Apple has revealed that it will be adding new menstrual tracking software to the Health app with the upcoming iOS 13 and Watch OS 6 update. The Cycle Tracker will be beneficial for women to keep a track of their cycles, as it will help predict future periods, track symptoms such as spotting and cramps, record cycle history and even predict fertility windows. The Cycle Tracker will also be available on the Apple Watch. In addition to menstrual tracking, the iOS 13 update will also include noise tracking, notifying users when the noise around them is too loud and potentially damaging to their hearing.
Robots to relieve chronic pain
Researchers at Swinburne have developed a collaborative robot system to automatically treat back, neck and head pain caused by soft tissue injury. The system uses a collaborative robot to apply targeted laser therapy to identified pain spots, based on an analysis of the patient by a thermal camera. According to researchers, unlike conventional industrial robots that operate in a cage, collaborative robots are designed to work alongside people. Since they are power and speed limited, they can collide with people without causing harm.
Video games for the vision impaired
‘Lost and Hound’, a new game developed by Brian Fairbanks, a West Aussie indie game developer, is fully accessible for visually impaired people. For example, in tracking the dog Biscuit, the player follows an audio trail that reflects a dog’s powerful sense of hearing to complete a rescue mission. Each level draws inspiration from real-life search and rescue dog situations, such as sniffing out survivors in rubble after earthquakes and in collapsed mines. Even a scent trail is represented through a low, pleasing hum. Although it looks like a regular game, the levels can be completed using audio alone with headphones.