New Atlas

Science Audio available

Smartphones and fitness trackers used to gauge employee performance

Ben Coxworth June 25, 2019

Ordinarily, when employers wish to assess the performance of employees, they have them fill out questionnaires or take part in interviews. A new (and perhaps somewhat Orwellian) system is claimed to be more objective and thus more accurate, however, by utilizing smartphones and fitness trackers.

Based around a smartphone app, the system also utilizes fitness-tracking bracelets and locational beacons

Science

Performance enhancing probiotics? Study homes in on beneficial bacteria in elite athletes

Rich Haridy June 24, 2019

A study has found increased volumes of a certain species of gut bacteria in marathon runners following the completion of an event. This species was found to metabolize exercise-induced lactate into propionate, a compound that may increase exercise capacity.

Research has revealed a certain gut bacterial species increased mouse treadmill duration by 13 percent

Bicycles

TrailSense tracks and rates mountain bikers' performance

Ben Coxworth June 20, 2019

Many mountain bikers already use smartphone apps to track basic ride metrics such as route/distance travelled, elevation gain, and speed. A group of four Danish cyclists wanted to take things significantly further, however, so they created TrailSense.

The TrailSense sensor unit is mounted on the chainstay

Sports Audio available

Swim wearable uses AI to track and improve performance

Ben Coxworth May 29, 2019

There are already swim-tracking wearables such as watches, that track data such as the number of lengths swum. TritonWear is taking things further, however, with its just-announced Triton 2 – the device tracks 13 swimming metrics at once, transmitting data in real time for performance analysis.

The Triton 2 is placed beneath the swimmer's cap, and transmits data to a coach's mobile ...

Laptops

Asus takes laptop multitasking to the next level with touchscreen trackpad

Paul Ridden June 5, 2018

Asus has revealed a new ZenBook featuring a touchscreen display in place of the mouse trackpad. The ScreenPad offers professionals a configurable toolbar and app launcher within an extended display module that doubles as a traditional mouse cursor control.

The ZenBook Pro 15 swaps out the trackpad for a touchscreen display

Music

Dyson engineers raid parts cupboard for orchestral debut

Paul Ridden February 16, 2018

Dyson digital motors, vacuum cleaners, air purifiers and bladeless fans have been stripped down, mashed up and merged with other instruments to produce notes and harmonies that will accompany the Orion Orchestra for a premier performance at London's Cadogan Hall this weekend.

The Amp-sichord sees a keyboard player control 36 motors that pluck strings mounted within Air Multiplier ...

Automotive

Lister builds on Jaguar F-type for 200-mph Thunder supercar

Radhesh Krishnan January 31, 2018

Britain’s Lister Motor Company has rolled out its latest Jaguar-based sportscar, the Thunder. Touted as the most powerful, and most luxurious road car in Lister's 65-year history, it is based on the Jaguar F-Type and boasts that car's supercharged V8 and a bespoke exterior and interior.

Lister's all-new Thunder boasts a 666-bhp 5.0-liter supercharged V8 and a 208-mph top speed

Games

Mozart, not AC/DC, brings competitive edge to men

Michael Franco December 12, 2016

Quick – you're on a team of men about to enter a competition. Your team can either listen to "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC or "Andante from Sonata for Two Pianos" by Mozart during the contest. Which do you choose? A new lighthearted study has the answer.

While the research was carried out for fun, the team says it might have implications for ...

Medical

Smart balaclava would help athletes avoid chest infections in the depths of winter

Lisa-Ann Lee November 24, 2016

If they don't mind looking a bit like a Mortal Kombat character, a new electric balaclava featuring a built-in heating area around the nose and mouth would let athletes keep training like a champ in the cold while lowering the risk of contracting chest infections.

Flat-bed knitting technology allows heating wires to be woven directly into the fabric of the smart ...

Sports

Sensor for soccer slides onto calves to track your roundball prowess

Nick Lavars October 3, 2016

Zepp Play Soccer is a small sensor worn on the calf to keep tabs on things like kicks, sprints and distance covered, and can even compile a highlights package for your own post-game analysis.

The sensor is quite small, with dimensions of 1.5 x 0.28 x 1.07 in (38 x ...