The future is already here in the state of Indiana! Indiana might soon have wireless charging roads – yes you read that right! You can charge your EVs while driving! Feels like the future we see in sci-fi movies is turning into a reality.

Promoting the Use of EV

Two major obstacles when it comes to the popularity of EVs are A) its range B) its charging time. And while every year there is a considerable improvement in both the factors – the Indiana Department of Transportation decided to jet-speed the process and promote EV by developing wireless charging roads.

How Will it Work?

Electrified charging coils will be buried under the concrete roads that will create a magnetic field on the surface of the road. This technology is similar to the technology used for developing wireless charging stations for tablets and phones. Cars will be fitted with a receiver coil that will pick up the charge on the way and become magnetized, drawing electricity from the coil itself.

When Will the Project Start? What Can We Expect?

The project will be divided into three phases – which will commence in late summer. The project is given to Magment – a german firm given the contract to design and install the technology. A company spokesperson called this project “a step forward towards the future of dynamic wireless charging”, adding this will pave the way for affordable and sustainable transportation electrification.

Seeing the rising price of the copper wires, the firm decided to ditch copper and go with recycled ferrite. This achieves up to 95% of the efficiency at a standard cost of road-building installations. Given the cost savings, the project may start production soon after the two planned lab tests.

Other Countries in the Electric Game!

If successful, the Indiana model would represent the best in the field. While it will be the first such electrified charging road in the U.S. – Sweden has electric rails on some highways. These electric rails allow trains to charge by an electric arm on their undercarriage. Volkswagen together with an Israeli firm has unrolled a prototype 70 kilowatt-hours of charging speed on a road between Italian cities. Germany is not behind this trial of electric roads – and is building a scaffolding of cables and wires that will allow cars to charge like city trams.

Loneliness is something that affects a lot of senior citizens, particularly in 2020. Fortunately, robotic pets have now been developed that can fight this, providing elderly people with a loyal companion that’s easier to care for than the real thing.

Too Much Hassle

According to UCLA Health, petting animals is actually good for you. It reportedly releases hormones like serotonin and prolactin, which can help lift your mood and relax you. Of course, while this might be the case, you can’t get a pet on this basis alone. Most house animals require a lot of care and attention, something that senior citizens can’t necessarily provide on a regular basis. Thankfully, these new robotic pets don’t require so much dedication.

Designed For Them

Ageless Innovation has designed Joy For All Companion Pets, a line of robotic animals made specifically for senior citizens. The technology in these toys is advanced enough to respond to sound, light, and touch, giving them an authentic feel without the need for constant attention. The hope is that these companions will be able to help those feeling isolated and stressed, because having a pet can do wonders for your mental health.

A Range Of Benefits

It seems these animals can do more than just give a senior citizen some company. One residential home in New York apparently uses these pets in favor of other substances for those suffering from dementia. They provide comfort and calm to those who get agitated in their confusion, thereby making their lives easier.

Also, as the CEO of the nursing home pointed out, the robotic animals are great for boosting the residents’ self-esteem too. That’s because having these pets gives them back some control. They have a chance to be a caregiver to someone else again, rather than it always being the other way around.

These robotic pets sound like an excellent invention for senior citizens, especially in a year like 2020.