That is right, the implantable. In the past decade of tech innovation, connectivity has been the name of the game. Call your friend in the middle of the night in Antarctica. Facetime with your sister on vacation in India. Talk about the movie you saw with friends in London. Anything is possible with the push of a button and now with the Apple Watch, you can do it all with the twist of a dial. But this is just the beginning of what Silicon Valley has in store for us in the name of connectivity. We’re about to enter the next level of high tech innovation – connecting with yourself.
And the most efficient and accurate way to do that is with the next wave of sensor based smart devices – those you can implant into your body. It might sound like something you’d see in a science fiction movie, but my prediction is that in the next three to five years, implantable devices will become about as normal as wearing the latest watch.
The movement into an era of implantables is already in full swing with wearables and attachables like FitBit. These are just the first generation of gadgets that go beyond monitoring and measuring your body movements. Startups like Thync are pushing the envelope with their neurosignaling patch that uses low voltage electrical currents to alter a person’s mood and energy. News of Google's smart contact lens has the tech industry excited to see how they might monitor a person’s glucose levels or other vital signs with the technology. And these are just the daily applications. Developments in the world of healthcare are reaching new heights. Some devices are not only preventative, they can also improve conditions and even save lives.
The federal government has also jumped on the bandwagon in support of new scientific discoveries. The White House’s “BRAIN” Initiative pulled together over $300 million in funding from technology firms, academic institutions and scientists to better understand the human mind – and affect it. They aim to find treatments for Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, autism, depression and more. New brain implantables that use a wireless remote control to deliver drugs and light are already in the testing process. One such interface, the BATTELLE Neurolife, is designed to let the brain bypass the spinal cord. The smaller-than-a-pea sized chip was recently implanted into a quadriplegic’s brain. The device interprets his brain signals and works with an electrode stimulation sleeve that helps the patient move muscles.
Implantables can save lives, improve health, prevent diseases and even begin to make us superhuman. But with all great opportunities also comes increased risk and potential for harm. With implantables, the stakes are high. The data collected with implantable devices is so personal. So, the risk of hacking puts everyone associated with your business – investors, buyers and other businesses – on edge. In order to assuage their fears and prevent harm, security at every level must be airtight. Further, implantables require tremendous quality and safety controls to prevent a whole range of potential harm.
The pros and cons associated with each new innovation in implantables are significant. And the market is moving fast – there is a lot of opportunity. If you want to start a company in the space, I would encourage you to consider building one that mitigates the negative risks. You could address the need for quality controls and safeguards. Or, you could focus on the security, and build a business to protect consumers. As much as people will pay to improve and enhance their health, they will also pay to protect it. Let’s find solutions for the risks implantables bring, so we can fully enjoy the benefits.
The number of times RAF fighters have been scrambled to face down Russian jets over Eastern Europe
has dramatically increased, it emerged today.
has dramatically increased, it emerged today.
News of the spike in activity on Nato’s borders comes as new pictures were released showing Typhoons intercepting Russian fighters last week.
The Ministry of Defence images taken last Friday show RAF fighters shadowing three types of aircraft on a single mission above the Baltic Sea. The RAF pilots followed the Russian aircraft until they moved away from Estonian airspace.
on a single mission above the Baltic Sea. The RAF pilots followed the Russian aircraft until they moved away from Estonian airspace.
British pilots scrambled from their base in Amari, Estonia, have already this year far exceeded the number of missions flown in the previous 12 months. Last year the total number of similar missions flown by RAF pilots involved in Nato’s Baltic Air Policing initiative was 13. With several months left of this year the number has already reached 18.
The rise is partly down to RAF planes currently being placed on a higher degree of readiness than other Nato jets, but MoD sources confirm increased Russian activity is also responsible.
currently being placed on a higher degree of readiness than other Nato jets, but MoD sources confirm increased Russian activity is also responsible.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the rise in RAF action showed the UK’s “vital importance” to European security.
Mr Fallon said: “Once more the RAF and our state of the art Typhoon fighters have demonstrated our commitment to Nato’s collective defence.
“Air interceptions such as this highlight the vital importance of the UK’s contribution to the Baltic Air Policing mission and demonstrate our collective resolve to protect Nato airspace alongside our allies.”
Yesterday Latvian armed forces reported a group of 12 Russian combat aircraft close to its airspace.
Meanwhile the Russian government-owned Tass news agency reported that Moscow would deploy its new Armata tanks to divisions in its Western military district by Christmas.
.
In a new naval strategy published earlier this week, Moscow highlighted an increased focus on the Atlantic and Arctic.
Tension between the West and Russia have been increasingly strained since Mr Putin ordered his troops to annex the Crimea in 2014.
The EU and US has since accused Moscow of fomenting the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine and have imposed economic sanctions in response.
China and Russia will hold joint military drills in the waters and airspace of the Sea of Japan, Beijing said Thursday, the latest defenSe cooperation between the countries.
The exercises will take place Aug. 20-28 in the Peter the Great Gulf and other areas off the Russian coast, Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun told reporters.
A key purpose of the drills was to "further enhance their capabilities of jointly coping with maritime security threats," Yang said, adding they will include training in air defense, anti-submarine and surface warfare, and
landings.
landings.
China will send seven naval ships including a destroyer and a frigate, along with fighter jets and other aircraft, Yang said. Russia's contingent will include surface vessels, submarines and fixed wing
aircraft, he said, adding that both sides will dispatch ship-borne helicopters
and marines.
aircraft, he said, adding that both sides will dispatch ship-borne helicopters
and marines.
The drills come as Beijing and Moscow intensify cooperation in military, political and economic spheres.
In May they conducted their first joint naval exercises in European waters in the Black Sea and Mediterranean. It was China's farthest ever naval
exercise from its home waters.
exercise from its home waters.
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