Google have open-sourced Seurat, the tool they use to simplify VR scenes based on the viewers perspective, sort of a 3D to 2D conversion on the fly using millions of triangles. Triangles are the best. The code is available on GitHub.
Researchers have created a new version of CRISPR that can edit free floating DNA in a test-tube, instead of only being able to operate on DNA within a living cell. This CRISPR sandbox can be used to test CRISPR on specific test samples, which would allow custom CRISPR diagnosis of cancer cells. The team involved are looking for commercial partners to help deevlop a CRISPR-on-a-chip product for cancer diagnosis.
Researchers in Italy, on a project called In Codice Ratio, are using OCR and AI to begin to digitise hand written manuscripts from The Vatican Secret Archives. The challenge lies in creating an OCR system efficient enough in recognising hand written Latin script. The researchers have pioneered a mehtod called jigsaw segmentation, where a word is segmented into blocks analogous to pen strokes, as opposed to segmentation by letter.
Two recently published papers have demonstrated significant advances in neuromorphic computing. The brain on a chip systems use conductive plates separated by a switching medium in order to emulate the synapse structure of the brain, which allows data to be both stored and processed in situ.
According to Connie Chan, runners of the Shanghai marathon can use a facial recognition product to easily buy photos of themselves running the marathon, automatically sourced from every photo of the race.
Face recognition commercialization:
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Disney Research have developed a relatively cheap system of creating a touch wall using electrodes and conductive paint called Wall++. The smart wall system can operate in two modes; the first capactive sensing mode to detect touch; and the second electromagnetic sensing mode to detect and track an EM device's location on the wall.(H/T to Mikael for sharing this)
Leap Motion are set to release the design for an AR headset that incorporates the company’s advanced hand tracking technology. At large scale production, the headset is estimated to cost approx. $100.
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies and Aldar properties have signed a deal to build the world’s first commercial Hyperloop for 10km between Abu Dhabi and