Author: sarahamer

Planned Obsolescence
Planned Obsolescence is one of many design policies. The policy follows an idea of planning or designing a product that has a limited useful life therefore after a certain period of time it becomes limited or obsolete.
Planned obsolescence has great benefits for the producer because the consumer is forced to purchase the product again therefore resulting in the producers to gain profit. An example of a planned obsolescence product are textbooks as although core subjects remain the same over the years as not much is changed, new textbook editions are made frequently. The new editions that are made result in the school to purchase them therefore although the old textbooks contain the somewhat of the same information the differences in page numbers between the old textbooks and the updated ones result in students to purchase these textbooks even though they are quite expensive. In addition, In most subjects, the information doesn’t change dramatically from one year to the next, but don’t tell the publishers that or else they’d be out of a job. In addition, some of the changes producers make include switching chapters around, adding or subtracting diagrams, including CDs that can’t be used again once they’re registered etc. Furthermore, due to the expenses, many students are purchasing used textbooks from online sources which is more affordable.

Sources:

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/planned-obsolescence-460210

 

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/everyday_economics/1999/10/planning_for_obsolescence.html

 

As human beings spend lots of time sitting and sleeping it is essential to choose ergonomic bedding and seating products that further provide them with the proper amount of support and comfort which is necessary to maintain a healthy and comfortable life.  Every man and woman has their own unique body shape and thus their own sleeping and sitting posture. The Grand Adjustable Base Mattress is an example of an ergonomic friendly product as it is  designed to contour to your body to provide the proper spinal alignment and support necessary for a restful night’s sleep and stress-free day. The Grand Ergo adjustable base allows the user to be in control as it has an infinite number of ergonomic rest positions and rejuvenating massage. The wireless remote lets you control movement from the comfort of your bed, as it electronically adjusts to your every movement.

 

SOME OF ITS ERGONOMICS INCLUDE:

Infinite Adjustable Positions

• Virtually unlimited head and foot positions increase comfort, improve relaxation, help breathing and relieve stress on your lower back
• 70° degree upright angle makes it easy to read, watch TV, or use a laptop
• Wall-hugging design keeps you near the nightstand
• Single button to automatically return mattress to the flat position
• Memory buttons store up to 4 memory positions

Adjustable Massage

• Head and foot massage with rolling wave feature
• Separate adjustments for massage intensity and rolling wave intensity

Wireless Remote Control

• Simple, easy to understand buttons
• Backlit buttons light up when a button is pressed for better visibility in low light environments
• Remote works without pointing it directly at the receiver

State-of-the-Art Electronics

• Quiet operation with strong pulling/pushing power and a long service life mean greater reliability
• Exclusive Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) for upgradability
• Metal motor housings for durability
• 9 volt battery back-up for reserve power
• Bed can be lowered during power outage or remote failure

Heavy Duty Construction

• Adjustable headboard brackets are reinforced for stability and adjust to fit common headboard sizes
• Longer rails eliminate “foot droop”
• Sturdy base support with 6 legs
• Powder coating provides best rust protection
• Variable height adjustments easily match luxury bed frames (with optional leg extensions

 

VIDEO SHOWING ERGONOMIC OF TEMPURPEDIC MATTRESSES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C-mM0ehxgM

Bibliography:

http://www.tempurpedic.com/Adjustable-Bases/Adjustable-Bases.asp

 

http://www.sleepcountry.com/uploads/images/products/tempurpedic/tempurpedic-ergo-515-325.jpg

In the movie WALL-E viewers were fascinated with the idea that  robots can  give people massages, cook for them and even clean up after them. However, due to rapid technological progression over the past years,  the fascination continues as  now a real-life WALL-E has been developed and is now accessible to humans all over the world.  At the University of Massachusetts Amherst roboticist Rod Grupen and his collaborators have worked together on developing one of the most revolutionary inventions of the 21^st century- the Ubot a robot that has been created to further help people in their every day lives specifically the elderly who have difficulties carrying out their daily activities. The Ubot device could help one complete a range of activities from helping you find your glasses to calling up people in times of emergency. The Ubot has wheels that allow it to move around as well as a webcam included within its structure that helps it view objects  in order to pick them up, which is one of the famous features this invention entails. In addition to the around the clock in home assistance, the Ubot gives customers the ability to interact with people such as other family members miles and miles away. For example, someone over the internet can control the Ubot to search for their parents who are not answering their phone. If the person is not answering and it is in time of emergency the Ubot can on its own use a stethoscope  and on its own send it to a healthcare professional; or if the person is unresponsive Ubot can perform physical examination. Grupen explained how this robot can help family members care for their elderly parents even if they live in another  city,state,or even country. An experimental activity has been done and researchers are working on further developing this extraordinary invention by giving it its own ability to call 911. Therefore, the Ubot is truly a revolutionary device as it not only shows mankind’s progression in the fields of technology through the creation of the robot, but also it serves as a solution to major problem in the US, the majority of elderly people who are in need in healthcare and support. According to Grupen, “up to seventy million people will be moving into the main frame eldercare institutions we have to figure out different ways of doing eldercare in a distributed and more efficient fashion.” Therefore, a device like uBot may allow people to stay in their homes longer but still be cared for according to their needs, he says.

 

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.sciencentral.com/articles/view.php3?type=article&article_id=218393123