Now Robots Can Also See World Like Humans!!

Syed Saud Naqvi, a PhD student from Pakistan, is working on an algorithm to help computer programmed and robots to view static images in a way that is closer to how humans see.

Saud explains: "Right now computer programmes see things as very flat—they find it difficult to distinguish one object from another."

Facial recognition is already in use but, says one of Saud's supervisors Dr Will Browne, object detection is more complex than facial recognition as there are many more variables.

Different object detection algorithms exist, some focus on patterns, textures or colours while others focus on the outline of a shape. Saud's algorithm extracts the most relevant information for decision-making by selecting the best algorithm to use on an individual image.

"The defining feature of an object is not always the same—sometimes it's the shape that defines it, sometimes it's the textures or colours. A picture of a field of flowers, for example, could need a different algorithm than an image of a cardboard box," says Saud.

Work on the algorithm was presented at this year's Genetic and Evolutionary Computational Conference (GECCO) in Vancouver and received a Best Paper Award.

Now the computer vision algorithm is going to be taken even further through a Victoria Summer Scholarship project to apply it to a dynamic, real-world robot for object detection tasks. This will take the algorithm from analysing static images to moving real-time scenes.

It is hoped that the algorithm will be able to help a robot to navigate its environment by being able to separate objects from their surrounds.

Dr Browne says there are a number of uses for this kind of technology both now and in the future. Immediate possibilities include use on social media and other websites to self-caption photos with information on the location or content of a photo.

"Most of the robots that have been dreamed up in pop culture would need this kind of technology to work. Currently, there aren't many home helper robots which can load a washing machine—this technology would help them do it."

It's early days but Dr Browne says in the future it's possible that this kind of imaging technology could be adapted to use in medical testing, such as identifying cancer cells in a mammogram.



Article Source: http://phys.org/news/2014-12-robots.html

Omni Touch Technology: Turning Any Surface Into Your 3D Touch Screen!

Omni Touch is a next big miracle in the field of technology. Presently, the applications, games, movies, pictures and many more are yet explore on stable touch screen but now scientists are looking for next revolutionary steps towards the touch screen technology and it is a device that turn any surface into an interactive touch screen.
Scientists and researchers from Carnegie Mellon University’s Computer interaction Institute and Software giant company Microsoft discover a new technology called Omni Touch Technology that able to project any surface in world as an interactive touch screen.

The goal of the research is to not bond users into just physical limitation of phones and tablets touch screen, they need bigger screen. In the case of Omni Touch, touch screen surface are limited by the size of physical space user want to project the touch screen onto.
Omni Touch increase the space of touch screen like you can do all work of a tablet or phone not only on limited space, you can do all your works on large surface like you convert your table into large touch screen. It increases the mobility and turns any surface you want into touch screen like your hand, wall, table anything you want. Coming iphone 5 also uses omni touch concept that delighted and gives a new technique experience to the users of iphone 5.
The Omni Touch uses a shoulder mounted pico projector and sensor used In Microsoft Xbox and these are used to monitor the depth of field. Omni Touch able to create multi-touch surface screens that anyone can easily interact with it. You can show your facebook profile on your hand or project it on wall. If you are businessman or executive then you have a large screen like conference room to show your presentation or facts. Omni Touch cans even uses on any body part!
Still now the Omni touch is in developing stage and it takes time. Shoulder mounted projector is bulky and not appropriate for general use and users. Researcher is working on Omni touch project and modified to make it tiny so users use it more comfortably and adopt it in their life easily. But in few years you experience it and your touch screen is large as you want. Someday, smart phones or tablets are without screen but only a small processor and there is your choice that which surface you wants to make your touch screen.