Hands-free technologies might make it easier for motorists to text, talk on the phone, or even use Facebook while they drive, but new findings from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety show dangerous mental distractions exist even when drivers keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. The research found that as mental workload and distractions increase reaction time slows, brain function is compromised, drivers scan the road less and miss visual cues, potentially resulting in drivers not seeing items right in front of them including stop signs and pedestrians. This is the most comprehensive study of its kind to look at the mental distraction of drivers and arms AAA with evidence to appeal to the public to not use these voice-to-text features while their vehicle is in motion.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60391-aaa-research-voice-activated-in-car-tech-undermines-driver-attention
The best of our city in summer is back with a vengeance as Sydney Festival returns in its 39th year. 2015 will see a spectacular program of free and ticketed events spanning contemporary and classical music, theatre, dance, visual arts, circus, cabaret and much more.
There’s no better way to get into the swing of summer in Sydney than by enjoying a free outdoor concert in the heart of the city, with 60,000 of your closest friends. The Domain concert series return with four large-scale concerts including a special Summer Sounds in The Domain headlined by South American superstar Seu Jorge whose samba sounds will kick-start summer in Brazilian style.
Sydney Festival 2015 will see 18 world premiere performances including Masquerade based on the iconic children’s book by Kit Williams, and 11 Australian premiere works including Quebec’s Cirque Alfonse in Timber!, Roysten Abel’s newest work The Kitchen, and a taste of Belgian theatrical flair in Kiss & Cry a dance work for a duo of hands.
17.6 billion. That’s how many times U.S. shoppers visited brick-and-mortar stores during the 2013 holiday shopping season. That’s a lot of purchases – and a lot of receipts changing hands. Holiday sales are expected to rise 4.1 percent this November and December, meaning even more shoppers will be visiting stores and receiving gift receipts.
Just in time for the 2014 holiday shopping rush, a new receipt paper from Appvion, Inc., made with vitamin C instead of phenols like bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS), is available to stores nationwide. Now shoppers can focus on finding that perfect gift instead of worrying about phenols in receipts they might receive.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7362451-appvion-launches-first-thermal-alpha-free-receipt-paper-using-vitamin-c-for-2014-holiday-shopping-season/
KitchenAid has introduced a new spiralizer attachment for its iconic stand mixer that gives cooks fresh new ways to get creative with fruits and vegetables. Available now at Sur La Table and at the beginning of August on KitchenAid.com, the spiralizer attachment carries a suggested retail price of $129.99.
“The spiralizer is powered by the KitchenAid stand mixer and operates virtually hands-free, simplifying the process of fixing a quick and healthy meal,” said Beth Robinson, senior brand experience manager for KitchenAid. “Whether putting a healthy twist on a traditional recipe, or creating something completely original, the spiralizer gives cooks more ways to make delicious meals with fresh produce.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7541651-kitchenaid-spiralizer-attachment/
The world’s first all-in-one music player Smart Hearable 1.0, developed by VINCI, will make its debut in the North American market at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held from January 6 to 9 in Las Vegas, United States.
The highlight of the design is the artificial intelligence technology applied to create ME 1.0, the first smart assistant that makes the AI talking system from the 2013 film “Her” real.
VINCI Smart Hearable is a wireless and hands-free smart music player that can react to user body and consciousness dynamics with different kinds of music. With a built-in proximity sensor, the device automatically plays the music when user puts it on. It has a touch panel that responds to gestures like tapping and sliding, and a voice interaction system that allows users to guide the device with simple commands.
ME is able to respond with a song that best suits the moment by analyzing data collected from user including heart rate, current location and scenarios through intelligent algorithms, so that user can not only tell ME songs, albums or singers they desire to enjoy the music, but also share their mood and feelings with it.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7730451-vinci-smart-hearable-ces/
Spring is around the corner, and it won’t be long before it’s prom and graduation seasons for many high schoolers. Rites of passage for many, these are times for teens to celebrate, but can also be times of poor decision-making, especially when vehicles are involved. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 2,524 teen drivers and passengers were killed and 177,000 were injured in 2013. Twenty-seven percent of these fatalities occurred between April and June, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
“The statistics are staggering, especially when you consider that most of these accidents and fatalities are preventable,” said Randy Petro, Mercury Insurance’s chief claims officer. “We don’t want any families to suffer through the loss of a child, so Mercury is taking action with the launch of the ‘Mercury Insurance Drive Safe Challenge.’”
The Mercury Insurance Drive Safe Challenge kicked off with a free defensive driving program, which included hands-on driving skills training and classroom material. An interactive website provides teens with detailed instruction, as well as gives parents the tools to shape responsible driving behavior.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7772251-mercury-teen-drive-safe-challenge/
The Verizon Innovative App Challenge - the no-coding-skills-needed contest that gives middle and high school students a chance to bring their problem-solving app ideas to life - is back! In its fourth year, the App Challenge calls students to gather teams, dream up ideas, and create concepts for mobile apps that could solve problems in their schools and communities.
For the first time, the App Challenge will be open to teams representing non-profit organizations in addition to schools, and even more students will earn free tablets and cash awards for the groups they represent. The deadline for submission is Nov. 24, and the winners will be named in January 2016.
Bill Nye, the Science Guy, is helping Verizon to encourage students nationwide to submit their ideas and to organize their teams now.
Created by the Verizon Foundation in partnership with the Technology Student Association, the App Challenge offers hands-on, experiential learning to ultimately help students envision brighter futures for themselves that they may never have imagined, as business owners, app inventors and professional coders.
To view the multimedia release visit:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7593951-verizon-innovative-app-challenge/
Kushion.com, launches today featuring Kushion the first true Bluetooth Speaker Pillow that will enhance several aspects of your life. Connect to your phone for hands free talking, charge your phone and still keep the whole house thumpin' with home theater quality speakers all in your pillow. This multi-functional next generation “Boom Box” enhances the experience in your bedroom, hotel room, living room, dorm room also great for tailgating and gaming…. practically anywhere.
“After 2 years of development the Kushion has arrived, taking pillow talk and after parties to new heights,” says David Fuchs of Kushion.com. And it charges your phone!
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7909051-kushion-bluetooth-speaker-pillow/
littleBits, the award-winning company that empowers kids to be inventors, today announced the launch of its Droid Inventor Kit, which enables kids to create their own Droid. An integral part of the global launch of Disney and Lucasfilm's Force Friday II, the Droid Inventor Kit brings Droids to life, inspiring imagination and invention for kids around the world. Kids can easily create and power up their own mechanical companion using littleBits electronic Bits--along with the free Droid Inventor app--to send their creation on more than 17 special Star Wars missions, complete with authentic Droid sounds from the Star Wars films. As they unlock new capabilities and level up their Droid Inventor skills, kids can also learn how to create their own custom R2 Units and experiences, combining play with real hands-on learning.
“Today we are continuing a global inventor movement that empowers young people to participate in a story that inspires them to be creators, not just consumers of technology,” said Ayah Bdeir, founder & CEO of littleBits. “We’ve created a gender-inclusive product that celebrates kids’ own self-expression and ingenuity, while showcasing the same characteristics of imagination, grit and invention that are embodied in the Star Wars franchise.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8170651-littlebits-droid-inventor-kit-star-wars-kids-toys-stem/
Meet your family’s new best friend thanks to Onelink by First Alert! Today at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, First Alert is introducing the new Onelink Safe & Sound with Amazon Alexa built-in. Experience the first announced Alexa-enabled smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm and premium home speaker at a fun-filled Amazon Treasure Truck event, just outside of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The revolutionary device delivers added convenience and enjoyment to every household, acting as a smart smoke/CO alarm, premium home speaker and Alexa-enabled smart device. The Onelink Safe & Sound provides hands-free access to Alexa, letting people simply use voice to play music, hear the news, check the weather, control smart home devices, and more.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8251551-first-alert-onelink-amazon-treasure-truck-ces-2018/
A National Safety Council public opinion poll found more than eight in 10 Americans believe cell phones are addictive, underscoring the need to help drivers kick their cell phone use habit – even hands-free. The Council is launching a national campaign, Calls Kill, to illustrate that hands-free cell phones are not risk-free, and no call is worth a life. Visit nsc.org/CallsKill for downloadable posters, infographics, videos, tip sheets and other information related to this important topic.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7398051-nsc-cell-phone-calls-kill/
Vertex was commissioned to work on a disposable surgical/medical product design of the Direct View Retractor (DVR). This device is an illuminated, hands free retractor permitting direct visualization of the saphenous vein and branches during dissection to facilitate an atraumatic harvest.
