February 18, 2022
This week our first four stories are about products/technologies showcased at last month’s CES that caught my eye, with story 5 being about an exciting advancement in robotics.
Story 1: World’s first 8K laser TV debuts at Consumer Electronics Show
Source: AI Business Story by Callum Cyrus
Link: https://aibusiness.com/document.asp?doc_id=774370
Source 2: Advanced Television Story by Chris Forrester
Link: https://advanced-television.com/2022/01/04/hisense-to-unveil-8k-laser-tv-at-ces/
Source 3: Should I buy a laser TV? Story by Henry St. Leger
Link: https://www.techradar.com/news/should-i-buy-a-laser-tv
Although much reduced in size due to Covid concerns, a ton of amazing new products and technologies were showcased in person and online at CES last month.
And, no surprise, TV technology was one of the most active segments of the show.
For example, the Chinese company Hisense revealed an 8K-capable version of its TriChroma laser TV line which it claims is the world’s first.
Remember 8K refers to a display resolution of approximately 8,000 pixels – that’s double the current standard of 4K TVs.
Time out, what’s a laser TV?
Laser TVs are actually projectors – but, unlike traditional projectors that throw an image across a room to a screen, laser TV projectors are placed on the floor right at the base of the wall holding a large screen, and project the image directly upwards.
And this new Hisense laser TV projector model can create displays up to 120 inches diagonally.
Hisense and Epson use the term laser TV for a few reasons, one of which is almost certainly marketing buzz, but also due to the fact that they feature built-in speakers, a smart platform, and a TV tuner.
The latest, yet-to-be-released Hisense laser TV system uses an artificial intelligence-based, lightning fast 8K imaging chipset that analyzes every visual scene [pixel by pixel] to optimize the picture.
And it also contains 20,000 mini-LED partitions to enhance definition and contrast.
Okay, get ready for some sticker shock – The price tag for one of these is $5,999!
Story 2: BMW showcases color changing prototype car
Source: The Verge Story by Andrew J. Hawkins
Link: https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/5/22867090/bmw-color-changing-paint-electric-car-ces
If you’ve ever felt indecisive about what color vehicle to buy, BMW may someday have a solution for you – that is if shades of black and white and gray are a turn on for you!
At CES the German automaker showed off its new color-changing paint technology.
The groundbreaking technology that was demonstrated on a BMW SUV relies on electronic ink [or E Ink for short], the same electronic paper technology used in e-reader tablets.
The Electronic Ink used contains millions of microcapsules, with a diameter equivalent to the thickness of a human hair.
Each of these microcapsules contains negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black pigments.
Stimulation by means of an electrical field causes either the white or the black pigments to collect at the surface of each microcapsule, giving the car body the desired shade.
Again, today, it’s just shades of gray, white and black. But who knows where this technology will go!
Story 3: Hologram technology inspired by ‘Star Wars’ could bring ‘new dimension’ to smartphones
Source: USA Today Story by Mike Snider
Link: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2021/01/10/ces-2021-star-wars-inspired-hologram-tech-headed-your-smartphone/6598697002/
Here’s another mind-blowing technology from CES.
Imagine seeing 3D holographic images and videos projected [or floating] in the space in front of your smartphone!
Think of R2D2 projecting a holographic Princess Leah.
And without the need for headgear or goggles!
At CES San Diego-based company IKIN, demonstrated its prototype accessory that turns a smartphone’s video or image content into three-dimensional holograms.
IKIN’s new hologram accessary for Android or Apple smartphones uses a specialized proprietary chemical polymer lens to create 3D holograms viewable even in daylight.
When it comes to market, consumers will buy an accessory attachment designed to match their smartphone’s dimensions. Pricing is TBD.
Story 4: Chipolo’s new credit card-sized tracker for your wallet features Apple’s Find My support
Source: Engadget Story by Daniel Cooper
Link: https://www.engadget.com/chipolo-card-spot-find-my-network-wallet-tracker-160045097.html
A great new way to track and find your wallet if you misplace it or leave it behind in a store was another nifty product at CES.
The new $35 Chipolo Card Spot is a super thin, credit card sized device that can be paired to the Apple Find My network.
Apple’s Find My network enables you to locate your lost Apple products, as well as supported 3rd party products.
Once the card is activated you can track your wallet and also get alerts on your iPhone if you’ve left it behind someplace.
And a built-in mini speaker will chirp at 105 decibels to ensure that you’ll be able to hear it when you misplace your wallet within hearing range.
The Chipolo Card Spot’s battery isn’t replaceable, so after about two years you’ll need to replace it.
But the company says you can then buy a replacement at 50 percent off.
Story 5: Researchers have created a soft, lifelike robotic face that will respond to your facial expressions
Source: Mashable Story by Emmett Smith
Link: https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/press-release/the-robot-smiled-back
See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vBLI-q04kM
Many futurists are predicting that, in the not-too-distant future, humans will increasingly interact closely with human-like [or Humanoid] robots in factories, offices, hospitals, etc.
The key to success, they believe, is to have humanoid robots that will make their human co-workers feel more comfortable.
One way to do this is to give humanoid robots lifelike faces with the ability to appropriately react to the facial expressions of their human colleagues.
With that goal in mind, and after five years of work, researchers at New York City’s Columbia University have created a new robot face prototype, named EVA, which has a soft and expressive face that can respond to the emotional facial expressions of a human it’s interacting with.
EVA’s flexible face can express anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, and surprise, as well as other more nuanced emotions.
To make this possible artificial internal “muscles” (made using cables and motors) are used to pull on specific points on EVA’s face, mimicking the movements of the more than 42 tiny muscles attached at various points to the skin and bones of human faces.
EVA uses her robotic eyes and an advanced computer system aided by artificial intelligence to “read” and then respond to the expressions on human faces it encounters.