A global team of computer scientists have developed a novel method to replicate physical objects in Virtual Reality using the point-and-shoot camera with a flash on a smartphone.
The novel algorithm, which does not require any input geometry of the target object, successfully captured the geometry and appearance of 3D objects with basic, flash photography and reproduced consistent results. Examples that were showcased in the work included diverse set of objects that spanned a wide range of geometries and materials, including metal, wood, plastic, ceramic, resin and paper, and comprised of complex shapes like a finely detailed mini-statute of Nefertiti.
Kim added: “Many traditional methods using a single camera can capture only the 3D geometry of objects, but not the complex reflectance of real-world objects, given by the SVBRDF. Using only 3D geometry cannot reproduce the realistic appearance of the object in the AR/VR environment. Our technique can capture high-quality 3D geometry as well as its material appearance so that the objects can be realistically rendered in any virtual environment.”
The winning bidder has to deliver 2,500 systems within two years that can perform a set of basic capabilities. The contract could ultimately lead to a purchase of over 100,000 highly advanced head-mounted systems for offensive and defense use in operations.
The Integrated Visual Augmentation System has a series of stages through which the Army wants a company to proceed, starting with this first award to Microsoft that specifies a minimal set of capabilities could be achieved with commercially available technology today. However, the subsequent stages quickly stepping up to hardware that outstrips anything now available publicly or known to exist in government hands.
The initial request for proposals said the ideal weight of the gear would be no more than four pounds between head-mounted equipment—which must not require a helmet, but must also work with standard helmets—and any pack worn on the body. But the Army’s ideal is just over two pounds.
The system will need machine learning to identify objects and targets, and use artificial intelligence algorithms to suggest routes, detect threats (like tripwires), and alert a soldier to anti-electronic measures, like GPS jamming. It would also monitor health conditions and coordinate activities among large groups of soldiers.
The devices will both provide a form of artificial night vision that optimally would detect with 90% accuracy a human-sized object 150 meters away with illumination just by starlight, and provide augmented overlays that will ultimately have to be readable across all lighting conditions.
In the process of updating the Joint Strategic Plan for Intellectual Property Enforcement to help combat online piracy, the government’s IP czar Vishal Amin has sent out a call for input. The Motion Picture Association of America has suggestions, chief among them that Internet service providers be forced to take more responsibility for referral traffic from piracy sites. Currently, under the law, ISPs are regarded as neutral networks, but the MPAA wants them to play a role in filtering copyright-infringing content.
The MPAA listed concrete ways that ISPs and hosting services can comply, including automated piracy filters on their servers. They are already legally required to process takedown notices and terminate repeat infringers. The MPAA added that they should also “prevent re-registration by terminated users.” The Hollywood group also suggested that, “hosting providers should not challenge suspension court orders, when copyright holders go up against pirate sites … [and that] hosts should keep an eye on high traffic volumes which may be infringing, and ban referral traffic from pirate sites outright.”
The MPAA acknowledged that these companies will push back against its proposals, claiming a violation of free expression. But its point of view is that stopping “illegal activity promotes free expression by creating a safer environment where individuals feel comfortable to communicate and engage in commerce, and to create and lawfully access content.”
In anticipation of the nationwide release of Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man™: Into the Spider-Verse, in theaters December 14, 8th Wall and Trigger today announced the launch of the film’s Mobile Web AR Experience. The immersive AR camera is built using 8th Wall Web and Amazon Sumerian technology running on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and is designed to let users interact with Spider-Man in augmented reality (AR) where they can take pictures and share them with friends.
It is rare to see someone of Tim Cook’s caliber for a TV interview, but that is what happened on Sunday. Apple’s CEO made an appearance and shared his vision on the state of tech today, and where it is all going. What strikes many as peculiar (us, really), is that Cook used his TV time to talk mostly about – Augmented Reality.
It is a rare chance to cherish every word and peer behind the scenes at Apple campus. Tim Cook invited 2 journalists for a short interview and a bit of a tech show-off. Despite Apple having so many topics to discuss, Apple CEO couldn’t stay away from AR which has been, by his own admission, an obsession lately. The HBO Apple interview was also an opportunity to showcase a new iScape app version.
‘We’re always seeking not something different but something better’ Cook opens up on his view of technology. Neither good nor evil, technology is there, a testament of our curious minds and drive to improve on our condition. ‘Technology should amplify human performance and human experiences, and AR does an unbelievable job at that’.
The trio was later joined by Apple’s AR PM, Allessandra McGinnis, who offered a brief demo of a new, 4.0 version of iScape. It is is a landscape designer tool by which users can design – nature. They can overlay trees or shrubbery onto a barren land, or improve lush environment with a bit of a background. This includes combining the time of day with various lightning effects. Each AR element can be placed, sized, and rotated to the desired nature effect. AR rises the landscape design to new heights.
The Apple interview couldn’t pass without a brief mention of the future Apple AR glasses. To the journalist’s question, Cook left little room for either doubt or confirmation. ‘Well the great thing about technology is there’s never an end state of anything, right?’
Researchers in University College Cork are piloting a study which indicates that Virtual Reality (VR) could be successful in making men aware of the risk of testicular cancer.
Those behind the project, led by Dr Mohamad Saab, a lecturer in the UCC School of Nursing and Midwifery, designed a three-level VR experience and tested its feasibility and usability with 15 men recruited from a university.
Afterwards, the participants filled a 43-item questionnaire and agreed that the technology is comfortable to use, testicular disorders are well represented, the use of light humour is appropriate, and the scientific facts are easy to understand.
"Participants also agreed that the intervention was suited for men from different sociodemographic backgrounds and felt confident using VR," the study said.
A related article by the same authors said the game could be customised to run in a normal desktop environment for those with VR sickness or limited access to technology, and added: "VR can also be used to raise men’s awareness of a number of health topics such as sexually transmitted infections and cancer prevention."
For years, the BrainGate collaboration has been working to develop the neuroscience and neuroengineering know-how to enable people who have lost motor abilities to control external devices just by thinking about the movement of their own arm or hand. In this study, we've harnessed that know-how to restore people's ability to control the exact same everyday technologies they were using before the onset of their illnesses.
The setup for the investigational BrainGate BCI included a "baby aspirin-sized" implant to detect signals in the motor cortex, which were then decoded and routed to a Bluetooth interface that functioned as a wireless mouse. Similar efforts have been used to allow users to operate robotic arms.
Ben Lorica, Chief Data Scientist at O'Reilly Media, Inc. and Programme Director of both the Strata Data Conference and the Artificial Intelligence Conference takes a look at the trends that will shape AI in 2019.
PhilNote: this is a nice short aggregation of 9 familiar points
The 37-year-old told us that she considers herself to be a “pioneer” and to prove as such she plans on bringing a new aspect to the world of social media. A virtual reality program!
“Right now I’m actually working on an amazing project with my partners in Berlin and I’ve created an entire virtual reality world which is basically going to be the new social media,” continued Paris.
“So people can be in their living room as an avatar of themselves or whatever kind of character they want to be and get to meet and party with people all around the world just by a VR headset.”
So instead of just chatting with people via social media, you’ll be able to virtually hang out and do activities like go to a bar or go shopping.
“The technology is so next level it’s really going to blow people’s minds,” explained Paris. “It looks so real that you actually feel like you’re there.”
Kyle thought that the only downside was that you couldn’t sleep with people on the program. But Paris made him feel better by saying that maybe they could add that in in an update one day.
A global team of computer scientists have developed a novel method to replicate physical objects in Virtual Reality using the point-and-shoot camera with a flash on a smartphone.
The Department of the Army awarded a $480 million contract to Microsoft msft on Nov. 28 for an advanced augmented reality system that will almost certainly build on the work the company has put into its HoloLens system.
In anticipation of the nationwide release of Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man™: Into the Spider-Verse, in theaters December 14, 8th Wall and Trigger today announced the launch of the film’s Mobile Web AR Experience. The immersive AR camera is built using 8th Wall Web and Amazon Sumerian technology running on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and is designed to let users interact with Spider-Man in augmented reality (AR) where they can take pictures and share them with friends.
Researchers in University College Cork are piloting a study which indicates that Virtual Reality (VR) could be successful in making men aware of the risk of testicular cancer.