By Jennifer Little
Here in Charm City, we're known for a lot of things. For some people, it might be our food, like our crab cakes and Berger cookies. But what people might not think of is our innovation. Here are three Baltimore tech stories that you can't miss:
1. Bad Batch Alert
Developed by Baltimore City students, the app warns drug users of potentially deadly batches of heroin. Using data from the city health department, subscribers to the service receive text alerts when overdoses spike in their neighborhood. Creators hope that those who use the service will eventually seek help through the app.
To sign up for free, text 'JOIN' to 952-222-5378.
2. Kavita Krishnaswamy - Robotics Researcher at UMBC
Krishnaswamy is working to help students with disabilities. But there's a catch - she's visiting campus using a robot herself. Because of a rare nerve disorder, Kavita is paralyzed from the neck down except for a few muscles in her right hand. She designs devices to allow disabled people to move their arms and legs by using a ball, speaking, or changing their facial expressions.
3. Johns Hopkins Studies Distraction
Do you find yourself distracted in school? Johns Hopkins may soon be able to help you out. Researchers at the university are studying how to reduce distraction and help you focus by measuring brain waves. So far, they have found that junk food is nearly twice as distracting as healthy alternatives.
