RH Chairs

The World's Cheapest Lightbulb Is Made Of Just A Plastic Bottle

2011-07-28T16:41:00.000-04:00

The World's Cheapest Lightbulb Is Made Of Just A Plastic Bottle: "

In places where there is no grid, houses can be dark. But a simple solution--a plastic bottle stuck in the roof--can light up a room.

We have lightbulbs made from glowing metal filaments, fluorescent gas, and LED diodes. And now we have one made of water. There is also a virtually unlimited supply since the 'bulb' is composed of nothing more than one-liter plastic bottle, water, and bleach. The simple technology can be installed in less than an hour, lasts for five years, and is equivalent to a 60-watt bulb.

It works simply: The water defracts the light, letting it spread throughout the house instead of focusing on one point. The bleach keeps the water clear and microbe-free.

Developed by students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology focused on 'appropriate technologies,' the solar bottle bulb is illuminating poor settlements across the Philippines, where the organization Isang Litrong Liwanag ('A Liter of Light') has already installed 10,000 of them. “With the Solar Bottle Bulb project, a brighter Philippines is going to become a reality,” Illac Diaz, a social entrepreneur installing the bulbs, told a Filipino publication. You can watch a video of the bulbs in action here.

Millions of poor homes in Manila--and far more around the world--are left in the dark because metal roofs block all light and there are no connections to the electrical grid in cramped informal settlements. This simple bottle bulb, installed through a sealed hole cut in the metal roofs, provides a surprising amount of light by deflecting sunlight into gloomy interiors.

It's just one more innovation in the growing movement to design appropriate technologies for the developing world, where a little ingenuity goes further than a lot of technology.

Update: We've also learned that

Shoe sole helps you retain balance

2011-07-26T09:18:00.000-04:00

Shoe sole helps you retain balance: "

I have seen some folks wear energy pendants around their neck which is said to offer better balance – and during product demonstrations, it does seem to work wonders. Well, here is a slightly more scientific approach to helping people obtain better balance – through the SCRSA (Sponge Core Soft Rubber Actuator) that will see action with shoe soles, helping folks compensate their lack of balance (especially the elderly) by maintaining a flawless center of gravity all the time through the control of the stiffness of the shoe sole. Seems to be the perfect accessory for the elderly, but I am not too sure just whether this technology will be cheap enough to be made accessible to all and sundry. Perhaps if it is too expensive, those energy pendant peddlers won’t run out of business anytime soon.

Shoe sole helps you retain balance, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : Xperia Play Review, Droid X2 Review,

ArmAssist uses video games used to heal stroke victims

2011-07-26T09:16:00.000-04:00

ArmAssist uses video games used to heal stroke victims: "

While most of us play video games just so we can have fun, in the future some people might get to play video games to get better. Some researchers in Spain have developed a device that is said to help people with neuromuscular disabilities, such as stroke victims, regain function. It is called the ArmAssist, it is made up of a mobile-based device that is connected to the user through an orthotic that records and measures the movements of the shoulder and elbow.

These recorded signals are sent to the computer which are then translated into movements in a video game. As users play the game, they train to regain control of their arms and exercise their muscles at the same time. The ArmAssist is currently going through testing phases before it is made available to the public. No word of when that will be, but it’s great to see video games being used for more than just entertainment purposes.

[Press Release]

ArmAssist uses video games used to heal stroke victims, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : Xperia Play Review, HTC Sensation Review,

Inflatable helmet pad makes your helmets safer

2011-07-15T15:11:00.000-04:00

Inflatable helmet pad makes your helmets safer: "

While helmets are required by law to be worn at all times when cycling or on a motorbike, the size and fitting of a helmet isn’t regulated by the government. And even though it is always safer to wear a helmet when riding, a badly fitted helmet can be just as dangerous as not wearing one at all. To counter this problem, some designers have come up with a concept called the inflatable helmet pad.

Used in conjunction with your regular helmet, the helmet pad basically an extra accessory that is fitted in between your head and the helmet. Once it is put on, riders can then inflate the helmet pad to make sure that the helmet becomes a snug fit. When a helmet is snug, it avoids movement or slipping of the helmet when riding and the inflated pad can also provide extra protection in the case of an accident. How’s that for simple and innovative? Now let’s see these on the market ASAP. Head over to Yanko Design to find out more about the inflatable helmet pad.

Inflatable helmet pad makes your helmets safer, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : Xperia Play Review, HTC Sensation Review,

Amniotik capsule concept lets you chillax

2011-07-12T09:06:00.000-04:00

Amniotik capsule concept lets you chillax: "

Don’t you wish you had a hole to crawl to sometimes in life? Perhaps, as the everyday rigors of office work might end up being rather stressful for many people. Singles are better off in this aspect since they can have their personal time outs without having to meet with anyone, but those who are married or have a family will find this to be much harder to achieve. Perhaps when everyone is able to afford one of these conceptual Amniotik personal relaxation capsules, things might just change.

Coming in the form of an egg that might make one wonder whether he/she will be stepping back into the womb, Noela Leis’ concept will send you to a truly tranquil world, sporting an interactive touch screen inside that lets you choose the kind of “treatment” you would like to receive. Inside would be a gel seat, an oxygen mask and a supple feeding tube to boot. No idea if they have a version for “twins”?

Amniotik capsule concept lets you chillax, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : Xperia Play Review, Samsung Infuse 4G Review,

Posture Pad tells you to sit correctly

2011-07-11T16:20:00.000-04:00

Posture Pad tells you to sit correctly: "

If you’re always working in front of the computer all day, you should know how important it is to have a good posture when you’re seated. But how do you remind yourself to sit up properly all the time? Well, a group of high school kids who call themselves the Back Straight Boys seem to have a solution called The Posture Pad.

The Posture Pad is basically a device that makes use of embedded sensors and microcomputers in an ergonomically designed seat pad to gauge a computer user’s seating position and transmits the data to his/her computer to provide feedback about how they’re sitting. When a user isn’t seated correctly, the Posture Pad will vibrate or emit a tone to let the user know so they can make the necessary corrections to their posture.

Right now it’s still a prototype, however the Boys plan to hone and refine the device with the aid of a professor and occupational therapist in time for a presentation at the upcoming Human Factors and Ergonomics Society this year. It’s good to see our future generation putting their minds to good use. Who knows what they’ll come up with next?

Posture Pad tells you to sit correctly, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : Xperia Play Review, HTC Sensation Review,

Cellphones are dangerous / not dangerous: cancer experts say 'What, me worry?'

2011-07-05T08:54:00.000-04:00

Cellphones are dangerous / not dangerous: cancer experts say 'What, me worry?': "If you haven't already gotten whiplash from the ongoing cellphone-cancer debate, a freshly released scientific review might just do the trick. In the paper, published Friday, a panel of experts from Britain, Sweden and the US conducted a thorough survey of previous studies, before concluding that existing literature is 'increasingly against' the theory that cellphone use causes brain tumors in adults. The researchers also questioned the biological mechanisms underpinning this hypothesis, while acknowledging some lingering uncertainties, since data on childhood tumors and longer-term research are still lacking.

The results come just a few weeks after the World Health Organization released its own literature review, in which it claimed that cell phones should be considered 'potentially carcinogenic.' But Anthony Swerdlow, a professor at Britain's Institute of Cancer Research and leader of the most recent investigation, said his group's work doesn't necessarily contradict the WHO, since the latter was simply seeking to evaluate cancer risks according to its own 'pre-set classification system' -- under which things like pickled vegetables and coffee are also considered 'potentially carcinogenic.' Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that the debate will die down anytime soon, though Swerdlow expects more definitive conclusions within the next few years -- assuming, of course, that all of our brains haven't turned to oatmeal by then.

Cellphones are dangerous / not dangerous: cancer experts say 'What, me worry?' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jul 2011 06:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Textually | Reuters | Email this | Comments"

Lounge-Wood laptop stand is a beautiful piece of furniture too

2011-07-05T08:50:00.000-04:00

Lounge-Wood laptop stand is a beautiful piece of furniture too: "

Despite the term laptop, chances are you’ll probably be more productive and slightly more comfortable if you were sitting at a desk, or if you had a more stable surface to place your laptop on. Sure there are laptop stands currently available which claim to provide ergonomical features, but are they as beautiful as the Lounge-Wood laptop stand? We think not.

Lounge-Wood laptop stand is a beautiful piece of furniture too, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : Xperia Play Review, Samsung Infuse 4G Review,

HAL exosuit takes a Cybernic approach to disabled tourism

2011-07-03T09:40:00.000-04:00

HAL exosuit takes a Cybernic approach to disabled tourism: "

Cybernics -- it's not a typo, it's a completely new field that mixes cybernetics, mechatronics, and informatics with an all-human core. Pioneered by Tsukuba Univeristy designer Yoshiyuki Sankai, the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) exosuit originally created to aid Japan's eldery has now found an even nobler mission -- assisting disabled tourists. Through detection of weak muscular bioelectrical impulses in the legs, this RoboCop-like lower body suit boosts its wearer's load-bearing abilities by a whopping 176 pounds. The exoskeleton tech first helped paralyzed Seiji Uchida nearly tackle Switzerland's Breithorn peak in 2006 and is now getting another go at the disabled traveler's bucket list. This time 'round, Uchida hopes his ride atop a HAL-outfitted human will successfully carry him to the top of Normandy's rugged Mont Saint-Michel, paving the way for other similarly handicapped travelers to do the same. Although the robotics in question here is more mech suit than say, dental training real doll, it's still a huge leg up for the nascent research industry that got its kick-start making a wish come true.

HAL exosuit takes a Cybernic approach to disabled tourism originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PhysOrg | Center for Cybernics Research | Email this | Comments"

Vermont Uses Draft Horse To Lay Fiber-Optic Cables For Internet Access

2011-07-02T13:43:00.000-04:00

Vermont Uses Draft Horse To Lay Fiber-Optic Cables For Internet Access: "

In what seems like an ironic situation, a draft horse is being used in Vermont to lay fiber-optic cables that will be used for internet access. It’s like how “old” technology is being used to install newer technology, but the reasoning behind it is far from ironic, but instead quite practical.

Vermont Uses Draft Horse To Lay Fiber-Optic Cables For Internet Access, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : HTC Sensation Review, Samsung Infuse 4G Review,

Keas: The New Game That Has Officemates Battling One Another To Get Healthier

2011-06-30T11:06:00.000-04:00

Keas: The New Game That Has Officemates Battling One Another To Get Healthier: "

Former Google exec Adam Bosworth is helping companies save money on health care by gamifying exercise and nutrition as coworkers compete for cash prizes. 'We’re trying to change health habits in a very fundamental way,' he tells us.

The reward of living longer, healthier lives hasn't been enough to incentivize too many Americans into exercising or eating well--a lifestyle choice wreaking havoc on employee productivity and health care costs. But former Vice President of Product Management at Google, Adam Bosworth, has found success encouraging healthy habits by stopping the lecturing and turning wellness into a game, through a workplace wellness platform called Keas (pronounced 'Key-ahss'). He spoke with Fast Company about what he believes are the psychological keys to motivating healthy living--and, how these are making up for the failed Google Health project.

Bosworth argues that Keas separates itself from the competition by only
counting sustained engagement. Measuring the number of initial signups
or those who only log on a few times is not helpful. Instead, he says: 'We’re trying to
change health habits in a very fundamental way.'

Keas outfits workplaces with an opt-in healthy competition software platform, where individuals or teams vie to rack up points by completing tasks such as walking to work, eating healthier, or learning about nutrition. Winners earn badges and take home mid-sized prizes, including cash and gifts.

[youtube P1nDUCNj9-0]

Keas boasts that, on average, roughly 35% of an entire company's staff plays the full 12-week program. After only three months of testing, Bosworth admits they have insufficient data on life-long lifestyle changes, but the demand has been so strong that his team is now building a program for gung-ho employees who want to continue long after the workplace game ends.

For Bosworth, gamifying health needs to be consistent with 'human nature.'

Come for the reward, stay for the people

Rewards are 'what brings people to the game, but it's not what sustains them; it's not what keeps them there, it’s too little money,” argues Bosworth. Rather, it's the exhilaration of team competition and the support of coworkers that keeps employees committed. More than age or sex, 'the one thing that had a dramatic effect on engagement was being a member of a team.'

Bosworth says that teams of six are large enough to exert social pressure, but small enough so that everyone can keep tabs on each other. 'Peer obligation is a very important psychological factor in the game,” he says.

Bosworth thinks that Google Health ultimately failed because it wasn't social. 'It
wasn't actually a place you wanted to go to. It wasn't fun. It wasn't a
place to hang out with others dealing with the same issues. Nobody was
cheering you on as you made progress or encouraging you during
setbacks.'

In addition to swapping nutritional tidbits over lunch and encouraging a struggling peer to press on, our colleagues' actions are socially contagious. Seeing a sweat-dripped coworker arrive energized to work shows us the person we could have been if we had chosen to walk to work. On the darker side, if everyone orders dessert after Friday happy hour, the temptation to cheat may break those struggling to maintain healthy eating habits. An environment overflowing with Keas participants can snatch up stragglers who don't want to be left out of the fun.

Be like Richard Simmons: Keep it positive

Bosworth learned early on that the carrot was far more effective than the stick: Biting reminders of obesity caused users to bolt. 'Rather than causing people to wake up and suddenly be motivated and see the light and say, ‘Oh, I must fix this,’ they were gone in 60 seconds.'

Gorging is about cheap, immediate gratification--not nutritional needs or, sometimes, even taste. To prove this, one clever experiment mapped the density of fast food restaurants around participants and found that, unsurprisingly, one of the greatest predictors of whether employees grabbed a greasy snack was impulsivity, or “reward sensitivity.” Likewise, Bosworth found that tiny incentives were enough to satiate the reward-itchy fingers of his obese users: 'Now that we’ve made the thing entirely positive feedback, people love it and they stick around.'

Surprise: Quizzes are a reward

A recent meta-review of video games
for workplace training found that games can be more effective than
traditional training alone, which is precisely how ice cream retailer
Cold Stone Creamery saved itself money through an interactive game
showing employees how to reduce the amount delicious of ice cream they
served up. 'One of the advantages of games is that they are
intrinsically motivating, resulting in employees choosing to repeatedly
engage in game play and mastering the skills,' author Traci Sitzmann
told ScienceDaily.

'Quizzes are not a cost, they are a reward,' says Bosworth. His team believed they had created a cheap, endless pool of bonus rewards when they crafted 60 nutritional quizzes. 'Four days after we launched the game, we had customers besieging us with emails saying they were out of bonus points,' he says. 'We realized they’d done all 50 or 60 quizzes; they’d done them in four days and they wanted more.'

Advice: Hire a psychologist

'Frankly, those of us who designed software were not psychologists,' he admits. Applying intuitive understandings of human behavior to their programs ended up backfiring.

Negative feedback, for instance, seems like a time-tested way to kick people into action, but few studies support it, as research finds that punishment is good for stopping behavior, but not for replacing it with desired actions: 'A big change for us was when we put a psychologist in charge.'

[Image: Flickr user xJasonRogerx]

Follow Greg Ferenstein on Twitter. Also follow Fast Company on Twitter.

Video: PBS Reports On Bionic Limb Development

2011-06-30T10:06:00.000-04:00

Video: PBS Reports On Bionic Limb Development: "

It’s hard to keep up with all the developments in the bionics and cybernetics worlds: so many universities and private institutions are working on so many projects that by the time you report one, another has leapfrogged it. PBS News Hour has put together a nice little survey of the current tech, interviewing Dean Kamen and a number of other inventors and researchers in the field. Feeling out of date? Watch away.

The full transcript can be found here if you don’t feel like watching, though it’s really great to see some of this stuff in action.

[via BoingBoing]

The Elliptical Machine Office Desk: putting the 'commute' back in 'telecommuting'

2011-06-29T08:50:00.000-04:00

The Elliptical Machine Office Desk: putting the 'commute' back in 'telecommuting': "

Quite frankly, you've got it just a bit too easy. You rise 98 seconds before you're scheduled to clock in, you mash a power button, and suddenly, you're at work. PJs still caked to your legs, mouth still steaming from a lack of brushing. You're a telecommuter, and you're the envy of the working world. In fact, it'd be just stellar if you'd do us all a solid and add a sliver of complexity to your workday -- you know, like swapping out your OfficeMax special for an elliptical machine. And maybe, just maybe, you can convert your laptop into one that's pedal-powered, forcing you to keep churning for fear of dropping from the virtual office. And no, you can't ask for donations to cover the $8,000 price tag -- your fuel savings from last week alone should just about cover it. Harrumph.

The Elliptical Machine Office Desk: putting the 'commute' back in 'telecommuting' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 07:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Medical Xpress | Hammacher Schlemmer | Email this | Comments"

Microsoft's ergonomically alliterative Comfort Curve Keyboard makes a contoured comeback

2011-06-23T10:54:00.000-04:00

Microsoft's ergonomically alliterative Comfort Curve Keyboard makes a contoured comeback: "

Like a vinyl record left out in the sun too long, Microsoft's Comfort Curve Keyboard has returned, albeit slightly more warped than before. The ergonomic peripheral is an attempt to improve the comfort and posture of users who just don't go in for the split variety. The 3000 features uniformly-sized QWERTY keys, offering up a similar layout to traditional straight keyboards. You'll be able to get your fingers on the input device in August for $20, to see if the comfort does indeed match the curves.

Microsoft's ergonomically alliterative Comfort Curve Keyboard makes a contoured comeback originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Microsoft | Email this | Comments"

Video: Complete Hand Recognition With 5-Finger Mouse Amenbo (Video)

2011-06-23T10:11:00.000-04:00

Video: Complete Hand Recognition With 5-Finger Mouse Amenbo (Video): "

This looks like something straight out of “Minority Report”: Japan-based robot venture Double Research & Development Co. [JP] has developed a 5-finger mouse [JP] that can track the movements and pressure of individual fingers and send the information to a computer to trigger actions.

Users can also use two hands at the same time to control the device, dubbed amenbo, for complex actions. The amenbo can identify which finger of which hand is being used. It’s also possible to use less than five finger at a time.

Its maker explains:

It is also different from touch panels since a special sensor is attached to each finger, so it can identify which finger on whose hand it is, and even if you lift your fingers off it can follow them from beginning to end.

The Amenbo, in its current form, supports multi-touch operations on Windows 7.

This video (in English), shot by our friends at Diginfonews in Tokyo, provides more insight:

Road Trains--Not Driverless Cars--Are The Future Of Hands-Free Driving

2011-06-22T15:15:00.000-04:00

Road Trains--Not Driverless Cars--Are The Future Of Hands-Free Driving: "

Before we get cars driven fully by computers, we'll have platoons of vehicles lead by a professional driver that let you take your eyes off the road and save fuel. They'll be on the road in Europe by 2020.

Google may be grabbing headlines for its experiments with driverless cars, but fully robotic vehicles probably aren't the next step in our automotive future--think about how long it will take for governments to approve the technology and for auto companies to manufacture driverless cars en masse. Instead, we may soon see vehicle platoons (aka 'road trains') that allow software-equipped cars to automatically follow a professional driver in a 'lead car'. It's a technology that could reduce congestion and increase both speed and fuel economy--and according to Volvo, it may be on European roads by 2020.

'This is easier than what Google is trying to do,' Erik Coelingh, a
technical specialist at Volvo, tells Fast Company. 'What we are trying to do is
take a step in the middle between the adaptive cruise control cars that
we have
today and the Google car that we have in the future.'

When road train technology is commercialized, a driver equipped with platooning software
could use an in-vehicle navigation screen to find the nearest platoon
and drive to the end of it. At that point, the car could wirelessly connect to the platoon and take over
braking, acceleration, and steering--and drivers could safety start texting or watching a movie.

Volvo imagines that professional drivers would lead each platoon,
though there is no technical reason why regular drivers couldn't take
over. But just as bus drivers are required to have special licenses,
Coelingh believes that road train lead drivers should probably have
special qualifications for the job. Employing professional drivers would
also remove a lot of legal hurdles, since each road train would be led
by a real, live human.

[youtube kpv9YJ4OvkE]

Beyond giving drivers the opportunity to
relax on the highway, road trains have a number of advantages over
today's cars: They're ostensibly safer, and they save fuel (driving
close to the car in front of you reduces aerodynamic drag forces, which
are a major contributor to fuel consumption).

So far, Volvo has
successfully completed tests on a closed track in Sweden with one lead
vehicle and one following car. Next up: driving in platoon formation
with several vehicles at the same time on a closed track, and then
moving into the real world.

Volvo is working on road platooning as part of the EU's Safe Road Trains for the Environment (SARTRE) Project, an (apparently existential) initiative that aims to put road trains on unmodified highways--no embedded magnets under the road, for example--where they can safely interact with traffic.

'What we want to try to do is take cars that we have in production today and modify
them as little as possible in order to allow them to drive on the road-train
platoon project,' says Coelingh.

Major auto companies are already working on a common communication standard for intelligent vehicles. This will allow platoon-ready cars from a variety of automakers to communicate with each other.

There are still kinks to work out, of course. What happens if the software malfunctions while a car is in a platoon? How many auto companies need to be involved to make this viable on a large scale? And who will pay the professional drivers?

'We're in the research stage, so we cannot solve all the problems,' says Coelingh. 'The most important thing is that we have the cars communicating with each other.'

Reach Ariel Schwartz via Twitter or email.

Swedish University Testing Wheelchair That Maps Its Surroundings

2011-05-31T15:48:00.000-04:00

Swedish University Testing Wheelchair That Maps Its Surroundings: "

Back in March, we saw a project using a head-mounted Kinect to sense and alert the user to obstacles in their path. Researchers at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden are working on a similar system, but building it into a wheelchair.

It was tested this week by a grad student hopeful who is himself visually impaired, and he pronounced it solid. The system looks quite bulky, however, and is limited to detecting objects within a narrow plane, so it wouldn’t pick up, say, a curb or overhang.

Still, it’s interesting research, and could be the start of a new kind of intelligent wheelchair that could let blind and partially sighted people get around their neighborhoods a bit easier.

[via Gizmag]

Video: Excellent Bionic Hand In Action

2011-05-31T15:46:00.000-04:00

Video: Excellent Bionic Hand In Action: "

Body augmentation and limb replacement are just hugely interesting fields right now. We’ve got bionic legs, bionic eyes, even bionic cats. Bionic hands have been a troublesome topic for research because of the inadequacy of current technology in replicating fine motor control. This arm, being wielded by a young Austrian fellow who lost the use of his hand in an accident, isn’t quite perfect, but it sure is impressive as hell.

As you can see in the BBC’s video, he won’t be playing the piano any time soon, but replacing limbs isn’t about that — it’s about getting basic functions working again, like holding a glass or tying your shoes. Both of those things seem totally doable, and I’m sure stuff like pressing buttons, holding a shopping basket, and other common tasks are equally possible.

This is a neuroprosthetic, meaning it actually taps into the unused nerves that used to control the hand. At this point we can’t tap into too many — our electrodes and mechanics just aren’t good enough — but there are enough that you can have several degrees of freedom and analog control, which is goddamn amazing. There’s a ton of room for improvement, which isn’t a criticism so much as an aspirational statement. In just five or ten years these things are going to be looking real nice.

There’s more information at the BBC story, including some other researchers and bionic limb users. Exciting times, people!

[via Reddit]

DLR Hand Arm System is super strong

2011-05-16T10:11:00.000-04:00

DLR Hand Arm System is super strong: "

Some researchers over at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have managed to come up with a super advanced arm that is tougher than it looks. At first glance, all the exposed joints and electronics make the look arm fragile, especially when you find out it can perform pretty human-like movements. But that’s where we’re wrong – it only looks fragile.

As shown in the demonstration video after the break, the scientists over there are constantly pushing the their testing to the limits, and in one video we see the researcher using a bat to hit the robot arm. After the attack, it still functions just as well as it did before, a testament to the German engineering that went through the creation of it.

If we’re any step closer to creating Iron Man or Terminators, I’d say we’re heading in the right direction. Video of the robot arm in action, and being hit by a baseball bat after the break:

DLR Hand Arm System is super strong, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : Atrix Review, HTC Thunderbolt Review,

Ergonomics advice does not always reflect the reality

2011-05-16T10:06:00.000-04:00

Ergonomics advice does not always reflect the reality: "

It is common for companies to invest in expensive office furniture in the belief that the furniture will encourage the worker to undertake tasks more safely. In most circumstances, this is a waste of money and a major distraction from managing safety throughout workplaces.

The safety message is also being confused by some OHS regulators. It is well-established that injured backs and other musculoskeletal injuries improve with movement rather than the traditional bed-rest. However this encouragement to move is not reflected in most of the advice for configuring workstations.

The reality of most desk-based work is that the amount of time spent in a sedentary position is small. We answer phones, we read documents, we type, we get up for a coffee, we rest our feet on a waste bin, we turn around and talk with our colleagues, and we go to the toilet. Rarely do we sit for any great length of time with our backs straight, our knees at 90 degrees and our feet flat on the floor.

Australian research into cardio-vascular disease some years ago identified regular movement as a control measure. New research from the WA Institute for Medical Research and University of Western Australia identifying some possible causes of cancers of the colon and rectum has come to the same conclusion.

According to a media release on the research from the Western Australian Institute of Medical Research (WAIMR):

“Compared with employees who did not spend any time in a sedentary occupation, study participants who spent 10 or more years working at a desk had almost twice the risk of distal colon cancer and a 44 per cent increased risk of rectal cancer, the study found.

“Sedentary behaviour appears to be an important risk factor for many chronic diseases,” Mr [Terry] Boyle said. “It’s important that office workers try to stand and take a break from sitting every 30 minutes, and do things like get up from their chairs and walk down the corridor to talk to colleagues rather than sending an email or making a phone call.””

A list of government, philanthropic and corporate sponsors are listed at the WAIMR website.

Clearly, it is important for desk workers to move about and regularly leave their desks. Boyle above recommends every 30 minutes and this may be a useful rule of thumb to apply. There is also the added benefit of contributing to a better organisational culture by talking directly with colleagues instead centring communications through the personal computer.

The emphasis on movement in office environments is under-emphasised by many government OHS publications on office ergonomics. Many of these publications do not reflect the reality. Movement is often encouraged through corporate well-being programs rather than through ergonomics yet ergonomics has always been about human factors, movement, interaction and well-being as the following definition indicates:

“…Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.”

What governments need to start researching is whether “ergonomic” office furniture is still required in most workplaces? That would mean “talking on” a substantial industry but isn’t that just one of the consequences of evidence-based decision making?

Kevin Jones

New Zealand paralympian buys first Rex Bionics exoskeleton, takes robot walking legs for a spin

2011-05-03T09:46:00.000-04:00

New Zealand paralympian buys first Rex Bionics exoskeleton, takes robot walking legs for a spin: "

Surely we weren't the only ones to wonder aloud who would be the first come up with $150,000 for a Rex Bionics robotic exoskeleton when the Auckland-based company introduced it last summer. Of course, no price seems too high for the ability to walk again, but that's still a lot scratch to get together -- and the space has been getting a lot more competitive as of late. The honor went to fellow Kiwi Dave MacCalman, a multiple medal-winning paralympian, who lost the use of his legs after sustaining a spinal cord injury while diving into a river. The 6-foot, 4-inch athlete took his first steps in over 30 years with the use of his newly-purchased robot legs -- and from the look on his face, he definitely got his New Zealand dollar's worth. If you need a quick refresher on exactly what this thing can do, check out the video after the break.

Continue reading New Zealand paralympian buys first Rex Bionics exoskeleton, takes robot walking legs for a spin

New Zealand paralympian buys first Rex Bionics exoskeleton, takes robot walking legs for a spin originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 May 2011 11:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Rex Bionics | Email this | Comments"

Stroke rehabilitation glove fits into affordable bracket

2011-05-02T09:41:00.000-04:00

Stroke rehabilitation glove fits into affordable bracket: "

Anyone who has suffered from a stroke or deal with stroke patients know that time is of the essence when the stroke occurs – the earlier medical help is rendered, the faster and higher the chances of recovery. For those who have lost the use of a hand due to a stroke, it makes sense to make sure that paralyzed hand gets up and moving again, where repeated and constant movement will enable the brain and the body to “relearn” how to use that particular body part. Not reinventing the wheel but rather, approaching the problem from a different angle, the Rehabilitation Glove will allow patients to exercise passively until they are able to recover sufficiently in order to start moving on their own. That can be quite expensive though, so what other forms of remedy are there?

Stroke rehabilitation glove fits into affordable bracket, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : Galaxy Tab Review, BlackBerry Torch Review,

Ergonomic modular keyboard concept

2011-04-27T09:27:00.000-04:00

Ergonomic modular keyboard concept: "

One of the things that’s rarely changed since its inception has been the QWERTY keyboard. Ever since it was introduced and widely adopted, we’ve been using similar keyboards until now. Well, Goran Bobinac, an architect from Croatia has decided to shake things up a bit by creating his very own ergonomic modular keyboard.

Featuring a unique curved shape with interlocking edges, this 3-piece keyboard can be easily disassembled and rearranged to form multiple shapes, depending on how or what the user wants to do with the keyboard. This means users can easily set up the keyboard for left-handed or right-handed operation with a simple switch of the numerical keypad. In fact, if they don’t want to use the numerical keyboard, they can dismiss it altogether and just use the alphabet portion.

The keyboard can be completely wireless or will make use of a wire. No word on whether the keyboard will ever hit production, but it definitely is one interesting device to check out if it does become commercial. Its modular setup mean it will be an ideal keyboard to bring around if you travel a lot. What are your thoughts on this modular keyboard?

Ergonomic modular keyboard concept, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : Nintendo 3DS Review, Galaxy Tab 8.9 Preview,

Tibion Bionic Leg makes stroke rehabilitation easier

2011-04-26T08:55:00.000-04:00

Tibion Bionic Leg makes stroke rehabilitation easier: "

Stroke patients know that early detection is vital, as every single second counts since delayed help will result in the worsening of one’s condition. Having said that, once one has received ample and correct medical treatment for their condition, the long hard road of recovery begins – and this would mean going through rehabilitation programs that are specially designed for stroke patients. Those who need help with walking again might look towards the Tibion Bionic Leg – where it was originally designed for people with muscle problems, arthritis, as well as those who are in post surgery to regain missing strength. This redesigned medical tool is touted to help stroke patients benefit from the therapeutic advantages of the system.

Currently being primed for use in the US by rehabilitation centers as part of their training aid in helping recover a proper walking gait, the software used will control the knee – and this software has been specially rewritten to work for stroke rehab. According to the company, the system is currently going through trials with 24 different patients over at the New York Presbyterian hospital.

Tibion Bionic Leg makes stroke rehabilitation easier, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : Motorola Xoom Review, MacBook Air Review,

Are You Sitting Down? Why a Stand-Up Desk Might Save Your Life [PICS]

2011-04-25T07:42:00.000-04:00

Are You Sitting Down? Why a Stand-Up Desk Might Save Your Life [PICS]: "

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re sitting down, which means you’re probably digging yourself an early grave.

At least, that’s the gist of a few articles that have made the rounds recently. A particularly popular article in Men’s Health cited a study in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise that will make any desk jockey wince. Examining the lifestyles of more than 17,000 men and women over 13 years, the report found those who sit for most of the day were 54% more likely to die of heart attacks. According to Men’s Health, that statistic was true even if the people in the study were nonsmokers and regular exercisers.

Another report cited in a recent New York Times Magazine story tracked 123,000 Americans and found the death rate for those who spent six or more hours a day sitting was 20% higher than for men who sat for three hours or less. For women, the difference was 40%. No one’s really sure exactly why that’s the case. You certainly burn fewer calories sitting than you do standing and moving around, but weight gain isn’t necessarily the primary reason that sitting is so bad for you.

If you’re like me, you’ve read those articles and wondered, “OK, what’s the alternative?” Aside from switching occupations (maybe it’s time to brush up on those dormant lumberjacking skills), your best bet might be a standup desk. Right now, such desks are tiny niche in the market, but, thanks to those recent articles, things are picking up.

Jim Gattuso, who owns the domain name standupdesks.com, says that traffic to his site has quadrupled in recent weeks. Up until now, though, he had done a pretty good business, mostly for people with back problems. Gattuso started his business about 17 years ago when he was suffering from back pain and was looking for a standup desk. He couldn’t find one, so he contracted with a furniture maker in Ohio’s Amish country. The furniture maker was willing to make a desk, but he had one stipulation: “If I wanted him to build me one, I’d have to have at least three pieces made.” Gattuso kept two for himself and then decided to try to sell the other one on the Internet. It sold so fast that he realized there was a market for such things.

The cult of standup desks may be small, but proponents are vocal. Donald Rumsfeld is said to be a fan as is writer Philip Roth. Rob Schwartz, chief creative officer of ad agency TBWA\Chiat\Day LA, got a standup desk seven years ago because he heard Ernest Hemingway used one. “I figured, he’s a pretty good writer, so maybe I could use one, too,” Schwartz says. Physical issues didn’t play a role in Schwartz’s decision — he doesn’t have a bad back and isn’t worried that sitting all day will cause him to have a heart attack. “You get more done when you’re standing up,” Schwartz says. “When you’re sitting, you’re naturally recessive, you’re receiving, when you’re standing, you’re ready to do something … I don’t know. I used to be a bartender, so maybe that has something to do with it.”

Jon Paulsen, CEO of The Human Solution, which sells ergonomic office furniture, says that, despite the hype, a sit-down desk won’t kill you. “[Sitting is] not necessarily a bad thing, but doing anything for eight hours a day is bad,” he says. Paulsen, a certified ergonomist, recommends an electronic retractable desk, which can help you easily go from a sitting to a standing position. Desks with adjustable cranks provide too much of a barrier to going back and forth, he says. The important thing is to vary your routine. “It’s a great way to change your posture up,” he says. “As people get older, they find more benefits to moving around during the day.”

Such solutions don’t come cheaply. An electronic retractable desk will run you $1,000 to $2,000, but Paulsen says you can get “a real nice one” for $1,100 to $1,200. What if that’s out of your reach at the moment? Paulsen says make a point of getting up every half hour or so and walk around. “It’s good to take microbreaks,” he says. Such advice may be hard to follow, but, as any stand-up desk evangelist will attest, it’s better to look weird than to die young.

For a look at some standup desks, click on the gallery below.

Rob Schwartz's office, replete with stand-up desk.

The chief creative officer of TBWA\Chiat\Day in Los Angeles was influenced by Ernest Hemingway's fondness for stand-up desks.

The Sis Move! electronic height adjustable desk from The Human Solution

This desk can hold up to 150 lbs on its surface and retails for $965.

The Sis Surf2 electronic height-adjustable workstation from The Human Solution

The surface height on this model ranges from 22' to 48' and can hold up to 450 lbs. It retails for $1959.

The Mayline VariTask E-Series with DataCenter Keyboard Mechanism from The Human Solution

This model, which retails for $1,222.72, is designed to address ergonomic issues related to standing and to typing.

Key West Stand Up Writing Desk

This model's name, from Standupdesks.com, alludes to Ernest Hemingway's use of a standup desk. Like Standupdesk.com's other models, it is not retractable. Price: $1,395 and up.

The Executive Stand-up Desk

Another model from Standupdesks.com. The company makes a range of sizes for people 4' 10' to 6' 6'. This model starts at around $2,000.