Technology
This hoverboard is being recalled after a fire that killed two children
A hearth marshal in Pennsylvania decided {that a} Jetson Rogue was the purpose of origin for a fireplace that killed two kids, the CPSC’s discover says. The mother and father of the youngsters are suing Jetson and Goal, the place they are saying they bought the hoverboard, alleging the 2 corporations ought to have recognized of the danger of fire-related accidents as a result of design of the Jetson Rogue. (The mother and father initially sued Walmart, however amended their grievance to sue Goal.)
The CPSC additionally says that “there have been a number of different experiences of the recalled scooters / hoverboards burning, sparking or melting, a number of of which concerned experiences of flames.” Each the CPSC and Jetson are urging prospects to cease utilizing and charging their Jetson Rogues and to get in contact with Jetson for a refund.
The Rogue recall impacts about 53,000 models for hoverboards offered by Goal from August 2018 by June 2019 and on Jetson’s web site from January 2019 by November 2021. In case you have an affected unit, you’ll be able to contact Jetson by the directions on the CPSC’s discover or on Jetson’s web site, which incorporates footage that would show you how to determine you probably have one of many recalled fashions.
Different Jetson hoverboard fashions aren’t a part of the recall, and are nonetheless on sale.
Technology
Lego is bringing summer vibes with K.K. Slider and new Animal Crossing sets
Good news for those of us who love Animal Crossing and Legos. Starting August 1st, Lego is launching two new Animal Crossing sets and a minifig of one very special canine crooner.
Lego teased the news on its X account, which shows K.K. Slider doing his thing and a brief glimpse of the two new sets. (Amusingly, Lego notes that the K.K. Slider minifigure does not actually move or sing. Bummer.) K.K. Slider is part of a fall-themed Town Hall set, which includes Isabelle and Audie. There’s also a small truck, snack stand, and some foliage to go along with K.K. Slider’s concert setup. The other set is of a Dodo Airlines airport, complete with a control tower, dock, and airplane. Granted, hordes of your turnip-hungry friends won’t be flying through this particular airport… but it does have minifigures of Wilbur and Tangy!
That said, we only have this short teaser to go off of. As of yet, there are no details on prices or the number of pieces yet. Lego and Nintendo first teamed up to offer five other Animal Crossing sets earlier in March, with prices between $14.99 to $74.99 and pieces ranging from 164 to 535.
Technology
AI-powered home security system strikes back with paintballs and tear gas
A company from Slovenia, called PaintCam, is shaking things up in the security world.
It has come up with this wild new gadget, the PaintCam Eve.
It’s not just another security camera watching over your house. This thing packs a punch with paintball and tear gas projectiles to really give intruders a surprise they won’t soon forget.
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How does the high-tech deterrent work?
The heart of Eve’s capability lies in its sophisticated computer vision technology. It can identify human faces and animals even in low-light conditions, distinguishing between friends and foes.
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?
The system, which comes in 3 models, Eve, Eve +, and Eve Pro, allows homeowners to categorize visitors via an app interface — making decisions about who is welcome and who is not. But the most intriguing feature? When Eve detects an intruder, it issues a stern warning, and if not heeded, it proceeds to launch paintballs or tear gas.
MORE: CREEPY TOOL LETS CRIMINAL HACKERS ACCESS YOUR HOME VIDEO CAMERAS
User control and responsibility
PaintCam does offer users a significant degree of control. The system alerts the homeowner when an unknown person is detected in the company of someone known, asking whether to “take the shot” or not.
This feature places a heavy responsibility on the user, turning home security into a more interactive and potentially morally complex activity. How users will navigate these choices, especially in high-pressure situations, is yet to be seen.
MORE: 6 BEST OUTDOOR SECURITY CAMERAS
Ethical and legal implications
While the prospect of a security camera that can “shoot” at intruders may sound appealing to some, it raises significant ethical and legal questions. The use of force, even non-lethal, by an autonomous system could lead to unintended consequences.
For instance, what happens if the system mistakenly identifies a neighbor or a child retrieving a lost toy as a threat? The legal ramifications of such scenarios remain unclear, making Eve a subject of debate among security experts and civil rights advocates alike.
MORE: SNEAKY LIGHTBULB SECURITY CAMERAS ARE THE NEXT BIG THING IN HOME SECURITY
Market potential and challenges
The global home security market is set to garner a market size of an estimated $106.3 billion by 2030, indicating a vast potential customer base for innovative products like Eve. However, its market success will depend not only on consumer interest but also on navigating the legal landscape and public perception challenges that such a confrontational device presents.
When will Eve be available?
PaintCam launched Eve with a Kickstarter campaign on Tuesday. At the time of publishing, the exact cost of the security device has not yet been disclosed. You can sign up for notifications about the product on PaintCam’s official website, as well as on the Kickstarter product page.
PaintCam’s commitment to proactive defense
The company posted this mission statement on its site:
“We offer innovative solutions that seamlessly integrate with your environment, establishing both passive presence and active deterrence. Our unwavering commitment is to make the world a safer place, not by fortifying intimidation strongholds, but by delivering intelligent, adaptable, and elegant security options.”
Kurt’s key takeaways
This innovation invites us to reflect on the nature of home security. Are we moving towards a future where our homes are not just passively protected but actively defended by machines? And at what point does the integration of such technology in our daily lives challenge our notions of privacy and safety? Only time will tell whether systems like Eve will become the new norm or remain a curious footnote in the evolution of home security technologies.
Considering the potential for mistakes, do you feel comfortable with the idea of a security system like PaintCam Eve that can autonomously deploy paintballs or tear gas? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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Technology
Gym teacher accused of using AI voice clone to try to get a high school principal fired
A physical education teacher and former athletic director of a Baltimore County high school has been arrested and charged with using an AI voice cloning service to frame the school’s principal.
The Baltimore Banner reports that Baltimore County police believe a recording whiich circulated through social media in January with purported audio of Pikesville High School principal Eric Eiswert making racist and antisemitic comments was fake. Experts told The Baltimore Banner and police that the recording, which briefly resulted in Eiswert’s suspension, has a “flat tone, unusually clean background sounds, and lack of consistent breathing sounds or pauses.”
Baltimore County police traced the recording to Dazhon Darien, a former athletic director at the school whose name was also mentioned in the audio clip. He allegedly accessed school computers “to access OpenAI tools and Microsoft Bing Chat services” as reported by WBAL 11 and NBC News. He was also linked to the audio’s release via an email address and associated recovery phone number.
It is not clear what AI voice platform Darien allegedly used.
The police arrested Darien on Thursday at the airport, and said in a statement “It’s believed Mr. Darien, who was an Athletic Director at Pikesville High School, made the recording to retaliate against Mr. Eiswert who at the time was pursuing an investigation into the potential mishandling of school funds.” He has been released after posting bail, and faces charges including theft (for the issue with school funds), disturbing the operations of a school, retaliation against a witness, and stalking.
In this fraught environment, OpenAI decided in March to withhold its AI text-to-voice generation platform, Voice Engine, from public use. The service, which only requires a 15-minute audio clip to clone someone’s voice, is only available to a limited number of researchers due to the lack of guardrails around the technology.
US lawmakers have filed, but not yet passed, several bills like the No Fakes Act and the No AI Fraud Act that seek to prevent technology companies from using an individual’s face, voice, or name without their permission.
Update April 25th: Clarified that Pikesville High School is in the city of Pikesville in Baltimore County, MD, added details about Darien and Thursday’s arrest.
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