Merging Of Man

Posted on August 19, 2020 by Andy (Avraham) Blumenthal

In light of the shutdown due to Coronavirus and nearly everyone doing 100% telework, this cartoon was particularly funny.

I can’t remember–do I work at home or do I live at work?

Maybe this is the ultimate merging of the two halves of ourselves–the worker and the family man/woman.

These days were seeing a lot of mergers like this:

– Man-machine with embedded technology, robotics, and AI

– Man-environment with environmentalism and greening technologies

– Man-media with social media and other 100% always-on social computing

So why not Man Family-Work, it’s just another merger of near equals in our day-to-day lives. 😉

Israel 2020: Day 5

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Andy (Avraham) Blumenthal

Went to the Holon Design Museum (south of Tel Aviv) today.

They had exhibit called States of Extreme.

I found some really cool exhibits and ideas there.

Sort of felt my mind being expanded by it, which is I suppose one of the purposes of going to this.

Two of my favorite from today:

1) The chair with people legs and

2) The Fanuc robotic arm feeding the baby in the crib.

Hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

And Shabbat Shalom to everyone from the Holy Land!

(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

The Real Threat Is Surprise Attacks

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Andy (Avraham) Blumenthal

Please see my new article in Israel Defense called, “The Real Threat is Surprise Attacks.“

The element of surprise can overcome most defenses. This can happen whether through an insider threat or through new and stealthy technologies. Already in August 2018, two explosive-laden drones were used to attack the president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro. Similarly, last year, in the movie, Angel Has Fallen, we saw the president of the United States attacked by a swarm of drones. While this is a great threat in and of itself, I believe that the greater threat lies in the miniaturization of the drones, in some cases, drones with the size, shape, and function of insects.

Unfortunately, Yigal Amir used the element of surprise to assassinate the prime minister of Israel. Now there are other high-tech threats like miniaturized, weaponized drones. There is no excuse for us not to be on the lookout for and to be prepared to defend against these, so that our leadership and our democracies are duly protected. Surprise is a big advantage in warfare, but we must be one step ahead, so that we are prepared to defend against these as well as to turn the tables and effectively employ the continued element of surprise against our relentless adversaries.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

3D Printed Octopus: “Shabbat Shalom”

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Andy (Avraham) Blumenthal

This is a 3D Printed Octopus.

The bendable legs are cute.

It’s sitting on a camera and tripod.

Soon 3D Printed Objects will even talk, and when they do, this one will say:

Shabbat Shalom!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Robot Warriors Kick Human A*s

Posted on October 29, 2019 by Andy (Avraham) Blumenthal

This is one incredible parody video of what robotic warriors of the future will be able to do.

The robot takes an incredible beating and never misses a shot!

They even hit him numerous times with a battering ram for Pete’s sake.

Also, amazed that none of the actors in this video ended up taking a bullet or two.

Wow, the future is going to be amazing. 😉

(Thank you to my wonderful son-in-law for sending this to me)

Copy Any Key

Posted on August 17, 2019 by Andy (Avraham) Blumenthal

Thought this was pretty cool in Safeway supermarket.

A automated key copy machine.

You insert your key.

And out pops a duplicate for you.

Home, car, business, whatever.

What is happening to that guy who used to work the key copy machine at the local locksmith?

Who says automation and robotics isn’t taking and going to take away jobs.

I still remember that key machine–where the locksmith would put the key on one side and a blank on the other, and the machine would copy the surface grooves of one unto the other.

Now even that is gone.

I guess we’re lucky still to have keys (for now). 😉

(Credit Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)

Retro Cool Digital Watch

Posted on July 18, 2019 by Andy (Avraham) Blumenthal

Wow, I love this retro digital Computron watch from Bulova.

I remember when the first digital LED watches with the red numbers like this first came out in the 1970s.

They were quite expensive then!

Part of the computer revolution. LOL

I remember my uncle had something like this and I thought how cool it was–no moving hands to read.

Also, has a little of that sci-fi Battlestar Galactica red (moving) light effect from the cybernetic enemy, Cylon visors.

What’s old is what’s new. 😉

Face Vase

Posted on July 17, 2019 by Andy (Avraham) Blumenthal

Thought this was a pretty cool Face Vase.

If you add a digital home assistant to this (like Amazon Echo or Google Assistant) and make the lips move on this vase, it would be quite the futuristic home assistant!

I don’t think I’d feel comfortable living in my own house anymore. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)