Barely anything that truly makes me pause on the internet is shot using traditional, modern camera tech. I appreciate the grainy texture of film photos and the fast, smooth zoom of a shitty camcorder, but more than anything, I love an artist who has the guts to throw something completely different at their audience. I love those viral Marc Jacobs videos featuring Lil Uzi Vert and FKA Twigs, and Jack Harlows Hello Miss Johnson videoboth shot by Yulya Shadrinky using what looks like security cameras. I am amused by Ben Nunezs art project in which he wore a police bodycam for a full year and uploaded each day to a public YouTube channel. I love this BITTER000000 video produced by Liv Solomon thats shot using a pair of spy glasses. They make the tech that usually makes me uncomfortable feel like an opportunity for creative expression.When two years ago, Zuck announced the Ray-Ban Meta partnership, most people I know were disturbeda creepy tech nerd discreetly recording you in public was the first and only use case that popped into our heads. It also felt like a step further into the dystopian future that we dreada self-imposed surveillance state, the main character epidemic, and the online and offline worlds slowly but surely melting together. There is nothing that kills my vibe more than turning my head in a $40 workout class and getting a glimpse of someones phone propped up in the corner or watching a teenager in front of me at a concert record the entire thing and plop it on their Snap story.Yulya Shadrinky for Marc Jacobs, Ben Nunezs Bodycam, and Liv Solomons BITTER000000 video for OfficeLately through, Ive been hearing from the artists and creatives I like that they are curious about the smart glasses. Some of them even quietly asked Meta for a free pair to play around with, and that doesnt include the ones who got paid to wear them during fashion week. While most of them couldnt care less about the AI assistant part, they are intrigued by the built-in cameraif only its high resolution didnt make it so commercial. I didnt like the way the footage looks, Liv Solomon tells me about her experience trying out the Meta glasses. It just kind of mimics an iPhone camera and that, to me, feels redundant. At that point, you can just hold up an iPhone and take a video.Nadia Lee Cohen wearing Meta glasses to Copernis show and Alexander Roth repping them on a JPG brand tripFor that BITER000000 project that she produced for Office magazine, she went with a random pair of cheap camera glasses from Amazon. It was a combination of wanting to capture the raw Uncut Gems vibe of New York Citys Diamond District and show the intimate process of making jewelryboth of which arent outsider-friendlythat led her to the idea of using spy glasses in the first place, she explains. Besides the moody texture that creates an interesting visual aesthetic, they also added layers of meaning to the project. There is something about sneaking in a recording device into a place full of hidden cameras, documenting the entirety of the creative process, and the videographer passing over the controls to her subjects that turns up the thrill and the level of trust required to pull the project off.Unlike an iPhone or a proper modern camera that become invisible in the final cut, surveillance tech is a character of its own that has the power to turn the most mundane happenings into a cultural statement or at the very least, make the final piece technically impressive. Eugene Kotlyarenkos latest movie The Code is a great example of how a project can benefit from it. Patched up from the footage captured on more than 70 cameras, including security cameras, spy glasses, and 360° camera mounted on a head strap, it follows a troubled young couple, Celine and Jay, caught up in a downward spiral of mutual surveillance. When Jay suspects that Celines urge to make a COVID documentary is actually a ploy to damage his reputation, he gets a bunch of hidden cameras to catch her saying or doing something horrible as a form of insurance.
Because of the films amateur production style, abundance of POV footage, and characters frequently looking and speaking directly into the camera, the viewer ends up becoming the third main character of the film. Halfway through, it becomes hard to draw the line between Jays and Celines personalities and performancesan allegory for how our online and office behaviors are shaped by the casual panopticon weve collectively built. Throughout the film, the characters set up so many uncomfortable, vulnerable, and invasive scenes that its unclear who wants to stick around morethe viewer who is curious to see how this train wreck of a relationship ends, or the characters who need the viewer to see their side in the anxious anticipation of the finale.Unlike other art and creative projects of this genre, like Harmony Korines Baby Invasion, Black Mirror, or even Kotlyarenkos earlier movie Spree, The Code not only provides the audience with an experience and food for thought, it tells a real story. It takes the subject of mutual surveillance and the social dynamics that unravel around it, out of that video game, sci-fi context that makes these projects feel like an exaggerated portrayal of a distant dystopian future that the viewer brushes off the second the credits roll. It feels like we are only scratching the surface in terms of how the voluntary wish to sacrifice the last remnants of privacy in search of safety, intimacy, attention, and self-expression has impacted our social lives, careers, and daily routines. These stories are current and so painfully trivial that perhaps, using alt camera tech to capture them might be the best way to communicate how important and nuanced they are without turning them into a violent, disturbig spectacle.But even on a more casual level, its an opportunity to have fun, challenge yourself creatively, and shake up the dynamics within existing cultural institutions. Jacquemus threw off its camera-ready fashion show guests with a hidden camera placed in an elevatorthe response was so positive that Tory Burch copied the concept a few days later. Moni Haworth shot this surveillance camera-esque cover story for The Face where Yeat got to play a weird blurry character rather than be a human billboard for Chrome Hearts and Acne Studios. Jason Stewart threw on a bodycam-looking setup to record himself cooking green wings for a subtle comedic effect. Although cumulatively, all of these innocent projects still prompt a larger discussion about the way public attention has shifted away from the main act towards backstage, how the power dynamics between the audience, the talent, and the crew constantly fluctuate, and whether we are getting fed up with authenticity.Yeat for The Face magazine shot by Moni HaworthIts a matter of time before we see people who do have an interesting approach get their hands on these [smart glasses], Liv tells me as she draws a comparison to Pavel Golik and Juergen Teller figuring out a way to shoot compelling editorial content on an iPhone. Its a matter of giving someone, like Nadia Lee Cohen who has already worn smart glasses to a Coperni show, a check and an empty brief for them to catch on. Its a matter of throwing an atmospheric house track over one more Uncut Gem-style video for me personally to order a pair of bootleg camera glasses on Amazon. Where does this urge to experiment and reclaim the tech that frightens us in an act of empowering exhibitionism take the casual panopticon and every conversation that surrounds it? That, I am not so sure of.Viktoriia Vasileva is a brand strategist, researcher, and writer. Shes worked with brands, like Perfectly Imperfect and Partiful, and her expertise has appeared in Vogue Spain, Inc., and South Shine Morning Post. This essay first appeared in her newsletter about creativity, brands, and business Viks Busy Corner.
If you’re a member of the Class of 2025, youre entering a workplace unlike any before you. While your predecessors had to adapt to email, social media, and cloud computing, you’re stepping directly into the age of artificial intelligence. This isn’t just another technological shift. It’s a fundamental reimagining of how work gets done. Instead of being a victim of disruption, you have the opportunity to position yourself as an architect of an AI-powered future.
Several recent studies indicate that companies effectively integrating AI achieve productivity gains of up to 40%. However, many organizations struggle with implementation, not because the technology isn’t ready, but because of a lack of a workforce skilled in leveraging it. This presents an unprecedented opportunity for you as a digital native who views AI not as a threat to manage but as a tool to master.
Focus on Partnership, Not Replacement
Start by recognizing that AI isn’t coming for jobs per se. It’s automating a wide range of tasks. While AI will automate certain functions, it will simultaneously create new opportunities and roles. Instead of fearing AI as a job-stealing technology, you should see it as a valuable partner that can help you work smarter and more efficiently.
To succeed, you need to identify routine tasks within your role that AI can handle. This could include drafting initial reports, analyzing data patterns, or researching industry trends. Your goal is to employ AI to eliminate time-consuming work and invest that saved time in high-value activities like strategic thinking, relationship building, and creative problem-solving.
As soon as you start your new job, audit your responsibilities and ask: “Which of these could be automated or AI-assisted?” Then experiment with the available tools in your organization. Most importantly, communicate your AI-enhanced productivity to your supervisorsthey need to see that you’re not just working faster, but delivering higher-quality strategic thinking.
Invest in Continuous Upskilling
Then you need to commit to continuous learning. The half-life of technical skills is shrinking rapidly. What you learned in your senior year may already be outdated by the time you’ve been in your first job for just a few months.
As futurist Alvin Toffler predicted decades ago, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” You’re living this reality in real-time.
You must treat your first job as an extension of your education, not its conclusion. The most effective approach is to create a structured learning plan: Dedicate time weekly to exploring new AI tools relevant to your industry, enroll in online courses that build both technical understanding and business application skills, and seek out internal projects where you can experiment with AI solutions.
Don’t wait for your company to provide AI trainingtake the initiative. Join professional associations focused on AI in your field, attend virtual conferences, and connect with other professionals who are successfully integrating AI into their work. Document your experiments and insights; this portfolio of AI experience becomes increasingly valuable as your career progresses.
Become the Translator
Perhaps the most valuable role you can play is serving as an interpreter between AI capabilities and business needs. Many senior executives understand AI’s potential in theory but struggle to see practical applications for their specific challenges. Meanwhile, technical teams can build sophisticated AI systems but may miss crucial business context.
You’re uniquely positioned to bridge this gap. To capitalize on this opportunity, develop the skill of translating technical capabilities into business language. When you encounter AI tools or capabilities, practice explaining them in terms of business outcomes: cost savings, revenue generation, risk reduction, or customer satisfaction improvements.
Position yourself as someone who can identify automation opportunities that others might overlook. Look for repetitive processes, data analysis tasks, or pattern recognition challenges within your organization. Then propose AI solutions in terms that resonate with decision-makers: “This could save us X hours per week” or “This could improve accuracy by Y percent.” Your ability to recognize and communicate these opportunities makes you indispensable.
Embrace Your Ethical Responsibility
With great power comes great responsibility, and you’re inheriting both. As AI becomes more prevalent, your generation of business leaders will shape how it’s deployed. This isn’t just about efficiency gainsit’s about ensuring AI serves humanity rather than replacing it.
You should already be grappling with these ethical dimensions. Make yourself valuable by understanding both the opportunities and risks of AI implementation. Learn to ask the right questions: How might this AI system impact different user groups? What data privacy concerns does this raise? How do we ensure transparency in automated decision-making?
Develop expertise in responsible AI practices. This means understanding bias detection, fairness metrics, and explainability requirements. Companies increasingly need employees who can implement AI solutions that meet not just performance criteria, but also ethical and regulatory standards. Position yourself as someone who thinks holistically about AI deployment.
Amplify Innovation Through AI
Your most exciting opportunities lie not in using AI to perform existing work more quickly, but in envisioning entirely new possibilities. You’re not burdened by “that’s not how we’ve always done it” thinking, which makes you a natural innovator in this space.
Consider AI-powered customer service that provides genuinely helpful support, or predictive analytics that identify market opportunities before competitors spot them. The applications are limited only by your imagination and execution. You should see AI not just as a productivity tool, but as a creativity amplifier.
Leverage Your Fast Fish Advantage
Klaus Schwab’s warning rings especially true for your generation: “In the new world, it is not the big fish which eats the small fish, it’s the fast fish which eats the slow fish.” You have a natural speed advantageyou’re not slowed down by outdated assumptions or resistance to change.
Your success will depend on combining velocity with wisdom, embracing AI’s potential while thoughtfully considering its implications. You’re the one asking not just “what can AI do?” but “what should AI do?”
Grasp the Opportunity
As artificial intelligence reshapes the business landscape, you stand at a unique inflection point. You can choose to be a passive observer of technological change, or an active architect of an AI-powered future that benefits everyone. The early evidence suggests your generation is choosing the latterand that choice will define not just your career, but the future of work itself.
The AI revolution isn’t comingfor you, it’s already here. The question isn’t whether you’ll adapt; it’s how quickly you’ll lead. Your generation doesn’t just have the opportunity to ride this wave of changeyou have the responsibility to shape it. The time to act is now.
There comes a time in every person’s life when they have to say goodbye to a situation that they have outgrown. The same concept applies to eaglets who fledge or leave the nesttypically, when they reach 10 to 14 weeks of age.
Millions of people have been watching this happen in real time thanks to a viral nest camera operated by the nonprofit Friends of the Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), located in California. Since the beginning of 2025, the live-stream of this family of bald eaglesheaded by Jackie and Shadowhas emerged as a bonafide phenomenon of internet culture, providing an escape for Americans burned out on news and politics.
Now Jackie and Shadow’s offspring, Sunny and Gizmo, have officially flown away from home for the first time, meaning the end is near for their time at home. Here’s what to expect next:
Gender reveal (or something close)
Although the only way to know definitively is through a blood test, at the end of May, FOBBV announced that it believes both Sunny and Gizmo are females. This is because of the sisters’ size and vocalizations. Another indication is their love of food.
Speaking of eating, the best way to tell the sisters apart is their mouths. The corner of Gizmos is thicker and more of an orange color. Sunnys is not as curved.
Timeline: When did the eaglets first leave the nest?
Sunny is the oldest by four days, so it makes sense that she decided to take off first. At 90 days old, she left the nests Y branch on Monday, June 2, at 10:46 a.m. local time. Gizmo looked on in awe as Sunny made her way to the nearby Roost Tree. Parents Jackie and Shadow spent the night with her perched below.
FOBBV warned viewers that Sunny might not return to the nest right away because a flight of that height would require some major wing power. Sunny said challenge accepted and returned to check in on her sister the very next day. She continued to drop in especially during mealtimes.
Gizmos turn
On Saturday, June 7, it was Gizmos turn to fledge. Her first flight was not as graceful as her sister’s. At around 8:27 a.m. local time, it almost appeared as if she fell, misstepped, and was forced into flight.
Regardless of whether this was accidental or not, she made the best of it and landed on the nearby Simba Tree. This happened at the same time that Shadow was bringing breakfast to the empty nest. The caring dad found his daughter on the Simba Tree and kept an eye on her as she recovered from her big moment.
Whats next for the eagles?
Sunny and Gizmo returned to the nest on Monday for dinner. Fans were happy for this reunion because they know these days are numbered.
The eaglets will hang around the area for a couple of months, learning important survival skillssuch as huntingfrom their parents.
After that, they may disperse and find a new territory of their own. Bald eagles can be found in most of Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. They like to live near a body of water, which acts as a food supply. Their iconic white heads will come in at 4 to 5 years of age, around the time of sexual maturity. Then the cycle will repeat itself all over again, proving that goodbyes are often just the beginning of new adventures.
Be sure to watch the web camera embedded below for these last precious moments. (At last check it had more than 15,000 concurrent viewers in the early-morning hours of Tuesday.)
After stumbling out of the starting gate in Big Tech’s pivotal race to capitalize on artificial intelligence, Apple tried to regain its footing Monday during an annual developers conference that focused mostly on incremental advances and cosmetic changes in its technology.The presummer rite, which attracted thousands of developers from nearly 60 countries to Apple’s Silicon Valley headquarters, subdued compared with the feverish anticipation that surrounded the event in the last two years.Apple highlighted plans for more AI tools designed to simplify people’s lives and make its products even more intuitive. It also provided an early glimpse at the biggest redesign of its iPhone software in a decade. In doing so, Apple executives refrained from issuing bold promises of breakthroughs that punctuated recent conferences, prompting CFRA analyst Angelo Zino to deride the event as a “dud” in a research note.
More AI, but what about Siri?
In 2023, Apple unveiled a mixed-reality headset that has been little more than a niche product, and last year WWDC trumpeted its first major foray into the AI craze with an array of new features highlighted by the promise of a smarter and more versatile version of its virtual assistant, Siri a goal that has yet to be realized.“This work needed more time to reach our high-quality bar,” Craig Federighi, Apple’s top software executive, said Monday at the outset of the conference. The company didn’t provide a precise timetable for when Siri’s AI upgrade will be finished but indicated it won’t happen until next year at the earliest.“The silence surrounding Siri was deafening,” said Forrester Research analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee said. “No amount of text corrections or cute emojis can fill the yawning void of an intuitive, interactive AI experience that we know Siri will be capable of when ready. We just don’t know when that will happen. The end of the Siri runway is coming up fast, and Apple needs to lift off.”
Is Apple, with its ‘liquid glass,’ still a trendsetter?
The showcase unfolded amid nagging questions about whether Apple has lost some of the mystique and innovative drive that has made it a tech trendsetter during its nearly 50-year history.Instead of making a big splash as it did with the Vision Pro headset and its AI suite, Apple took a mostly low-key approach that emphasized its effort to spruce up the look of its software with a new design called “Liquid Glass” while also unveiling a new hub for its video games and new features like a “Workout Buddy” to help manage physical fitness.Apple executives promised to make its software more compatible with the increasingly sophisticated computer chips that have been powering its products while also making it easier to toggle between the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.“Our product experience has become even more seamless and enjoyable,” Apple CEO Tim Cook told the crowd as the 90-minute showcase wrapped up.IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo said Apple seemed to be largely using Monday’s conference to demonstrate the company still has a blueprint for success in AI, even if it’s going to take longer to realize the vision that was presented a year ago.“This year’s event was not about disruptive innovation, but rather careful calibration, platform refinement and developer enablement positioning itself for future moves rather than unveiling game-changing technologies,” Jeronimo said.
Apple’s next operating system will be iOS 26
Besides redesigning its software. Apple will switch to a method that automakers have used to telegraph their latest car models by linking them to the year after they first arrive at dealerships. That means the next version of the iPhone operating system due out this autumn will be known as iOS 26 instead of iOS 19 as it would be under the previous naming approach that has been used since the device’s 2007 debut.The iOS 26 upgrade is expected to be released in September around the same time Apple traditionally rolls out the next iPhone models.
Playing catchup in AI
Apple opened the proceedings with a short video clip featuring Federighi speeding around a track in a Formula 1 race car. Although it was meant to promote the June 27 release of the Apple film, “F1” starring Brad Pitt, the segment could also be viewed as an unintentional analogy to the company’s attempt to catch up to the rest of the pack in AI technology.While some of the new AI tricks compatible with the latest iPhones began rolling out late last year as part of free software updates, the delays in a souped-up Siri became so glaring that the chastened company stopped promoting it in its marketing campaigns earlier this year.While Apple has been struggling to make AI that meets its standards, the gap separating it from other tech powerhouses is widening. Google keeps packing more AI into its Pixel smartphone lineup while introducing more of the technology into its search engine to dramatically change the way it works. Samsung, Apple’s biggest smartphone rival, is also leaning heavily into AI. Meanwhile, ChatGPT recently struck a deal that will bring former Apple design guru Jony Ive into the fold to work on a new device expected to compete against the iPhone.
Regulatory and trade challenges
Besides grappling with innovation challenges, Apple also faces regulatory threats that could siphon away billions of dollars in revenue that help finance its research and development. A federal judge is currently weighing whether proposed countermeasures to Google’s illegal monopoly in search should include a ban on long-running deals worth $20 billion annually to Apple while another federal judge recently banned the company from collecting commissions on in-app transactions processed outside its once-exclusive payment system.On top of all that, Apple has been caught in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump’s trade war with China, a key manufacturing hub for the Cupertino, California, company. Cook successfully persuaded Trump to exempt the iPhone from tariffs during the president’s first administration, but he has had less success during Trump’s second term, which seems more determined to prod Apple to make its products in the U.S.The multidimensional gauntlet facing Apple is spooking investors, causing the company’s stock price to plunge by 20% so far this year a decline that has erased about $750 billion in shareholder wealth. After beginning the year as the most valuable company in the world, Apple now ranks third behind longtime rival Microsoft, another AI leader, and AI chipmaker Nvidia.Apple’s shares closed down by more than 1% on Monday an early indication the company’s latest announcements didn’t inspire investors.
Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer
Apple has unveiled iOS 26, its new operating system for the iPhone. The new software brings many changes and advancements with it, including an all-new transparent design language called Liquid Glass, which allows background colors of content on your iPhones screen to show through interface elements like buttons and toolbars.
iOS 26 is also introducing other useful features, including major improvements to the way the iPhone handles phone calls, a dedicated gaming app, enhancements to its artificial intelligence offerings, updates to Messages and Maps, and more.
However, while Apple has now showcased iOS 26, not everyone can get their hands on it yet. Some can download iOS 26 today, while others will need to wait until later in the summeror into the fall. Heres when and how you can download iOS 26.
iOS 26 developer beta: download it now
Apple unveiled iOS 26 at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday, June 9. That day, the company made what is known as the iOS 26 Developer Beta immediately available for download onto iPhones.
However, as the developer beta moniker suggests, this version of iOS 26, which is now available, is only accessible to registered Apple developers. The good news is that anyone can register for the Apple Developer Program (membership costs $99 per year). But unless youre an actual developer, its best to stay clear of the iOS 26 Developer Beta.
The reason for this is that developer betas are notoriously buggy. In fact, one of the primary purposes of a beta program is to allow users to identify and report bugs, enabling Apple to fix them before the software is released to the general public. And some bugs can be nastyleading to lost data or even damaged devices.
Thats why, unless you are an actual developer making apps for iOS, its best to steer clear of the iOS 26 Developer Beta.
iOS 26 public beta: download it in July
The good news is you dont have to be a developer to beta test iOS 26. Apple also offers a public Apple Beta Software Program that allows anyone who signs up for it to get early access to beta software, including iOS 26.
This iOS 26 beta, released through the Apple Beta Software Program, is colloquially known as the iOS 26 Public Beta. This beta is generally safer to use than the Developer Beta, but Apple releases it after it has had the chance to fix some of the critical bugs that developers report finding in the Developer Beta.
That bad news about the iOS 26 Public Beta is that Apple wont release it to the public until July. The public beta is also updated a few weeks later than the Developer Beta, which means developers get any beta improvements first, while public beta testers will have to wait a while longer (again, this is primarily done to protect public beta testers from any critical bugs).
Anyone can sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program for free, which will then enable you to install the iOS 26 Public Beta when Apple releases it next month.
iOS 26 general release: download it in September
If putting potentially buggy software on your phone doesnt appeal to you, then youll want to wait for what is referred to as the iOS 26 general release. This is the finished version of iOS 26.0 that Apple will release to iPhone owners everywhere in the fall.
The general release is a thoroughly tested piece of software that has (at least in theory) all of the critical bugs fixed and most of the minor bugs, too. Its the safest version of iOS 26 to put on your iPhone and is the release that Apple considers the finished version.
Apple has historically made the general release of the latest iOS available for download in September, and we expect Apple to continue that trend this year.
These days, on any stretch of highway, youre likely to encounter an assortment of electric vehicles, from passenger cars to buses, trucks, and motorcycles. Likely absent? An electric RV.
This is a tall order for three main reasons, according to McKay Featherstone, senior vice president of global innovation at the RV manufacturer Thor Industries: RVs need to travel long distances without stopping, U.S. EV chargers aren’t always readily available along highways, and many drivers want to enjoy their vehicle off-grid. This year, a Thor subsidiary is set to debut the countrys first-ever hybrid electric RV, and Featherstone says it solves those problems in one fell swoop.
Thors prototype hybrid RV, a 2024 test model made in collaboration with the EV company Harbinger Motors, is a Class A motorhome (essentially a truck and home in one). Its hybrid construction means it works like a regular EV, with an added gas generator that can charge its batteries in a pinch. Other companies, like Lightship and Grounded EV, are currently focused on making electric RVs for the U.S. market (the company Bowlus has a luxury model that’s commercially available), but Thor believes its new vehicle will be the first-ever hybrid model in the country.
Thor’s hybrid RV delivers 150 miles of electric range and 500 miles with the gas range extendermore than double the average range of EV vans and trucks in the U.S. It can charge at any campsite hookup, and all of its amenities can be powered up off-grid.
The generator can provide electricity so you can go further down the road, or so you can stay at the campsite longer, Featherstone says.
Harbinger helped Thor modify an existing electric chassis design into a hybrid model tailored to the dimensions of the RV. The chassis is a series powertrain, meaning that all of the energy used by the vehicle comes from the RVs 800-volt lithium-ion batteries. As long as the batteries have some charge, all of the RVs systems will be functional, including heating, cooling, and lights.
Featherstone says the hybrid chassis will be available to Thors subsidiary companies, including brands like Airstream, Jayco, and Tiffin. The first commercially available model is expected to debut sometime this year.
Explore the full list of Fast Companys World Changing Ideas, 100 inspiring projects that are making the world more accessible, equitable, and sustainable for everyone.
In 2012, when a tree fell on her familys car, Jessie Owens life transformed. Both of her parents died, and the then-27-year-old Owen was paralyzed. I lost everything overnight: my independence, career, home, she says. And its hard to rank them, but losing my autonomy to control my own body was up there.
Her spinal cord injury left her with some limited movement, but fine motor skills were especially challenging. Then, a few years ago, she took part in a clinical study of new technology: a device called ARC-EX, which temporarily attaches electrodes to the skin to stimulate sensory nerves in the spine. After a few weeks of therapy, Owen could tie her shoes, open a jar of peanut butter, and drink from a glass without a straw. Theres a quiet dignity in needing less help, she says.
Results of the study appeared in <i>Nature Medicine</i> last year, showing improvements in hand strength or function among 90% of participants. Owen also saw her blood pressure stabilize, and she no longer had neuropathic pain. In the past, after an injury, patients with quadriplegia typically got three months of rehab and were then told nothing more could be done. The study showed it was possible to help people with 34-year-old injuries.
The device, which spun out of research at UCLA, became the first of its kind to get FDA clearance last December. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the medical tech company Onward is bringing ARC-EX to market, with plans to use it at 10 clinics before it becomes widely available later this year. The company is also running studies on an implantable version and a third platform with a brain-computer interface that can help people move again using their thoughts.
Explore the full list of Fast Companys World Changing Ideas, 100 inspiring projects that are making the world more accessible, equitable, and sustainable for everyone.
A decade ago, as bike commuting surged in London, three U.K.-based designers started thinking about how to improve safety. What if a helmet could fold flat when it wasn’t in use so a cyclist could easily carry it around? We knew it was on the edge of impossibility, says Colin Herperger, an architectural designer who led the project. But we had a suspicion that it could exist.
After years of R&D, their new design, the inflatable Ventete aH-1, hit the market in the U.K. last year and sold out within hours. Later this year, its expected to roll out in the U.S.
The helmet, which retails for 350 (about $450), folds down to a tenth of its size to slide into a backpack. When youre ready to jump on a bike, a small USB-C pump attaches to a valve and fills the helmet with air. (Any tire pump can also do the job.) Within 30 seconds, it expands, accordion-style, and the ballistic fabric becomes rigid and strong. In a safety study at Imperial College London, the design outperformed 30 conventional competitors in tests of linear impact absorption.
As the designers expected, the development was challenging. The team initially experimented with 3D printing, then pivoted to fabric, partnering with other companies to create custom materials that could meet their complex performance requirements. Because nothing like this had been produced before, the process also involved innovative manufacturing techniques, such as creating new tools for high-frequency welding.
The startup went through more than 100 iterations before getting to the design that came to market; the company now holds 26 patents. The final helmet has other advantages beyond its portability and strength. Unlike a foam helmet, it doesnt hold in heat, so its more comfortable to wear. And while foam helmets become less effective if theyre dropped, the Ventete helmets pressurized air makes the new version more resilient. It arguably also looks better than a typical helmetmaking it more likely that riders will actually want to wear it.
Explore the full list of Fast Companys World Changing Ideas, 100 inspiring projects that are making the world more accessible, equitable, and sustainable for everyone.
Temperatures in Los Angeles continue to risethe number of annual extreme heat days has tripled over the past century, and average summer temperatures have increased more than one degree Fahrenheit in the past 20 years.
To provide some relief from the sun, StreetsLA is deploying 3,000 bus shelters across some of the highest-ridership areas in L.A. Some of the citys most vulnerable communities live in these neighborhoods and yet green space with natural shade is scarce. Since the shelters started being rolled out, an average of 63,800 riders are seeing the benefits every weekday.
It became a very human-centric effort of understanding who the transit riders are and understanding their needs, says Carlos Madrid III, senior associate principal at SOM LA studio, the architecture firm that designed the project.
Inspired by California modernism architecture, the shelters are simple and functional, with clean lines and a clear indoor-outdoor connection.
Explore the full list of Fast Companys World Changing Ideas, 100 inspiring projects that are making the world more accessible, equitable, and sustainable for everyone.
Dairy farms account for about 2% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Manure in waste lagoons decomposes into methane, a major greenhouse gas.
The Varcor system from Sedron Technologies recycles biosolids into carbon-negative ammonia and dry fertilizer. Varcor also processes dairy waste into certified organic liquid nitrogen and phosphorus-rich dry solids. Traditional nitrogen fertilizer production and wastewater treatment contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, but the Varcor system disrupts this cycle by capturing ammonia directly from wastewater, preventing unnecessary emissions and reducing reliance on petrochemical-based fertilizers. It costs less than current methods, says Stanley Janicki, Sedrons chief commercial officer, and it is solving incredibly large environmental issues.
Explore the full list of Fast Companys World Changing Ideas, 100 inspiring projects that are making the world more accessible, equitable, and sustainable for everyone.
