html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Finnish architecture practice Kivinen Rusanen Architects has completed a new bioenergy heating plant in Eastern Helsinki, Finland.Named Vuosaari Bioenergy Heating Plant, the 16,535-square-metre building was designed in a cascading form with metallic appearance.Since the 1980s, a large portion of Helsinki's power and district heat have come from this facility, which is owned by the local Helen Ltd utility. Helen's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 includes the new heating facility.The North facade of the boiler and heat recovery system buildingAbout 25 percent of Helsinki's district heat is produced by the 260 MW biofuel heating plant, which also lowers the city's yearly carbon dioxide emissions by about 700,000 tonnes.With an efficiency of 122 percent, the Vuosaari Bioenergy Heating Plant is a very energy-efficient combustion facility. It is technically possible to convert it to combined heat and power generation even though it does not generate electricity.The boiler and heat recovery system building seen from the SouthwestThe most recent project developed by Kivinen Rusanen Architects at Helen's Vuosaari site is a bioenergy heating plant. It comes after a more than ten-year planning phase in which many technological and scale-related options for building the power plant complex were examined.In Vuosaari, district heat and electricity generation began in the 1980s and has since grown steadily. All of the structures on the power plant site were created by Kivinen Rusanen Architects from the beginning.The boiler and heat recovery system building West facade and the main conveyor bridgeSafety, process flow, and logistics are given top priority in the site plan. The site's equipment and building arrangements were designed to be as compact as possible to allow for future projects and logistical flexibility.The new facility's proximity to the current plant and the fuel handling system's use of technology that enables the various components to be arranged in a tight configuration are examples of this. Additionally, to reduce their footprint, the long main conveyor's legs are made of steel trusses with a compact square cross-section.North view of the fuel handling system buildingsThe project is a prominent feature of the harbor scenery in Vuosaari. The facility's visibility from the new park on the northern side of the power plant site, residential areas more to the west, and views from the sea were all taken into account during its design.However, the close-up views from Satamakaari Street and the facilities of the power plant were crucial. Assuring a high-quality design, construction, and finish was the architectural goal in order for the finished product to be seen in its surroundings.The boiler and heat recovery system building North facadeFrom the plot's edge to the center, the new buildings' size increases. The lower fuel handling structures are on the western side, near people and traffic, while the tall boiler building is in the middle of the property.The substantial landscaping of the steep and high embankment along Satamakaari Street supports this, softening the industrial image of the plant site and improving the street-level experience.The boiler room interiorTo create a timeless appearance, the building makes advantage of abstraction and a neutral color scheme. The double faade structure, which aims to establish visual coherence and control, is a crucial component of the exterior architecture.Although they are technically positioned in the best possible way, the different process equipment and building services that penetrate the external walls are concealed from view behind the double faade's outer shell.The boiler and heat recovery system building double facade seen from insideLarge glass curtain walls let natural light into the boiler building and the fuel-receiving structures. The double-skin facades with perforations reduce excessive glare and solar heat radiation. For maintenance workers who temporarily occupy the facility, natural light increases comfort and safety in the event of power outages or lighting system problems.Although the structures have a distinctly industrial character due to the abstraction of the double-skin claddings, windows give the buildings a less hermetic appearance from the outside.The boiler and heat recovery system building double facade seen from outsideThe project uses two types of double-skin cladding: corrugated sheet metal for the fuel handling buildings and huge, lightweight aluminum composite panels for the boiler building.The project's massive aluminum composite panels provide a structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing addition to the large boiler building's exterior. The Finnish fire code is followed by them.The fuel storage building exteriorA more intricate collection of buildings and structures make up the gasoline handling system. Because profiled sheet steel's size and properties give it a more versatile cladding solution, it was selected as the cladding material for these buildings.When air or light flows through the entire faade structure, both forms of cladding have partial perforations. In contrast to the lightweight steel double faades and metal claddings, high-quality huge structures made of prefabricated and in-situ black or white concrete are utilized.The fuel storage building interiorBy giving the city sustainable district heating, the Vuosaari Bioenergy Heating Plant operationally satisfies one of the most important fundamental demands. Its design seeks to communicate the significance and worth of this endeavor.The fuel handling systemWest facade of the fuel siloSouth view of the fuel receiving building (left) and the electricity spaces building (right)The South facade of the fuel receiving buildingThe South facade of the laboratory and screening building with conveyorsFuel handling area facade detailsAerial view of the site from the southwest. Image HelifotoBioenergy Heating Plant seen from Vuosaarenhuippu Park to the north of the siteBioenergy Heating Plant seen from the West. Image Tuomas KivinenSite planSection through the entire Biofuel Heating PlantPreviously, Kivinen Rusanen Architects built a substation featuring a patterned brick faade.Project factsProject name: Vuosaari Bioenergy Heating PlantLocation:Helsinki, FinlandFloor area: 16535 District heat output: 260 MWTotal investment:250 M Client:Helen LtdClient's project Manager: Antti SaikkonenClient's construction manager:Sami SihvoArchitectural design: Kivinen Rusanen ArchitectsLead architect: Tuomas Kivinen, architect SAFADesign team:Uros Kostic, Anna Blomqvist, Maija Hirvilammi, Tania Serrano, Maria Karjalainen, Melina Aakula, Harri Holopainen, Netta Siljander, Tiia SskiCollaborators:Landscape design:Sweco Finland LtdStructural engineering, concrete structures: Sweco Finland LtdContractors for concrete structures:Louhintahiekka Ltd, SRV Infra LtdBoiler plant:Main equipment supplier:Sumitomo SHI FW Energia LtdStructural engineering, steel structures: Sumitomo SHI FW Energia LtdStructural steelwork contractor:MKL Bau sp.z o.o.Exterior cladding contractor: RKC Construction LtdExterior cladding contractor: Ruukki ConstructionHeat recovery (LTO):Main equipment supplier:Valmet LtdStructural engineering, steel structures:Ramboll Finland LtdStructural steelwork contractor:MKL Bau sp.z o.o.External cladding contractor:RKC Construction LtdExterior cladding contractor: Ruukki ConstructionFuel system:Main equipment supplier: BMH Technology LtdStructural engineering, steel structures: Rejlers Finland LtdStructural steelwork contractor:MKL Bau sp.z o.o.Top image: The boiler and heat recovery system building seen from the East. Image Tuomas Kivinen.All images Max Plunger unless otherwise stated.All drawings Kivinen Rusanen Architects.> via Kivinen Rusanen Architects

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Finnish architecture practice Kivinen Rusanen Architects has completed a new bioenergy heating plant in Eastern Helsinki, Finland.Named Vuosaari Bioenergy Heating Plant, the 16,535-square-metre building was designed in a cascading form with metallic appearance.Since the 1980s, a large portion of Helsinki's power and district heat have come from this facility, which is owned by the local Helen Ltd utility. Helen's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 includes the new heating facility.The North facade of the boiler and heat recovery system buildingAbout 25 percent of Helsinki's district heat is produced by the 260 MW biofuel heating plant, which also lowers the city's yearly carbon dioxide emissions by about 700,000 tonnes.With an efficiency of 122 percent, the Vuosaari Bioenergy Heating Plant is a very energy-efficient combustion facility. It is technically possible to convert it to combined heat and power generation even though it does not generate electricity.The boiler and heat recovery system building seen from the SouthwestThe most recent project developed by Kivinen Rusanen Architects at Helen's Vuosaari site is a bioenergy heating plant. It comes after a more than ten-year planning phase in which many technological and scale-related options for building the power plant complex were examined.In Vuosaari, district heat and electricity generation began in the 1980s and has since grown steadily. All of the structures on the power plant site were created by Kivinen Rusanen Architects from the beginning.The boiler and heat recovery system building West facade and the main conveyor bridgeSafety, process flow, and logistics are given top priority in the site plan. The site's equipment and building arrangements were designed to be as compact as possible to allow for future projects and logistical flexibility.The new facility's proximity to the current plant and the fuel handling system's use of technology that enables the various components to be arranged in a tight configuration are examples of this. Additionally, to reduce their footprint, the long main conveyor's legs are made of steel trusses with a compact square cross-section.North view of the fuel handling system buildingsThe project is a prominent feature of the harbor scenery in Vuosaari. The facility's visibility from the new park on the northern side of the power plant site, residential areas more to the west, and views from the sea were all taken into account during its design.However, the close-up views from Satamakaari Street and the facilities of the power plant were crucial. Assuring a high-quality design, construction, and finish was the architectural goal in order for the finished product to be seen in its surroundings.The boiler and heat recovery system building North facadeFrom the plot's edge to the center, the new buildings' size increases. The lower fuel handling structures are on the western side, near people and traffic, while the tall boiler building is in the middle of the property.The substantial landscaping of the steep and high embankment along Satamakaari Street supports this, softening the industrial image of the plant site and improving the street-level experience.The boiler room interiorTo create a timeless appearance, the building makes advantage of abstraction and a neutral color scheme. The double faade structure, which aims to establish visual coherence and control, is a crucial component of the exterior architecture.Although they are technically positioned in the best possible way, the different process equipment and building services that penetrate the external walls are concealed from view behind the double faade's outer shell.The boiler and heat recovery system building double facade seen from insideLarge glass curtain walls let natural light into the boiler building and the fuel-receiving structures. The double-skin facades with perforations reduce excessive glare and solar heat radiation. For maintenance workers who temporarily occupy the facility, natural light increases comfort and safety in the event of power outages or lighting system problems.Although the structures have a distinctly industrial character due to the abstraction of the double-skin claddings, windows give the buildings a less hermetic appearance from the outside.The boiler and heat recovery system building double facade seen from outsideThe project uses two types of double-skin cladding: corrugated sheet metal for the fuel handling buildings and huge, lightweight aluminum composite panels for the boiler building.The project's massive aluminum composite panels provide a structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing addition to the large boiler building's exterior. The Finnish fire code is followed by them.The fuel storage building exteriorA more intricate collection of buildings and structures make up the gasoline handling system. Because profiled sheet steel's size and properties give it a more versatile cladding solution, it was selected as the cladding material for these buildings.When air or light flows through the entire faade structure, both forms of cladding have partial perforations. In contrast to the lightweight steel double faades and metal claddings, high-quality huge structures made of prefabricated and in-situ black or white concrete are utilized.The fuel storage building interiorBy giving the city sustainable district heating, the Vuosaari Bioenergy Heating Plant operationally satisfies one of the most important fundamental demands. Its design seeks to communicate the significance and worth of this endeavor.The fuel handling systemWest facade of the fuel siloSouth view of the fuel receiving building (left) and the electricity spaces building (right)The South facade of the fuel receiving buildingThe South facade of the laboratory and screening building with conveyorsFuel handling area facade detailsAerial view of the site from the southwest. Image HelifotoBioenergy Heating Plant seen from Vuosaarenhuippu Park to the north of the siteBioenergy Heating Plant seen from the West. Image Tuomas KivinenSite planSection through the entire Biofuel Heating PlantPreviously, Kivinen Rusanen Architects built a substation featuring a patterned brick faade.Project factsProject name: Vuosaari Bioenergy Heating PlantLocation:Helsinki, FinlandFloor area: 16535 District heat output: 260 MWTotal investment:250 M Client:Helen LtdClient's project Manager: Antti SaikkonenClient's construction manager:Sami SihvoArchitectural design: Kivinen Rusanen ArchitectsLead architect: Tuomas Kivinen, architect SAFADesign team:Uros Kostic, Anna Blomqvist, Maija Hirvilammi, Tania Serrano, Maria Karjalainen, Melina Aakula, Harri Holopainen, Netta Siljander, Tiia SskiCollaborators:Landscape design:Sweco Finland LtdStructural engineering, concrete structures: Sweco Finland LtdContractors for concrete structures:Louhintahiekka Ltd, SRV Infra LtdBoiler plant:Main equipment supplier:Sumitomo SHI FW Energia LtdStructural engineering, steel structures: Sumitomo SHI FW Energia LtdStructural steelwork contractor:MKL Bau sp.z o.o.Exterior cladding contractor: RKC Construction LtdExterior cladding contractor: Ruukki ConstructionHeat recovery (LTO):Main equipment supplier:Valmet LtdStructural engineering, steel structures:Ramboll Finland LtdStructural steelwork contractor:MKL Bau sp.z o.o.External cladding contractor:RKC Construction LtdExterior cladding contractor: Ruukki ConstructionFuel system:Main equipment supplier: BMH Technology LtdStructural engineering, steel structures: Rejlers Finland LtdStructural steelwork contractor:MKL Bau sp.z o.o.Top image: The boiler and heat recovery system building seen from the East. Image Tuomas Kivinen.All images Max Plunger unless otherwise stated.All drawings Kivinen Rusanen Architects.> via Kivinen Rusanen Architects

Expanding practice inks deal after running out of space at its nearby UK headquartersFoster & Partners will take three floors at 50 Electric Boulevard, which the practice designedFosters & Partners has taken three floors of its newly completed office block at Battersea Power Station after running out of space at its existing UK headquarters.The practice has signed a lease with the Battersea Power Station Development Company to occupy 48,000sq ft at 50 Electric Boulevard, a 16-storey building at the riverside regeneration site designed by the firm and completed last year.It comes after a successful year for the UKs largest practice which saw its turnover increase by 29% and top 400m for the first time. Pre-tax profit also doubled in the year to last April to 2.3m, while its staff numbers were up 11% to 1,900.> Also read:Fosters sees income break through 400m figureThe firm is understood to have made the move after reaching capacity at its current headquarters at 22 Hester Road, which is located about 30 minutes walk away through Battersea Park, where it has been based since 1990.No staff numbers for the new space have been confirmed, with the firm waiting for fit out to complete before deciding which teams will be relocated.Fosters managing partner Stuart Latham said the location has strong links with our existing Riverside studio in Battersea and allows us to actively support our growing workforce in London.The new office on the left, with Grimshaws Battersea Power Station tube station in the foreground and Frank Gehrys Prospect Place housing development on the rightSam Cotton, head of asset management at Battersea Power Station Development Company, said the deal was a ringing endorsement for the regeneration project from one of the biggest architectural contributors to the development.Not only is their decision to take office space at 50 Electric Boulevard a sign of their pride in the building, but it also emphasises the appeal of the location and the variety of amenities on offer, which make Battersea Power Station such a brilliant and unique place to work, he added.This neighbourhood would not be the same without Foster & Partners contributions, and we are proud to be welcoming them as permanent members of our community.Spanning 90,000 sq m, 50 Electric Boulevard is one of the largest office developments at Battersea Power Station and includes a double-height glazed pavilion filled with more than 800 plants and mature trees.It also has a 1,800sq ft communal roof garden with views across the power station, the river and the London skyline.50 Electric Boulevard in the background at Battersea Power Station

Latest addition to citys high-rise cluster would include 364 homesThe building would rise from a podium faced by a ring of three-storey archesPlans by Sheppard Robson for a 44-storey residential tower have been submitted to Manchester City Council.Local developer Glenbrook is behind the 2-4 Whitworth Street scheme, which would provide 364 homes and 7,800 sq ft of commercial space.The scheme would replace two mid-rise vacant buildings on the siteIf built, it would contribute to a burgeoning high-rise district in south Manchester that already includes 12 completed towers and 15 which have been approved.The building would rise from a podium faced with a ring of three-storey terracotta-coloured arches, framing the buildings street-level retail space, and surrounded by around 700 sq m of public realm.It would require the demolition of two three- and four-storey brick buildings on the site which have been vacant for several years and were described by Glenbrook as not having any heritage status.The project team also includes Deloitte on planning, Quartz Project Services on costs, AKTII as structural engineer, Futurserv as M&E engineer, OFR Fire Consultants on fire and landscape architect Layer Studio.The plans replace a now-lapsed consent on the site for a seven-storey Travelodge designed by Glenn Howells.This scheme, which was approved in December 2020 but never implemented, was designed for Aberdeen Asset Management.The scheme would add to a growing high rise cluster in the city

The British Land-backed masterplan, which was approved by Southwark Council in 2020, promises a new town centre for the borough, including more than 3,000 homes, 40 new buildings, and three clusters of high-rise towers.Proposed amendments include changes to the heights, uses and massing of a number of the buildings in the high-rise scheme partly to meet second staircase requirements.Between 1 and 13 additional storeys are proposed across 11 of the buildings. All residential buildings over 18m (seven storeys) would increase in height to accommodate second staircases.Advertisement Source:British Land (taken from consultation documents)Allies and Morrisons Canada Water masterplan including proposed amendmentsBritish Land says the changes, proposed via a Section 73 planning application and under consultation, would adapt the project to the changing regulatory and economic environment, responding to both the Building Safety Act 2022 and the increase in building costs of recent years.A company spokesperson said: We are in discussions with Southwark Council and the Greater London Authority to amend the original Canada Water Masterplan.The proposed changes allow us to continue delivery of significant community benefits while responding to changes to building regulations including the Building Safety Act, as well as macro-economic factors such as steep construction cost inflation and sharp interest rate rises.The masterplan covers the former Daily Mail printworks, the Surrey Quays Shopping and Leisure Centre, the Dock Offices and the former Rotherhithe Police Station.Plans were originally submitted in 2018 but the scheme was later reduced in height after Historic England argued that seven tall buildings in the proposal would harm views of some of the capitals most famous landmarks.AdvertisementThe approved scheme still generated a high level of concern over building heights, with 233 objections (compared with 48 supporting letters), and a 330-signature petition from the Canada Water West Resident Action Group calling for building heights to be limited to that of the existing Ontario Point tower (87m).Allies and Morrison's detailed designs for phase 1 of the Canada Water masterplanThe latest planning documents for the project say tall buildings will play a significant role in transforming Canada Water into a new town centre.The Canada Water masterplan secured a 39.1 million GLA grant in 2019 and is being built in phases. Phase 1 remains on track for completion this year, according to British Land.Completed elements include 79 council homes, which were occupied last year, and Dock public realm upgrades by Townshend Landscape Architects which opened in November, including a wetlands area, dock steps and an Asif Khan-designed bridge.British Land says a new leisure centre will be completed and delivered in spring, and a further 186 more homes will be complete by May.The 2020 approval includes 35 per cent affordable housing with 25 per cent social rent and 10 per cent intermediate.Alongside the outline, detailed proposals were submitted for three plots with 265 homes, approximately 93,000m of workspace, a leisure centre and enhancements to Canada Water dock.The first plot, A1, is also designed by Allies and Morrison and includes a 35-storey tower providing 186 homesand 10,700mofoffice and retail in an adjoiningsix-storey building.The practice has also designed a second building, A2, which overlooks Canada Water, with 15,800m of flexible workspace, wide planted balconies and a public leisure centre beneath, complete with an eight-lane swimming pool.Architects involved in subsequent phases include Hawkins\Brown and Maccreanor Lavington. The public realm elements of were designed by Townshend Landscape Architects.The entire masterplan is expected to take about 15 years to deliver.

Were delighted to announce that Palak Patel has joined Prime Focus Studios!Prime Focus Studios was founded by our CEO Namit Malhotra to finance and produce films, TV series and other content at major studios, as well as independently. Leveraging the DNEG Groups award-winning global capabilities, including soundstages, production facilities, visual effects, feature animation, and more, Prime Focus Studios is a new home to innovative filmmakers and a partner to studios and rights-holders.Palak was previously EVP, Production and Development at Columbia Pictures where he helped to oversee the Venom trilogy, which grossed over $1.8 billion collectively, among other films. Before this, he was President of Production and Development at Roth Films and produced shows that have cumulatively grossed over $2 billion at the box office, including Oz the Great and the Powerful, Snow White and the Huntsman, Maleficent, Million Dollar Arm, In The Heart of the Sea, and The Huntsman: Winters War.Speaking about his new role as Chief Content Officer at Prime Focus Studios, Palak said: Ive known Namit for over a decade, and weve worked together on many films through DNEG, arguably the best VFX company in the world. Prime Focus Studios and DNEG joining forces as one company to offer full studio capabilities is game-changing from acquiring IP, to developing scripts, to assisting filmmakers maximize their creativity while minimizing financial risk with all the resources provided, from our state-of-the-art soundstages to utilizing DNEGs artists early in the development process to deliver across all formats and genres.Prime Focus Studios founder and DNEG Global CEO Namit Malhotra added: Prime Focus Studios brings a new and entrepreneurial approach to the development and creation of the worlds biggest movies. Partnership and collaboration with studios and filmmakers are already part of our DNA, and this new venture pushes that partnership to the next level. Im excited that Palak is joining us on this journey. His extensive production experience and understanding of the medium will help us to create a next-generation studio that will bring together the very best of cutting-edge technology, creative talent, and strategic investment, to create something truly unique.Read more about the news in The Hollywood Reporter.

What happens when millions of people gather for a global event in a country where they may not speak the language but suddenly need medical attention?For starters, you try to figure out a way to connect people across languages, including translating sometimes vague and culturally specific personal health complaints into medical terminology that doctors can understand to quickly assess a patient's condition and decide the level of urgency. Then there's the issue of figuring out the formulation for prescriptions created in one country and how that might translate into medicines available in the prescribing country. Also you need to put in place a monitoring or tracking system that's able to flag potential outbreaks before they spread at the event. Those were the challenges facing organizers of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, who knew they would have to address health issues facing over 10 million visitors and 15,000 athletes and para-athletes from over 150 countries and regions speaking 25 different languages. To help them solve it, organizers turned to a Silicon Valley-based company, Humetrix, that had created an award-winning Global Health Communicator based on the medical information databases it's assembled over the past 15 years.Led by Dr. Bettina Experton, Humetrix has developed health-related data and analytics systems, including a population-based health analytics system that allowed the government to track and predict outbreaks of the coronavirus among 20 million Medicare recipients and enabled the Department of Defense Joint Artificial Intelligence Center to identify areas in the US to send vaccines and other support during the 2020 pandemic. HumetrixFor the Olympics, Experton and her team created a mobile app, powered in part by a generative AI chatbot, that international visitors could use to start the process of getting medical care from first aid stations set up at the 200 competition venues in Paris and from 20,000 physicians and hospitals contracted to help the games provide care, Experton said. Patients scanned a QR code, got access to a secure mobile app, entered their medical information in their own language, selected their medications from their own country and then let the system translate for them.To help those patients, doctors had access to a database of 4 million worldwide medications and vaccines and information on 67,000 medical conditions that could be triggered by over 4,000 symptoms. Again, all of that information was translated into 25 languages, including English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, German, Korean, Czech, Russian, Estonian, Tamil, Ukrainian and Urdu.All of that had to be done while ensuring patients' medical information remained confidential and secure, which meant no remote storage of personal health info in the cloud or sharing of personally identifiable information with monitoring systems. Humetrix"Saves us time, increases the efficiency of triage," said one paramedic lead at the Paris Summer Games. A Paris-based primary care physician and volunteer at Paris Summer Games first aid stations stated, "Simply love it -- now using it for my non-French speaking patients in our clinic." Some hospitals even expanded this technology to all patients as part of their intake workflow, while some paramedics in the Paris region added Humetrix QR code posters inside their ambulances.At CES this week in Las Vegas, Humetrix plans to expand its global health platform by adding voice-to-voice capabilities that will allow patients to better communicate with medical and pharmaceutical providers at the push of a button. Using GPS location, Humetrix will automatically translate and speak symptoms, medications and other pertinent health information into the local language, of which 25 languages are available. In these situations, AI is combined with human and clinician intelligence (i.e., fact-checked) to ensure that all translations make sense and utilize the correct expressions when voice-to-voice communication is employed. HumetrixWith its database of 4 million medicinal products worldwide, Humetrix's technology can help you find something as seemingly simple as Tylenol in a different country that doesn't carry that exact drug but has another of a different name with the same active ingredients. However if a particular medication is unavailable at your current location, Humetrix will notify you.Why wasn't this voice technology utilized at the Olympics? Since the Olympics occur in a public setting, vocalizing personal health information where others may overhear would be a privacy concern. However in a closed-door exam room at a hospital, voice-to-voice capabilities can streamline conversation and, as a result, diagnosis.Remaining consistent, no personal information is stored in the cloud but is local on the user's phone. The population-based health analytics system used by Humetrix was paused after the Paralympics but can be reenabled depending on the use case.This technology is available B2B, and its design merits use by the travel or healthcare industries, global organizers (such as those hosting international sports events) and governments. As Humetrix proved during the Summer Olympic Games, its technology can successfully be harnessed to track symptoms and monitor the spread of disease, which could prove especially useful during another global disease outbreak.Health has previously been a barrier to travel, preventing many from experiencing new cultures in the name of accessible medical care. However with technology like this bridging gaps in international healthcare, these obstacles to accessing our global community may soon be no more. Information is power, especially regarding our health --and that shouldn't be limited based on where you are in the world or what language you speak.

Why You Can Trust CNET Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement The wave of the future or the stuff dreams are made of? Get your eyeballs all over these top finds from one of the largest tech shows on the planet. Spacetime isn't bending, yet. You're looking at a stretchable 2D screen that can create a 3D effect. The possibilities are intriguing. Celso Bulgatti/CNET CES 2025 has just begun, and right on time comes the flood of wild, weird and wonderful new products. We'll keep updating this curated list of the coolest stuff that delights, inspires and maybe even presents innovative solutions to very real problems big and small. These are the top products that grabbed our attention, the ones we talk about over our laptops. We're excited for a chance to discover even more to make our hit list, so: stay tuned. We'll have more wild stuff as CES continues through Friday.Also, don't sleep on these new products you can buy now(or soon) and have a chuckle reliving the bizarro things we've seen at CES in the past. James Martin/CNET Housing renters who want to mount their TV but are wary of drilling into their walls, your ship is about to come in. The Displace TV uses suction cups to stick to the wall and runs off batteries, meaning you can stick it pretty much anywhere in your home or office. It comes in varying sizes, starting with a $1,499 27-inch model and going up to a $4,999 55-inch TV, which will ship in spring 2025. I Suction-Cupped Displace TV's Wireless OLED to a Wall. I'll Never Be the Same. See at Displace HMD Imagine you're cut off from mobile cell service in the outdoors or when networks are down, but it doesn't matter: HMD's new $200 OffGrid device lets you link your Android or iOS phone to networks of satellites to send texts, check-in messages to loved ones and even send emergency pings. From the ashes of last year's Motorola Defy Satellite Link comes a product with even more features, though you'll need to pay a monthly subscription to use it. Give Any Phone a Texting Hotspot Connection Using a Satellite. Just Like iPhone 16. See at Hmd Tara Brown/CNET Roborock Saros Z70 A robot vacuum with an arm You may not want, or even care about robot vacuums. If you're looking for the "see" in "must-see," this armed and dangerous (to dirt) robot vacuum has proven mesmerizing to watch. What's the arm for, you ask? It's not just vacuums;it can pick up after you. We Spent Hours Watching a Robot Vacuum Pick Up Socks. It's a Dream Come True. Watch this: These New Smart Glasses Want to Be Your Next AI Companion 02:31 Circular Circular Ring Gen 2 A smart ring that detects irregular heartbeats to warn ahead of strokes or heart attacks. For years, premium smartwatches have been able to detect atrial fibrillations -- irregular heartbeats that could preclude strokes and cardiac events -- but not everyone wants a smartwatch. Enter the Circular Ring Gen 2, a $380 smart ring that watches out for these AFib events and tracks other health data, will be available to buy in the next couple months. Circular's New Smart Ring Can Detect AFib From Your Finger. James Martin/CNET Samsung's micro LED smartwatch concept A Micro LED display that's so bright you can see it in daylight. For all the smartwatch lovers who can't see their screens in broad daylight, Samsung debuted a concept device showing a next-gen micro LED display that's brighter than any watch you can buy. While it could be years before this reaches a consumer device, it's promising -- just promise to never take it out in a dark theater. Samsung's Micro LED Smartwatch Concept Is the Brightest Screen I've Seen on a Watch. Jon Reed/CNET Roam SodaTop Add fizz on the fly The SodaStream, which lets you create carbonated drinks at home, was a great idea when it launched. But now everyone's in motion and equipped with water bottles, so why should you be able to get your fizz on in only one location? The SodaTop is a cap for compatible water bottles that carbonates water in compatible containers. This Revolutionary Bottle Cap Lets You Make Sparkling Water Anywhere. CES 2025: The Coolest Gadgets and Concepts We've Seen So Far See all photos LeafyPod LeafyPod Feed me, Seymour Don't wait until the soil's cracked or the leaves fall off. LeafyPod is a smart planter that learns the appropriate regimen for the plant you've potted in it, as well as determines if any environmental facts are suboptimal. Then it lets the plant voice its needs via a phone app. It can't do everything -- you've still got to do as you're told. New Smart Planter at CES 2025 Lets Plants Shout When They Need More Water or Light. JSAUX JSAux FlipGo Horizon Every year, multiscreen add-ons The concept of being able to use multiple portable screens with a laptop is one of those elusive dreams that leave us searching for a product we can live with. They're also a CES staple, and at least on Day 1, the FlipGo has caught the attention of the dreamers. Who knows? Maybe this one is it. Dominate Your Coffee Shop With FlipGo Horizon Snap-On Laptop Displays. Smart Home Guides Smart Home

The second round of COLA-boosted Social Security Disability Insurance checks are headed to recipients in just a couple of days. Beneficiaries should see a 2.5% increase in their checks compared to last year, though the specific amount will depend on your current case. If you're unsure when you should expect your check.The Social Security Administration sends monthly payments to people who have a disability that stops or limits their ability to work. Depending on the situation of the individual, others may qualify and can apply for SSDI as well.For more, here's what you can do if you're last payment never arrived, and here's the Supplemental Security Income payment schedule.Payment schedule if you've had SSDI since May 1997 or earlierIf you started getting SSDI before May 1997, you'd usually receive your payment on the third day of every month. Note that this isn't always the case, like when the third day falls on a weekend or holiday. This past March was such a month, and SSDI recipients received their payments two days earlier, on the first day of the month.For everyone else, payments are birth date-dependentIf you began receiving SSDI after May 1997, then your payment date is determined by the day of the month you were born. Payments are typically paid out on the second, third and fourth Wednesday of the month. Which Wednesday you get your check breaks down like this: Smart Money Advice on the Topics That Matter to You CNET Money brings financial insights, trends and news to your inbox every Wednesday. Birthdate betweenSocial Security check date 1 and 10 of the month Second Wednesday of the month11 and 20 of the month Third Wednesday of the month21 and 31 of the month Fourth Wednesday of the month When you'll get your SSDI payment for JanuaryHere's when your SSDI payment should arrive this month: If you've received Social Security before May 1997 Jan. 3If your birthday falls between day 1 and 10 of the month Jan. 8If your birthday falls between day 11 and 20 of the month Jan. 15If your birthday falls between day 21 and 31 of the month Jan. 22 Will the 2025 COLA affect my payment?Probably, but it depends. The COLA for 2025 introduces a 2.5% increase in monthly benefit checks, but exactly how much of an increase will depend on several factors. Any monthly income, how long you've received benefits, and what type of benefit you receive can result in a different payment increase. Recipients should have received their COLA notice sometime in December with specific details on their case. A COLA of 2.5% will add about $48 to the average benefits check. Smart Money Advice on the Topics That Matter to You CNET Money brings financial insights, trends and news to your inbox every Wednesday. For more, don't miss four ways you could lose your Social Security benefits and how to apply for SSI.

US labels Tencent as a Chinese military companyMegacorp says label doesn't currently impact business, but is a "misunderstanding".Image credit: Tencent / Eurogamer News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Jan. 7, 2025 The US Department of Defense has labelled Chinese megacorp Tencent - a huge player in the global video games industry - as a Chinese military company. Tencent itself has responded to say the label is inaccurate, and a "misunderstanding". The listing of Tencent as a Chinese military company does not immediately impact its ability to do business in the US, but raises the risk of complications in the future. As reported by The Verge, drone company DJI has seen its US imports blocked since it was added to the same list. But other companies, such as Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi, have been added and then removed.In 2020, President Trump issued an executive order which stated that US businesses could not invest in Chinese companies linked to the US military. Trump is set to return to power later this month."We are not a military company or supplier," Tencent spokesperson Danny Marti said. "Unlike sanctions or export controls, this listing has no impact on our business. We will nonetheless work with the Department of Defense to address any misunderstanding."Tencent's reach across the global video games industry is enormous. It owns League of Legends developer Riot Games, Dune: Awakening maker Funcom and UK outfit Sumo Digital, in addition to several of its own companies such as Pokmon Unite maker Timi Studios.In addition, Tencent owns majority stakes in Dying Light developer Techland, Rime studio Tequila Works, plus mobile studios Miniclip and Supercell. Fortnite and Unreal Engine maker Epic Games is 35 percent owned by Tencent, while the company also holds notable stakes in FromSoftware, Remedy, Krafton, Paradox, Frontier, Kadokawa, Marvelous, Bloober Team and Netmarble.And then there's Ubisoft - another company in which Tencent holds a stake - which is currently in discussions with the Chinese company over a potential stock buyout, in a bid to stabilise the troubled Assassin's Creed maker.