Future Lens

In this week's episode of Future Lens Today, we jump right into a couple of stories around Virtual Reality, and how it's been used for the ever-evolving work and shopping experience as we move further into remote living. How Google is embracing the future and building spaces to thrive around the world, and lastly, how science is crafting alternatives to everything, like organs to food.View full episode transcript on the Humanatronix.com Website.

In this episode of Future Lens, our hosts Gordon Stencell and Mark Pundzius discuss construction breakthroughs. Be prepared to be amazed as they introduce you to new technologies that support designers, architects, and builders to create innovative and more sustainable structures. Each of these “new generation materials” is engineered to last for centuries and not hurt the environment.View full episode details and sources at Humanatronix.com.

In this week’s episode of Future Lens Today, we’re covering some of the news coming out of the video games industry as one of it’s largest players makes moves that may be possibly giving us a glimpse at what the future of work might look like for people around the world.Additionally, we talk about Virtual Reality Exosuits akin to those described in the Sci-fi novel “Ready Player One”, as well as some robotics and space news out of Nasa and SpaceX that’ll excite the technology and space lovers in all of us.View full episode transcript on the Humanatronix.com Website.

What is humanity’s impact on the planet and how consciously and inadvertently have we caused the demise of many species? As a response, key organizations are stepping up by developing new strategies for animal conservation and attempting to resurrect species that are already extinct. View full sources on our website at Humanatronix.com.

In this week’s episode of Future Lens Today, we talk about how scientists are taking the first steps towards creating a real Jurassic Park, the existence and interaction of what Scientists call Time Crystals, and all the complex language they use to describe it in detail, as well as some major technical changes to Google’s Youtube and Facebook’s Instagram, as platforms begin to introduce new ways to eat away at our savings accounts.View full episode transcript on the Humanatronix.com Website.

We are entering a world in which we will need to become better at fighting what we can't see. Learn about the innovations and best practices related to sterilization and disinfection protocols and how the global situation has pushed new technology to the forefront in the fight against viruses and disease transmission.View full episode sources on Humanatronix.com.

Immersive entertainment, artificial intelligence, industry milestones, and how the movie industry is innovating in order to bring forward new ways to remain profitable and grow its audience. View full episode details and sources on Humanatronix.com.

In this week’s episode, we talk about some sweet new technology that feels a lot like the world is coming full circle from all the way back in the 1960s, when moonwalking and supersonic jets were state-of-the-art.We also talk about some of the innovations coming out of Compton where a small San Francisco-based startup is testing out new forms of vertical farming with autonomous robotic farmers being trained and tested in warehouses.Additionally, some news coming out of silicon valley as Apple makes headlines while filling for new patents for some next-level advanced materials to be used in its mobile phone suite moving forward.The full episode transcript and sources can be found on Humanatronix.com.

Hosts Gordon Stencell and Mark Pundzius are joined by Shawn Hopkins the Executive Producer of Future Lens (and Podcast Host of Future Lens Today our exciting new news show) to revisit the highlights from episodes 11 through 20. Amongst others, we’ll discuss water management, “green” burials, contact-free technology, artificial companionship, and how innovation is changing the world that we live in and the work that we do. Thank you for your listenership and for making this series a success! You can view full details about each episode on the Humanatronix website.For full sources go to Humanatronix.com.

We talk about some predictive analytics & projections on the future growth of the human race and its trend towards negative over the next few decades. We also discuss some amazing technology coming out of Arizona, as a firm successfully uses renewable energy to harvest water straight out of desert air. Use cases going as far as bringing a renewable source of clean water to the Arabian Desert for both people to drink and to feed agricultural farms, bringing us all closer to long term sustainability as the world changes. As well as, touch on some new clever robots coming out of a fast-food chain, as well as an Ex-Googler’s startup as innovative tech, starts to enter the mainstream at a faster rate than ever before. Full episode transcript and sources can be found on Humanatronix.com.

The future of archaeology and how we’ve changed the way we discover the secrets of the past, how we preserve them, and how we share them. View the full episode details on Humanatronix.com

In this week’s episode, we talk about big tech companies and their participation, both good and bad, in the fight for civil rights around the world. As Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Zoom all announce intentions to stop complying with orders to hand over data to the Chinese government. A move that is said will almost guarantee they be blocked from use by Chinese citizens. All the while on North American shores, Facebook fails its first-ever civil rights audit conducted by lawyers and civil rights experts. And lastly, in the news that has me genuinely dumbfounded, the lines between government and religion continue to blur in the United States as the Supreme Court Rules to let religious employers deny works birth control. All this and a little bit more this week in the news, welcome to Future Lens Today.View episodes sources on Humanatronix.com.

Last year the world fought some of the world's worst forest fires across the west coast of North America and across Australia. California was struggling to find available sources of water it could use to fight these fires, while some organizations are fighting to remove water as a human right, such as Nestle. We discuss the future of water and how over 30% of the human population is affected by water scarcity, and what companies around the world are doing to solve this critical issue.View the sources for this episode on Humanatronix.com.

In this week’s episode, we talk about the software we use every day for entertainment, productivity, socialization, and more. Starting off the TikTok’s fall from grace with its recent turmoil surrounding its vague origins and invasiveness on mobile phones. Sweeping bans of Chinese apps from the Indian Government.Remote work introducing new forms of “bossware”, or alternative invasive spyware that comes gift wrapped with a bow on top, and is branded and sold as productivity-enhancing software for employers. And last but not least, I’ll touch a more polarizing topic, one that touches on data transparency, freedom of speech, and the internet as a tool for information. As the keys for the renowned wiki leaks platform trades hands with a new group ready to take the lead. All sources can be found on the Humanatronix Website.

In this episode of Future Lens, our hosts Gordon Stencell and Mark Pundzius discuss alternative burial practices. We talk about a more ethical and environmentally conscious approach to our burial practices, from turning yourselves into diamonds, or even subaquatic habitats to save our precious reefs. Would you prefer to become a tree or be consumed by mushrooms? All sources available on Humanatronix.com 

Today we’re talking about the Black Lives Matter Movement and the Pandemic, and their impact on local businesses, as well as the fact that we all need to work together to provide better support to small businesses across the country. In recent weeks Black lives Matter protests have spun up around the world for good reason, bringing attention to issues that are not isolated to single communities but are widespread, and how discrimination has made it difficult for businesses with owners of color to find the support they need. Along with the impacts of COVID-19 businesses are struggling to find support and are dropping like flies on a daily basis. Today we talk Airbnb and it’s unintended consequences for people of color, how bigger businesses are giving platforms for the voices of incredible talent to reach new heights, as well as how the Canadian Government and non-for-profits are mobilizing to provide support, among other things.Full transcript on Humanatronix.com

What are the implications of one of societies most important, yet underfunded and undervalued systems. Waste management and recycling centers and how they're trying to innovate on behalf of the rest of the world. To save it.What’s new in waste conversion technology?Waste to BiofuelsTechnologies to convert MSW to renewable transportation fuels, primarily cellulosic ethanol and diesel, have long captured the eye of visionary entrepreneurs. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) can provide indirect subsidies approaching $200 per ton of MSW for cellulosic ethanol. Some federal loan guarantees can significantly lower a facility’s cost of capital, which is important as waste-to-biofuels facilities are very capital intensive. A 1,000-ton-per-day waste-to-biofuel facility can cost over $500 million to construct, so these technologies are generally economically feasible only at sizes of 1,000 tons per day or more.Chemical recycling of plastic wasteA relatively new strategy for waste conversion is the chemical recycling of plastic waste. Chemical recycling of plastics involves the conversion of plastic waste into a liquid hydrocarbon that can then be used to produce new products. The conversion process typically involves a pyrolysis technology, which is akin to gasification. With the heightened visibility of the impact of single-use plastics on the environment, this is a sorely needed technology in the current market.Conversion to electricityNoticeably absent from any list of projects coming online are those deploying high-temperature processes, such as gasification or pyrolysis, to generate electricity. This is a reflection of electricity being a relatively low-value product that does not support the capital intensity of these complex technologies at the moment. As long as fracking continues to provide an abundant supply of inexpensive natural gas for electricity production in the U.S., this fact is unlikely to change.Now South Korea is taking a lead, recycling 95% of its food waste.It wasn’t always this way in the country. The mouth-watering array of side dishes that accompany a traditional South Korean meal - called banchan - are often left unfinished, contributing to one of the world’s highest rates of food wastage. South Koreans each generate more than 130 kg of food waste each year.By comparison, per capita food waste in Europe and North America is 95 to 115 kg a year, according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. But the South Korean government has taken radical action to ensure that the mountain of wasted food is recycled.Smart BinsTechnology has played a leading part in the success of the scheme. In the country’s capital, Seoul, 6,000 automated bins equipped with scales and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) weigh food waste as it is deposited and charge residents using an ID card. The pay-as-you-recycle machines have reduced food waste in the city by 47,000 tonnes in six years, according to city officials.Urban farmsThe number of urban farms or community gardens in Seoul has increased sixfold in the past seven years. They now total 170 hectares - roughly the size of 240 football fields. Most are sandwiched between apartment blocks or on top of schools and municipal buildings. One is even located in the basement of an apartment block. It is used to grow mushrooms. 

There are innovators out there that are also leveraging technology to fight back against tech induce anxiety with more specially crafted tech designed to help us cope, heal from, and overcome anxiety in its many forms.

In this episode our hosts discuss the implications of remote health monitoring. Would you be more or less comfortable knowing that your health-related data is being fed into a system designed to monitor your vital signs and track associated behaviors in order to provide early detection of worrisome changes in your health?Public Health MonitoringSome municipalities are already analyzing effluent to monitor public health and behavior. As far back as 2002, fourteen Canadian cities found traces of pharmaceutical products in waste water. More recently, in Massachusetts, high concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 were found in water collected at a major sewage treatment facility.Social Responsibility and Big BusinessThe importance of a reliable and responsive health care system is underscored with every passing day, as we battle a global pandemic. Unlikely players, tech and data giants, are now interested in a piece of the action.Individual Self-Monitoring Many individuals are looking to be proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to their health. Companies are already leveraging the power of wearable devices to provide information on vitals such as heart rate, respiration, cadence and walking distance, but would you want to tie that to information pulled from your medical records, currently held by hospitals and health clinics?Public TracingSeveral countries are in the spotlight and are generating controversy due to their public tracing programs that use data from personal cell phones. Would you be willing to opt in and allow tracking of your movement in order to provide important information related to virus transmission?For more information check out Humanatronix.com

As loneliness and social isolation impacts a growing number of people, technology steps in to help to fill a void.In this episode our hosts discuss the changing digital landscape of relationship discovery platforms, as well as the rising need for alternative remedies for our more socially distant and busy lives. What would the world look like if every human had an artificially intelligent partner or companion?Although social isolation has always been a concern for a segment of the population, social distancing is reminding us and underscoring of the importance of physical intimacy in our lives.  Robotic PetsInteractive robotic cats and dogs are growing in popularity at senior residences. Caregivers praise the positive impact artificial pets are having on the aged. They report a decrease in feelings of isolation, loneliness, and many forms of cognitive decline. These pet robots offer the interactive companionship, happiness and purpose associated with having a pet, without the responsibility of caring for a living creature.Online Dating  Match Group Inc. and rival Bumble have reported that message ex-changes between daters using their platforms have increased by as much as 21%. Interest is also growing in the use of anonymous video call features. Are online daters now spending more time and forming deeper connections through virtual dating, as a result of social isolation?AI Enhanced E-robotic Silicone CompanionsAlthough it’s unlikely that human companions will be ever be completely replaced by erobots, technology is now available for developing a first generation of interactive life-size erobots. Will androids offer a unique version of intimacy, when human alternatives are not available or desirable?Check out all the sources on Humanatronix.com

In this episode, our hosts talk about cashier-less grocery stores and the various autonomous solutions that are slowly gaining acceptance and are likely to become ubiquitous by the end of this decade.Our On-Demand World Needs Better Delivery OptionsAn estimated 20% of all of North America’s 250+ billion vehicle trips every year is for running shopping errands. While new markets grow and climate concerns increase, interest in finding faster, cleaner, and more profitable delivery solutions are popping up across the globe.“Last Mile” logisticsAs online shopping consumes a larger part of the traditional “brick & mortar” retail market, new solutions for getting products into your hands faster are producing some interesting delivery services. Don’t be surprised to soon find “Micro Fulfillment Centres” popping up in your neighborhood and delivery bots sharing your local sidewalks. Navigation & Location Detection Are GPS DrivenDelivery systems will leverage personal smart devices and offer easy ordering by simply downloading an app. Regardless of your location, you’ll be able to track your purchases in real-time and have them dropped off directly to you.By Land, Air, (and Sea?)Although local regulations and Civil Aviation limitations have held back the wide-scale implementation of delivery bots and drones, some jurisdictions have authorized technology companies to test autonomous delivery - in part, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic expediting the public need for contactless delivery services.Check out all the sources on Humanatronix.com

In this episode, our hosts discuss the evolution of technology that allows people to travel at velocities that are nearly unfathomable. Cars that can travel up to 1200km per hour and planes that can take you from one point on earth to another at velocities that surpass the speed of bullets being discharged from a gun.Setting RecordsIn 1997, the fastest land speed vehicle rolled at over 763mph (1,227kph). Incredibly, less than 20 years later, a human fell from 135,000’ feet at over 800mph (1,287.5kph). Most impressive is that astronauts returning from the moon back in 1969 hit a peak travelling speed of 24,790mph (39,897kph)! Just how fast can we go?Speed And The MilitaryBullets travel at about twice the speed of sound, but the US military is rumored to be developing a jet that could almost match current off-planet speed records. These hypersonic jets are projected to travel at 5x the speed of sound.  Step Aside Bullet Train, Here Comes The HyperloopWithin a year or two, these autonomous, magnetically-levitating people pods will travel through tunnels at speeds of over 621.3mph/1,000kph. At that speed, people will eventually be able to travel between any Gulf city in less than an hour.Overcoming Evolution As We Race To The StarsAlthough rapid acceleration and deceleration can be lethal to humans, in theory, (as long as the speed is relatively constant and in one direction) humans should be able to travel at near light speeds. As we develop new understandings and capabilities, will we genetically modify our species to adapt to the rigors of life off planet?Check out all the sources on Humanatronix.com

In this special bonus episode our hosts, both experienced Resiliency Coaches, provide you with some considerations for dealing with the changing and challenging landscape of life and work. This episode is directed at leaders, (formal and informal), on how to manage themselves and engage team members in order to prevent COVID-19 burnout.Leading well from a distanceConsider these practical strategies for maintaining your resilience and supporting your team while pressured by ongoing change, uncertainty, distress and fatigue. The importance of recognizing your anchors, communication patterns, level of self-care and support network - and how to leverage them effectively - is addressed by using relatable examples and recommendations.Check out all the sources on Humanatronix.com

The hosts and executive producer discuss the topics covered by the Future Lens podcast during the last 10 episodes, thank the audience for their great reviews and talk about the future of the show. Learn about artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and a variety of other keywords and how they're currently (or soon to be) affecting our day-to-day lives, for better or worse.

Our love of music growsThe music industry and its reach has grown close to 10% year over year since 2012 with no signs of slowing down. At the end of 2019, it was estimated to be a $5 billion dollar industry. Listeners currently stream about three-quarters of all music, and with only 50% of the world currently connected to the internet, there’s still plenty of room to grow.“World Tours” no more? An Influx Of Hip-Hop Artist ResidencesMost seasoned music artists love performing but dread the grind of touring. Las Vegas is well known for its resident music artists, but there are signs that more venues will be built in large international cities to accommodate performers to entertain closer to home.Record Labels lose their gripAs social media followers and streaming numbers build an artist’s fan base, the importance and function of record labels come into question. More and more artists are simply taking control into their own hands and marketing their own music.‍Partnership with product and service sellers No longer taboo, music artists are doing commercials for designer brands and luxury services vendors. Large corporations may start to step into space formerly held by record labels to support artists in exchange for the promotion of products and services.Concerts will blow you awayExpect to see more deceased artists on stage, as hologram technology improves and nostalgia for legendary performers grows. Can’t attend a concert in person? No problem, virtual reality will open doors to places you never expected to access. Think you’ve seen it all? 3D projection mapping is bringing surreal visuals to the stage, distorting all of your preconceptions of what is possible.Check out all the sources on Humanatronix.com

In this weeks episode our hosts discuss the world of crime and how we're currently living in an invisible net of security, protecting us from many forms of crime, the question is now, with technology evolving so quickly, how far off are we from  predictive systems being able to identify and prevent all future crimes.Unsafe streets?With more sources of news and instantaneous reporting, one would think that the world is less and less safe, but according to the statistical data violent crime in North America has actually been on the decline for several decades.Crime that’s trendingCriminals are getting more sophisticated. Although increased reports of extortion are being noted from coast to coast, you are more likely to be impacted by telephone and online scams, fraud and cheap knock-offs from 3rd party vendors on the internet than you are to be mugged, kidnapped or murdered. Fighting backOfficers are increasingly turning to technology to assist with protecting law-abiding citizens. Predictive analytics, drones, recognition technology, and data crunching are just a few of the ways police forces are responding to crime. Although Robocop isn’t yet a part of your local police force, surveillance robots are slowly popping up in unexpected places.Further Sources and Details can be found on Humanatronix.com

In this episode, our hosts dive into the future of prosthetics and how they may soon evolve to serve a larger segment of the population. What will the future look like when body modification becomes as accessible as a local shoe store?Evolving ProstheticsExamples of artificial limbs date as far back as 950 B.C. but it wasn’t until World War II that significant improvements were developed for veteran amputees. Originally made from wood and metal, advanced versions of prosthetics use plastics and carbon-fiber composites to make them lighter, stronger and more realistic. Leading-edge materials will soon replicate human skin, with electronics driving muscle contractions to emulate the movements and interactions of limbs.BionicsThe bionic man TV series was a palatable way to represent forced evolution in an organism, however, it is no longer nature and natural selection that is mutating and generating changes among our species. Humans are now by-passing natural evolution and moving forward into hardware upgrades for all of humanity. Implications and Possible ConsequencesFor the moment, it still doesn’t make sense to replace a fully-functional part of our body with a prosthetic, but the time may soon come when maintaining a competitive advantage might require taking drastic steps. What is the breaking point when you’ve replaced so many parts, that you are no longer yourself? Who will be able to afford such upgrades?Further Sources and Details can be found on Humanatronix.com

In this episode, our hosts discuss the shifting landscape of modern pharmaceuticals and how artificial intelligence, machine learning, DNA samples and 3D printing can impact how we combat illness and dispense medicine.Drug DiscoveryDiscovering a new drug can take decades, billions of dollars and untold research hours by some of the smartest people on the planet. The process often involves carrying out physical tests on enormous libraries of molecules. Even with the help of robotics, it’s an arduous process. Recent advances in deep learning have ignited new hope, as major pharmaceutical companies collaborate with AI-powered drug discovery startups.The Power of AIIn just 21 days, Insilico Medicine used AI to design a molecule that effectively targeted a protein involved in fibrosis, (the formation of excess fibrous tissue) found in mice. The results were achieved by leveraging two AI sub-fields: GANs and Reinforcement Learning.Individualized DiagnosisDNA analysis and genetic testing are increasingly playing a vital role in screening and determining the risk of developing certain diseases. In some cases, it is also being used to guide medical treatment. Different types of genetic testing are done for different reasons: Diagnostic testing, Pre-symptomatic and Predictive testing, Carrier testing, Pharmacogenetics, Prenatal testing, Newborn screening, and Pre-implantation testing.3D Printed PillsThe first, and as yet only, available 3D-printed medicine is made by Aprecia Pharmaceuticals. “Spritam” was approved in 2015 to control seizures brought on by epilepsy. Although in its infancy, 3D printing and the future of customized and decentralized manufacturing has exciting possibilities.Further Sources and Details can be found on Humanatronix.com

In this episode our hosts discuss how improvements to augmented reality (AR) are driving innovations that will overhaul key industries and market sectors - trickling down to change your individual experiences and the way you live your life.The NumbersAlthough augmented reality has already exceeded over 2,000 apps on over 1.4 billion active iOS devices, AR’s most exciting industry applications are expected to hit the market in the next 5-10 years. The International Data Corporation (IDC) forecasts AR headset production will surge 140.9% each year, reaching 31.9 million units by 2023, pervading the consumer products space.HealthcareAR will soon augment almost every human medical practitioner. It is already being used as a diagnostic tool for diagnosing concussions and balance disorders. Microsoft’s HoloLens has already been used in pre-operative reconstructive and plastic surgery and is gradually moving into operating rooms. AR headsets will improve the sharing of expertise across hospitals and medical practices.Enhanced BiometricsSunglasses and goggles are evolving into the perfect medium for AR health metric displays. Starting at as little as $199 US Form goggles inform swimmers metrics on pace, calories burned, distance and stroke count in real-time, while smart glasses available for $499+ provide cyclists with data on speed, power, heart rate and navigation instructions.Virtual ShoppingBy 2030, virtually all retail shops will be AI-driven, sensor-laden and IoT-retrofitted. By cross-referencing your purchase history, gaze patterns and home or closet inventory your AR device(s) will display customized selections most suited to your tastes. AR already offers consumers the capability to visualize what colours and make up will look like on them, identify and “try on” virtual clothing, or place and manipulate furniture at scale in their home - with many more options soon to be available.Further Sources and Details can be found on Humanatronix.com

In the 1960’s NASA was on a quest for deep space travel. Scientists, challenged with how to produce food for a year-long mission with limited space and resources, discovered a special class of microbes. These natural single-cell organisms, called Hydrogenotrophs, act like plants in that they convert carbon dioxide into food.The concept was simple. Astronauts would exhale CO2, which would be captured by the microbes, these would be converted with other inputs such as power and water into food, which would feed the astronauts. The astronauts would then exhale more CO2, further enabling the Hydrogenotrophs to continue producing an endless cycle of nutrients.Unique ChallengeEarth's population is expected to reach 9 -10 BILLION people by 2050, increasing the demand for food production by as much as 70%. Current food production accounts for more than 20% of all greenhouse gases, (more than all of gases generated by global transportation), and uses over 37% of the planet’s land mass - the amount of land equivalent to about the size of Africa and South America combined."Humanity is in need of a radical new food solution, one that uses less of our planet’s limited resources."KiverdiA team of of passionate change makers dedicated to real-world solutions made possible by carbon transformation. Leveraging NASA’s concepts, they are applying the same thinking to our planet. Not only are they capturing our over abundance of CO2, they are using it as the key input for creating nutrients and bio-based products.Their technology has been developed in partnership with Lawrence Berkeley Labs, and SRI International and with funding from the US Department of Energy’s BETO/ARPA-E, the California Energy Commission, the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Quebec government and support from European governments.Further Sources and Details can be found on Humanatronix.com

Learn about how border disputes and robotics are impacting global markets for “soft produce”.In this episode our hosts discuss how technology is being created to fill a human labor gap due to a change in demographics, politics and rising expectations from a more prosperous citizenry. Robots are now sufficiently advanced to manage the picking of berries, previously only harvestable by hand.Seasonal LaborersThe UN estimates that the worldwide percentage of young people is on the decline and will drop by about 4% by 2040. As harvesting is physically difficult work typically done by younger people, this does not bode well. Additionally, many countries that historically have provided seasonal labourers are experiencing stronger economic growth which is impacting migration patterns and creating a shortage of workers.Harvest CROO - Robot Strawberry HarvesterInnovative robotic solutions are helping to close the gap between available labor and food demand. Focusing on “conservation of motion” robotics, this harvester requires only 8 seconds to pick all the ripe berries from a strawberry plant. Moving to the next row of plants in just 1.5 seconds, it can cover 8 acres in a single day - the equivalent of having 30 human pickers do the work.FarmBot - Open-source automated precision farmingRory Aronson is the creator of FarmBot, an open-source precision farming machine and software suite designed for small scale automated food production. In his fascinating TEDx UCLA talk he adds to this Future Lens podcast conversation by proposing that a scalable, modular and low cost farming solution is not just desirable, but a necessity for meeting the world’s future food needs.Further Sources and Details can be found on Humanatronix.com

Learn about the impact of automation in the world of fast food and how convenience may one day outweigh our desire for experiences.In this episode our hosts discuss how technology in the fast food industry is making access to freshly-made, prepared food available 24/7 without stepping into a retail shop. They deliberate on how this is likely to change employment opportunities in the future, as well as consumer expectations around convenience, choice and independence.PizzaFornoCreated in France and new to North America, use vending machines to serve patrons freshly made artisan pizzas in under three minutes, 24/7. After a customer orders from the 32-inch interactive screen, a robotic arm takes their 12-inch selection from the refrigerated section, conveys it into a patented oven where it is baked, then places it in a box and dispenses it to the customer - no tipping required!SpotRx PharmacyKiosk technology along with a mobile app allows customers to pick up their prescriptions at a machine, in as little as 30 seconds. These kiosks currently provide access to 600 prescription and over-the-counter medications. Medavail Technologies indicate that the self-serve machines accept all prescription insurance carriers and can process payments with debit or credit cards. The kiosks accept electronic as well as handwritten prescriptions and have an $8 dispensing fee, which is less expensive than that of most pharmacies.The Paradox Of ChoicePsychologist Barry Schwartz takes aim at a central tenet of western societies: freedom of choice. In his popular TED talk he adds to this Future Lens podcast conversation by proposing that choice has not made us freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied.Further Sources and Details can be found on Humanatronix.com

In this episode, our hosts discuss the positives and negatives surrounding replicant technology that can be used to develop digital clones. They consider potential applications and the benefits and risks of having access to such powerful tools.Deepfake TechnologyIt is an open-source technology that uses software and neural networks to superimpose existing images & videos onto source media using a machine learning technique known as a generative adversarial network. Positive uses for this tech can vary from keeping celebrities working after they have passed away, to creating virtual assistants in your image. However, in the wrong hands, it could also be used to generate fake news or hoaxes that would be nearly impossible to identify as fraudulent without proper analysis.Lyrebird AIA software company has developed a platform leveraging artificial intelligence to create vocal avatars. By recording your voice using a microphone and submitting it to a dedicated platform, this technology is able to generate your voice into any text input. If you’re already familiar with talk-to-text on your mobile devices, this is the opposite. This takes your text and converts it back into audio files of your voice.Artificial News AnchorChina has unveiled a new AI news anchor. Not only can it accompany you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It can be endlessly copied and presented simultaneously at different scenes to bring you your news. Reactions have been mixed, impressing some while alarming others. By leveraging proprietary technology, they've essentially replicated Deepfakes and Lyrebird AI in a live environment to generate a new digital human being to deliver the news through text input.Further Sources and Details can be found on Humanatronix.com

Welcome to Humanatronix.