Tracker for Your Car

The FIXD sensor is a device that connects your car to your smartphone via Bluetooth and delivers updates on everything from when you need an oil change to when you need to replace your air filter. By connecting the FIXD device to your car's OBD-II (On Board Diagnostics-II) port, just underneath the steering wheel and then pairing it with your smartphone, you're immediately given vital diagnostic data that allows you to track your car's wellbeing. Unlike so many other tracker devices, this one doesn't need to be constantly recharged since it is charge by the car's battery. The device can also tell you when the car will need more coolant and how many miles until a certain problem might require your attention. As far as the cost of the repairs, the company wants to use data from all the customers and pool it into a cloud service and then give an average. There might be risks involved with attaching such a device that uses the internet to cars because it could be a loophole for hackers. 

Superintelligence

Computing power and software development has really taken off in the past decade. The growth of technology has been exponential but it is still hard to predict just when we will be able to development artificial intelligence. Some experts feel that it could be achieved in the next forty years. The question becomes just how we will get there. One of the idea is that we will get inspiration from biological systems. In short we would be plagiarizing nature The circuits now look strangely similar to the connections that are seen in the brain. We also have somewhat of an understanding of the way that the brain learns. Another option in this field is that there could be some sort of mash up of both biology and technology where the tech can significantly alter and add to the biological abilities. We are well on that path already. Another option is to use pure mathematics where the AI would be worked out using the basic math principles.

Big Data and Health

Here are some stats to think about:
More than 50% of doctor's offices now handle patient records electronically.
Nearly 75% of hospitals do so as well.
45% of hospitals exchange the data they gather with each other on a local and regional level.

If we are putting all of the data in an information system, just imagine the possibilities. First of all it will not take too much software development to figure out a program that is able to quantify trends as well as analyze what if going on. Taking it one step further, there is the possibility of even prediction and determining probabilities. This is the age of smarter medicine and treatment. Doctors will have a much better picture of the patient and the illnesses. It will also reduce the time and effort needed to maintain records because much of it will be automated. Not to mention that it will significantly reduce costs. At first there will need to be an investment in the computerized data structure but over time, the saving will be showing up. How have your experiences been with these electronic medical records?