Weekly Tech Post 11/21

Rise of the Robot Security Guards
New robots created by Knightscope have taken to the grounds of Microsoft buildings. These special robots take away the need for human security guards to patrol areas. Although only seven of the K5 robots have been built, Knightscope has begun creating many more. They are currently being tested for use on college campuses, malls, and even schools. 
The robot features a camera, speaker, microphone, sensors, navigation equipment and motors. The robot actually uses 4 different cameras; one only being used for decoding license plate numbers. It also has a weather sensor that can measure temperatures and carbon dioxide levels. After being shown to a certain area by a human with a wireless controller, the robot is able to recall their area of duty and be able to avoid certain obstacles. 
These robots have also proved to be less expensive than hiring actual security guard. It estimates $6.25 per charge. This charging occurs on charging pads connected to outlets. However, the Knightscope is programmed to go to a charging station when its battery is running low. On a full charge they can last for 24 hours and only taking 20 minutes to fulling recharge. The full article can be seen here. 

Web 2.0: Web Dissection

1. What is the purpose of this Wiki? The purpose of this wiki was to inform the public about sustaining and disruptive technology. The main focus was to compare and contrast different modern day technologies in education. 
2. When was the last post? November 7, 2007
3. How was this Wiki created? This wiki was created through a wikispaces account.
4. What would you add to it? If we were to edit this wiki, we would add current technology and how it is changing society in the present day. 
5. What did you learn from it? This wiki taught us about technology that has either positively or negatively influenced society. 
6. If you had to create a Wiki with a team, what would be the specific topic (s)? If I had a team, we would create a wiki about the history of the Wood-Ridge Sports teams. I would do so because sports change every year and we would be able to continuously edit the wiki.
7. How can Wikis be used in the classroom or in education? A wiki can be used in a classroom to show how a certain topic has changed over a period of time. A wiki is useful because more than one person can contribute to a page. 

Weekly Tech Post 11/14

Carnegie Mellon University Researches Office Robots

 Manuela Veloso has taken technology to a new level. Instead of having receptionists taking clients to her office, a well-trained robot is able to lead them to their destination. These robot receptionists are referred to as Cobots, many of which roam the Science Wings of the University. Robots usually have issues with performing human-friendly tasks such as directing, speaking, and asking for help. However, this specific robot has shown exceptional improvements by guiding people to destinations and retrieving information or other objects. The robot mainly works through a certain order of directions and only continues directing after the client presses its "DONE" button. Although this robot is human friendly, it sometimes faces certain obstacles. If the robot cannot accomplish a task it is able to "speak" to humans or send out emails asking for assistance if no one is around. This advancement is important because it shows how robots can be used to improve the lives of humans in many different aspects of life. 













You can view the article here.

Web 2.0: Wiki Research

1. How can a wiki be used in a current class on your schedule (not this course)? Pick a class and be specific as to how the class could create and use a Wiki on a regular basis . A current class that Wiki can be used on would be my English Honors class. Wiki can be helpful because we have to collaborate, as a class, on many different projects. 
2. What are the benefits of using a wiki in class? The benefits of using a Wiki in class, would be the easy way to put different information from different sources on one piece of work. Wiki allows multiple users to add or delete information from one type of work. Wiki can also benefit a class in the ways of rereading and critiquing works. Using a Wiki for a class can allow students to give helpful information to other peers. 
3. How can we create a wiki in this class, what would be contributed to it and how would be utilize it on an on-going basis? A Wiki can be used as a source of history logging. For example, we can create a Wiki on the Wood-Ridge Highschool Girl's Soccer Team. The two year team would not have a lot of information at this time, however, it is an ongoing sport and information can be added about the team on later dates. 
4. What experience do you have using or creating wikis? I do not have any experience in creating Wikis. However, I will definitely use a Wiki for sharing information or homework with other classmates. 

Wood-Ridge Highschool takes on Glen Ridge in States Last Weekend

Wood-Ridge High School Girl's Varsity Soccer
Over the extended weekend, the WRHS Girl's Soccer team took on the favorited 5th seeded Glen Ridge in the North 2 Group 1 section. Our team came out of a .500 record season last year and managed to sweep opposing teams with their 13-4 record and eventually stealing the 4th seed in States. With this record and seed, the WRHS team was able to have two home games. After winning the first States Game with a 1-0 final score, made possible by Allison Kronyak, the team moved on to play Friday. However, the winning streak soon ended due to the strong Glen Ridge team. A podcast by the Girl's and Boy's team coaches can be seen here.