CTA Foundation, IBM, Local Motors Collaborate on How to Create Accessible, Self-Driving Vehicles

Series of workshops and hackathons to help personalize the transportation experience

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   Las Vegas, NV, January 6, 2016 - Today the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™  Foundation announced an alliance with IBM and Local Motors to help create the world's most accessible, self-driving vehicle. The CTA Foundation, a public foundation with the mission to link seniors and people with disabilities with technologies to enhance their lives, announced the innovative partnership at CES® 2017 - the global stage for innovation, owned and produced by CTA - running Jan. 5-8 in Las Vegas, NV.

   To begin identifying new innovations in accessible transportation, the CTA Foundation, IBM and Local Motors will launch a series of workshops and hackathons throughout 2017 to reach innovators of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. The Local Motors Olli - the first self-driving cognitive vehicle, already equipped with some of the world's most advanced vehicle technology - will serve as the foundation of the initiative. Built to include IBM Watson Internet of Things for automotive, the Olli improves the passenger experience and allows for natural interaction with the vehicle.

   "Our goal is to explore new ways to improve access to transportation and personalize the experience to each person's unique abilities," said Ruoyi Zhou, director of accessibility research, IBM. "IBM has been committed to developing accessibility technology solutions to help people with disabilities for over 100 years. And by working with the CTA Foundation and Local Motors, we can further advance the role technology plays in transportation so everyone can stay more connected with friends, family and their community."     By calling on students and seasoned developers to apply the advanced cognitive computing capabilities of IBM Watson, Local Motors can create seamless interactions between the vehicle and passengers in an adaptive and immersive environment. Examples of how the Olli may be more accessible include:

• Understanding sign language and communicating back via text
• Adapting light and videos for users with photosensitive epilepsy
• Simplifying the language for those with cognitive disabilities
• Using Image recognition to describe what is outside of the vehicle for blind or visually impaired passengers

    "Through the power of cognitive computing, the Internet of Things (IoT) and accessibility technology, this initiative will significantly improve the lives of persons with disabilities and the growing aging population," said Stephen Ewell, executive director of the CTA Foundation. "CTA's member companies are already using connected mobile devices, sensors and cognitive systems to change our lives for the better - whether that means an improvement to our everyday lives or a game-changing disruptive innovation. And we invite others in the tech industry to join us in helping ensure these critical accessibility and transportation solutions come to life."

    This effort represents an extension of IBM's recent collaboration with the CTA Foundation which produced the Outthink Aging study. The research revealed that meeting the needs of a growing aging population will require new technologies, partnerships, ideas and business models. Today, one billion people experience some form of disability - and by 2050, people aged 60 and older will account for 22 percent of the global population. But better access to transportation helps improve independence and the quality of life for seniors and people who suffer from cognitive, vision, memory or physical challenges.

Self-driving Car

About CES:
   CES is the world's gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technology. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for almost 50 years-the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace. As the largest hands-on event of its kind, CES features all aspects of the industry. And because it is owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™ - formerly the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®- the technology trade association representing the $287 billion U.S. consumer technology industry, it attracts the world's business leaders and pioneering thinkers to a forum where the industry's most relevant issues are addressed. Check out CES video highlights. Follow CES online at www.CESweb.org and on social.

 About Consumer Technology Association:
   Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™, is the trade association representing the $292 billion U.S. consumer technology industry, which supports more than 15 million U.S. jobs. More than 2,200 companies - 80 percent are small businesses and startups; others are among the world's best known brands - enjoy the benefits of CTA membership including policy advocacy, market research, technical education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. The Consumer Technology Association also owns and produces CES® - the world's gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. Profits from CES are reinvested into CTA's industry services.

  About CTA Foundation:
   The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation is a public, national foundation affiliated with the Consumer Technology Association. It was established with the mission to link seniors and people with disabilities with technologies to enhance their lives. The Foundation is focused on strategic support of programs to impact these communities and has launched its first series of grants in 2012. It also serves to facilitate dialog between industry, consumers, government, advocacy groups and other key stakeholders around important issues. For more information on the CTA Foundation please visit CTAFoundation.tech.

2.6 Million Seniors are Victims – Are you protecting your parents from identity thieves?

While anyone can be a victim of identity theft, seniors may be at even more of a risk then the general population. According to the Department of Justice, the number of elderly victims of identity theft increased from 2.1 million in 2012 to 2.6 million in 2014. This increase is likely due to the fact that seniors often live alone and crave companionship, and also have fading memories, which makes them easy pray for identity thieves who take advantage of their loneliness and vulnerability.

What’s more is that identity theft in seniors can be truly tragic as bank accounts are drained and retirement funds vanish, leaving these seniors without any resources in their golden years.  Protecting our aging parents can be simple if you know where to start. Here are five ways to keep them, and their nest eggs, safe.

1.       Give the gift of a shredder – It may not be much of a sentimental gesture, but a small cross-cut shredder can really go a long way to protect your aging parents. With thieves dumpster diving for personal information, shredders can be used to destroy unneeded personal documents, receipts, pre-approved credit offers, unused or old checks and any other items that include personal information about your parent(s) or their accounts.

2.       Protect their mail – Leaving outgoing mail in the mailbox for the postman is never a good idea. Thieves can quite easily snatch mail waiting to be picked up, including letters that include checks or other personal information – and since your parent is expecting them to disappear, they’ll never be the wiser. Encourage your parents to take their outgoing letters to the post office, and to purchase a mailbox with a lock for added protection.

3.       Monitor their accounts – Your parents are likely not as computer savvy as you are. Help them to monitor accounts as well as their credit information online. You can even set up credit monitoring and bank alerts to make this a seamless process for you both. Products such as Experian CreditWorks is a great option for people looking for comprehensive credit monitoring.

4.       Educate them about identity thieves – Remind your parents that thieves take many forms, and how detrimental losing their personal information can be. They should never give out personally identifiable information like a social security number or bank account number over the phone, and remind them a legitimate business would never ask for this type of information.

To learn more about identity theft and how identity protection services can help your parents, visit www.Experian.com

News Briefs from The Endocrine Society: Vitamin D Deficiency and PFC Exposure

1. Routine Tasks Pose Problems for Older Individuals with Vitamin D Deficiency 

2. PFC Exposure Tied to Altered Thyroid Function
3. Overcoming Anorexia

1. Routine Tasks Pose Problems for Older Individuals with Vitamin D Deficiency  

Study suggests vitamin D supplements could help prevent mobility problems
Vitamin D-deficient older individuals are more likely to struggle with everyday tasks such as dressing or climbing stairs, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

Scientists estimate many as 90 percent of older individuals are vitamin D deficient. The vitamin – typically absorbed from sunlight or on a supplementary basis through diet – plays a key role in bone and muscle health. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a decline in bone density, muscle weakness, osteoporosis or broken bones.

"Seniors who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have mobility limitations and to see their physical functioning decline over time," said the study's lead author, Evelien Sohl, MSc, of VU University Medical Center inAmsterdam, theNetherlands. "Older individuals with these limitations are more likely to be admitted to nursing homes and face a higher risk of mortality."

Using data from an ongoing Dutch cohort study (The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam), the researchers examined among two groups – 762 people between the ages of 65 and 88, and 597 people between the ages of 55 and 65 – over the course of six years. Using blood test results, the subjects were split into groups with the highest, moderate and lowest vitamin D levels. To assess mobility limitations, participants were asked about their ability to perform routine tasks, including sitting down and standing up from a chair or walking outside for 5 minutes without resting.

Among the older group of participants, people with the lowest vitamin D levels were 1.7 times more likely to have at least one functional limitation compared to those with the highest vitamin D levels. In the younger cohort, individuals with low vitamin D levels were twice as likely to have at least one physical limitation.

While the majority of the people in the older cohort's top two vitamin D groups did not report any physical limitations, 70 percent of the people with the lowest vitamin D levels had at least one limitation.

In addition, the study found vitamin D-deficient individuals were more likely to develop additional limitations over time. The older cohort reported more mobility issues after three years, while the younger cohort developed additional limitations over the course of six years.

"The findings indicate low vitamin D levels in older individuals may contribute to the declining ability to perform daily activities and live independently," Sohl said. "Vitamin D supplementation could provide a way to prevent physical decline, but the idea needs to be explored further with additional studies."

Other researchers working on the study include: N. van Schoor, R. de Jongh, M. Visser, D. Deeg and P. Lips of the VU University Medical Center.

The article, "Vitamin D Status is Associated with Functional Limitations and Functional Decline in Older Individuals," was published online July 17.

2. PFC Exposure Tied to Altered Thyroid Function 

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals may increase odds of women developing mild hypothyroidism

Exposure to perfluorinated chemicals is linked to changes in thyroid function and may raise the risk of mild hypothyroidism in women, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

Perfluorinated chemicals, or PFCs, are compounds used to manufacture fabrics, carpets, paper coatings, cosmetics and a variety of other products. Among humans and wildlife, PFC exposure is widespread, according to the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Because these chemicals break down very slowly, it takes a long time for PFCs to leave the body.

"Our study is the first to link PFC levels in the blood with changes in thyroid function using a nationally representative survey of American adults," said one of the study's authors, Chien-Yu Lin, MD, PhD, of En Chu Kong Hospital in Taiwan.

Women who had higher levels of a PFC called perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in their blood tended to have elevated levels of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3). The study also found an increase in levels of T3 and the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) in women with higher concentrations of the PFC perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) in their blood. The levels rose without the pituitary gland signaling the thyroid to produce more hormones, which is the body's natural mechanism for adjusting thyroid hormone levels. Men exposed to higher amounts of PFHxS, however, tended to have lower levels of the T4 hormone.

Even though people with a history of thyroid diseases were excluded from the study, researchers found an association between subclinical, or mild, hypothyroidism and elevated levels of PFOA, PFHxS and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in women. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones and can cause symptoms such as fatigue, mental depression, weight gain, feeling cold, dry skin and hair, constipation and menstrual irregularities. This relationship needs to be explored and confirmed through additional research, Lin said.

The researchers analyzed data from 1,181 participants in the 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a population-based survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study reviewed levels of four different PFCs as well as thyroid function.

"Although some PFCs such as PFOS have been phased out of production by major manufacturers, these endocrine-disrupting chemicals remain a concern because they linger in the body for extended periods," Lin said. "Too little information is available about the possible long-term effects these chemicals could have on human health."

Other researchers working on the study include: L. Wen of En Chu Kong Hospital, L. Lin and T. Su of National Taiwan University Hospital and P. Chen of National Taiwan University College of Public Health.

The article, "Association between Serum Perfluorinated Chemicals and Thyroid Function in U.S. Adults: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010," was published online July 17.

3. Overcoming Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. The Hormone Health Network's patient education fact sheet Anorexia describes the risk factors for this condition and explains the serious health problems it may cause, including heart complications, dehydration and malnutrition, anemia, and tooth decay. The fact sheet outlines risk factors for and warning signs of anorexia, and encourages patients and their loved ones to get help from a team of health care providers, including a physician, mental health professional and dietician.

### Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology.  Today, The Endocrine Society's membership consists of over 16,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 100 countries. Society members represent all basic, applied and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at www.endocrine.org. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/EndoMedia.