Google Authenticator, Autonomous Trucks, Heat Exchangers, and Amazon Halo: Brief Overview

In brief: Google Authenticator, autonomous trucks, heat exchangers, Amazon Halo

Google Authenticator Synchronization

Google has introduced a new feature that allows secret seeds – used as a second method to calculate one-time codes – to be synchronized and restored to other devices. However, Google has failed to encrypt the data transmission, leaving it vulnerable to cyber attackers. As a result, the German news outlet heise Security recommends against using the Google Authenticator. Google has acknowledged the issue and has promised to integrate end-to-end encryption onto the Authenticator, but no timeframe has been given for the update.

Continental and Aurora Autonomous Trucks

Continental, a German automotive industry supplier, has partnered with Aurora, a US company, to develop a self-driving and hardware-as-a-service (HaaS) system for freight forwarders in the US. Together, they aim to provide financially attractive offers to trucking companies covering everything from self-driving trucks to repair and maintenance services. It is expected that driving and rest times will no longer be an issue, allowing for greater efficiency and a ten percent reduction in fuel consumption. Manufacturing of these autonomous trucks is scheduled to begin in 2027.

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems’ Tabsolar III

Using the facade as a heat source is an innovative solution for operating a heat pump. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems has developed a heat exchanger made of ultra-high-performance concrete with channels running through it. This technology uses “fractal” structures based on blood vessels or leaves to ensure maximum efficiency. The channels are filled with liquid that is circulated through the exchanger to deliver heat to the heating system. The efficacy of this technology will be tested in a two-family house in Kassel.

Amazon’s Retirement of Halo

Amazon is retiring its health-focused service, Halo, with effect from July 31, 2023. All Halo devices will cease functioning from August 1st. Amazon will be laying off some of its employees, and all data will be deleted from their servers. However, users can download and save the data until the end of July.

Leave a Reply