With built-in cellular and Wi-Fi access, the Kanega P.E.R.S (Personal Emergency Response
Systems) smartwatch for seniors won’t require tethering to a smartphone. Its monthly fee
will cover cellular service, medical alerts and operator call-back for falls panic and dementiarelated
confusion, and GPS for getting people home safely via step-by-step instructions. The
Kanega is voice-activated for hands-free use, does medication reminders, and solicits selfreporting.
Users can say, “Did I take my meds at noon?” and the watch will scroll back to
check. It responds to affectionate monikers, too.
The Senstone, being crowdfunded on
Kickstarter at this writing, is a small,
wearable voice recorder that lets you
record quick voice notes (or any nearby
audio) by pressing a button. The LEDs glow
in a starburst pattern and flash as it
captures sound. We previewed it and found
that it’s surprisingly well designed and
functional for early hardware and software.
The company plans to integrate some
intriguing AI-based features, too.
The Basslet portable subwoofer straps onto
your wrist so you can literally feel the music.
Using haptic technology, Basslet creates a
physical experience: The proprietary
LoSound engine recreates bass frequencies
from 10 Hz to 250 Hz in high fidelity, and
sends them directly to your body.
This smart-home controller installs right
into the space where a light-switch would
normally go, and you can use it via voice or
touch. Yes, you can dim your lights and turn
them on or off—and it’s compatible with
Home, Nest, and other smart-home
systems, so you can control those devices
if you have them. And it incorporates
Amazon Alexa Voice Services, so it can
stand in for an Echo or Dot.
Been to the Uncanny Valley lately? Now you
can find Einstein there. Hanson Robotics
claims the eerily lifelike Professor Einstein is
everything you ever wanted in a personal
robot—assuming that you want a robot that
can hold an enlightened conversation with
you, teach you all kinds of great science-y
stuff, help you keep your schedule organized,
and even give your brain a workout with
challenging puzzles and games.
