Apple failed to impress the world with its iPhone 14, however, many other useful innovations and breakthroughs helped transform business, society and life in general, in 2022. Here are some emerging technologies from this year …
TECH ROUNDUP
BMW iX Flow – a colour changing cars
Chameleonic BMW iX Flow is a unique vehicle capable of changing its entire body colour at the touch of a button. First revealed at Consumer Electronics Show 2022, the body of BMW iX Flow is wrapped in colour-changing ‘E Ink’.
When the ‘E Ink; is stimulated by electrical signals controlled by a phone app, it brings different pigments to the surface.
For now, the wrap on the iX Flow can only change from white to black, with shades of gray in between, but BMW said that the technology will be expanded to include colours like blue and red.
Zuvi Halo - heat-free hair drying
Handheld hair dryers have barely changed in a century: they blast hair (and scalps) with very hot air. Zuvi Halo pivots to an infrared-light technology designed to mimic the way the sun evaporates rainwater. Infrared light deposits the energy directly to the water, so that the temperature stays lower. Cooler air means less heat damage, increased internal hair moisture, and longer colour retention.
Weighing just over a pound, it works as fast as a traditional dryer while using up to 60 percent less energy. With its low volume, ambient green glow, and gentle breeze, Zuvi Halo makes drying your hair a calming experience.
Hugimals – a comforting teddy bear
As weighted blankets gained popularity in recent years, Hugimals founder Marina Khidekel saw an opportunity for a more portable product to provide comfort anytime you need a calming hug. Developed in consultation with therapists, psychologists and pediatricians, Hugimals are weighted stuffed animals that feature a removable glass-bead filling to give the sensation of being hugged.
The company partnered with the Toy Foundation to make Hugimals available to patients in children’s hospitals. Hugimals has also seen orders from educators who use them in schools to help kids manage intense emotions and stay focused.
Reprintable paper
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a pollen-based 'paper' that, after being printed on, can be 'erased' and reused multiple times without any damage to the paper.
Using potassium hydroxide, the scientists first removed the cellular components encapsulated in tough sunflower pollen grains and turned them into soft microgel particles. This step also removes the component in pollen that causes allergies.
This innovative, printer-ready pollen paper could become an eco-friendly alternative to conventional paper, which is made via a multi-step process with a significant negative environmental impact.
Arlo touchless video doorbell
Ever thought of a doorbell that rings by itself without pressing the button? Yes, you heard it right, the all-new Arlo Touchless Video Doorbell does it. It uses motion and proximity sensors to detect the presence of a person standing at a certain distance and rings automatically without pressing.
The light signals indicate to the visitor that the doorbell has been activated successfully.
Also, a camera attached to the doorbell informs the identity of the visitor to the people inside. Thus, Arlo’s touchless video doorbell is indeed a unique and handy invention.
Aether diamonds
Companies selling lab-grown diamonds often appeal to consumers’ sense of ethics and sustainability by citing the human rights and environmental implications of traditional diamond mining.
Aether Diamonds is taking things a step further: its diamonds are made from carbon sucked from the atmosphere. Less expensive than mined diamonds but costlier than other lab-grown varieties, they are created with carbon dioxide air-capture technology. After eight to 12 weeks of chemical transformation (as well as cutting and polishing), they are ready to become part of a sparkly engagement ring.
Apple iPhone 14
The latest iteration of the standard iPhone doesn’t include any flashy changes, but everything under the hood has been improved, making it the perfect upgrade for the recipient who just needs a phone that’ll get the job done. There’s a better dual-camera system, and Apple says the new battery should last longer than last year’s model. Do note, however, that the iPhone 14 features the same A15 chip as last year’s iPhone 13 (the Pro lines have a new, faster A16 chip). The cameras have larger sensors for better photos and better image stabilization while recording video.
Autonomous aerial refueling
Boeing MQ-25 Stingray Midair refueling has been around for about a century. But late last year, Boeing made history when its 51-ft.-long MQ-25 Stingray became the first autonomous aircraft to refuel an aircraft during flight. The U.S. Navy has been testing the system, and if all goes as planned, pilotless Stingrays will gas up entire fleets of fighter jets —thereby extending their range to about 1,000 miles — and enter regular military operations in 2026. The Navy plans on procuring 76 of the Boeing-made drones in total.
QingYing E&T iMicro C Smartphone Microscope
This fingertip-size microscope - which weighs a half-gram (0.02 oz.) and easily attaches to any smartphone camera lens with a nano suction pad - magnifies small objects up to 200 times. According to Shanghai based QingYingE&T, the microscope is ideal for ‘large micro’ objects, like insects or gears inside watches. Photography enthusiasts and kids getting into science can enjoy a closer look at the world for a small fraction of the cost of a traditional microscope. An optional µRuler (microruler) measures micro-objects and calibrates the scale bar in a companion app.
Polly - digital braille
When visually impaired children learn braille in a classroom, their teachers can let them know how they are doing. But many of those students don’t have braille readers at home to help them. Now they can use Polly - a wi-fi- enabled device developed by American Printing House for the Blind and Thinkerbell Labs that provides braille learners with instant audio feedback and allows teachers to assign and assess homework remotely. Instead of a standard metal or plastic slate used with paper, learners can write (and correct mistakes) using Polly’s electronic braille slate and stylus - the world’s first.
Plus body wash sheets – a sustainable option
Plus pushes environmentally friendly toiletries beyond refillable bottles with its body-wash sheets that come wrapped in water-soluble sachets. Just open one and remove the dehydrated cleanser, wet it, and watch as it transforms into a moisturizing lather while the packaging dissolves down the drain. Or get the brand’s roll holder and tear off a dissolvable sheet of body wash each shower.
The body wash sheets are available through the company’s website and at Target’s U.S. stores, making it the first mass retail fully dissolvable, waterless body wash.
GAF Energy Timberline – simplifying solar
We will all agree that solar roof system is a pricey affair. So GAF Energy, a sister company of roofing giant GAF, has developed a low-cost solution: Timberline Solar, a rooftop system featuring solar ‘energy shingles’ that can be installed by a roofer with a nail gun.
The new product, certified as a roofing and solar product and warrantied for 25 years, could disrupt solar companies by giving homeowners the option to install a new roof and renewable energy system at the same time.
