3 Latest News Breaks in Emerging Tech – September 22, 2014

The World's First Social Robot

Do you need someone to order you a takeout, remind you that you have an appointment in 10 minutes, or take photographs for you? Then you could use Jibo, the world's first social robot. According to CBS News, the 11-inch-tall bot, created by Cynthia Breazeal, an associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the ability to learn about the people around it, recognize different voices and faces, and interact. You can preorder the Jibo prototype, which is available for $499.

Bacterial Robotics Create Minute Robots for Tumor Treatment

According to a report from Reuters, Cincinnati-based biotechnology firm Bacterial Robotics is developing a series of miniature medical robots called BactoBots™. Inspired by swarms of bacteria, the BactoBots are designed to destroy cancer cells in cases of cholesteatoma. This is a form of benign cancer which affects the skull, temporal bone and ear. It can cause dizziness, deafness, brain abscess, facial palsy and meningitis. The BactoBots may also have a number of uses in industry, such as cleaning municipal wastewater and assisting with the production of food and beverage production.

Turn Regular Bulbs into Smart Lights

Imagine being able to turn any dimmable light in your home or office into a smart light that enables you to control your lights from anywhere in the world. Emberlight gives you the ability to do just that using only a simple plug and play adapter. According to TechCrunch, a new company called Emberlight has developed an application that works with your existing light bulbs, so you don’t have to spend money on expensive smart bulbs, nor does it require a wireless hub needed by many existing smart bulbs. The device is screwed in with the bulb and rests between it and the light fitting. It connects to the Wi-Fi network so the light can controlled remotely via computer, tablet or smart phone.

Google Unveils Driverless Vehicle

Google unveiled the latest version of its driverless car last week at the Code Conference in California. According to Google's website, the unconventional vehicle has no need for any driver controls, such as a steering wheel. The company has spent a number of years equipping conventional cars with special equipment to drive themselves, but this prototype has no human controls other than emergence stop switch. Within the next year, Google aims to build a hundred of these models for further testing on the streets. Google hopes that the introduction of electric-powered, self-driving cars will increase safety and provide a more environmentally friendly mode of transport.

Bionic Pancreas to Help Type I Diabetes Sufferers

According the American Diabetes Association, in 2012, 9.3 percent of Americans were suffering from the disease. Type I diabetes, usually diagnosed in children and young adults, causes the body to produce insufficient insulin. Insulin is vital for converting starches and sugar into energy. A recent report in Diabetes Mine gives new hope to diabetes I sufferers in the form of a bionic pancreas. Inspired by his diabetic son, Boston researcher Ed Damiano has developed a device which continually monitors glucose levels while simultaneously delivering insulin as needed. How does it work? Two pumps—one for insulin and one for glucagon are attached to the abdomen along with a monitor that checks the sugar levels. These wirelessly connect to an iPhone with an app that tracks glucose levels. As glucose levels rise, the app signals the release of insulin, as they fall, it signals the release of glucagon; maintaining balanced health.