Groupon’s Trebuchet Catapult response to Amazon PrimeAir has Wings – Automated Capsule System Package Delivery From our Dungeon to your Doorstep

“We're talking about principles of Package delivery systems that have been around since the time of King Arthur. That guy knew something about keeping precious cargo safe.”

Groupon's SVP of innovations, Everett Weiss on Groupon’s response in a YouTube Video to Amazon PrimeAir to use Catapults

Groupon has come out of their corner swinging with a humorous response to Amazon’s plan to deliver Packages to Amazon Prime subscribers within 30 minutes using their own Drone fleet, PrimeAir. Their answer, which involves the use Catapults as noted in the article “Groupon's brilliant response to Amazon's Drones: Catapults”, published December 11, 2013 10:56 AM PST by Chris Matyszczyk, CNET News, albeit meant in jest, can actually be practically implemented, as this article will attempt to demonstrate.

Amazon has plans to launch their DronePackage delivery service PrimeAir sometime in the next five (5) years, FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) regulations permitting as explained in my blog article entitled “Amazon plans to launch Amazon PrimeAir, their 30 minute DronePackage Delivery Service for Amazon Prime users - Playing Catch-up as Mailpak launches DealBug in Jamaica”.

Not to be outdone, UPS and FedEx, but big guns in the Package delivery service, plan to also have their own Drone delivery fleet, most likely to ferry Packages in-between their various Package Distribution Centers more cost-effectively as argued in my blog article entitled “UPS and FedEx developing their Own Delivery Drones to compete with Amazon PrimeAir - Premium Rush Package Delivery Drones herald the coming of Google's Personal Androids that are Almost Human”.

So how would Groupon’s idea work, assuming it wasn’t a joke and it could be practically implemented? Using technology that’s no different than what’s already in use by NASA (National Aeronautical Space Administration)!

Groupon’s Catapult made practical – From our Dungeon to your Doorstep

How it could work is quite simple. Instead of firing the Package via a real Catapult, Groupon would have to develop small cannon that are designed to be calibrated to launch Packages at a certain angle and velocity to reach the target.

Groupon’s NOC (Network Operation Center) would house their Automated Catapult System that would control the Catapult and receiving real-time TelemetryData from the Package mid-flight. Groupon would also have installed an array of Digital Barometers, Anemometer and Rain Gauges that would be deployed through the area surrounding Groupon’s Delivery area around its Package Distribution Centers to communicate Real-time weather Data to Groupon’s NOC where the Automated Catapult System is housed.

Such an Automated Catapult Systemmatches the intent of Amazon PrimeAir, which would require that the Package have electronics built into it as well as a system designed to cushion the fall. This Fall Prevention Technology is similar to CEO Jeff Bezos earlier idea of an airbag for cellphones as stated in my blog article entitled “Amazon patents Fall Prevention Technology for smartphones and Tablets - The Research begins with Amazon’s patent that’s Hyde Park on Hudson (2013)”.

The process of delivery via Catapult would work as follows. A Customer on Groupon’s website would order their Package via the Internet on their Laptop, smartphone or Tablet. At the point of ordering, they’d specify where they want to deliver the Package, keeping in mind the main criteria, that being that the delivery zone has to be somewhere theCustomer is standing or where they actually live and their delivery area must be outside. Also, once ordered, they cannot reject the delivery mid-flight; that they could only do once the package has landed!

To ensure a safe delivery, based on the GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) on the Tablet or smartphone, the Automated Catapult Systemhas to log a flight plan for the Package with the FAA for their approval. Obstacles in the flight path during the logging of the flight plan can be determined via a combination of the GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) on the Tablet or smartphone combined with Google Maps Data.

The item to be delivered would be placed inside of a Capsule made of an aerodynamically cushioned material that’s waterproof and can protect breakable cargo if it fell from a 20 story vertical drop. The Capsule would have a Microcontroller computer that would have the following sensors:

1.      GPS

2.      Altimeter

3.      Accelerometer

4.      Magnetometer or Gyroscope

5.      Barometer

6.      Proximity Sensor

7.      Cameras

This Microcontroller Package on the Capsulewould communicate TelemetryData via 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) or via a local Telecom Provider’s GSM (Global System Mobile) EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) Data Network back to Groupon’s NOC to their Automated Catapult System.

This microcontroller Package would not only communicate TelemetryData back to the Automated Catapult System but it would also allow for mid-flight corrections using a combination of mini parachutes or small jets built onto the Capsule. The Automated Catapult System would calculate the flight path and launch the Capsule with the Package inside based on its weight.

The Automated Capsule System would also use real-time Weather Data supplied by a Network of remotely connected array of Barometers, Anemometer and Rain Gauges that would communicate Real-time weather Data to the Automated Capsule System and relay that info to the Capsule’s onboard Microcontroller.

Groupon’s Automated Capsule System – That Ominous Whistling Sound is your Delivery en Route

Once the Package is launched an airborneen route, Groupon would advise the Customer of the TOF (Time of Flight) and given an ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), which should be a matter of minutes. The Customer would also be advised not to move but to stay perfectly still as at TOF, the Package would have been launched and be in flight.

The Customer’s smartphone or Tablet would also alert them that the Package is on its way and tell them what direction to look in order to visually confirm its arrival. In addition to all this, the Capsule will be fitter with an audible whistle as well as a proximity alert whistle that would send the whistle ton to the Customer smartphone or tablet advising them that the Capsule is close to making a landing.

As the Package is in flight, mid-course corrections are made using small jets located on the outside of the Capsule to make sure it’s heading towards the Customer and will land at least within a 5 meter square area around the Customer. Once close enough to the Customer, the Capsule will deploy a special braking parachute to reduce its velocity. No different from how NASA would deliver a Robotic payload on Mars!

Once within visual range of the Capsule, based on the Capsule’s onboard GPS and proximity sensors it’ll eventually deploy a parachute to gently guide the parachute towards the Customer or where they live, using adjustments to the parachute as well as small jets to nail the landing in the designated drop zone without a hard impact.

Groupon’s Silly response has Wings – Catapult alternative to Package Delivery

Albeit Groupon’s response was done as a gag, it does have serious application in real life, if not in Package delivery as the FAA may not approve of what’s effectively launching a missile. But launching a Package this way is no different from launching a Drone, as Drones are usually launched from Aircraft Carriers using a Catapult.

This is basically the same idea of a Drone, just that instead of being able to fly on its own power, it’s being given the energy to fly via being launched by a large cannon or Catapult. It merely makes mid-flight corrections in order to safely reach its target, with the option to then glide to Customers house on final approach or land if the onboard sensors detect that it can make a splashdown in water i.e. the Customer’s swimming pool or in a body of water.

This method of delivery would be suitable for long range rapid transit deliveries outside of a 10km range and would make deliveries to persons living in remote towns up to 100 km away feasible. Best of all, once the Package makes its delivery and the Customer is satisfied that their Package within the Capsule suffered no damage during delivery; the Customer can send it back via the use of a RMA (Return Mailing Address) Sticker.

The Customerwould place the RMA Sticker onto the Capsule and have mailed back via UPS or FedEx to Groupon’s Headquarters for Testing……and relaunch.

Dr.Henry Lowe launches Medicanja and jump-starts Pharmaceutical Industry in our Back yard – Pharmaceutical Research Renaissance in Jamaica

“We have developed a method to isolate the non-psychoactive compounds....... I didn’t understand how ignorance could be so persuasive. The Government should do something about that,”

Comments by Dr Henry Lowe on the launch of his company MediCanja, a Medical Research company

Looks as if the Medical Marijuana Industry is off to a great start, with Dr. Henry Lowe launching Jamaica’s First Medical Marijuana Research Clinic, dubbed MediCanJa as stated in the article “Ganja company”, published Wednesday, December 04, 2013 BY KARYL WALKER Editor — Court Desk,The Jamaica Observer and “Medicanja To Contribute To Jamaica's Development”, published Friday December 6, 2013, The Jamaica Gleaner.

Dr. Henry Lowe and his wife launched the company with the stated purpose of extracting the active ingredients from Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) for medicinal uses.

His company name and logo were jointly unveiled by himself and his wife Janet Lowe at the Eden Gardens Restaurant on Tuesday December 3^rd 2013. Along with the unveiling was the company’s intention to develop the medicinal uses of Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa), specifically:

1.      Extraction of the other active ingredients in Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa), including THC (Tetra Hydro Cannabinol)

2.      Development of Products from Hemp, the Male version of the plant which has no active THC for use in a variety of medicinal and commercially viable products

3.      Development of a strain of the female version of the plant Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) for research purposes that has a lower THC Content.

It’s good to note here that the Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) plant, like most plant, has a male and female version. It’s the female version that has gained notoriety over the years for its use in smoking and making Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) laced cookies and cakes. The Male version can be used to make fabric, rope, canvas, wax, and paper, with the seeds being used to extract protein rich oils as well as to be made into butter and a highly efficient fuel for Motor Vehicles.

One (1) acre of Hemp can grow enough material equivalent to make the same amount of paper as 10 acres of Trees, a lifesaver for Forests that are experiencing deforestation as well as a chance for Jamaica to develop its own Paper Industry instead of using imported paper. Hemp can even be used to make Motor Vehicles Varnishes and even the vehicle itself as the Canadian Government has already done!

But aside from these uses, which are currently criminalized under Jamaican Law, it also has the obvious medicinal benefits in which the Pharmaceutical Industry has an interest as I’d opined in my blog article entitled “RasPuddler says Legalization of Marijuana benefits large Scale Growers - How Teenagers can Learn to Extract THC for personal Use to make Chocolate Cookie, Brownies and Sorrell Cake for Christmas”.

Dr. Lowe Laments Jamaican ignorance on Marijuana – Medicanja extraction a right step

Dr. Lowe also mentioned some interesting stats about the Medical Marijuana industry in Jamaica. At the Eden Gardens launch, he made reference to a recent Don Anderson poll as per the article “Ganja Medicine”, published Friday, November 29, 2013 BY BALFORD HENRY Senior staff reporter, The Jamaica Observer that indicates that 87% of Jamaican are indeed in favor of Medical Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa), quote: “Canada’s hemp industry values US$2 billion yearly. A recent survey by Don Anderson said 87 per cent of Jamaicans want medical ganja to be developed......Jamaicans don’t only want it to be developed, they want the Government to get behind it and make it happen,”.

The Ministry of Health is indeed interested, with Minister of Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson throwing his support behind the idea of Medical Marijuana but maintaining a strong stance against smoking as stated in my blog article entitled “Dr. Fenton Ferguson want Marijuana Medicine – Pharmaceutical Marijuana means big Profits and Taxes for the GOJ”.

It’s also high time that further research and application of the medicinal benefits of Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) were explored in Jamaica to pick up on the work of Jamaican pharmacologist, Professor Manley West and ophthalmologist, Dr. Albert Lockhart, whose pioneering work on Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) was used to develop Canasol, a glaucoma Treatment, the first of its kind in the world back then in the late 80’s as stated in the article “Ganja-based eyedrops a hot sell”, published Sunday August 24, 2003 by Teino Evans, Staff Reporter, The Jamaica Gleaner!

They had based their original research on the noted folklore involving Rastafarians having excellent Night Vision due to smoking Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa).Canasol is now a now popular eye drop remedy for Glaucoma and “Doctors develop first eye medication in the Carib”, published Sunday August 16, 2009, The Jamaica Gleaner.

The coming push for Decriminalization and the eventual Legalization of Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) needs to make a distinction between the male and the Female plant, as the male plant, Hemp, is currently illegal yet cannot be smoked like the female plant. The JCF (Jamaican Constabulary Force) aka the Jamaican Police need to be empowered with the ability to tell the difference between the two should they encounter them in the field.

It should have long ago be made legal so as to be useful in manufacturing to makefabric, rope, canvas, wax, and paper, jump-starting local manufacturing industries in these areas in Jamaica! After all, we already have a BTA (Bilateral Trade Agreement) with Switzerland to protect the Trade name and Geographical indicators associated with “Hemp”, “Marijuana” and “Cannabis Sativa” as stated in my blog article entitled “Jamaica and Switzerland sign historic Bilateral Trade Agreement to protect Brand Names and Geographical Indicators - Escape Plan for the eventual Decriminalization and Legalization of Ganja”.

After the Decriminalization and the eventual Legalization of Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa), exploiting the resources should be our next step; Legalizing Hemp should be our initial step to developing both a Manufacturing and Pharmaceutical Industry in Jamaica!

Medicanja jump-starts Pharmaceutical Industry in our Back yard – Others needing Support

Hopefully too, the Ministry of Health will also look into the development of other Natural Flora Resources into Medicinal Products to support the Pharmaceutical Industry in Jamaica including Lemon Grass (Citronella Grass) for lotions, ointments and an assortment of medicinal products including an excellent replacement for imported Destroyers as argued in my Geezam blog article entitled “How to make Environmentally Friendly Citronella (Lemon Grass) Oil for Mosquito Repellant Lotion and Candles”.

Additionally financial support should be forthcoming as it relates to the development of Guinea Hen Weed (Petiveria Alliacea) which also has Cancer curing properties that need to be further research and explored by Dr Lawrence Williams as detailed in my blog article entitled “Dr. Lawrence Williams develops Bovine Serum Albumin replacement for Animal Testing - Cats and Dogs give this 2 Paws Up as Guinea Hen Weed fights Cancer”.

Developing a replacement for the use of Malathion (C₁₀H₁₉O₆PS₂) to spray and eradicate Mosquitoes that cause Dengue, such as a gigantic fly zapper that initially attract the Mosquitoes using a Carbon Dioxide Generator Mosquito Trap as explained in my blog article entitled “Minister of Health calls for Public Support for ban on Smoking in Public Spaces - How to kill mosquitoes using a Carbon Dioxide Generator Mosquito Trap” is also a good idea.

Especially as when Malathion (C₁₀H₁₉O₆PS₂) can cause fainting spells and nausea when used under certain conditions! Such as early in the mornings when it’s very cool and the smoke doesn’t readily dissipate readily after spraying, an event which caused 54 students at the Ocho Rios School in St. Ann to faint on Tuesday November 19^th 2013 as noted in my blog article entitled “Ministry of Health attempted murder of Ocho Rios High School in St Ann by spraying Malathion - Malathion Spraying and Destroyers ban needed  and Citronella Candles and Education introduced”.

Areas of Research into which the Local Pharmaceutical Industry can direct their attention as Dr. Henry Lowe’s Medicanja Jumpstarts Pharmaceutical Research in Jamaica!

Animation after KingstOON - Reel Rock GSW reveals Imira Entertainment of Spain Contract for Disney Channel and Nickelodeon's Lucky Fred

“The global Animation industry is estimated at over US$200 billion, with most segments growing at a rate of seven per cent per annum and we are pleased to be a part of this”

CEO for Reel Rock GSW Wayne Sinclair commenting on the announcement of the contract with Imira Entertainment of Spain to produce 52 episodes of Disney Channel and Nickelodeon Cartoon series Lucky Fred

Remember that article I did back in September 2013 on Reel Rock GSW securing a very lucrative Animation contract for an unknown yet very popular Cartoon series as stated in my blog article entitled “Animation after KingstOOn - Reel Rock GSW secures 52 Episode Animation sub-contract for a Globally popular English Cartoon”?

Well the secret is out!

The fifty two (52) episodes to be produced by Reel Rock GSW is for the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon Cartoon series, “Lucky Fred” as stated in the article “Jamaican Animation company to produce Disney, Nickelodeon Cartoon”, published Friday, December 27, 2013, The Jamaica Observer.

Check out the video for the Ghosthaunter Lucky Fred Official YouTube channel and the “Lucky Fred” website below to get a gist of what's involved. It’s basically a Spanish Version of Jimmy Neutron meets Fairly Odd Parents, with the Fairies being replaced by a Transformer-like Robot named Friday that becomes anything 15 year old Fred desires to impress his friends!

The fifty two (52) episodes to be produced by Reel Rock GSW is for the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon Cartoon series, “Lucky Fred” as stated in the article “Jamaican Animation company to produce Disney, Nickelodeon Cartoon”, published Friday, December 27, 2013, The Jamaica Observer.

Check out the video for the Ghosthaunter Lucky Fred Official YouTube channel and the “Lucky Fred” website below to get a gist of what's involved. It’s basically a Spanish Version of Jimmy Neutron meets Fairly Odd Parents, with the Fairies being replaced by a Transformer-like Robot named Friday that becomes anything 15 year old Fred desires to impress his friends!

That’s right folks!

Get your Spanish in Gear, as it’s in Spanish albeit English dubs are available! A Spanish language Cartoon would explain why Reel Rock GSW original contract is with Imira Entertainment of Spain for Season 2 of the “Lucky Fred” Cartoon series is really a 5 way split between five countries:

1.      Ireland

2.      Italy

3.      Jamaica

4.      Luxembourg

5.      Spain

The series, once produced and finished on time, is slated for distribution to almost 160 territories in Europe, Asia, South America and Australia where The Disney Channel and Nickelodeon hold sway. They've quietly achieve something many Jamaicans though impossible; a solid Contract for a globally branded Cartoon!

Reel Rock GSW's basically the Tessanne Chin of Animation as noted in my blog article entitled “Tessanne Chin is the Winner of the Voice - Princess Kitana #BreadandButter work begins as March 2014 deadline for Universal Studios album from Mona Tessanne”.

Now all they have to do is ramp up. Therein, like Tessanne Chin's Contract with Universal, lies the problem, as the deadline for the completed Animation project to be handed over is fast approaching. They've got a few Inner-city trained Animators, but more are needed as the total estimated for the successful completion of the project is about eighty (80) Animators!

GOJ’s tapping into Animation big time – Luck Fred is the Jimmy Neutron of the Spanish world

Of course, the GOJ (Government of Jamaica) has an interest in this, as the Animation Industry globally is estimated to be worth over US$200 billion, with US$1 billion being made only last year alone as noted in my Geezam blog article entitled “KingstOOn Animation Festival and GG’s “I Believe in Jamaica” Animation Training – Genesis of Animation Outsourcing”.

So much buzz was generated when KingstOOn Animation Conference and Film Festival that I did an initial blog article entitled “Inaugural KingstOOn Animation Competition a boost to local Animation Industry - State Minister Julian Robinson give Graphic Artists the chance to Feel this Moment Pitbull and Christina Aguilera Style” and followed up with a series of blog articles with the titled “Animation After KingstOOn” to make them easily searchable with a focus on Animation’s development in Jamaica. 

After all, This IS Big, almost as big as the Tourism Industry or even the blossoming Call Center industry as per my most recent blog article entitled “How to find work in Jamaica at Call Centers - Online Travel Booking Agency Bookit.com is expanding in Jamaica with 200 plus CSA's as Online Travel Booking Industry explodes in 2014”.

The Projects kicks off in March 2014. Until then Reel Rock GSW needs to get some eighty (80) plus trained Animators and storyboard illustrators draw from all walks of life. It’ll be interesting to see the credits mention Reel Rock GSW when the “Lucky Fred” Project is completed! Stay tuned to my blog for more details!

In the meantime check out the Ghosthaunter Lucky Fred Official YouTube channel!

How to find work in Jamaica at Call Centers - Online Travel Booking Agency Bookit.com is expanding in Jamaica with 200 plus CSA's as Online Travel Booking Industry explodes in 2014

“It's pretty amazing we have only been open in Jamaica for about three to four weeks ...and part of that of course is training and in just a few hours on the phone for the first couple of weeks. But as we listened to the calls they are very professional they sound like people who have been with us for many years. And it comes across extremely well”

Bookit.com founder and CEO Bud Finlaw in an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday, December 18^th, 2013

Mobay Call Center Peeps, you know I love you. Ever since I did that article on Convergyns coming to Montego Bay to build a Call Center from Scratch and start off employing some 3000 CSA (Call Center Agents) at the start of 2013 as stated in my blog article entitled “Convergyns and Aegis Communications Call Centers Coming – FDI powered Call Center Renaissance in Jamaica thanks to our Good English” I’ve gotten readership on the issues concerning Call Centers ever since.

Well Mobay people I’ve been keeping track of Convergyns and no new word on when they’ll come to Jamaica. However, I do have intel on a new Call Center called Bookit.com which ironically is related DIRECTLY to what Mobay does best that being tourism as stated in “Large online travel agency sets up MoBay call centre”, published Wednesday, December 18, 2013 BY HORACE HINES Observer staff reporter MONTEGO BAY, St James, The Jamaica Observer.

Online Travel Booking a US$1 trillion per annum Industry – Call Center Move Logical

Bookit.com, one of the largest Online Travel Booking Agencies in North America, started in November 2013 with 50 agents in the Teleperformance Centre in Montego Bay and is now Growing Strong like House Tyrell from Game of Thrones. The Online Travel Booking Industry is always growing and the means by which potential Travelers search for, access and make bookings has evolved beyond Laptop and PC’s to also include Tablets and smartphones.

Bookit.com set up shop in the recently Telecom Provider LIME liberated Montego Bay Freezone as stated in my blog article entitled “Montego Bay Freezone Liberalized as LIME's Jamaica DigiPort International gives up its Monopoly - Call Centers Age of Empire as Mandeville Beckons”. This liberalization back in July 2011 has seen a flurry of activity with many new Call Centers rushing now that the fiefdom that was once Telecom Provider LIME was unbundled due to its small contribution to their overall bottom line.

Consequently this US$1 trillion a year industry is seeing rapid expansion and fierce global competition according to Expedia.com executives one of Bookit.com’s competitors as stated at their 14^th Annual Conference in the article “Expedia pushes to double share of online travel booking market”, published Tuesday, December 24, 2013 BY ARLENE MARTIN-WILKINS Associate editor — news, The Jamaica Observer.

This has fueled a desire to increase their market share to get more out of this ever-growing and rapidly expanding Industry in 2014. In anticipation of this, the BPIAJ (Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica) has partnered with the HEART Trust/NTA to train the 3000 plus workers needed to keep up with the demands of the rapidly growing BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) in Jamaica, which is expected to grow by some 25% this year as noted in the article “BPO Sector Set To Surge 25% - BPIAJ”, Published Friday July 5, 2013, The Jamaica Gleaner and “HEART/NTA, BPIAJ sign MOU on IT training programme”, published Sunday, June 16, 2013 4:54 PM, The Jamaica Observer.

The BPIAJ (Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica), anticipating this increased interest in the Call Center World, has put in place plans for a US$900,000 incubator to facilitate local Jamaica businesses that wish to get into the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) Game to rent a few seats for their accounts as described in “Big boost!”, published Thursday, November 28, 2013 BY MARK CUMMINGS Editor-at-Large, Western Bureau, The Jamaica Observer.

Chairman of the Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ), Yoni Epstein explains his intent best, quote: “This incubator will help put the already available call centre space into the market where existing growing players that may have a fast ramp-up can rent the space for a short-term period, while it builds out somewhere else, or in a situation where a new entrant is coming in and wants to ramp up quickly and test the market, they can rent space in this facility for a short period of time while it builds out a space. It will be a revolving door with either persons renting small portions of it, or the entire space for a short period of time”.

So if you in interested in the Online Travel Booking Industry, now’s the time to get in. Best of all, the BPIAJ may be able to facilitate your interest in the Call Center World by renting you space while you hunt for more permanent facilities.

Growth means more Seats for Bookit.com – 200+ CSA needed in 2014

Growth is on the horizon for this account as they’ve made projections for more seats by early 2014 as per the statement by Bookit.com founder and CEO Bud Finlaw, quote: “We are starting with 50 people as we speak right now which will double in the next two or three weeks and probably double again with the success of this venture. We are going to be celebrating our 10th anniversary in the year 2014 and part of our growth is to expand and we chose Jamaica as the place to open up our new call centre. We looked to quite a few places. Jamaica was one of many choices that we had but when the decision time came we found out that really we had our heart here”.

So how much growth is coming in Bookit.com, to break down all this talk into practical terms that appeal to potential employees in the Call Center World? About 200 CSA’s according to Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr. Wykeham McNeil, quote: “They are going to employ about 200 people in the short term. It’s good for Jamaica, it's going to have Jamaicans on the call centres. The positive of that also is that when they are answering the phone they will be speaking about Jamaica with passion, they will speak about Jamaica with a knowledge of what is Jamaica, while being able to do the rest of the world”

Folks in Mobay, start making enquiries with regards to work in the Teleperformance Centre in the Montego Bay FreeZone as you may be able to secure one of 200 plus jobs that are bound to come on-stream as the Call Center World Expands. When I get wind of any news relating to Convergyns, I’ll be sure to post it!

IndieGogo funded NSID's No More Woof Project aims to get Dog's talking

“Some of the most easily detected neural patterns are: 'I'm tired', 'I'm curious who that is' and 'I'm excited. To be completely honest, the first version will be quite rudimentary. But hey, the first computer was pretty crappy too”

Swedish research lab NSID (Nordic Society for Invention and Discovery) comments on their IndieGogo Page about No More Woof

Now it look like talking to Animals or at least Dogs may soon be possible. No I’m not barking up the wrong tree with this one folks; this is for real!

This bit of coming innovation for the New Year is thanks to a very innovative application of EEG (Electro-Encephalography) developed by yet another IndieGogo funded start-up, Swedish research lab NSID (Nordic Society for Invention and Discovery) called No More Woof as stated in “No More Woof reads dog brainwaves, translates to speech”, published December 18, 2013 12:00 PM PST by Amanda Kooser, CNET News.

A pledge on their IndieGogo No More Woof campaign page, which aims to bring the product to market by April 2014 is as follows:

1.      US$65 for a single sensor version of the No More Woof Device that translates three Dog Thought patterns 

2.      US$300 for a two-sensor version of the No More Woof Device that translates four or more Dog Thought patterns 

Albeit seen in the eyes of many as a joke, NSID is serious as per their IndieGogo No More Woof campaign page. And yes it’s very similar to the concept presented in the movie Up (2009) with the Talking Dog Dug as shown below.

On NSID’s IndieGogo No More Woof campaign page, they detail their aim of raising some US$10,000 to develop a custom Mind Reading device that’s basically a slimmed down EEG but specifically for Dogs as stated in “Dog-to-English Translation Headset Gets Funding”, published 24/12/2013, Mashable and “'No More Woof' headset for canines turns your dog's thoughts into spoken words”, published MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2013, 12:07 PM, The NY Daily News.

No More Woof Project and Interaxion’s Muse Mind Controller – Similar Concept  but different Aims

The No More Woof Project is very similar to another IndieGogo Project that launched a year ago in December 2012 by Interaxion CEO Ariel Garten call the Muse Mind Controller to allow humans to interact with Computers using their thoughts as reported in my blog article entitled “IndieGogo funded Interaxion debut US$199 Muse Mind Controller at Le Web in France - Future Silver Lining Playbook for Gaming that'll Exercise the Windmills of Your Mind”.

For those of you who don’t know the Muse Mind Controller I’m not surprised; it’s rated as a great party item to have along with Tailly the Wearable Tail in my Geezam blog article entitled “Interaxion’s Muse Mind Controller and Tailly the Wearable Tail”. It hasn’t receive serious attention from developers though, which may explain any lack of news if you Google “Muse Mind Controller”.

Effectively, it translates your Dog’s state of mind i.e. if he’s happy, if he’s sad, if he’s curious about a stranger. I say “state of mind” as still debatable whether or not animals even have thoughts like we humans do or if it’s a case that they’re just preprogrammed creatures that work on instinct, memory and inputs from their very acute physics senses.

The researchers at NSID plan to enable the No More Woof Project with more “Dog Thoughts” and thus more phrases that the device can speak to express the Gog’s state of mind. Whether or not this’ll lead to better communications between Man and Dog remains to be seen.

Human to Animal Communications is inevitable – Apple should buy NSID and Interaxion

Talking to Animals was an inevitable step that would make Mind Controller Peripherals for computers appealing. After all, we already have a myriad of innovative cutting edge ways to interact with Computers from Gestures to NL Voice Commands.

Even Fingerprint readers on smartphones are a part of the mix and may mark the rise of Biometrics and the death of password that made its debut on the Apple iPhone 5S as stated in my blog article entitled “Apple iPhone and the Sapphire plated Touch ID Fingerprint scanner - The Death of passwords and the birth of Biometrics”.

So it’s only natural that once we’ve begun talking to computers, we’d be more interested in using these talking computers to not only talk to other people who are disabled and cannot talk but to our furry four footed creatures that can’t talk at all. 

The difference here though between the Muse Mind Controller and the No More Woof Project is that it’s aimed at two (2) totally different audiences. The No More Woof Project is aimed at enable people who speak NL (Natural Languages) such as English Mandarin, French and Spanish to understand what Dogs are feeling.

This by converting the universal language of your Dog Brain’s EEG’s via attached sensors and a Raspberry Pi Microcontroller into phrases that are enunciated by a Speaker attached to the wearable head unit as shown.

Effectively, it translates your Dog’s state of mind i.e. if he’s happy, if he’s sad, if he’s curious about a stranger. I say “state of mind” as still debatable whether or not animals even have thoughts like we humans do or if it’s a case that they’re just preprogrammed creatures that work on instinct, memory and inputs from their very acute physics senses.

The researchers at NSID plan to enable the No More Woof Project with more “Dog Thoughts” and thus more phrases that the device can speak to express the Gog’s state of mind. Whether or not this’ll lead to better communications between Man and Dog remains to be seen.

Human to Animal Communications is inevitable – Apple should buy NSID and Interaxion

Talking to Animals was an inevitable step that would make Mind Controller Peripherals for computers appealing. After all, we already have a myriad of innovative cutting edge ways to interact with Computers from Gestures to NL Voice Commands.

Even Fingerprint readers on smartphones are a part of the mix and may mark the rise of Biometrics and the death of password that made its debut on the Apple iPhone 5S as stated in my blog article entitled “Apple iPhone and the Sapphire plated Touch ID Fingerprint scanner - The Death of passwords and the birth of Biometrics”.

So it’s only natural that once we’ve begun talking to computers, we’d be more interested in using these talking computers to not only talk to other people who are disabled and cannot talk but to our furry four footed creatures that can’t talk at all. 

After all, every Dog lover would love to know what his or her charge has on his mind or hot communicate with a sick, disable or even wounded animal in order to better assist them as opined in the article “The headset that can read your DOG'S MIND: Gadget claims to analyse brain waves to transform inner barks into human speech”, published 19 December 2013 17:40 GMT by SAM WEBB, UK DailyMail.

Thus Apple’s interest in the application 3D Motion Capture technology to their product line as evident from their purchase of Israeli-based company Primesense, makers of Microsoft’s Kinect Motion Controller as outlined in my blog article entitled “Apple buys Israeli-based Primesense that makes the Microsoft Kinect - Apple's Siri and Kinect Heralds of a coming world free of Remote Controls” may eventually turn to Mind Controller Technology.

Apple seems to think Motion Control is important enough to purchases Primesense. But with the very large market for Dog lovers which Amazon is tapping into via the resurrection of Pet.com as Wag.com back in July 2011 as noted in my blog article entitled “Amazon's Wag.com Social Network for Pets - Quidsi in the Flight of the Navigator”, Apple may need to jump-start their research into Mind Controllers.

The easiest way to do that is by buying Interaxion and NSID with a bid to integrate their products not into Apple gadgets but also develop a new line of products geared at communicating not only with Dogs but All Animals, Cats included. Cat and Dog lovers are bound to give this two (2) paws up, as this would finally bridge the gap between Man Machine and Animal Kind!