philip lelyveld The world of entertainment technology

Moving-tolerant Augmented Reality Surgical Navigation System using Autostereoscopic 3D Image Overlay

[PhilNote: they seem to be inventing a specialized system at the same time the AR hardware industry is developing a general purpose device that can do the same thing; ex. Oculus Quest.]

Augmented reality (AR) surgical navigation systems based on image overlay have been used in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). However, conventional systems still suffer from a limited viewing zone, a shortage of intuitive three-dimensional (3D) image guidance and can’t be moved freely. To fuse the 3D overlay image with the patient in situ, it is essential to track the overlay device while it is moving. A direct line-of-sight should be maintained between the optical markers and the tracker camera. We propose a moving-tolerant AR surgical navigation system using autostereoscopic image overlay, which can avoid the use of the optical tracking system during the intraoperative period. The system captures binocular image sequences of environmental change in the operation room to locate the overlay device, rather than tracking the overlay device directly. Therefore, it is no longer required to maintain a direct line-of-sight between the tracker and the tracked devices. The movable range of the system is also not limited by the scope of the tracker camera. Computer simulation experiments demonstrate the reliability of the proposed moving-tolerant AR surgical navigation system. We also fabricate a computer-generated integral photography (CGIP)-based 3D overlay AR system to validate the feasibility of the proposed moving-tolerant approach. Qualitative and quantitative experiments demonstrate that the proposed system can always fuse the 3D image with the patient, thus increasing the feasibility and reliability of traditional 3D overlay AR surgical navigation systems.

See the full story here: https://jbhi.embs.org/2019/10/30/moving-tolerant-augmented-reality-surgical-navigation-system-using-autostereoscopic-3d-image-overlay/

Why AI Needs Human Input (And Always Will)

The reality is that we are still far from achieving generalized AI that is functionally equivalent to the human mind. As the cofounder and CEO of a customer support automation platform that helps enterprises launch and train virtual agents, I've realized that whether the first generalized AI is born a year or 100 years from now, AI will always require human input and expertise — technical and otherwise — to operate at its full potential in a way that's ethical, responsible and safe.

Below, we'll take a look at some examples of how AI relies on human input across a variety of established and emerging applications and explain why even the smartest AI will still require human assistance.

Social media: Humans course-correct for algorithmic extremism.

Unfortunately, according to a report published by Social Media Today, these algorithms were found to have helped instigate political divisions by favoring divisive content to drive engagement.

Medicine: Combining human and machine intelligence.

Self-driving cars: AI handles corners, while humans handle corner cases.

See the full story here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2019/10/30/why-ai-needs-human-input-and-always-will/#8c8acf75ff7d

Dark mode is everywhere. Is it really better for you?

Design types are notorious for wearing black (guilty as charged) and they aren’t alone: Black was the most popular color in womenswear in 2017, taking up 36% of the market according to the retail technology company Edited. The popularity of dark hues has even crossed the boundaries of fashion and made its way into UX and UI design, with a slew of popular apps and programs introducing “dark mode” options that reverse the reigning color scheme of the web.

See the full story here: https://www.fastcompany.com/90421232/dark-mode-is-everywhere-but-is-it-really-better

Shopping mall to focus on Artificial Intelligence and technology

A shopping mall, said to be focussing on Artificial Intelligence and state-of-the-art technology, is to be built in Kuwait.

Tamdeen Group has announced the tech-equipped Al Khiran Hybrid Outlet Mall, through its subsidiary Tamdeen Pearl, which it describes as ‘a spectacle in design and offering.’

The developer will invest in ‘major experience-based components’ like Artificial Intelligence and technology-driven entertainment as part of the project, although currently no further details are available.

See the full story here: https://www.intelligentcio.com/kuwait/2019/10/29/shopping-mall-to-focus-on-artificial-intelligence-and-technology/

Intel partnering with Caesars, UNLV at Las Vegas innovation hub

UNLV and Caesars Entertainment Corp.’s soon-to-open Black Fire Innovation research and technology hub has caught the eye of technology giant Intel.

On Tuesday morning, Caesars announced Intel as a new partner for the facility, set to open in January. The California-based company will provide technology and computing resources, along with research and internship opportunities for students and other partners, according to a Tuesday morning press release from Caesars.

The facility’s core research focus is to enhance the customer experience in the hospitality industry, using emerging technologies such as blockchain, data science, robotic automation, artificial intelligence and the internet of things.

Rick Hack, head of media and entertainment partnerships at Intel, said the hub’s focus resonated with the business.

“Intel’s relationship with Black Fire was important to us because it covered the area of esports, AI, immersive media, hospitality,” he said in the video.

See the full story here: https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/intel-partnering-with-caesars-unlv-at-las-vegas-innovation-hub-1881088/

Shanghai subway to trial augmented reality smart glasses to ease passenger flow during China International Import Expo

Meanwhile, police forces in other parts of China – including Gansu, Henan and Yunnan provinces – have also been trying out AR smart glasses to help identify suspected criminals in public.

At least seven hit-and-run fugitives were caught by the technology, as well as 26 cases of identity fraud.

See the full story here: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3035408/smart-glasses-ease-visitor-flows-shanghai-subway-china

8th Wall opens the floodgates for augmented reality on the web with its cloud-based WebAR authoring and hosting platform

8th Wall, the company that brought frictionless augmented reality (AR) to the world by harnessing the power of the web, announced today the release of its cloud-based authoring and hosting platform. This groundbreaking platform closes the loop on AR production and removes the barriers for developers by providing a unified in-browser solution to create and host WebAR projects. In doing so, 8th Wall is opening the floodgates for brands and organizations to quickly launch sophisticated WebAR experiences, continuing to deliver on its mission to make sure augmented reality is for everyone.

8th Wall has powered WebAR activations for brands such as Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man, Miller Lite, British Gas, Heineken, Swiss Airlines, Porsche, Red Bull, Time Magazine, LEGO and Ally + MONOPOLY. Its in-browser AR experiences require no app downloads, removing the friction for users and providing brands and organizations with massive reach and engagement. In fact, AR Insider estimates that WebAR has the ability to reach nearly twice as many smartphones as native AR apps, with a global market of over 2.97 billion compatible devices. And, according to 8th Wall data, 50% of users spend greater than 2 minutes interacting within a single WebAR activation.

The 8th Wall cloud-based authoring and hosting platform is available today for Agency and Business account holders providing them with the ability to:

• Create SLAM and image target-enabled WebAR experiences using 8th Wall’s fully featured text editor with out-of-the-box support for the most popular web frameworks (React, Vue.js, A-Frame, Babylon.js and Three.js), developer keybindings and dark mode.
• Collaborate with multiple team members on one project from anywhere in the world and quickly view and resolve conflicts with an in-browser distributed version control system.
• Publish and host WebAR projects to different deployment states including a password-protected staging environment, all served globally on the edge for instantaneous and fast viewing of code updates.

See the full story here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/10/29/1937285/0/en/8th-Wall-opens-the-floodgates-for-augmented-reality-on-the-web-with-its-cloud-based-WebAR-authoring-and-hosting-platform.html

DJI’s palm-sized Mavic Mini can fly for up to 30 minutes

Intuitive virtual reality: Bimodal ‘electronic skin’ developed

Summary: Through the crafty use of magnetic fields, scientists have developed the first electronic sensor that can simultaneously process both touchless and tactile stimuli. Prior attempts have so far failed to combine these functions on a single device due to overlapping signals of the various stimuli. As the sensor is readily applied to the human skin, it could provide a seamless interactive platform for virtual and augmented reality scenario.

Example of how it works: "On the leaf of a daisy we attached a permanent magnet, whose magnetic field points in the opposite direction of the magnet attached to our platform." As the finger now approaches this external magnetic field, the electrical resistance of the GMR sensor changes: it drops. This occurs until the point when the finger actually touches the leaf. At this moment, it rises abruptly because the built-in permanent magnet is pressed closer to the GMR sensor and thus superimposes the external magnetic field. "This is how our m-MEMS platform can register a clear shift from touchless to tactile interaction in seconds," says Jin Ge.

The researchers cut down an activity that had previously required several interactions to merely one. "This may sound like a small step at first," says Martin Kaltenbrunner. "In the long-term, however, a better interface between humans and machines can be built on this foundation." This "electronic skin" -- in addition to virtual reality spaces -- could also be used, for example, in sterile environments. Surgeons could use the sensors to handle medical equipment without touching it during a procedure, which would reduce the danger of contamination.

See the full story here: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191029104802.htm

Vegas Golden Knights Bring Virtual Reality Hockey Training To Practice Facility

Users of the Sense Arena platform have HTC Vive VR headsets, as well as hockey sticks that are equipped with sensors that can track one’s movement with the gear. There are more than 80 different drills involving a number of practice skills, ranging from shooting and passing, and multiple levels for each option to suit a wide variety of hockey skill levels.

See the full story here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonogus/2019/10/29/vegas-golden-knights-bring-virtual-reality-hockey-training-to-practice-facility/#6892a47d713a