, connects to the patient’s finger to monitor a wealth of data. It uses AI to present an easy-to-understand score from zero to 100, allowing physicians to adjust the level of pain relief throughout the surgery. https://israeltrade.org.au/2023/04/17/fingertip-device-scores-patients-pain-during-surgey/
Imagine being able to understand your pet’s feelings by simply snapping a photo of them. Right now, AI is learning to do just that, by recognizing the subtle facial cues and muscle contractions of animals that we humans cannot see. Researchers at the Tech4Animals lab, in Haifa, northern Israel, are training this algorithm by using thousands of photos and videos of cats, dogs, and even wildlife... “The idea of the lab is to do anything related to AI and technology to promote animal welfare, and to develop tools to study behaviour and internal states, such as pain and emotions.” https://nocamels.com/2023/04/digital-dr-dolittle-uses-ai-to-read-animals-faces/
There are other “reading pens” available, but they scan a word, or at most a sentence at a time, which is frustrating and time-consuming. The OrCam Learn reads a whole printed page in one go, or a computer screen, or text in any font on any surface, even in low light. It can even read handwriting if it’s neat enough.“The device also is capable of listening to the student read to the device, and it gives feedback in real-time. It might tell them, for example, that they read 80 out of 90 words correctly, well done,” says Gantz.https://israeltrade.org.au/2023/03/22/ai-learning-buddy-helps-dyslexic-kids-read-and-understand/
Israeli AI-Generated-Video-Chat-Company D-ID, which specializes in creating hyper-real AI avatars, brought Sophia alive using a combination of deep learning algorithms, image processing, and neural networks to animate her still photo. Sophia assists victims of domestic abuse 24/7 – no matter where they are located, and in strict confidentiality – to feel safe and confident enough to take the first steps to get help... Unlike a regular chatbot, Sophia can actually talk to users in seven different languages, making her accessible to populations who are not as literate, and a confidant for victims who don’t feel comfortable sharing their struggles... https://nocamels.com/2023/03/meet-sophia-the-worlds-first-domestic-violence-chatbot/
For those who like the effects of alcohol, but can’t stand the taste, an Israeli startup has an edible answer. It’s developed a unique way to infuse booze into a cream you can eat as a pudding, spread on a pastry or even use as a doughnut filling. And it’s removed the astringency – or sting – so that the alcohol tastes much smoother. Combining alcohol with creams and confectioneries has, until now, been impossible in the food industry. No other company has been able to make alcoholic creams... “The products we can produce with our technology are endless..." https://nocamels.com/2022/11/booze-pudding-the-alcohol-you-can-eat/
