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Would you like a side of offshoring with that?

Amanda Aronczyk Kenny Malone

September 30, 2022 |

NPR |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Canada, Toronto

To combat hiring issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, some restaurants have leaned on more innovative solutions, like hiring offshore workers to work remotely from other countries. These virtual cashier systems provide ease for employers while still providing customers with a real person to talk to.

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Abuja startup training children robotics, coding for free

Mustapha Usman

September 02, 2022 |

International Centre for Investigative Reporting |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Abuja

The free summer boot camp organized by the Dumena Foundation teaches young students how to build and design circuits and also educates them in tech fields like robotics, engineering, and programming. Since launching in 2019, the organization has trained over 3,000 students across 22 schools in the region in order to bridge the gap in tech education and get students on track for careers in the field.

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How Radar Is Helping Track Down Lost Indigenous Grave Sites

Diane Peters

March 28, 2022 |

Undark |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, British Columbia

Various First Nations communities and organizations are using ground penetrating radar (GPR) to uncover lost indigenous grave sites. So far, Indigenous groups across Canada have used GPR and other technologies to identify more than 1,800 possible graves at former residential schools and the movement is also making strides throughout the U.S.

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Drones from scraps: How a Malawian startup is transforming medical supply delivery

Charles Pensulo

September 29, 2021 |

Hardware Things |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Malawi

Micromek builds low-cost drones using mostly 3D printers and recycled materials and delivers supplies to rural health clinics and relief organizations during natural disasters. The company’s drones can access a drone-friendly air corridor set up by the Malawian government to make the journeys more successful.

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The robot will see you now

Tom Hallberg

June 02, 2021 |

Jackson Hole News & Guide |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Jackson, Wyoming

The Da Vinci Robot allows surgeons to perform soft tissue procedures with advanced technologies like electrocautery to cauterize tissue as it cuts and 3-D camera, without having to make a big incision. The robot acts as an extension of the surgeon’s hands, replicating human movements in a more fluid and flexible way than tools used for other minimally invasive surgeries. After substantial training on the device, studies show that the robot reduces physician error and anecdotal evidence supports the laboratory finding that the robot leads to faster recovery and less pain for patients.

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Tired of long waiting times in Starbucks? How about a Robot Barista?

Helena Kudiabor

May 12, 2021 |

Roar News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

To reduce long wait times and exposure to health concerns amid the latest global pandemic, some coffee shops are experimenting with robot baristas. The robot barrista at Café X, in San Francisco, can make about 120 cups of coffee an hour using a robotic arm created by Mitsubishi. While the robot only performs predefined actions, like picking up a cup, pouring milk, and placing the cup in front of the customer, a barista robot at a Singapore café also plays games with customers waiting in line and a Japanese company created a “friendly” robot barista that greets customers with different facial expressions.

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Police Drones Are Starting to Think for Themselves

Cade Metz

December 05, 2020 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chula Vista, California

The first Drone as First Responder program in the U.S. expands the use of drone aircraft by the police, sending the aircraft on emergency calls without direct oversight by a human pilot. Using technology similar to self-driving cars, the drones deploy long-distance cameras and other sensors to observe things more quickly, safely, or efficiently than through traditional means. As more police departments adopt the equipment and tactic, privacy advocates warn of surveillance excesses that could harm over-policed populations.

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After the pandemic, doctors want their new robot helpers to stay

James Vincent

July 09, 2020 |

The Verge |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Covid-19 has accelerated technological innovations and robots are being used to minimize the virus’ transmission. Mobile disinfectant units using UV light to break apart the virus’ genetic material are in use at some hospitals, airports, hotels, and food banks. They clean surfaces faster and with less risk than humans. Robots are also doing initial patient in-takes at hospitals to minimize transmission and identify critical cases, and telepresence bots, essentially i-pads on wheels, allow patients to explore outside their quarantined spaces. Users do have to contend with occasional technological glitches.

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There's No Cure for Covid-19 Loneliness, but Robots Can Help

Kate Knibbs

June 22, 2020 |

Wired |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Japan

Robot pet therapy, which uses a social robot designed to look like a small animal, weigh the same as an infant, and communicate in a socially comforting way, is helping isolated seniors find a sense of companionship during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although some have raised ethical concerns about "the role of robots in caretaking," others point to evidence indicating success such as "reduced reliance on psychotropic drugs, improved blood pressure and oxygenation levels, and stirred the emotions of patients who otherwise often appeared disconnected."

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Can You Recycle That? An AI Bot Can Let You Know

Victoria Swyers

March 31, 2020 |

Grady Newsource |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Can I Recycle This operates via social media profiles where, on Amazon Alexa and Facebook, the AI bot “Green Girl” tells people what materials can or cannot be recycled, helping avoid contamination of legitimate recyclables. The bot responds to descriptions and pictures with recommendations based on the user’s location. The company also takes questions on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, but answers come from staff and interns, not "Green Girl". Being only on social media limits accessibility, particularly for older generations, and the startup has only developed information for 10 cities in its databases.

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