Fraunhofer IOF to Revolutionize Quantum Communications and Microscopy
New encryption methods
In the world of communication, Fraunhofer IOF is developing a new encryption technology known as "quantum key distribution" (QKD for short) to protect data today against the cyber attacks of tomorrow. At CES 2021, Fraunhofer IOF will showcase the EPS (short for “Entangled Photon Source”) that generates entangled photon pairs that can serve as the basis for generating quantum-based keys.
Microscopy
But that's not all that Fraunhofer IOF uses entangled photon pairs for. These elements also serve as the basis of a new microscopy technique that does not cause irreversible damage to the samples as light radiation does. This is because these two photons exchange information with each other without having to interact with the sample itself.
How This Weird Dreamcast Game Revolutionized A.I.
Seaman was the first of its kind in the sense that you could intelligently interact with the on-screen character.
Saito actually contemplated what it would be like to have a pet who asked you questions like “who was that woman you brought home last night?”
Seaman was that pet, and in this piece, we’re going to delve into some of the more fascinating aspects of the game’s A.I.
The Seaman gets angry when he’s hungry. He knows when the weekend is and tells you to go out — he even has intercourse (?). The game’s depth and wide array of interactions is what made it interesting. Thematically, the conversations with Seaman were all about real-world stuff; he was just one of the guys, despite looking a little different. It was possible to become — dare I say — friendly with Seaman despite him being an entirely different species. Is it a stretch to say that Seaman is an early icon for video game diversity?
The microphone peripheral was the key piece of hardware that made Seaman possible. Both the microphone and the game were simultaneously in development.
...the software would listen for speech, map that speech as closely as possible to a pre-determined library, and then select the most plausible/appropriate response based on a pre-written vocabulary and sentence structure.
See the full story here: https://medium.com/super-jump/how-this-weird-dreamcast-game-revolutionized-a-i-6c0abb9ac083https://medium.com/super-jump/how-this-weird-dreamcast-game-revolutionized-a-i-6c0abb9ac083
US Army researchers discover technique for using Augmented Reality to overcome bright lighting conditions
The US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory has recently announced that its researchers have discovered a new technique for using augmented reality (AR) to overcome bright lighting conditions during the day by using low contrast dimming highlights – something that DEVCOM says will open up new research questions that will improve warfighter AR and heads-up display performance in outdoor operations.
The discovery could help pave the way towards enabling the use of AR by US warfighters in challenging environments including desert, snow, marine and dense urban settings. The approach also has applications for other display technologies such as image intensifiers, infrared and fused night vision displays and also has potential for laser eye protection, according to DEVCOM.
See the full story here: https://www.auganix.org/us-army-researchers-discover-technique-for-using-augmented-reality-to-overcome-bright-lighting-conditions/
China opens first 5G virtual reality theme park
China opened its first 5G virtual reality (VR) theme park in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
The new theme park designed by VR entertainment company, Sky Limit Entertainment, is situated on a tourism street in the southern Chinese city of Liuzhou.
Visitors can enjoy simulation games and rides, player vs player games to parachute and ski simulators.
Meanwhile, VR Star Theme Park, located in Nanchang, previously led the way after opening its doors in 2019. Boasting three floors with more than 40 simulators, roller coasters, and high speed racing cars, it is heaven for VR fanatics.
See the full story here: https://www.iol.co.za/travel/world/asia/watch-china-opens-first-5g-virtual-reality-theme-park--8cc3b173-5725-561a-885a-fc7a93cc7c4a
Consumers don’t understand blockchain but covet what it enables, survey reveals
Los Angeles-based digital media consulting company Vorhaus Advisors recently released a Forte-commissioned survey of more than 2,000 consumers surveyed in June 2020.
Its "Untapped Opportunities: Games, Virtual Goods, and Blockchain" report shows that, in the general population across the US, only one in four (25%) of adults have any idea about blockchain.
Less than one in five (18%) of US adults say they have used a product or service related to blockchain. However, this percentage rises to 25% among the younger 18 to 34 age demographic.
Almost two in three (63%) of virtual goods buyers would spend and play games more if those virtual goods had real-world value and could be traded or sold, and 64% say they would play more often.
But blockchain enables new business opportunities for game companies, due to its ability to enable the creation of in-game digital assets and collectible one-of-a-kind items that players can own.
It can also facilitate player-driven in-game services, and provide a foundation for secure, verified peer-to-peer transactions.
What consumers need is clarity. The clarity in which type of blockchain to use, and clarity about whether the version of Bitcoin you are buying/selling/using is trusted.
See the full story here: https://www.zdnet.com/article/consumers-dont-understand-blockchain-but-covet-what-it-enables-survey-reveals/