Martin Peniak for TEDxBratislava - Achieving Dreams through higher education.

One of our Cortexica researchers Martin Peniak was invited to speak at TEDx Bratislava, to talk about his astonishing journey from working in a fish processing factory to completing a PHD in Cognitive Robotics in Plymouth. Today Martin has undertaken a number of projects, innovating the approach to artificial intelligence and more recently experimenting on the iCUB humanoid robot allowing it to acquire complex motoric actions and simple language.

Martin traveled to England from Slovakia, a 19 year old with passions for astronomy, electronics and photography. He spent his first night in Plymouth taking shelter in a bus stop but soon managed to land a job working in a fish factory- even though he was Vegetarian. After a chance meeting with Professor Simon Davies, from the school of Biomedical and Biological Sciences, Martin was determined to enroll in higher education.

In the talk Martin emphasized the importance of perseverance, motivation and hard work needed to achieve your dreams. Something he is sure to have mastered, as he attended university throughout the day and then worked till the early hours of the morning to fund his studies. Martin was awarded the Revel Research award for best student on the programme nonetheless and continued onward to complete his phD.

If you wish to hear about the exciting developments that are happening in the world of robotics and electronic engineering, or see why Martin received a standing ovation from over 700 people, then be sure to check out Martin Peniak’s TEDx talk which will be available in the next month. 

 

At Cortexica we strive to work with some of the countries leading researchers, Martin is currently working here at Imperial College breaking the boundaries for research within image recognition visual search. You can follow Martin on twitter @mpeniak

Dress Easy

Could this be the ultimate collaboration between fashion and technology yet?

The practical saviour that is the pocket has lined our garments from as early as 18th century, but with the help of A. Sauvage and Microsoft it’s golden hours of holding lint and 2p’s might be ramped up for an upgrade.

A worlds first these techno chino’s were unveiled at London Collections Men, they feature the Nokia DC-50 wireless charging plate within the pocket which is capable of charging Lumia smartphones.

There’s no denying that our phones have integrated into every aspect of our lives, and perhaps blossomed into a more obsessive relationship then would be comfortable for any human to endure (toilet breaks aren’t a thing to be shared!) But nonetheless we are smitten.

A study showed that 53% of people in Britain admitted to checking their phones first thing when waking up, even before muttering a “Good Morning” to their partner, and a further 26% confessed to sleeping with their phone in bed. 

There is an illness that bestows our little electronic lovers though, and we are constantly battling their death. The low battery sign can bring tremors of fear into the best of us. It can be the difference being able to complete work tasks, being able to find a route home safely, or even just making that tube commute a bit less boring.

The collaboration was inspired by the “Modern Man” and A. Sauvage’s slogan of “Dress Easy.” And we can think of no slicker solution to a low battery then to just put it back in your pocket.

Just another example of success when technology meets cutting-edge fashion design. Francesca Bernard here at FashTech illustrated a couple days ago that her phone battery life was the one area of tech that she would like to see improved and we at FindSimilar would love to be able to search for clothes all day long.

Sporting the Trend with findSimilar

 

Sportswear has taken the fashion world by storm in the past decade. From trainers being made for fashion wear rather than their original purpose (which is what again?)  to Nike logos inco-operated into high fashion runway designs.  It’s pretty clear that tomboy style is coming back in more ways than one.  

The ‘Sports Luxe’ trend has definitely been a hit on street style, globally. The physical trend is now being seen as much as it is on males to females thanks to a certain Karl Lagerfeld SS14! Londoners are certainly showing us that you can, in fact, have both comfort and fashion.

Even Net-a-Porter has created a frenzy in the sporting world with their new clothing line – ‘Net – a – Sporter.’ We absolutely love it and can’t wait to be jumping on board on July 9^th!  Of course, going to the gym will be no catwalk but at least we can feel the part!



With such high fashion exposure, findSimilar are sure this trend won’t be fading out anytime soon.  So, here are some outfit inspired looks findSimilar have come up with.

How would you use findSimilar to ‘sport’ your new look?

Bodi.Me : The Solution to Vanity Sizing

Sizing has created hours upon hours of hair- pulling stress for females today. With one shop plainly slapping you in the face with a size 10 compared to next door kindly presenting you with a giftly size 8. We wonder why all shops can’t be the same, saving us a lot of disappointment and return postage fee.

Otherwise known as the problem of the 21^st century for the average female, sizing continues to fluctuate at an uncontrollable rate. Since the slimming seventies, sizes 6 and 8 were beyond rare and your typical modern 12 was a well- suited 14. With an increasingly weight gaining population, it was never questioned why as we got bigger our sizes remained the same. Recent studies have shown that smaller sizing is a new form of measurement for self-worth, all the more easy to snap out your credit card and buy those size 8 jeans, truly knowing your inner size 10.  This hard evidence has been taken into consideration by numerous retailers to manipulate their sizing chart for a wider (both senses of the word) and happier audience.  Whilst classic fashion outlets such as Marks&Spencers, Zara and Mango stay true to seventies sizing, they lose out on sales due to forcing the unwanted truth on their customers.

So what? Its’ the question on everyones’ lips. Well, whilst the deflating of sizing may make you feel temporarily happy, it is causing smaller framed women to be outsized by clothes – introducing the worlds first ever “Triple Zero”. Secondly, it allows variation between shops, causing online shopping to be virtually impossible.

Bodi.me has now put an end to Vanity Sizing overall. An online log of all your exact measurements in one place giving you the right size for the right shop. Its as quick as standing in front of your web scan right now for a full body scan to booking the portable booth to a facility near you.  This can be updated whenever you feel necessary, (we feel that after Christmas may have to be pencilled in) allowing you to know your exact measurements, handy for a tailor and your own size unique to the high street.

Bodi.Me offered a free 3D body scan at the London Technology Week June event - guests were scanned and then sent their measurements for each retailer. If you missed out, you can do it at home using your webcam.

Cortexica & findSimilar are proud sponsors of FashTech LDN and FashTech San Francisco events, follow them on Twitter to find out about the next event : @FashTechLDN

Fashion Focus : The White Out

Wimbledon is undoubtedly one of most fashionable sporting event of the year. We're talking the trend that everyone is talking about, complete WHITE OUT. Whether it’s a white on white suit, or your very own take on a LWD, findSimilar will have you kitted out for Centre Court in Vogue 2014 trends, whilst sipping on a glass of pimms. Who said tennis was tiring?!

This trend has been seen multiple times across the 2014 catwalk platform as well as being the visual front row of every Topshop in the UK.  A clean and classic look that is guaranteed to impress for any occasion! As well as being perfect for summer in general this look can be dressed down for work and tailored for any nighttime soiree. FindSimilar love this classic 3.1 Phillip Lim band collar blouse. 

What’s more is it’s not just tennis players sporting the look. A-list celebrities have equally chosen the look as a summer favourite such as Eva Longoria and Jennifer Lopez, with the white making them look more bronzed than they already are.

So for a good way to accentuate your tan in an outfit even Federer wouldn’t miss, use FindSimilar to create a perfect White-on-White outfit choice to last you all summer.  

What's your favourite way to wear The White Trend?

Red : The colour of Men - using #findSimilar

Recent fashion speculations have observed RED is sizzling hot (we really do love our puns) for men’s fashion 2014. Burberry and Louis Vuitton have used the colour as a bold statement this summer and it is increasingly seen on global fashion icons across the colour spectrum from bold red to dark cherry and even blushing pale tones. A great way to warm up a miserable English summer!

Finally, a chance for all the real men to step up and take the challenge by being bold rather than the continuous season colours we tend to expect annually. With all the choice and the help of FindSimilar, its obvious you have no excuse not to make a fiery statement this SS2014. We at FindSimilar, used designers who are encouraging the trend to give you a head start on outfits that will automatically crimson – up your wardrobe. If you don’t feel comfortable going full strawberry then maybe opt for sample pieces that can add some fever to your wardrobe such as a tie or neck scarf. 

So boys, we hope you make a heated appearance in the coming weeks and don’t forget to upload your own very look using FindSimilar, as we would love to see what you have come up with. 

findSimilar loves Benefit! World Cup at Gabbi's Head

In light of our last post on the World Cup, we at FindSimilar thought we would share a little tip off with you lucky readers!  For those who cannot stand to be indoors during the England Match, now have the perfect lucky escape! 

The Benefit Pub has been a gem we magically discovered this week, exclusively for the World Cup! Benefit gives you the opportunity to watch football in style whilst enduring luxury pampering treatments. From brow bar to tanning sessions all in the comfort of pink walls and cushions, we know that come next football match this is where we will be!

A great concept located in central London’s buzzing location Drury Lane at Gabbis’ Head for all the girls to have their own fun without the negative side-effects of excessive time spent in a male dominated pub. Don’t worry if you have no girls to go with as the Prince of Wales is downstairs so all the men can feel at ease whilst your upstairs taking part in wine tasting whilst both enjoying the match.

The great news is this event is not a one off and available for everyone, all month! FindSimilar cannot wait to get ourselves down there and try a 'Bene-Berry Mojito' whilst getting a full FREE Benefit Make over with a generous donation to Benefits chosen charity concerning domestic abuse! P.S. Look out for daily events added to the ‘Benefit Calendar’ shown on the link below for product launches and unique events such as 80’s night.

Click here to find out what's happening at Gabbi's Head this week!