Fortum Singalong Shuttle is the world?s first taxi that is paid by singing. The car keeps on moving as long as you keep on singing. The service is run on electric cars, so the passengers can enjoy the music without background noise and carbon emissions. It was piloted by driving festival visitors at Ruisrock festival, July 2018 in Turku, Finland. Carpool karaoke was popularised by the comedian James Corden?s viral segment where celebrity guests sing?in his car. www.fortum.com/singalongshuttle

Robo-trousers that help people stand up, walk upstairs and get out and about are being designed by British scientists in a government-funded scheme to help the elderly and disabled stay mobile. The University of Bristol is developing "smart trousers" with artificial muscles which give frail people bionic strength so they can live independently for longer. The muscles are air-filled bubbles of plastic that can raise a leg from a seated to a standing position. The project has been dubbed "The Right Trousers" in reference to The Wrong Trousers, the Wallace and Gromit animation in which Wallace constructs a pair of calamitous cyber slacks. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/sep/11/the-right-trousers-wallace-and-gromit-mobility-aid-

Microsoft Soundscape is a research project that explores the use of innovative audio-based technology to enable people, particularly those with blindness or low vision, to build a richer awareness of their surroundings, thus becoming more confident and empowered to get around. Unlike step-by-step navigation apps, Soundscape uses 3D audio cues to enrich ambient awareness and provide a new way to relate to the environment. It allows you to build a mental map and make personal route choices while being more comfortable within unfamiliar spaces. dogs. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/product/soundscape/

The Australian Ambassador's residence in Washington, known as White Oaks, is a Heritage-listed brick mansion built in 1923. It was once the home of George Patton, one of the most significant and controversial military figures in US history. It has a lawn tennis court that had fallen into disrepair. Joe Hockey, Australia's Ambassador to the US, thought this was a waste, since it's the only lawn tennis court in Washington, and one of only a handful in the US north-east, so had it restored with the help of Westfield CEO Peter Lowy. Playing on grass is a dream of many tennis lovers and senior members of Congress, military leaders and foreign diplomats have all played on the court over the past year.  

Facett is a geometric, faceted hearing aid that won Australia's 2018 Good Design Award. It's both beautiful and user-friendly: instead of requiring tiny batteries that can be difficult to replace, it is rechargeable and clicks together with magnets. www.facett.com.au

WORK180 pre-screens employers to ensure they support women's careers. They only list jobs from businesses that are pre-screened against a set of 35 criteria, including pay equity, flexible working, women in leadership and paid parental leave. Starting in Australia, they are now expanding to the UK and US. While their focus is on empowering women in the workplace, they are aiming to achieve equality for all employees. https://www.work180.com.au/about-us