After announcing plans to acquire Vizio in February, Walmart officially owns the company after the $2.3 billion transaction closed on Tuesday. The retail giant says the acquisition will help bolster its advertising business, as Platform Plus — the TV-maker’s advertising and data division — “accounts for all the company’s [Vizio’s] gross profit.”

The deal has raised concerns among privacy advocates, as Vizio has gotten in trouble over advertising and data tracking in the past. In 2017, it paid a $2.2 million fine to settle a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit that accused it of tracking viewers without their consent.

An acquisition by Walmart could help Vizio compete with other budget-friendly TV brands that rely on advertising as a significant source of revenue. Roku, which started selling its own TVs last year, made $908.2 million in advertising sales and subscriptions in the third quarter of 2024, with an average revenue per user of $41.10, while Vizio’s last earnings report showed it was making about $37.17 per user.

Despite the acquisition, Walmart and Vizio will continue operating independently “for the foreseeable future.” Vizio CEO William Wang will also remain in his position.

“VIZIO has also expertly changed their business over time, like building and quickly scaling a profitable advertising business,” Seth Dallaire, the executive vice president and chief growth officer of Walmart US, said in the announcement. “Pairing it with Walmart Connect will be impactful and allow us to invest in our business even further on behalf of our customers.”

Imagine slipping on a pair of shorts that could make walking feel like a breeze, almost as if you’ve instantly shed 20 pounds. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, get ready to have your mind blown! Scientists at the Technical University of Munich have cooked up something that might just change the game for anyone who’s ever wished walking was a little easier.

They call it the WalkON system, a pair of high-tech shorts that’s not your average gym wear. These bad boys can cut down the energy you need for a stroll or jog by up to 18%! Whether you’re a spring chicken or in your golden years, these shorts could be a game-changer, especially if stairs have become your nemesis or long walks leave you winded.

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How the robotic shorts work

The WalkON system combines sensors, artificial tendons and smart motors to enhance your natural walking motion. It starts with advanced sensors embedded in the shorts that continuously monitor the stress on your tendons. These sensors are incredibly precise, picking up on subtle changes in your movement, including how fast you’re walking and the angle of your hips.

Connected to these sensors are two thin artificial tendons that extend from your thighs to a specially designed waist belt. These tendons play a crucial role in how the system assists you. When you start to walk, the shorts analyze your gait pattern and can even detect the moment you transition from standing to walking. As each leg enters the “swing phase,” the system knows exactly when to kick in.

At just the right moment, small but powerful motors activate and gently pull on the artificial tendons. This action helps lift your thigh, reducing the effort needed by your hip flexor muscles, making it feel much easier to move. What’s really impressive is how adaptable WalkON is; whether you prefer a slow stroll or a brisk jog, the system adjusts its level of assistance based on your speed and leg weight. All of this happens seamlessly, so you experience a natural enhancement to your movement rather than feeling like you’re being pushed or pulled by a machine.

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Man wearing WalkON system (Technical University of Munich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

EXOSKELETON HELPS PARALYZED PEOPLE REGAIN INDEPENDENCE

Benefits of the robotic walking shorts

The WalkON system significantly reduces energy expenditure by 18% for young people walking uphill. For older individuals walking on level ground, it decreases energy expenditure by 10%. This reduction in energy expenditure is equivalent to the feeling of instantly losing 22 pounds or 13 pounds, respectively. The system allows you to walk slowly or jog, providing versatility in movement. Participants in tests reported high satisfaction with the device, giving it a mean rating of 6 out of 7 for its ability to assist while maintaining a sense of control.

WalkON system (Technical University of Munich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

COULD THESE EXOSKELETON ‘POWER PANTS’ MAKE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES EASIER IN THE FUTURE?

Target demographics

The WalkON system can benefit anyone seeking to increase their mobility; however, it shows particular promise for older adults who may experience declining physical capabilities. Additionally, individuals weakened by illness can find significant advantages in using WalkON to enhance their mobility and independence. Furthermore, the device is designed for those looking to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, making it a versatile solution for a wide range of users.

Woman wearing WalkON system (Technical University of Munich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

WEARABLE EXOSKELETON CAN TURN YOU INTO A SUPERHUMAN ATHLETE

Comparison to other exoskeletons

Unlike traditional rigid exoskeletons, WalkON’s soft, flexible design offers several advantages over its more cumbersome counterparts. Conventional exoskeletons often feature rigid frames that can be difficult and time-consuming to put on, limiting their practicality for daily use.

In contrast, WalkON’s soft robotic shorts can be put on quickly and easily, similar to regular clothing, and are more than a mechanical device. Professor Lorenzia Masia, the lead researcher, aptly compares WalkON to an electric bike for walking. This analogy highlights the system’s ability to enhance natural movement without overpowering it, making mobility more accessible and appealing to a wider range of users. The lightweight, tendon-driven design of WalkON allows for a more natural range of motion, adapting to the user’s movements rather than constraining them.

Furthermore, WalkON’s compact and unobtrusive nature addresses a common concern with exoskeletons: social acceptance. Its design allows it to be worn discreetly under regular clothing, potentially increasing user comfort in social situations. This feature, combined with its efficiency in reducing metabolic cost, positions WalkON as a more practical solution for everyday use compared to bulkier exoskeleton systems.

Woman wearing WalkON system (Technical University of Munich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Availability and cost

Given the current stage of development and testing, it’s likely that WalkON could be available to you within the next three to five years, pending further research and regulatory approvals.

While no exact price point is yet available, we can compare it to other assistive technologies. Current exoskeletons can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000-plus. However, given WalkON’s simpler design and intended widespread use, it’s possible that it could be priced more affordably, perhaps in the range of $5,000 to $15,000 when it first hits the market. As with many technologies, the price could decrease over time as production scales up.

Woman wearing WalkON system (Technical University of Munich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Kurt’s key takeaways

The WalkON system’s potential to enhance mobility for people of all ages, particularly older adults and those with health challenges, is immense. By making movement easier and more efficient, WalkON could encourage more active lifestyles, potentially improving overall health and quality of life for many individuals. While questions about availability and cost remain, the development of WalkON is a promising sign that we’re moving towards more accessible and user-friendly mobility assistance solutions.

If you could design your own mobility assistance device, what features or capabilities would you include and why? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Apple may have said goodbye to the MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar last year, but a team of four engineers believes the concept deserves a second chance. They’ve created the Flexbar, which is essentially a standalone version of the MBP’s thin touchscreen display that can be used with multiple devices and platforms through a USB connection.

The Flexbar’s creators have started a new company, Eniac, which is attempting to bring the accessory to consumers through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. The earliest backers can preorder one discounted to $119 from the full MSRP of $179, with delivery expected as early as February 2025.

This is the company’s first product, however, and while they have demonstrated functional hardware in several videos, there’s still an element of risk when backing it. The company told The Verge it was sourcing “components through standard supply channels,” but didn’t confirm where the Flexbar’s uniquely-sized 10-inch 2K OLED screen was coming from. Ideally it’s not repurposing Apple’s Touch Bar screens, which have a limited supply stock.

So what makes the Flexbar worth using when Apple failed to make its Touch Bar a compelling feature? As a standalone device, the Flexbar can be used with desktops or laptops running Windows or macOS, or mobile devices like a tablet. It can also be positioned however you need, either sitting at the top of a keyboard, or on its own magnetic stand.

Like Apple’s Touch Bar, the Flexbar provides dynamic access to user interface elements like shortcuts, playback controls, and various tools, which change automatically as you switch between apps. When used with image editing apps like Adobe’s Photoshop, for example, the Flexbar can be positioned vertically to replicate the familiar layout of the app’s main toolbar, allowing an artist to switch between tools or brush settings without having to reposition their stylus.

The Flexbar’s creators are also striving to offer more customizability than Apple did with its Touch Bar. You can already download an early release version of FlexbarDesigner, its Windows app (a macOS version is still in development), allowing you to create your own buttons, shortcuts, and custom interface elements through a streamlined drag-and-drop interface. There’s also a JavaScript-based SDK available for the Flexbar, allowing developers to create plugins for various apps that will be available through a marketplace that’s expected to launch sometime next year.