Welcome to the BYTE, where we serve up the latest home and tech news from the last week for you to sink your teeth into.
This week we’re taking a BYTE out of a drone delivery system, a baldness-banishing cap, a towing company and drones, autonomous trash cans, and subscription-only electric cars. Dig in!
Generally
Drone Delivery Coming Soon
Wing, a drone delivery service, is partnering with FedEx and Walgreen’s to deliver packages to your home. And by packages, we mean small items like allergy medications and food snacks. So how does the delivery work? According to the company, the drones will take off from a nearby service center, fly around 100-200 feet in the air, and then when they’re ready to make a drop, they’ll hover about 23 feet in the air and lower the box with a tether to your backyard or doorstep. The only downside? The drones can only carry packages the weigh 2-3 pounds, so if you thought they could bring you a TV, think again.
A New Way to Grow Hair
Like most things, growing up comes with not only emotional changes, but physical changes as well. Fortunately, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have created a way to help bald or balding people help their hair grow back – a wearable cap. According to Professor Xudong Wang, the device automatically converts head movements into regular electric pulses to stimulate hair follicle to grow hairs. The cap can actually be fitted to any head wear, including hats.
Take Notes
Have No Fear, The Drones Are Here
We’ve all experienced it – our car breaks down in the middle of the road and we’re stuck for hours waiting for roadside assistance. However, one towing truck company – 360 Towing Solutions – is trying to change that through the use of drones. One of the company’s senior executives stated that “drones will be sent to the stranded vehicles first, and the drone will be used for capturing photos and videos of the stranded vehicles.” Their goal? To know exactly what kind of tools are needed and what size tow truck is needed.
From Autonomous Cars to… Autonomous Trash Cans?
Yes, you read that right. Everyone’s least favorite chore just got an upgrade. Dubbed the SmartCan, this new trash can responds to commands from a mobile app and will take itself out. Rezzi CEO and SmartCan creator, Andrew Murray, said “we want to help people eliminate unnecessary chores from their daily lives.” And according to the President and CEO of Protolabs, autonomous products are becoming more common in the consumer electronics industry.
Subscription-Only Electric Car
Not only can you buy, lease, or rent a car, but now you can also pay a monthly-subscription fee to drive a car. Sure, electric cars are cool, but they’re also expensive, which is why electric car company, Canoo decided to pursue a subscription-only business model. “Today’s younger people, they don’t want to put a lot of money on the table and own a car,” said Ulrich Kranz of Canoo. The car itself has room for seven people and its range at full charge is 250 miles.
Totally Unrelated
Downtown Abbey Castle Available to Rent
Downtown Abbey fans rejoice! The all-too-familiar castle is available to rent on Airbnb. Two lucky guests will be treated to evening cocktails in the saloon, butler service during a three-course dinner in the State Dining Room, post-dinner coffee in the library, a room in one of the Gallery bedrooms with an en-suite bathroom, and a lavish breakfast the next morning. Talk about a royal treatment!
