PODCAST: Robot teacher, study says ‘walk this way’
Greek voters will return to the polls in less than three weeks. The results of the election could determine whether Greece stays in the euro zone or exits in a messy divorce that would disrupt the global economy. Dewey & LeBoeuf, one of the largest law firms in the country, filed for bankruptcy last night after months of financial turmoil and partner defections. Today is the Texas primary. Polls show voters tend to care about the economy and immigration, but education policy is growing in importance. The food truck scene — once a trendy diversion — is now a normal part of city life. Sizzler and other national chains hope to take advantage.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin have developed a robot teacher that can tell when students’ minds start to wander. The robot speaks and delivers lessons all the while, monitoring students’ minds with electrodes. If the robot senses attention starting to wane it responds by raising its voice or gesturing. In tests, the robot was able to boost learning retention. Robot teachers that can tell if you’re paying attention. I feel like I had a nightmare about that once.
It’s a mobile phone; it’s a Geiger counter. There’s news this morning that a mobile phone company called Softbank is coming out with a smart phone in Japan this summer that will monitor radiation levels in this post-Fukushima world. The Pantone line of handsets will come with a Geiger counter microchip built in. The phone can also save the location of the radiation readings and will be available in eight cheery colors.
New research from the Brookings Institution says Americans will pay up to $1,500 more in rent every month to live in a “walkable” neighborhood — say, a place near their dry cleaners or grocery store or favorite restaurant. Christopher Leinberger of the Brookings Institution was one of the lead researchers on the study and he spoke with us about the new urbanized suburb and the rise in singles home buyers.