This weekend, the song “Eyes Without a Face” by Billy Idol must have played on the Eighties on Eight on Sirius Radio at least three times, and seems like a great way to introduce this week’s show.  

 

Michael and Michael start off dealing with the challenging issues of security & privacy where biometrics are starting to be used in US airports to speed international flight identity checks.  Moving from facial recognition to facial mimicry, and maybe a little creepiness, the co-hosts take a look at SEER, the Simulative Emotional Expression Robot, which conveys an enormous set of feelings with only eyebrows & eyelids.

Turning to the world of auto repair, ebay’s new Identifix service takes center stage, with an easy way for people to ensure that they are getting the right part for their car.  Michael and Michael are also very impressed with the “as a Service” capability to add 10 minutes of expert advice from an ASE certified technician for only $14.95 to help you complete your repair.

Continuing on the self-sustainability theme, on the barrier islands of North Carolina, we share a story about how the microgrid on Ocracoke Island has a solar & battery component in addition to the diesel generator to help the residents weather hurricanes and other power outages. 

Last, Michael and Michael talk a bit about the latest Lego Marvel Super Heroes game, which includes time manipulation, reminding the pair about their friend Chris Hazard’s game Achron.  

Selected Links

NPR article: Facial Scanning Now Arriving at U.S. Airports — https://www.npr.org/2018/03/16/593989347/facial-scanning-now-arriving-at-u-s-airports 

TechCrunch article: This robot maintains tender, unnerving eye contact — https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/14/this-robot-maintains-tender-unnerving-eye-contact/ 

Uncanny Valley — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley 

Engadget article: eBay makes it easy for amateur mechanics to shop for auto parts — https://www.engadget.com/2018/08/16/ebay-motors-shop-by-diagram/ 

ebay’s Identifix service — https://www.ebay.com/cdp/help/online-support/Identifix 

IFIXIT — https://www.ifixit.com 

NPR article: Cheap Solar Panels, Batteries Help Ocracoke Keep The Lights On — http://www.wunc.org/post/cheap-solar-panels-batteries-help-ocracoke-keep-lights#stream/0 

Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 on the Mac App Store — https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lego-marvel-super-heroes-2/id1373295637?mt=12 

Achron — http://www.achrongame.com/site/ 

Hazardous Software — https://www.hazardoussoftware.com 

 

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