Would You Trust AI to Cut Your Hair?

Botched haircuts could become a thing of the past, after a startup unveils its AI-powered clippers. Kuaiku Innovation claims GLYDE is the world’s first smart hair clipper. The device uses an AI “cutting coach” and “auto fade” technology to let even the most inexperienced barber give you a trim like a pro. As long as you’re willing to trust your hair to an algorithm, GLYDE can provide a full cut in under 10 minutes. Users first select their chosen style from the app on their phone. Then, someone can simply run the clippers over their head as the device automatically adjusts the depth of the cut. The blades move automatically so complex cuts like a fade can be done in a single pass, without any experience or skill. The clipper features built-in sensors that track your motion and the angle of the blade. Onboard motors compare this motion to the design for the haircut and automatically shift the blades. In theory, this means your hair should end up at the exact right length, no matter how the clipper is held. For nervous first-time barbers, GLYDE also includes several features that should, in theory, make it impossible to mess up. If you suddenly change the speed or angle of the cut, the blades will retract and prevent any further cutting. Likewise, if GLYDE detects that you're holding it at the wrong angle or starting the cut from the wrong position, the blades won't deploy in the first place. Currently, users can only choose their trim from a library of pre-made styles, which GLYDE says have been tested across different head shapes. However, in the future, the company plans to allow users to upload their own templates and take inspiration from other users' results. The company is so confident in its technology that it boasts that GLYDE can deliver a cut with “zero mistakes.” The company expects to start shipping this summer, with a cost around $150. So, the question is: Would you trust AI to cut your hair?

 

 

Continue Reading...

Monkeys Are On the Loose in St. Louis

Several monkeys are on the loose in St. Louis, but where they came from remains unknown. The Animal Care and Control Division said that exotic animals are prohibited in the city of St. Louis and this is the first time they’ve had to deal with monkeys in the city. Justen Hauser, Environmental Health Bureau Chief with the St. Louis Department of Health, said initial reports suggested that four monkeys were on the loose near O'Fallon Park in North St. Louis. They were first spotted by neighbors on Red Bud Avenue on Thursday afternoon. He said the exact number and gender of the monkeys is not known, but several have been spotted by residents. St. Louis residents were shocked to learn of the monkeys escaping, pointing out that they have dogs and cats that they’re worried about being attacked. The Saint Louis Zoo helped identify the loose primates as Vervet monkeys. Known for their grayish-green fur, black faces and white eyebrows, they're often called green monkeys and are native to sub-Saharan Africa. Hauser stressed that people should not approach the monkeys if they see them, adding that once the monkeys are located they’ll be trapped by animal experts. 

 

 

Continue Reading...

African Country Sees Snow For the First Time in 25 Years

Residents of the Moroccan city of Oujda have experienced snowfall for the first time in approximately 25 years, recording an inch of snow in the city center, while surrounding villages saw up to 4 inches. The snowfall is said to have occurred during a cold snap that brought a sharp drop in temperatures across parts of North Africa, driven by a powerful low-pressure system and cold air mass. The rare natural phenomenon came as a surprise to residents in the semi-arid region, where winter temperatures usually range between 40º and 50º F. The white blanket left on streets and rooftops stirred excitement among locals, who took to social media to document the event. Residents could be seen wearing hooded coats as they trudged through the snow, with children building snowmen and taking part in snowball fights. Motorists cautiously made their way across slushy roads while thick flurries continued to blanket the streets. The attitude that prevailed in the midst of the unusual weather was summed up in one social media post: “Once again, mother nature shows humans that she’s in charge. Nothing we can do about it, so just enjoy.”

 

 

Continue Reading...

How a Smaller Home Could Seriously Change Your Quality of Life

A big house with room to grow is the American dream, but what if bigger isn’t always better? As homes keep getting larger, a growing body of research suggests that the people living inside them aren’t getting any happier, and may actually be worse off. The average new American home includes more than 940 square feet per person, while in 1973 that figure was closer to 550 square feet. Smaller homes often mean lower costs, less upkeep and little clutter, while naturally pulling people into shared spaces. As a result, daily interaction increases and loneliness decreases. Larger homes usually come with bigger mortgages, higher maintenance costs, longer commutes, and more financial pressure. With so much to clean and maintain, it can become overwhelming for many. People soon begin to realize what they’re sacrificing in terms of time and money in order to own a big home. More room also breeds more “stuff,” and clutter is directly tied to unhappiness. In smaller spaces, clutter quickly becomes overwhelming and visible and can be dealt with on a daily basis. Finally, keeping up with the Joneses is a real problem. Even if you own a big house, your neighbor’s might be bigger. The social pressure to match or exceed them kicks in for many people. That leads to unhealthy competitive attitudes toward lifestyle, wealth and possession, and can lead to reckless spending and mounting debt. Instead of asking, “How big a house can I afford?” maybe we should ask, “What kind of home will sustain the kind of life I want?”

Continue Reading...