Smart cards are driving us into the future

Emerging Technologies: Self-driving Vehicles

What are Smart Cars?

As promised, we will discuss self-driving cars in this issue of Emerging Technologies Self-driving vehicles, also sometimes called smart vehicles or autonomous vehicles, have been at all the rate these days. Companies like Tesla have been producing smart cars for a while now. Even companies like Apple have announced plans to enter the industry. But why? What is all the hype about? Before we answer these questions we need to fully understand what smart cars are and how they work.

Smart cars use Artificial Intelligence or AI. We have previously discussed AI in a blog so we’ll just go over the basics for now. AI is a type of technology that allows computers to do tasks that usually require human intelligence. AI can learn on its own and function without human assistance. If you’d like to know more, check out this blog. They also use sensors, cameras and radars to observe the world around them in real-time. Based on the info the sensors collect, the AI drives the vehicle and takes it to its destinations. Smart vehicles can use GPS systems to locate where they are and where to go. The AI can even make quick decisions regarding when to stop or when to turn. Because the reaction time of AI is faster, it can end up saving the passenger’s lives in case of an accident.

Cars are not the only type of self-driving vehicle. In one of our last blogs, we discussed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles UAVs, and some UAVs are autonomous as well. Delivery trucks and trains can also be self-driving. Let’s look at some more examples.

Taking classes at STEAM Camp

Types of Automation

Research predicts that we’ll have some 8 million fully or semi-autonomous cars in use by 2025. There are six different levels of vehicle autonomy, which we’ll discuss now.  Level 0 has no automation, while Level 1 has some driving assistance, and Level 2 cars have an autopilot feature. Across these three levels, it is the humans who monitor the road. On the other hand, across levels 3-6, the vehicle’s AI monitors the system.

At Level 3, cars can take full control over the journey. The jump in technology from Level 2 to Level 3 is much higher than between 1 and 2. An example of Level 3 autonomy is Audi’s new self-driving system. Furthermore, at Level 4, a car could complete an entire journey on its own. However, there are currently no Level 4 vehicles on the market. At Level 5, a car is completely automated and requires no human input. This would be achieved through the use of AI and sensors. The cars would not only monitor the environment but would also “communicate” with other cars on the road. Furthermore, Level 5 vehicles could travel in any terrain or environment, and would theoretically save millions of lives each year as they would remove any human error. Drunk car accidents would become a thing of the past.

Kids learn important skills at camp

Pros and Cons of Self-driving Vehicles

As discussed above, self-driving vehicles would eliminate human error and avoid accidents. The AI and sensors do not get tired or drunk and have wider attention spans. Moreover, they act quicker than humans. Autonomous cars, trucks and UAVs also have many industrial uses. Because they can communicate with each other and can be tracked, this creates an Internet of Things, or IoT, involving them. Because of this, companies can make their supply chains more efficient and track shipments. Real-time information would also give managers the chance to make better decisions and plan for the future.

Smart vehicles have several advantages, however, they have many disadvantages too. AI isn’t perfect. It can malfunction or can be hacked. One case of a smart card malfunctioning was in 2018 when a self-driving Uber killed a pedestrian Elaine Herzberg in Arizona, USA.

LearnOBots

LearnOBots is an Islamabad-based start-up and we aim to bring STEAM Education to all Pakistani kids, regardless of gender, race, religion, caste, creed or class. We are based in the National Science and Technology Park, or NSTP, in H-13. NSTP is located inside the National University of Science and Technology or NUST. Our services include both stay-at-home and in-person classes and Camps. The LearnOSTEAM service is an online programme that helps children learn through fun games and activities. They won’t even realize that they’re learning!

Our modules include classes on climate change, circuitry, robotics and professional development. At our in-person Camp, kids will also be able to interact with robots, 3D Printers and actuators. They’ll get hands-on experience, learn new skills and make friends in the process! We also provide DIY Robotics Kits and coding classes. If you would like to know more about LearnOBots, please contact us through email or WhatsApp.

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How did people live in ancient Greece?

The Ancient Greeks

Today, Greece is a small country in Eastern Europe. It’s west of Turkey, South of Macedonia and north of the Aegean Sea. In recent years the news featured Greece mainly due to its failing economy and refuge crisis. But once upon a time, it was the greatest nation on earth. The ancient Greeks created great city-states and laid the foundations of classical science and philosophy. Greek thinkers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle are some of the most recognised and quoted figures of all time. They also made many advancements in mathematics and politics. For example, democracy was born in the ancient city-state of Athens, which is now Greece’s capital. The mathematician Pythagoras created his namesake theorem, that is, “c²=a²+b²” for right-angle triangles. Anyone who has studied middle-grade math must know this theorem by heart.

Ancient Greek ideas still influence us today. Myths of the Olympians and Titans fascinate us, and we continue to tell and adapt them. Whether it’s a retelling of Hades and Persephone or the tales of Troy, we simply can’t seem to get enough of them. These same legends even inspired the Romans and their religion. The Olympics, originally games to honour the gods, are now the most important athletic events in the world. Billions of people tune in every four years to watch them with great interest. Furthermore, their influence can even be found in our everyday language. Phrases like “trojan horse” or “Damocles’ sword” are extremely common and rooted in Greek myths.

Let’s now look at some of the other famous and important Greek inventions in depth.

Ancient Greek Inventions

 The ancient Greeks invented the cycle of the 12 zodiacs we use today and named many of the western constellations. To do this, they needed to closely and precisely study the stars, and for this, they invented the astrolabe. In a previous blog, we talked about how medieval Muslims improved the astrolabe, but the Greeks were the ones to make it. An astrolabe is essentially a mechanical tool used to make measurements and map out the stars. Along with the stars, they also studied the earth. They figured out that our planet was round and not flat by observing how ships disappeared bottom first on the horizon. They also made odometers that measured exact distances using the rotations of wheels. Using this information they made maps and improved upon cartography. Anaximander was a famous cartographer who endeavoured to make a world map.

Furthermore, they exploited the powers and properties of water in many ways. They created water pumps, showers, water mills, water clocks and even alarm clocks. Moreover, Archimedes created a way to measure an irregular solid’s mass by measuring the water it displaces. Legend has it that he was in a bath when he discovered this and was so excited that he ran out naked yelling “Eureka!”.

The Greeks were avid builders and constructed many stunning temples, theatres and stadiums, many of which are still standing. To help them in these tasks, they created levers and cranes.

They also made many advancements in biology and medicine. Aristotle classified animals and is referred to as the Father of Zoology, while Theophrastus is the first botanist we know of. Furthermore, Hippocrates of Cos carried out experiments to show that diseases and their symptoms were natural processes and not just curses from the gods. Many refer to him today as the Father of Western Medicine.

Foundations of Philosophy

Socrates, Plato and Aristotle laid the foundations of western philosophical thought and practices. They taught their students to question the world and not let traditions or customs keep them chained. They even practised these teachings. The Athenians very famously executed Socrates by hemlock because he questioned the idea of the Greek pantheons.

There are myriads of important Greek philosophers, and we can’t cover them all today. Nonetheless, we will look at just two more. Diogenes was a contemporary of Aristotle and was famous at the time for his unkempt lifestyle. He would wander on the streets and live with dogs. This was because he taught that life ought to be lived with simplicity and that society impeded true happiness. He established the Cynic school of thought and gathered a great many followers. In one instance, Alexander the Great himself approached him while he was sunbathing and told Diogenes that he would give him anything he wanted in return for wisdom. Diogenes retorted that the only thing he wanted was for Alexander to not block his sunlight.

Epicurus is another important man mainly because he inspired the idea of Communism. Karl Marx even wrote his doctoral thesis on Epicurean philosophy. He taught that all people avoid pain and seek pleasure and that society should focus on this idea. His followers and he lived in small communes and worked together. It is from his communes that the word Communism is derived.

Coding is fun!

LearnOBots

LearnOBots is an Islamabad-based start-up aiming to bring state-of-the-art STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics—education to Pakistan. Our target is children aged 8 to 14, and we wish to prepare kids for the future work. We provide several services, including coding classes, DIY Kits, stay-at-home learning programmes and a STEAM Summer Camp. If you would like to learn more about us, please contact us through our WhatsApp or email.

Kids learning about robotics at STEAM Camp

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What are UAVs? Discover more ahead

Emerging Technologies: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

What are Unmanned Aerial Vehicles?

It’s a kite! It’s a plane! Maybe it’s Superman? Oh no wait, it’s an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle! Jokes aside, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAVs are a type of aircraft without a crew or passengers. It is usually remote-controlled, but could also be autonomous and self-driving. We will focus on self-driving or smart vehicles more in an upcoming blog. Simply put, a UAV is a drone. Traditionally, militaries have used drones to carry out operations and keep personnel safe. However, people have started using UAVs for commercial and industrial purposes as well. For example, bloggers, YouTubers and TV stations alike use small drones to get those amazing aerial shots. Additionally, Amazon has been testing out UAV deliveries.

More and more people are becoming interested in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. By 2017, the market for military drones exceeded USD 10 billion. Furthermore, experts expect the market for commercial UAVs to grow to USD 82 billion by the decade’s end. UAVs are entering every market and industry, and come in all different shapes and sizes. Military drones are usually large, with ‘wings’ and plane-like designs. They tend to have sensors and radars and first came into use by the Israeli military in the 1980s. Moreover, some types of UAVs look like helicopters, with several fans and rotors to keep them hovering. We will discuss some of these different drones and their uses down below.

Kids learning about robotics at STEAM Summer Camp

Types and Uses

UAVs exist in four categories: large size, medium size, small size and miniature. Militaries most frequently use large and medium-sized drones, while the small-size drones are generally for commercial use. Furthermore, miniature drones carry out reconnaissance and spy on targets. Thus, they too are most often used by the defence and security sectors. However, other fields employ the use of UAVs and drones.

Small drones come in different forms. For example, multirotor drones use fans to stay up and stable. They are easy to use, cheap and the best option for camera drones or to deliver packages. On the other hand, fixed-wing drones have traditional aeroplane designs and are more expensive. They are designed to fly over large distances and inspect pipelines or map land.

Farmers can use drones to spray pesticides or spot problems with crops or irrigation systems. Also, municipalities and governments can use UAVs for surveillance and to fight crime or rescue missions or inspect disaster zones. As UAVs do not people at risk, we can also use them to study inhospitable environments or even hurricanes. Finally, people could also just use drones for recreational purposes and to recreate the experience of flying.

UAVs Pros and Cons

Now, let us discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAVs. Drones are generally easy to use, efficient and keep people out of harm’s way. They can be deployed in dangerous and hazardous areas to get high-quality images while the people controlling them are far away. Most types of UAVs are also relatively cheaper than their alternatives. In addition to keeping people safe, they can also keep the environment safe as they can make sure that pipelines and landfills are not overflowing.

Of course, there are also some drawbacks to UAVs. The proliferation of military drones poses great risks to people in war zones. From 2004-2014 some 2,000 civilians died in US drone strikes in Pakistan alone. Furthermore, there are issues of privacy and security as governments can use drones to spy on people. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles could also malfunction and crash, and that poses threats of its own. Overall, it would seem that the benefits of UAVs outweigh the potential risks. Nonetheless, their disadvantages also need to be addressed.

All smiles and fun at the STEAM Camp!

LearnOBots

LearnOBots is an Islamabad-based start-up and we aim to bring STEAM Education to all Pakistani kids, regardless of gender, race, religion, caste, creed or class. Our services include both stay-at-home and in-person classes and Camps. The LearnOSTEAM service is an online programme that helps children learn through fun games and activities. They won’t even realize that they’re learning!

Our modules include classes on climate change, circuitry, robotics and professional development. We also provide DIY Robotics Kits and coding classes. If you would like to know more about LearnOBots, please contact us through email or WhatsApp

The post Emerging Technologies: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) appeared first on LearnOBots.

Discover the ancient history of Pakistan

The Indus Valley Civilization

What is the Indus Valley Civilization?

The Indus Valley Civilization also sometimes called the Harappan or Sarasvati Civilization flourished some 9,000 years ago in the land that is now Pakistan. It, along with the Egyptian and Mesopotamian Civilisations, are some of the oldest to exist. The Civilization derives its modern name from the River Indus, the main river of Pakistan. Nonetheless, its original name has been lost to time. This is because archaeologists have yet to decipher the Harappan language.

English soldier James Lewis, real name Charles Mason, rediscovered The Indus Valley Civilization in 1829 CE when he stumbled upon Harappa. However, excavations on the site began much later in 1861 under British engineer Alexander Cunningham. John Marshall completed his work after 1904. He also discovered Mohenjo-Daro, which means “mound of the dead” in the local language. This was because people have been finding remains of humans and animals there for millennia. What they probably didn’t know was that the site was an ancient metropolis. Since then, many other ancient sites have also resurfaced, mainly across Punjab, Sindh and Rajasthan. Moreover, ruins have even been found as far as Nepal and Afghanistan. Historians have excavated coins, seals, tools, jewellery and even toys from the era. In Pakistan, the ancient sites have become major tourist attractions, but face threats from vandalism and brick robbers.

Historians have divided the Civilization into several distinct periods. The pre-Harappan period saw the first traces of agriculture and tool making. The Harappan period lasted around 5,500-1,500 BCE and saw the development of cities.  By 600 BCE, the Civilization had fallen.

Kids making robots at STEAM Camp

Culture, Art and Trade

When the British first discovered the sites they thought they were Egyptian or Mesopotamian settlements. But their architecture didn’t match that of the other cultures. The cities were planned and lacked statues of gods or kings. Central temples or palaces were also missing. There is no evidence of armies or warfare. Most of the people were likely merchants, craftsmen or farmers, and there was no royal or priestly class. This is not to say that they had no government. On the contrary, all evidence points to there being a very strong but egalitarian central government that planned cities and trade. The Harappan technology was so advanced for its time that English researcher Mortimer Wheeler refused to believe that it was made by brown people.

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, the two largest urban centres were home to a combined total of over 15,000 people. At its peak, the population of the entire culture would have been around 5 million. The large towns had sewage ways, gates, walls and central citadels. Houses and streets were but according to plan, and some houses even had “wind catchers”. These are open towers that capture cool air and act as air conditioning. Mohenjo-Daro also had a great bath, a giant pool that may have been for either ritualistic or recreational purposes.

The people of the Indus Valley made intricate seals, statues and jewellery y. They even exported copper and lapis lazuli West to Egypt and Mesopotamia. Many of the seals depict animals, including mythical beasts like unicorns and three-headed monsters. Some also include pictures of his or goddess figures. Several historians believe that the roots of the ancient Vedic and Hindu religions are in the Indus Valley religion.

A young student learning circuitry

Technology

The Indus Valley Civilization had very advanced technology for its time. We have already discussed their architecture, craftsmanship and metallurgy. The people also created canals and had complex irrigation systems. Moreover, the Harappans were the first to use buttons and rulers and even invented the well. They also created very precise weights and balances to accurately measure. This shows how important trade was to them. It also has a level of mathematical advancement.

Harappan doctors and pharmacists also existed. There is evidence that they carried out a type of skull surgery called trephination. In this process, a hole is made in the skull to relieve pressure. The people would also take herbs and concoctions to cure diseases. They even practised a prototypical form of dentistry and orthopaedics.

LearnOBots

LearnOBots is an Islamabad-based start-up aiming to bring state-of-the-art STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics—education to Pakistan. Our target is children aged 8 to 14, and we wish to prepare kids for the future work. We provide several services, including coding classes, DIY Kits, stay-at-home learning programmes and a STEAM Summer Camp. If you would like to learn more about us, please contact us through our WhatsApp or email.

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The turbulent work of a turbulent mind

The Art of Science: Vincent van Gogh

Who was Vincent van Gogh?

On the 30th of March, 1853, Vincent van Gogh was born in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands. He was born exactly one year after his parents’ first son, also named Vincent, was stillborn. His parents were Theodorus van Gogh, a country minister and Anna Cornelia Carbentus, a naturalist and artist. Vincent inherited his mother’s love for art, painting and watercolours.

He was the eldest of six siblings and was especially close to his brother Theo. Vincent wrote hundreds of letters to Theo, even while he was in asylums. The two were so close that Theo died only six months after his brother, and both now rest next to each other.

Van Gogh had mental health issues from a young age. He did poorly at school, and his love interest repeatedly rejected him. He also spent some time as a preacher and taught at a Methodist school. Eventually, he moved on to art school and produced hundreds of paintings. However, critics at the time were unable to see the beauty of his art.

He died on the 29th of July, 1890, from what many believe to be a self-inflicted gun wound. Even in his last moments, Theo was by his side. Alas, his melancholy defined most of his life,  his work and even death.

If I could have worked without this accursed disease, what things I might have done

—Vincent in a letter to Theo

Making line following robots at Summer Camp

Art Style

Vincent van Gogh completed more than 3,400 paintings over his lifetime. Around 2,100 were oil paintings and some 1,300 were watercolour sketches. Moreover, in the 70 days before his death, he completed 70 paintings. He was an unusual artist who was famous for his bold, dramatic and dynamic brush strokes. He was inspired by the Impressionist movement, and in turn, has greatly influenced the modern Expressionism and Fauvism schools of art.

During his life, Vincent faced mostly criticism and rejection. Several of his 3,400 paintings were lost during his life, as most considered them little more than scraps. However, many of his paintings are now among the most expensive in the world. Irises sold for a record $53.9 million, and his Portrait of Dr Gachet sold for $82.5 million.

Perhaps his most famous painting is the Starry Night, which he completed only a year before his death in 1889. The painting depicts the night sky of Saint-Rémy, France, as he saw it from the window of the asylum where he was staying.

This morning I saw the countryside from my window a long time before sunrise, with nothing but the morning star, which looked very big

—Vincent in a letter to Theo

The painting is one of the most iconic in the world. It contains swirls of colours and lights that capture turbulence. Studying turbulence is an incredibly difficult task, but van Gogh was able to capture it despite no training in physics.

Turbulence

Turbulence remains one of the last remaining mysteries in modern physics. However, a team of scientists found that van Gogh’s art reproduced natural turbulence with mathematical precision.

Physicist José Luis Aragón of the Autonomous University of Mexico in Queretaro was the first to notice this in a 2006 paper. He noticed similarities between the Starry Night and pictures of nebulae that NASA released. He and his colleagues from Spain and England found that Vincent made use of luminance in his paintings.

Luminance is a measure of the relative brightness between different points. Human eyes are more sensitive to changes in light than in colour, and this is what makes Vincent’s paintings look alive. The researchers calculated that the luminance in his work closely matches the theory of turbulent flow. His works show larger eddies breaking down into smaller ones, along with the principles of the Kolmogorov scaling, despite Kolmogorov being born 23 years after van Gogh’s death.

Research showed that he most closely followed this scaling when he was least mental stable. Somehow, his turbulent mind managed to capture fluid turbulence. This clearly shows that the human mind can understand complex subjects, even if science can’t. Art and science are inextricably joined, and scientists should look for answers in paintings if they can’t find them in maths.

Teamwork makes the dream work!

LearnOBots

LearnOBots is an Islamabad-based start-up and we aim to bring STEAM Education to all Pakistani kids, regardless of gender, race, religion, caste, creed or class. Our services include both stay-at-home and in-person classes and Camps. Our modules include classes on climate change, circuitry, robotics and professional development. We also provide DIY Robotics Kits and coding classes. If you’re interested in LearnOBots, please contact us through email or WhatsApp

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The world is all connected

Emerging Technologies: Internet of Things (IoT)

What is the Internet of Things?

We all know what the internet is. It is a giant network of computers, servers and databases across the globe that allows for instantaneous transfer of data. The internet has completely changed how people work, study and interact. But what is the Internet of Things? The Internet of Things or IoT for short is similar to the internet in that it is a network. However, unlike the internet, the IoT refers to the connection of physical objects, machines or appliances with software and sensors that allow them to connect over the internet.

Some examples of this are smart home appliances and virtual assistants like Amazon’s Alexa. You can tell Alexa to turn up the air conditioning or turn down the lights and it will. This is because these systems are connected via the cloud. They can sense, analyze and share data. Alexa, Siri, Cortana and Google Assistant are examples of developing Artificial Intelligence, or AI, and the future where every household has a robot butler might not be too far away. As of 2022, there are more than 10 billion IoT devices in the world, and experts predict that there could be 12 billion more added in the next three years.

Planning smart cities

Importance of IoT

The Internet of Things has several uses across several fields. As previously mentioned, consumers and households can use the technology to better manage their homes and help with their tasks. There are also some other uses. For example, people can use IoT to keep track of children, the elderly or pets. Baby monitors can be connected to an app, which would notify parents if a child is crying. Chips and sensors placed in wristbands or collars can also keep track of the locations of elderly patients or animals respectively. These sensors could also notify caretakers of their patients’ heartbeats or vitals, and inform them if there is an emergency.

This technology is also very useful for businesses and firms in almost every industry. IoT can monitor and track the production progress and the supply chain and offer smart solutions to issues. For instance, companies could fit trucks with sensors and GPS trackers to see where they are in real-time. They could also use self-driving vehicles and Unmanned Flying Vehicles, or UAVs, to speed up deliveries. We will talk more about self-driving vehicles and UAVs in upcoming blogs. This data regarding the supply chain helps managers make better plans.

Moreover, companies and factories could use the technology to monitor the depreciation of capital and machinery. Farmers could use IoT to monitor irrigation levels, municipalities could use it to manage traffic, scan air quality or analyze levels of energy consumption, all in real-time.

Having fun at STEAM Camp

Pros and Cons

We have already discussed several of the benefits of the Internet of Things. It is useful for both households and companies and offers several solutions to problems. IoT technology is efficient, saves time and minimizes human labour. Furthermore, people can control devices and monitor their data from anywhere around the world in real-time. This is particularly important for industries where decisions have to be made quickly. More information regarding resource usage, machinery functionality and supply chain movement also benefits managers and those in charge. Information on a patient’s health can as mean the difference between life and death in the healthcare industry. Entire cities and governments can also use the Internet of Things technology to create smart cities and plan municipalities.

Nonetheless, there are also many disadvantages linked to IoT. First and foremost, there are security and privacy concerns. IoT devices are all linked together, and if a hacker manages to get access to one of them, they can access all of them. Similarly, if there is a bug in one part of the system, it will affect the entire system. People also have fears that devices like Alexa listen in to their private conversations to spy on them. Corporations like Amazon could sell the data they collect about users to the government or other private entities.

IoT technology can also end up replacing human labour, causing unemployment. Additionally, the technology can be expensive and complex to use, meaning employers will need to completely retain many people in order to use it. Although, the price of the technology will likely go down as it becomes more popular. Too much dependence on smart technology may also cause people to become complacent.

LearnOBots

LearnOBots is an Islamabad-based start-up and we aim to bring STEAM Education to all Pakistani kids, regardless of gender, race, religion, caste, creed or class. Our services include both stay-at-home and in-person classes and Camps. Our modules include classes on climate change, circuitry, robotics and professional development. We also provide DIY Robotics Kits and coding classes. If you’re interested in LearnOBots, please contact us through email or WhattsApp.

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A brand new world

Emerging Technologies: The Metaverse

What is Virtual Reality (VR)?

In our previous blog, we talked about Augmented Reality or AR, and its effects on the world. AR, as we previously discussed, refers to technology that allows us to enhance our real-world experience. Examples of AR technology include apps like Pokemon Go or PairPlay. Companies like IKEA and DHL have also implemented VR in their businesses to enrich buyer experience and improve logistics and management. VR, or Virtual Reality, on the other hand, is different from AR as it completely replaces the real world instead of adding new elements to it. One major example of VR, and the focus of our blog today, is the Metaverse. Some also refer to VR as Extended Reality or XR.

The purpose of VR is the create new fantastical worlds that function to our liking. VR requires the use of immersive headsets that block out the outside world and can be made from just a smartphone and some cardboard. The Metaverse is the most cutting-edge implementation of Virtual Reality and it will change how the world works.

A multiverse of opportunities

What is the Metaverse?

Not to be confused with the Multiverse, the Metaverse is a form of VR. In the met averse, as we explained in our last blog, people will be able to create their realities. In these realities, people can take on any shape or form as their avatar, and go on several adventures—all virtually. People could also do business, sell virtual homes or even attend concerts, all from the comfort of their own homes. The Metaverse is not the Multiverse, and you’re unlikely to encounter evil alternate reality versions of yourself. However, you can travel to other people’s”metaworlds”, which, in essence, are tiny, custom-made virtual universes. So in a sense, it is like the Multiverse.

Some of the top tech companies have been investing in the Metaverse in recent years. For example, Microsoft recently bought gaming company, Activision Blizzard, for a whopping USD 68.7 billion! That’s almost a quarter of Pakistan’s complete Gross Domestic Product! Mark Zuckerberg and Meta have also been developing this kind of technology, and even the company name reflects that. Tech companies are not the only ones eyeing this new frontier. Nike has filed 7 trademarks to create and sell virtual Air Jordans in the Metaverse.

A new future

Advantages

VR and the Metaverse share many of the same advantages and disadvantages. Firstly, VR enhances our social interactions and communication. This is especially true for times of these when people may not be able to meet due to COVID restrictions. Through the Metaverse, people could have parties or get-togethers, even if they are in different parts of the world. The idea of being able to travel to people’s own personal universes in the Metaverse also upgrades how social media works.

People could even attend school virtually through head-sets. Distance learning would become a lot more effective if students felt like they were really in a classroom, a laboratory or an operation theatre. Teachers could use VR to simulate chemical reactions so that students could better visualise how atoms work. People could even move offices into the Metaverse, and make working from home less monotonous.

A while back, we discussed cryptocurrency in one of our blogs. It is a digital, unregulated and secure but highly volatile type of currency that many claims are the future of the free market. Nonetheless, many countries, including Pakistan, have moved to ban it because of the high amounts of risk associated with it. But the Metaverse could be the perfect environment for cryptocurrencies and NFTs to thrive, as to buy digital goods, one needs digital currency. Crypto could be used to purchase virtual real estate or invest in digital stocks. The possibilities are endless.

Disadvantages

Like all things, there are disadvantages related to VR and the Metaverse along with the advantages. VR set-ups are generally expensive and not available for everyone, though, as the technology develops further, prices are likely to come down. VR headsets are also known to cause vertigo and motion sickness, so the price may not be the only factor keeping people away.

Too much reliance on virtual interactions through VR may cause erosion of our relations and society. People might become addicted to the Metaverse and lose interest in real life. However, one could argue that this is already happening with existing forms of social media and gaming technology.

There are also cybercrime concerns when it comes to the Metaverse. People could obtain your personal information or breach your privacy. This fear is not unfounded, seeing that Meta, one of the corporations leading Metaverse technology, has a terrible history when it comes to protecting its users’ privacy, and it is currently facing legal action for sharing people’s medical data. That’s not all. Just a short time ago, news broke of a 21-year-old woman being harassed in the Metaverse.

LearnOBots and STEAM

LearnOBots is an Islamabad-based startup and we aim to bring STEAM learning to all kids in Pakistan. Our services include both stay-at-home and in-person classes on robotics, coding and much more. We also provide DIY Robotics Kits for hands-on experience and a STEAM Summer Camp. Experts working on the Metaverse tomorrow will be STEAM students today, so if you’re interested in LearnOBots, please contact us through our WhatsApp or email.

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AR is changing the world. Literally.

Emerging Technologies: Augmented Reality (AR)

What is Augmented Reality?

In July of 2016, the release of Pokemon Go rocked the business world. The game was a massive success, and the stocks of its parent company, Nintendo, were up by 200% days after its release. But what was the secret to this success? For starters, the game simulated a sense of adventure as it focused on getting out of the house and discovering Pokemon. Moreover, one could actually see the Pokemon in their surroundings through the app. This is called Augmented Reality or AR.

Augmented Reality, as the name suggests, uses technology to augment our perception of the world around us. It uses technology to overlay visual or auditory elements on top of the real world. Pokemon Go used AR to show Pokemon showing up around the world through our phone screens. This increased the game’s ‘wonder’ factor and attracted a huge number of players. Since 2016, developers have released more apps that take advantage of AR. An example of this is PairPlay, which uses shared AirPods to create an auditory experience akin to a real-life blog episode.

AR vs VR

One shouldn’t confuse AR with Virtual Reality, or VR. Augmented Reality retains elements of the real world and adds extra features to it. VR, on the other hand, simulates an entirely new world without any real-life influence, usually through the use of headsets. The purpose of AR is to enhance the real world, while the purpose of VR is to take us away from reality and create a completely immersive experience free of natural laws.

An example of Virtual Reality is the Metaverse. Many tech giants like Microsoft and Meta are throwing their hats into the metaphorical Metaverse ring, to create a connected reality of personal worlds. One would appear in their “metaworld” through a customisable avatar and would be able to personalise their worlds as well. Furthermore, people would be able to host concerts, collect virtual shoes and even set up virtual stores. We will discuss VR and the Metaverse in more depth in an upcoming blog.

What industries use Augmented Reality?

Uses of AR

People use AR across several fields and industries. We have already discussed its uses in entertainment and gaming, through Pokemon Go and PairPlay. We can also use AR in retail, specifically in cosmetics, paint, fashion or furniture industries. Prospective buyers could, for example, use AR to see what a room would look like in a specific colour, or with a certain furniture piece placed. IKEA already has an app with similar features. Moreover, customers could try on makeup and clothes virtually through AR-enhanced mirrors.

Motorcycle manufacturer Harley Davidson is also introducing an app that could be used in their showrooms. Through the app, a buyer could compare different motorbikes and customize them virtually. Companies like DHL are also using AR glasses and goggles for logistics and warehousing purposes.

Schools and educators can also capitalize on AR technology. Students can interact with realistic models, see maps and simulate chemical reactions. These are just a few instances of how we can use AR. Architecture, medical industry, tourism and military training are some more examples.

Pros and Cons

Augmented Reality has many overarching benefits. Firstly, it allows us to see the world differently. Quite literally. We can see data and alternatives that we wouldn’t otherwise, and this also allows us to think outside the box. It also enhances our social interactions and communication. In addition, it can increase the efficiency of a business and improve logistics. The use of AR in showrooms could also draw in customers through the ‘wow’ factor alone.

AR is also easy to use, as it only requires a smartphone or goggles without much set-up. It can be linked to other smart devices and appliances to create an Internet of Things (IoT). We will discuss IoT in a coming blog.

There are not many disadvantages to AR, but we will still go over some. While AR is easy to use and implement on a small scale, it would be quite expensive to completely integrate it into a business structure across multiple stores. Moreover, people can get addicted to AR, and due to its highly realistic nature, people could even potentially be affected psychologically by games that depict gore or warfare.

The link between STEAM and AR

LearnOBots and AR

LearnOBots is an Islamabad-based start-up aiming to bring state-of-the-art STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics—education to Pakistan. Our target is children aged 8 to 14, and we wish to prepare kids for the future of work. We provide several services, including coding classes, DIY Kits, stay-at-home learning programmes and a STEAM Summer Camp.

Augmented Reality is changing the workplace and LearnOBots wants to prepare its students for that. Through our courses, kids will understand what AR is, how to use it and its importance. If you would like to learn more about us, please contact us through our WhatsApp or email.

In the next instalment of Emerging Technologies, we will discuss VR and the Metaverse.

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A pioneer for women in STEM

The Art of Science: Maria Sibylla Merian

Who is Maria Sibylla Merian?

On the 2nd of April, 1647, Maria Sibylla Merian was born in a Swiss town to parents Matthäus Merian and Johanna Sibylla. Her father, unfortunately, died when she was only 3, and her mother married the still-life painter Jacob Marrel. Marrel loved Maria as his own and taught her what she knew about painting. Maria was a talented and inquisitive child from the beginning, collecting flowers and insects that intrigued her. At 13, she was already breeding silkworms and painting catalogues of them.

Though born in Switzerland, Maria would spend most of her life in Germany. She would take up art as her profession, and marry one of Marrel’s apprentices in 1665. Maria would have two daughters from this marriage, Johanna and Dorothea, but the union would dissolve in 1685. She would also study under famed art historian Joachim Von Sandrart, and teach unmarried girls from wealthy families. This have her access to their gardens, their plants and insects.

Wonder is the heart of STEAM

Her Works

Maria published her first work, called the Neues Blumenbuch, in 1675, and her second work just two years later. However, she is most well known for the Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium. The work is a collection of her diagrams and paintings of flowers and insects she encountered on a trip to Surinam in 1699 when she was 52.

She undertook a scientific expedition when it was highly unusual for women to do so, and even brought her daughter Dorothea along. She even financed the trip herself, selling over 250 of her paintings to do so. Furthermore, she only returned home to Amsterdam after contracting malaria. Maria can be seen as a pioneer for women in STEM, as she even ended up discovering new species of insects. Her curiosity and scientific thirst drove her to take on many challenges and defy the gender norms of her time.

Not only this, her method of cataloguing insects was unique for the time. Her contemporaries used to draw them as isolated specimens, with different stages in their life cycles on different pages. On the other hand, she drew insects in their natural habitats, surrounded by flowers and chrysalises.

Open your eyes, learn to see

Her Legacy

Paralyzed by a stroke in 1715, Maria was left unable to work in her final years. She died in Amsterdam on the 13th of January, 1717, at age 69. During her life she illustrated the life cycles of 186 insect species, and scientists still use her classifications of moths and butterflies. She also illustrates flowers, including the Semper Augustus tulip, which is now extinct. The tulip had a vivid white and red marbling pattern caused by a virus, and during the 1620s and 1630s, a single bulb of it cost as much as a house.

Because [Merian] also strove constantly to adorn her flower paintings with caterpillars, butterflies, and other insects … she paid very close attention, over a long time, to [their] wondrous changes, the particular plant foods, and more… By many curious investigations, she made quite new discoveries about such insects for the further advancement of natural science.

—Johann Dopprlmayer, 1730

A posthumous collection of her work, Erucarum Ortus Alimentum et Paradoxa Metamorphosis, was published, celebrating her life and work. Her art also laid the groundwork for future botanists, naturalists and entomologists, including Swedish  zoologist Carl Linnaeus. Before the switch to the Euro, some German banknotes featured her portrait. Her work was also exhibited in the Women Artists of the Dutch Golden Age show in 2019.

Maria and STEAM

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, and refers to the method of teaching children scientific skills and knowledge. In our previous Art of Science blog, we discussed Leonardo da Vinci and how he advocated for us to consider art and science one and the same. Maria did exactly this. She saw the world with wonder and curiosity. She made connections between insects and flowers that most others overlooked.

Modern STEAM students, especially girls can learn a lot from her. Her life teaches us the importance of overcoming challenges and not letting societal stereotypes keep us from being successful. She is also a great example of how art can be used for educational purposes.

STEAM and LearnOBots

LearOBots is a startup based in Islamabad and we aim to bring state-of-the-art STEAM education to Pakistani children between 8-14 years old. We offer DIY Robotics Kits and classes in coding. Our LearnOSTEAM programme is an online, distance-learning service that teaches children coding through fun activities. They can create their own games and videos, and then share them with friends.

We also offer a STEAM Summer Camps, where kids can learn important skills and make new friends. Children can also interact with robots and 3D printers to get hands-on experience. If you’re interested in our Camp, sign up right now while registrations are still open! You can also reach us through our WhatsApp and email.

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How does a 3D printer work?

Emerging Technologies: 3D Printing

3D printing is just what the name suggests. Usual 2D printers can print words to a page, but with 3D printers, one can do so much more. They allow us to create complex computerized designs and customize shapes using CAD—Computer-Aided Design. Once we’ve finished designing what we want, we can simply print it out. No need to mould or forge like in the old days. 3D printing is comparatively far faster and more efficient, with the ability to create very detailed designs.

There are two major types of 3D printers, FDM and SLA. FDM, or Fused Deposition Modeling, also sometimes called Fused Filament Fabrication is the most popular type of 3D printing today. These printers push out filament through a heated nozzle which melts it and uses said filament to create designs layer by layer. FDM printed models have a characteristic layered texture due to how the printers form them. The procedure and the size of the nozzle also dictate the accuracy and precision of the printed model. Stereolithography or SLA, may not be the most popular form of 3D printing but it is the oldest, as Chuck Hull invented it in 1986. SLA uses a vat of gel which is solidified using lasers, and as such, it rests in more precise printing compared to FDM. SLA also gives the option to create transparent parts, which FDM doesn’t.

If you want to see an FDM 3D printer in person, come to LearnOBots’ STEAM Summer Camp! LearnOBots is a startup based in the National Science and Technology Park in Islamabad, and its goal is to bring state-of-the-art STEAM education to all Pakistani children. We offer classes on coding, DIY Kits and stay-at-home learning plans. At our Camps, children can learn new skills, make friends, and interact with robotics and 3D printing.

Making friends at STEAM Camp

Uses of 3D Printers

Due to their versatility, we use 3D printers in several fields. The aerospace industry uses 3D printers to make new or customized parts. It offers great advantages as the parts are lightweight and material efficient. Moreover, instead of mass-producing parts, airlines and aeroplane manufacturers can create specific parts as needed. This also helps in repairing broken or damaged segments. 3D printing offers similar advantages to the automobile and vehicle manufacturing industry. Engineers can use computer simulations to identify the most aerodynamic shapes, and then make them through FDM or SLA.

Amputees can get customized prosthetic limbs made using 3D printers, which is especially useful for children who are still growing, as they need to switch prosthetics quite often. Doctors can also create implants or surgical instruments, and dentists can scan teeth and make dentures, crowns or bridges. Science has even opened the door to printing organs using organic tissue. This could help end the shortage of organ donors worldwide!

We can use 3D printing to create unique and high-performance small parts for both consumer and industrial purposes. But we can also use them to print on a much larger scale. Thinking Huts, a Madagascar-based NGO, started 3D printing entire schools in 2021! Using cement and a large-scale FDM set-up, they constructed entire buildings in a matter of days, significantly cutting down on costs as well. This could be game-changing for Pakistan, where almost half of the school-age children are not in school, and the brick-making industry employs gross amounts of bonded and child labour. It would be akin to killing two birds with one stone.

An FDM printer in action

Advantages and Disadvantages

As already discussed, 3D printing allows for quick and easy prototyping using computer software. We can custom print complex designs which would be difficult to build by hand. 3D designs can be saved as files and shared around the world, and because of this, they can be made on-demand. This also solves many inventory issues, as there is no need to order them in or stock up on them. 3D printed parts are lightweight, strong, cost-effective and use little material. They are environmentally friendly and sustainable as they reduce and minimise waste involved in production. Moreover, aeroplanes with 3D printed parts weigh less and thus use less fuel. 3D printing can be used to save lives with its medical applications, and it has impacts on almost all industries.

3D printing, like all technologies, has its downsides as well. In Pakistan, to own a 3D printer, one must pass several qualifications and it is otherwise illegal to own them. This is because of the threat of people using them to print out guns or other weapons. Because CAD designs can be shared online, anyone could download blueprints for a gun without proper authorization from the Government and use them to commit violence.

3D printing also has some other disadvantages. Though it is relatively quick, the process is still too slow for mass production. There are also limitations on the size of things that can be printed, and printouts from FDM have a limit to their precision. Nonetheless, 3D printing offers a plethora of solutions to our problems. We can deal with the disadvantages as we further develop the technology. Lawmakers can pass legislation to make sure that extremists don’t use it to create weapons. Overall, it is one of the top technologies changing the world for the better.

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