A device that automatically switches supplier when cheaper deals become available is set to revolutionise the home energy market. The launch of Labrador comes as more and more people are changing their energy companies. The company?s free service is primarily targeted at the growing number of households which have smart meters, that automate readings. With investors including the Daily Mail and venture capital firm Hambro Perks, Labrador is considered one of the UK?s most exciting startups. www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/11/labrador-switch-energy-suppliers
This year you'll be able to buy a jumper from Ministry of Supply stores that will adjust to your size on the spot, using only heat. That means you could take a medium off the shelf, and after Ministry of Supply takes your measurements, an in-store robotic machine will use a heat gun to adjust the jumper to your size that you can see while you wait. www.fastcompany.com/90281007/ministry-of-supply-will-tailor-this-sweater-to-your-body-in-minutes
Researchers from the University of Washington and Facebook have developed a way to animate stationary characters in any image, resulting in them springing into action to sprint toward you out of the background. Most current AR applications are built for a specific image, like a billboard; this tool can identify a human silhouette, generate a 3D version of the person, and create a realistic animation for the figure to jump off the photo into the real world. https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/ar-figures-walk-off-backdrop/
An engineer has designed a Apple HomePod box that is "enticing" for any thief. It's GPS-enabled, so its journey can be tracked once it leaves his home perimeter. It records video with embedded mobile phones, no matter how the thief picked up the parcel. And, once triggered, it sprays half a kilo of glitter. To add insult to injury it includes a can of "fart spray," programmed to automatically spray after the glitter explosion is triggered. Reactions by the thieves are captured on the video. www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/thieves-stole-a-package-from-an-engineer-so-he-created-a-trap-using-glitter-and-fart-spray-20181219-p50n57.html
The cashless debit card has been designed to help disadvantaged communities, including in indigenous areas, decrease the level of consumption of drugs, alcohol and gambling which impacts on the health and wellbeing of communities, families and children. It quarantines 80 per cent of welfare recipients' payments for other living expenses. The Australian Government needs the Senate to support introducing the card to new locations when communities want it.
https://www.dss.gov.au/families-and-children/programmes-services/welfare-conditionality/cashless-debit-card-overview
