Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak

Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak

By Dot Cannon: Public Speaker & New-Media ReporterSociety & CultureEducationArts
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Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak episodes

  • Essence Group: Seamlessly “Smart”


     

    Essence Group is all about answering one main question:

    How could smart-home technology work best for you?

    Rafi Zauer is the Head of Marketing at Essence Group, an Israel-based connected-living technology company.  After CES® 2017, we discussed the ways Essence Group is making the Internet of Things accessible--and helpful--in everyday life.

    Currently, they're marketing two smart-home systems.   Essence Group's "WeR@Home" can give you the ability to remotely control your home's lights, unlock and lock doors and monitor the temperature.  It also shows what's happening at your home, in real time, when you're away.

    Meanwhile, the "Care@Home" system is designed to allow senior citizens to continue living independently, and safely, in their homes.  Using sensors, "Care@Home" monitors a senior's well-being, issues preventive alerts following a change in health, and calls for help in emergency situations.

    Rafi explained how Essence Group's connected-home technology works, talked about their "Voice Panic Detector", which won the IoT Breakthrough Award during CES® 2017, and offered a preview of the areas Essence Group may be pioneering in the future.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

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    How Rafi's background led him to work with the Internet of Things and connected homes;

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    How Essence Group is expanding their Internet of Things system to enable customers to manage their homes remotely;

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    Some of the voice-enabled capabilities the WeR@Home system allows users;

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    How WeR@Home enables you to give short-term access to a visitor while you're absent, while still keeping your home secure;

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    How Rafi has seen customers' attitudes change towards the Internet of Things, during his time at Essence;

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    The journey Essence has taken to create both the WeR@Home and Care@Home systems;

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    How WeR@Home helps to protect senior citizens as they continue to live independently in their homes;

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    How Essence's award-winning "Voice Panic Detector" feature works, in the Care@Home technology.

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    What Essence is doing to keep these technologies secure against hackers;

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    Some of the main challenges from the early days of Care@Home and WeR@Home;

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    How the Care@Home eldercare system reduces "false emergencies" to protect a senior's privacy;

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    How Care@Home gathers preregistered "rules" to avoid reporting false emergencies.

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    Rafi's vision for future connected-home technology.

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    The experience that showed Rafi and the Essence team the value of Care@Home in a user's life.


     
    19 min
  • “Putting a Ring” On Innovation


    Muse Ring is set to make wearable technology smaller, more compact--and strikingly beautiful.

    As a "smart" ring, it can act as an activity tracker, health monitor and emergency alert.   It's designed by a master jeweler!



    At CES 2017 in Las Vegas, we met Mary and Francesca Siragusa.  They're mother-and-daughter branding experts and visionaries.  Both have solid business-development and marketing backgrounds.

    Prior to joining the Muse Ring team, Mary and Francesca founded Fort Lauderdale's first gluten-free restaurant, Fresh First.   Combining their skills as a chef and nutritionist, respectively, they operated Fresh First for more than six years before selling it in 2015.

    Today, they use their branding and business development skills to promote this striking wearable, which Pennsylvania jeweler Mike Warren designed.  A crowdfunding campaign and a shipping date are in the not-too-distant future.  (Follow their social media for updates: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!)

    After the show, Mary and Francesca talked about Muse Ring, their CES experience and the ways their time at Fresh First translated into success in developing Muse Ring's brand.
    On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

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    How Warren Jewellers founder Michael Warren came up with the concept for his smart ring;

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    Some of the ways Muse Ring's Bluetooth-enabled technology could allow it to interact with other devices;

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    How a wearer can program the ring to call 9-1-1 in emergency situations;

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    The projected shipping date;

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    How to find out more about Muse Ring's upcoming crowdfunding campaign;

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    The branding lessons Francesca and Mary brought along from their days as restaurateurs;

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    The process behind developing the logo and slogan for Muse Ring;

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    How Mary and Francesca took the smart ring beyond the traditional "technology" look;

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    The creative elements that made their CES display a standout;

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    What Mary and Francesca had to keep in mind about branding the ring;

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    How rebranding a four-decade business led Mary and Francesca to their current project;

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    Resources that worked well for them, in the branding process;

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    One of Mary and Francesca's favorite stories from CES 2017.


     

     

     
    28 min
  • Vocademy: “Playing”–to Win


    "This is a movement of play," said Vocademy founder and CEO Gene Sherman.  "Everyone here is playing."

    Gene was delivering a keynote speech at the 2016 Southern California Maker Convention.   In the course of his talk, he explained the factors that had led him to create the world's first education-focused maker space.

    Vocademy - The Makerspace,  in Riverside, is unique: it combines the best elements of trade schools, shop classes and research-and-development labs.  Students of all ages, from all walks of life, get to explore different hands-on skills: 3D printing, woodworking, metalworking.  And some schools and colleges now use their facilities for their hands-on training programs.

    Gene says his ultimate goal is to open "a thousand Vocademys", to share maker skills, nationwide.  His next step towards that goal happens later this year: he'll be opening a second location in Southern California.

    And this September, Vocademy's scheduling a maker faire in downtown Riverside.  Any makers who have created a really cool project are cordially invited to find out more about exhibiting!


    A maker from the start
    Gene's interest in the maker movement had its roots in his childhood.  His dad's machine shop introduced him to hands-on skills, early on.   Shop classes, during high school, would help him hone those abilities.  Ultimately, Gene's aptitude led to a career as a machinist, inventor, manufacturer and 3D designer.

    "I came out of high school with fundamental skills that made me more valuable to the world," he said.

    And what he saw happening, as high schools began eliminating shop classes in the 1990s, would result in his creation of Vocademy.

    "All these companies I used to visit would call me up and say, 'Hey Gene, where are the people we need?'", Gene said. during his keynote presentation.

    Manufacturing jobs were going unfilled because job applicants lacked the necessary skills.  With ten years of teaching experience, plus his three decades of machining, manufacturing and 3D design, Gene opened Vocademy - The Makerspace in October of 2013.

    Gene talked about his background, the process of creating Vocademy and his goals for the future.
    On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

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    How Gene's growing-up years gave him a "maker" mindset;

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    How Gene's experiences in manufacturing and as a university teacher led him to come up with the concept of Vocademy;

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    Gene's memories of the first days of Vocademy;

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    How Vocademy works with schools, companies and nonprofit organizations;

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    What an average student's experience is like;

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    Some of the "crazy projects" students are currently creating;

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    Gene's favorite memories from attending the first-ever White House Maker Faire as an honored maker!

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    How a local community college is setting up a "mini-makerspace" through Vocademy;

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    More details on the Inland Empire Maker Faire, happening in late September.
    And, if you'd like to know more about creating a makerspace for your school or organization:


    Gene, and Vocademy, have some information for you, on what's involved.  Here's a link to their page where they'll step you through some of the considerations.
    24 min
  • Indiegogo: Saying "Yes" to Causes and Dreams


    You have a great idea for a small business.  Or, there's a cause in which you passionately believe.

    But, money--or lack thereof--is getting in the way.

    At CES® 2017 we met Indiegogo Senior Director of Tech Outreach Kate Drane.

    Kate was onsite at the Eureka Park Marketplace exhibit, which featured almost two hundred campaigners Indiegogo  had taken "from concept to market", as their website says.



    Unlike some other platforms, Indiegogo has flexible crowdfunding.  They don't require participants to reach a goal amount, in order to get crowdfunded.

    As of today's date, their website says contributors have raised more than $641,000 for more than 1,400 campaigns.

    And Kate knows, firsthand, what makes a successful campaign.  She is co-founder and CMO of her own startup, The Can Van--crowdfunded through Indiegogo!

    Kate shared the story of this unique platform, the do's and don'ts for a successful crowdfunding campaign, and a look at their new program, Equity Offerings.
    On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

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    How Indiegogo came into being;

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    How to find out more about their new "Equity Offerings" program;

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    Kate's own experience, with her crowdfunding campaign for her small business;

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    The steps to a successful crowdfunding campaign;

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    The factor that enables campaigns to raise the most money;

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    The two social-media channels with which Kate has seen the highest conversion rate;

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    What NOT to do, in a crowdfunding campaign;

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    Some of Kate's favorite experiences since coming to work for Indiegogo, almost five years ago.


     
    10 min
  • Wistiki: No More “Hide and Seek”


    For French startup Wistiki, inspiration began with a cat.

    PR Officer Olivia Bianchi says that no one could find "Minou"--on  a regular basis.    And the problem ultimately resulted in both a cool digital solution. and  a line of smart tracking devices!



    Founders Hugo, Theo and Bruno Lussato designed their first device, the "Voila!", to help users locate their stuff!  The "Voila!" (right) tracks anything--purse, phone, keys--that has a habit of disappearing.

    But their new device, the "Aha!", goes one step further.



    It prompts the user not to forget a specific item. in the first place!

    At CES 2017, in Las Vegas, Olivia shared the story of Wistiki's origins and talked about the "Voila!", which is currently available; the "Aha!", which will be out within the next two months...

     



     

    ...and, of course, the company "muse" (mews?): Minou.   (Which, in French, means "kitty"!)
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

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    How they launched the "Voila!" in 2016;

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    How the "Aha!" functions, to prevent items going missing;

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    The story behind the creation of Wistiki (and the company's first tracker, courtesy of Minou!)

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    How the "Voila!" works;

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    Where the "Voila!" is available;

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    The "Aha!"'s projected availability date, and new features;

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    What Olivia has found works best for her, using these smart tracking devices;

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    What's ahead for Wistiki.

    10 min
  • “3Dvarius”: Classical Beauty


    Who would have guessed that a 3D-printed violin could produce concert-quality sound?

    That was Laurent Bernadac's vision, five years ago.  Today, he's made it a reality, with his invention: the "3Dvarius".



    Laurent, who is both a mechanical engineer and a professional violinist, has created the world's first fully 3D-printed electric concert violin.  He conceived the idea in 2012. according to his website.   After first trying to create a violin in aluminum, he turned to 3D printing.  The result?

    His "3Dvarius", designed to play classical music as beautifully as a standard concert violin.



    In early January, Laurent exhibited his  innovation at CES® 2017's Eureka Park Marketplace, in Las Vegas.   He also allowed fellow violinists a chance to play his new instrument--and the sound was incredible!

    Laurent talked about the process of designing, testing and marketing the "3Dvarius".
    In this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

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    How Laurent came to choose 3D printing for his new violin;

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    Some of the challenges involved in creating it;

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    Laurent's experiences testing and showcasing his new instrument;

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    His advice to fellow makers and innovators;

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    Where to see and hear the "3Dvarius" and meet Laurent!


    (Will you be at the National Association of Music Merchants trade show, in Anaheim, January 19th-22, 2017 in Anaheim?  Laurent will be there throughout the show, playing and giving a presentation on his new "3Dvarius" electric concert violin!
    Can't make it to NAMM?  Here's the link to Laurent's YouTube channel, where you can see him play his 3Dvarius violin and check out the sound for yourself!)
    9 min
  • Immersive Ingenuity


    At CES 2017, in Las Vegas, virtual reality was huge.

    But with their new creation, the "eyeQ",  Mary and Art Shulenberger have taken innovation a step further--to what they've christened "immersive reality".

    Onsite at the CES Launchfest party, Mary and Art were promoting the "eyeQ".   This is a headset device, designed to take the "missing the shot" part out of capturing photos or video on your phone.

    And Art's Wookiee costume is due to the fact that the Star Wars movies first inspired him to invent it.

    Mary, who is the President and CEO of Burlingame-based Parle Innovation, offered a demonstration.   Putting her cell phone into the device, she showed guests how to take high-definition pictures or video in real time.  Users are right in the moment, as opposed to missing what's going on as they fumble with a phone at arm's length.

    Mary talked about the story behind the "eyeQ", how it works and what to expect.
    On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

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    How the "eyeQ" helps users capture and share once-in-a-lifetime special events;

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    A real-time feature everyone loves;

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    The technological obstacles Mary and Art overcame,  to build a device of this type, after being inspired by the Star Wars movies;

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    Their plans for additional models, for later this year;

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    How the "eyeQ" helps less-than-gifted photographers capture professional-looking photos and video;



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    Another feature that's wowing users, as the "eyeQ" immerses them in what's going on;

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    Mary and Art's plans for the launch of their upcoming crowdfunding campaign;

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    What rewards are available to fans who help spread the word on the "eyeQ".


    Mary and Art launch their crowdfunding campaign on Pi Day--March 14, 2017!  Here's the link for updates.

     
    11 min
  • Putting Pedal to…Workspace
    We've been exploring CES 2017.  Here's one of our favorite innovations.

    You've got a crazily-busy schedule.  Now, how are you supposed to get away from your desk and get some exercise?

    At CES 2017, Loctek® Ergonomic is proving that you don't have to interrupt your workflow to get, or stay, in shape.



    From the CES exhibit floor,  Jeff Baltz, Vice-President of Sales at Loctek® Ergonomic,  talked about Loctek®'s ingenious way of fitting a bike ride into your workday.   They have laptop and "under-desk" exercise bikes!


    At CES 2017, Loctek® Ergonomic is located in the Las Vegas Convention Center's Central Hall, Booth 12941.
    5 min
  • VirZoom: Disrupting Virtual Reality
    Over Coffee® has been on Christmas hiatus.  As we head for CES 2017, here is one of our most popular episodes from CES 2016.  Happy New Year!

    In 2016, VirZoom exploded one of the main health issues related to virtual reality--and computer gaming in general.

    The issue?  The fact that gamers tend to be sedentary.  But VirZoom creators Eric Janszen and Eric Malafeew came up with a new VR device that literally cycles past the problem.

    Their innovation, the VirZoom, is a virtual-reality stationary bike.  Riders strap on a headset and find themselves in the middle of a virtual-reality game.  Among the thirty virtual-reality game settings: the Old West, where riders can game from "horseback"; a car racetrack; and even Pegasus' back!

    Best of all, Eric and Eric say, young gamers, during product play-testing, couldn't get enough of it.

    "Enjoy a workout without the work", is one of the marketing slogans for VirZoom, which ships in January 2017, according to their website.

    Just after Eric and Eric introduced VirZoom at CES 2016's Eureka Park, we talked about the creation process, resources and their vision for the product in the future.
    On this edition of Over Coffee®, you’ll hear:

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    What first inspired Eric and Eric to create their virtual-reality stationary bike;

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    Some of what riders experience as they’re pedaling;

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    How Eric and Eric have seen the virtual-reality field evolve;

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    The virtual-reality problem tbey had to solve to make the VirZOOM a workable product;

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    How Eric Janszen’s business expertise enabled them to create a viable business model with a completely new product;

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    The research that went into making the VirZOOM successful;

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    Each creator’s biggest creative challenges in this particular venture;

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    Their vision for the future with their VR bike;

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    Resources and advice for fellow makers from their experiences on this particular venture.


     
    18 min
  • Imagination, Bravery and the Universe
    Over Coffee® is on Christmas hiatus.  We’ll be rebroadcasting some of our most popular episodes from 2016 for the next few weeks.  Have a Merry Christmas!


    "Our commander said, 'OK, no drama.  Let's just get up there and get home'," said  NASA Astronaut and U.S Army Colonel Doug Wheelock.

    Doug was sharing some of the stories of his experiences aboard the International Space Station, during NASA's April 2016 International Space Apps Data Boot Camp, in Pasadena.  He was telling the group about his first trip aboard the International Space Station, as an ISS mission specialist.



    Of course, "no drama" was anything but what the ISS crew experienced.  During this 2007 mission, a torn solar array and failed ammonia pump led Doug to perform four contingency spacewalks.

    "(NASA told us), 'and by the way, we've never done this before,'' he recalled.

    But Doug and his fellow spacewalkers were able to conduct successful emergency repairs.  After returning to earth, they received the American Astronautical Society’s Flight Achievement Award for their innovation and heroism.

    Apparently, though, the technology had more surprises in store.

    During Doug's 2010 mission as commander of the ISS, half of the external cooling system shut down unexpectedly.   Once again, Doug was able to troubleshoot the problem.

    As lead spacewalker, he replaced the pump that had caused the malfunction.  The system returned to full functionality--and Doug received the American Red Cross Hero in Space award as a result of his bravery and resourcefulness.



    During NASA's International Space Apps Challenge, Doug talked about his background, what it's like to teach new astronauts "the art and science of doing a spacewalk", and the procedures involved in troubleshooting in space.
    NASA has set the date for their 2017 International Space Apps Challenge, the world's largest "hackathon for good"!   They're currently accepting applications from cities to host Space Apps Challenges.  This is a 48-hour hackathon, in cities around the world, using NASA's open data to solve world problems.   And all participants are welcome--not just scientists!  Here's the link to apply, or to check back to see if your city will have a Space Apps Challenge host location.
     
    27 min

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