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Thousands Pack eMerge Technology Convention

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – eMerge Americas, a convention in its third year in Miami Beach, brings together technology experts, enthusiasts and investors from all over the world.

Universities like FIU showcase inventions that could help transform medicine.

"We can download on the computer your thought processes to see what's happening to your brain," said FIU professor in the College of Engineering, Sakhrat Khizroev

Other innovations could improve life for those using prosthetic limbs.

"This technology is for giving sensation back to an amputee," said Dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Ranu Jung.

As it happens and closes you will see that the signals will change over here, you see that?

Dr. Jung told CBS4's Natalia Zea the expo helps land support to take the technology to market.

"To move this into people, you need to move it to clinical trials, so you have to able to commercialize."

Dozens of start-up tech companies were on point with their pitches, seeking out exposure, and investor dollars.

Among those, 20-year-old Yosef Iskowitz.

"We've created a social media platform called Jinglz. Jinglz, you watch an ad, you win cash."

Iskowitz found a way to force viewers using his app, to watch a commercial start to finish, by the ad automatically pausing when the viewer looks away from the phone, or turns down the volume.

eMerge also features plenty of cool gadgets to play with, like interactive holographic glass using nanowire technology. Which makes the screen razor thin, and nearly unnoticeable until the projector is turned on.

What technology convention would be complete without paying homage to the old school, like Atari. eMerge offered a lounge where people can rest and play games like Pac-Man and Space Invaders. Cities and counties are also getting in on the action.

At least one Smart City company announced it will do more business with Miami-Dade.

"Possibly touching things like transportation, public safety," said Matthew Foreman, of AT&T Smart Cities.

Attendees also heard a discussion about technology and media marketing to Hispanics, featuring Miami-based rapper Pitbull.

"Television, music, entertainment as a whole has evolved to actually accept us, whereas before it wasn't like that," he told a packed room of attendees.

Whether offering courses in coding, or goggles to glimpse life in virtual reality, those at eMerge appreciate the chance to make Miami's tech companies shine.

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