The Future of Technology

Professor Bowe discussed many technological advances.
Photo By Rebecca Hinkle

The Coding Coalition at Concord University had a meeting where students could learn more about new technology and how fast it is changing our world. 

    “The Internet of Things” was presented to Coding Coalition members on Thursday, September 15, and provided useful information about technology of the world and at Concord University.

    The “Internet of Things” is a concept or description of internet connected appliances and devices. People can use the Internet of things to watch their homes from cameras, check on their own health, and even set the temperature in their house.

    Technology improves each year and there are constantly new devices coming out to improve daily living. One new device that was showcased in the presentation is a small pill called the Proteus Raisin that patients can swallow to allow doctors to  monitor their body chemistry. There is even a new baby monitor out called the Owlet that parents can put on a newborn’s foot as a booty to monitor the baby’s oxygen levels and heart rate. This can help prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) , a concern among many parents. 

    Lonnie Bowe, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, gave the presentation and discussed the tech toys here at Concord University. “We have several different robots. We have Finch Robots, which are little robots built that look like birds,” says Bowe. Concord also has GoPiGo’s that have sensors for Internet of Things applications that people can connect to, such as cameras. 

    The Internet of Things is expected to grow greatly over the years. “The industry of Internet of Things is expected to be booming in the next couple of years. They are saying that by 2020 that there will be something like 50 billion internet connected devices and a lot of companies are invested heavily in this and are looking for people who know how to come up with ideas for these things, how to build them, and how to create the systems,” says Bowe. 

    Bowe bought these robots with a grant he received from Google for $5,000. As interest grows, the Coding Coalition is going to raise funds for more tech toys. One tech toy the Coding Coalition would like to purchase in the future is a 3D printer. 

    Kyle Reinholt, the President of the Coding Coalition, says the Internet of Things has helped to inform Computer Science and Mathematics majors on where their majors can take them in life. “The reason we asked Mr. Bowe to do the presentation was to inform people that we have the tools to start doing things that are modern and on the cutting-edge,” says Reinholt.

    Coding Coalition, formally known as the Computer Science Club, is a club for Computer Science and Mathematics majors, but is open to all students and has many social activities that students can participate in. “It can expose you to new technologies and software that you did not know was even out there, so even if you are not a Computer Science major but a prospective student just to be exposed to this kind stuff I feel is very cool,” says Reinholt. Game nights are the last Thursday of every month at 6:00p.m. and members meet every last Tuesday of the month at 6:00p.m. at Peking House in Princeton to eat and hang out.

    For more information, contact Lonnie Bowe at lbowe@concord.edu or by phone 304-384-5387 or Kyle Reinholt at reinholtk24@mycu.concord.edu.