Socks that identify the early signs of Alzheimer's Disease. A pregnancy test that is accessible to the visually impaired. Plus, a holographic Barack Obama with whom you can converse.
Dave Harvey has checked out what is available at Bristol's technology festival.
In a lab dedicated to tech start-ups, there is a flurry of activity as dozens of innovations are presented, displayed and discussed. A particular individual has declared that he has "transformed the drone".
A female has developed the ideal probiotic beverage for those who have severe gastrointestinal issues.
This marks the commencement of Bristol's technology festival, with an additional 48 events to follow. Participating in the festival are an estimated 5,000 individuals.
Dr. Neciah Dorh is single and has started up a healthcare technology business of his own, and is impressed by the variety of other businesses.
He declared that they had a wide range of services, ranging from therapeutics to digital health; they are dedicated to aiding those dealing with dementia, diagnosing infections, and developing vaccines for the future.
We are tackling the most significant problems facing our healthcare systems right now.
We'll begin with the concept of Dementia Socks - an intriguing notion that was borne out of a heartbreaking event.
Zeke Steer, having witnessed his own great-grandmother's descent into dementia, felt a need to assist.
Fast-forwarding a few years, the research scientist has created socks that can detect early physical symptoms of diseases like Alzheimer's.
He states that sensors in the socks they are wearing can detect any early warning signs of distress, and will inform a carer that they may need assistance.
These socks are capable of monitoring heart rate, perspiration, and other bodily secretions.
"Smiling," Dr. Steer notes, "everyone wears a pair of socks, which is more subtle than other forms of wearable technology."
Adjacent to him, scientists are looking into electrifying lateral-flow tests. These types of consumer health tests, which have become renowned due to Covid-19, are also employed in pregnancy tests and a variety of others.
Paul Ko Ferrigno emphasizes to the group that they have to depend on a clear boundary, as was confirmed by the outbreak of Covid.
Do you recall those debates about Covid involving whether the test line was "faint, solid, strong" and so on? The 'eclateral' team believe they can offer something more than that.
They are now powering the kit with electricity so that the results are more exact, more measurable, and more based on science.
Mr Ferrigno emphasizes that, above all else, a blind woman will be able to securely and privately receive her pregnancy test outcome.
This marks the start of Bristol's fourth Technology Festival, during which there will be discussions about AI and disruptive tech.
Connecting with investors in networking events, and pitching occasions for startups looking for backing.
Ben Shorrock is one of the creators and the CEO of TechSpark.
He elucidates that the tech sector in Bristol has grown rapidly.
Five years ago, there were only a few start-up communities, but now there are many, with this one having 40 businesses by itself.
Everybody is engaging in important health technologies, novel methods to decrease carbon emissions and protect the environment, all of which are revolutionary ideas.
In the demonstration area, I am engaging in a conversation with Barack Obama.
The ex-Commander-in-Chief jests about how he encountered Michelle: "Incredibly more intelligent than me, and right away I saw this was going to be special".
He's doing really well in golf, thank you.
When I inquire as to which of his two children is his preference, he admonishes me: "It is not equitable to have a favorite, since I strive to be a good parent and show equal and unconditional love for both my progeny."
Obviously I am not interviewing the real Barack Obama.
I'm gazing at a holographic image that flickers and shifts while its lips shape the words coming out of its mouth. The sound of the voice is pretty realistic.
An AI programme is utilized to generate the answers by searching the web to identify what President Obama "could say".
James Routley notes that there is a substantial amount of information pertaining to Barack Obama that is available in the public realm.
One of the team at the tech firm Rocketmakers in Bath is responsible for creating the AI hologram referred to as 'Portrait'.
Our chap has done a lot of research on interviews and profiles available. We also gave him some personal input and the outcome is this.
It is astonishing. Within limits, any query can be posed and President Obama provides a response.
The Affordable Care programme, otherwise dubbed Obama Care, is something of which he is particularly proud.
Rocketmakers envision AI characters assisting students in educational settings, as well as checking in airline passengers and keeping them informed on any delays or developments. Furthermore, they could be utilized in training engineers on oil rig repairs, as well as a variety of other scenarios.
This tech is still in its infancy, just like all the other companies. Looking for people to use their product, for investors, and for potential issues they can help address.
Bristol is a hub for many small fledgling businesses, with 80,000 employees in total and £1.5bn in profits.
"There's been a lot of growth," Mr Shorrock grins, "and it's only going to increase from here."
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