Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/439826
C o n s u m e r E l e c t ro n i c s D a i l y N e ws Fri d a y, J a n u a r y 9 , 2 0 1 5 7 0 FM: Hocoma is the global market leader for the development, manufacturing and marketing of robotic and sensor-based medical devices for functional movement therapy. We work closely with leading clinics and research centers worldwide developing innovative therapy solutions to support the treatment of neurological patients with movement disorders caused by stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy or other neurological diseases and injuries as well as low back pain patients. CEDN: Are you introducing any new products? FM: Based on the sensor technology of our back therapy system currently used in pro- fessional rehabilitation centers, Hocoma has launched Valedo to bring back pain therapy with a focus on medical goals to a con- sumer-friendly, game-like environment that can be done at home or on the go. We're very pleased to see such a posi- tive response to Valedo, and we're thrilled that it's a 2015 CES ® Innovation Awards Honoree. But we're not surprised – Valedo is the first personal medical device for the low back that combines physical sensors with sophisticated, yet intuitive software. From a consumer perspective it transforms biome- chanical exercises developed by physical therapy professionals into fun, interactive games on a user's iPad or iPhone. CEDN: What distinguishes your prod- ucts from the competition? Hocoma ( Cont'd. from p. 1) FM: Unlike wearable technologies that simply track steps and heart rate, or gam- ing devices that are camera-based, Valedo's sensors detect and respond to micro movements, ensuring that each exercise is tailored to the user and done correctly. Collectively, Valedo's games guide users through a complete series of movements that take place in virtual "worlds" and are designed, over time, to improve movement awareness for increased stability and balance, restore motion to vertebral joints, and redevelop deep muscles for enhanced strength, all of which can help back pain sufferers achieve sustained back health. CEDN: Who are your target end-users? FM: Eight out of 10 people will be affect- ed by back pain at some point during their lives. For the millions of Americans who suffer from back pain, the lack of effec- tive, long-term treatment options can become discouraging. With Valedo, users are motivated not only to get moving and stay on track with exercises that deliver functional movement therapy for back pain, but also to improve their own per- formance in the virtual game. The result is a groundbreaking advancement with the potential to extend the benefits of profes- sional physical therapy into the home and effectively change the way we deal with back pain starting today. Visit Hocoma at booth #73928. For more information, go to www.valedotherapy.com, call 844-488-4422 or email fran k.menzler@hocoma.com. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION WARNS OF GAME DEVELOPER SHORTAGE A British trade association has warned the government that the country faces a shortage of skilled video game develop- ers. TIGA, the network for videogame developers and digital publishers, has proposed that a number of roles should be added to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) to enhance the ability of stu- dios to grow their teams, trade and turnover. TIGA made the comments as part of its response to the Migration Advisory Committee's "Call for Evidence: Partial review of the Shortage Occupation Lists for the UK and for Scotland." Games businesses cannot always recruit the staff that they need from with- in the UK or the EU because video games development often requires people with highly specialized skills. Yet in fast mov- ing high-technology industries like the videogame sector speed is of the essence when it comes to securing the right staff. If studios are unable to recruit the talent required to produce a game or part of a game, the work will usually be trans- ferred elsewhere if part of a global entity or the contract lost, if an independent business. TIGA has proposed to the MAC that a number of roles should be added to the SOL, including Game Analyst, Senior Game Artist, Senior Game Designer, and a range of Senior Games Programmers. Having an occupation listed on the SOL enables a fast track recruitment process, which means developers can hire staff from outside the EU without having to advertise the role for 28 days within the UK first, including on the Job Centre Plus website. Dr Richard Wilson, CEO, TIGA, comments: "Adding further specialist roles to the Shortage Occupation List will enable more studios to recruit the highly skilled personnel that they need in order to operate effectively and efficiently. It will enhance the ability of studios to grow their teams, trade and turnover." Jason Kingsley OBE, TIGA Chairman and CEO and Creative Director at Rebellion, said: "As well as enabling studios to recruit highly skilled people more easily, a careful increase in the SOL could ultimately help to improve the skills of local workers. Migration can have a multiplier effect on knowledge transfer with the recruitment of skilled staff, resulting in knowledge-sharing with existing teams and enhancing the skills and knowledge of the UK's indige- nous workforce." CONNECTED EVERYTHING A TOP TREND FOR 2015 In the fourth edition of its annual trend report, Ericsson ConsumerLab presents the hottest consumer trends for 2015 and beyond. Michael Björn, Head of Research, Ericsson ConsumerLab, says: "Services and products that quite recently seemed beyond imagination are now easily accepted and believed to rapidly reach the mass market. With only five years until 2020, the future really does seem closer than ever before." The insights in the report "10 hot consumer trends for 2015 and beyond" mainly come from Ericsson ConsumerLab's global research program and statistically represent the views of 85 million frequent Internet users. These are the 10 trends for 2015 and beyond: 1. The streamed future. 2015 will be historic as more people will watch streamed video on a weekly basis than broadcast TV. 2. Helpful homes. Consumers show high interest in having home sensors that alert them to water and electricity issues or when family members come and go. 3. Mind sharing. Smartphone owners would like to use a wearable device to communicate with others directly through thought – and believe this will be mainstream by 2020. 4. Smart citizens. Consumers believe traffic volume maps, energy use comparison apps and real-time water qual- ity checkers will be mainstream by 2020. 5. The sharing economy. Smartphone owners are open to renting out their spare rooms, household appli- ances and leisure equipment as it is con- venient and can save money. 6. The digital purse. 80 percent of smartphone owners believe the smart- phone will replace their entire purse by 2020. 7. My information. 56 percent of smartphone owners would like all Internet communication to be encrypted. 8. Longer life. Smartphone own- ers see cloud-based services of various kinds giving them the potential to live healthier and longer lives. 9. Domestic robots. Consumers are welcoming the idea of having domes- tic robots that could help with everyday chores and believe this will be common in households by 2020. 10. Children connect everything. 46 percent of smartphone owners say that children will expect all objects to be con- nected when they are older. AVOID TANGLES WITH NEET CABLE KEEPER Have you dealt with the frustration of mobile device cables becoming a tangled mess? Whether it's the bird's nest in your drawer or the clutter-ball of keys, hair- brushes and USB being pulled out of your purse, the NEET Cable Keeper was developed to effectively manage your cables. The NEET Cable Keeper is designed to eliminate frustrating cable tangles. Guaranteed! The Cable Keeper is universal and simple to use with a zipper that runs the full length of the body. The installation is literally: Feed and Zip. Once you install cables into the NEET Cable Keeper, the structure wire allows you to form your cables into a compact shape that is con- venient and easy to organize. The fabric protects cables by creating an extra barri- er from pets and sharp objects. With the many color options available, NEET Cable Keeper allows you to easily identi- fy your cables. The NEET Cable Keeper is in a class of its own. Everyone has seen the one- dimensional, tedious cable management products out there. Needless to say, cus- tomer reviews are lackluster in terms of the results they get. We are all familiar with garden-variety cable ties; including the 'flat' cable and so on, with none of these working very well. The multi-func- tional traits of the NEET Cable Keeper are what really satisfies consumers. It organizes, protects and allows you to identify your cables, plus has many other innovative uses that consumers are finding every day. Since the launch, public response to the NEET Cable Keeper has been very positive. Sales trends point to the Cable Keeper being viewed as a great gift idea. Consumers are not just ordering one at a time. The majority of retail purchases have been for multiples. It makes the perfect gift for anyone and any occasion. As the reliance on mobile gadgets continues to grow among consumers, so has the need for a product that can help keep organized. Also, it's fun and playful in a way that consumers like to explore its uses. Consumers have always sought after the ultimate cable management product, and that is what NEET Cable Keeper is: the ultimate cable management product. For 2015, NEET will be launching differ- ent variations of Cable Keeper throughout the year. Right now, in the works is a model that will prevent earbuds and headphone cords from getting tangled. How many times have we gone to the gym and pulled out a wadded nest of earbuds from our bag or pocket? The company also has plans for variations for home appliance use, A/V entertainment equipment and profession- al DJ setups. NEET is on a mission to rid the world of frustrating wire tangles. For more information about the full line of NEET products, visit www.neet products.com, or visit Eureka Park booth #75464 or South Hall #MP25270.