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Pokemon Go’s plans to make 3D scans of the world

September 7, 2020 By eStorm

In 2016 we saw the world go crazy for Pokemon Go. The game sent hundreds of millions of people of all ages wandering the streets searching for virtual creatures. This game has paved the way for augmented reality in today’s technological landscape, and the ability to overlay computer-generated imagery onto real-world environments. Niantic (developers of Pokemon Go) are leading the way in advancing augmented reality technology, especially in their new proposed update.

Niantic plans to encourage users to create and upload 3D scans of real-world locations while they play Pokemon Go. With the incentive of unlocking “new kinds of planet-scale AR experiences”, avid Pokemon players will be helping develop the future of AR gameplay.

The Future of Augmented Reality

Given Niantic’s success, Big Tech companies are now in an arms race to see who can develop and execute this technology the fastest. Businesses such as Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, and Google are currently developing similar AR products. By using simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (SLAM), the companies can regularly scan and collect data about a user’s environment.

We consume new technologies very quickly, so it is easy to imagine a world where augmented reality is integrated into our everyday lives. However, there are growing concerns about pervasive augmented reality being used by big companies to create more targeted advertising. Other organisations have warned against these new technology developments with concerns over the potential influence on surveillance and control.

Using augmented reality in the classroom

It can be tempting to ignore this technology, given the potential threats or concerns on how it can be used for ‘evil’. However, there are many benefits and positives in using augmented reality into today’s educational setting.

While the new 3D scanning feature is yet to be implemented, the current game provides opportunities to build lesson plans around the game now. For example, in an English lesson, you may have primary students write a fact file on a certain pokemon. A Maths lesson may involve high school students measuring the distance travelled, defining speed, the area covered and so forth. There are numerous lesson plans relating to the app in computing, design technology, art, geography and PE classes.

For more inspiration on how you can create fun and engaging lessons using the latest technology check out our blog on the newest education tools.

To learn about more opportunities to integrate technology into the classroom, or if you are wanting to upskill your teachers to effectively use new tools in lesson plans, contact our friendly eStorm team at any time on 1300 378 676 or [email protected].

Filed Under: News Tagged With: education, emerging technology

A Framework for identifying and assessing emergent technology

June 28, 2019 By eStormAdmin

Emerging technologies introduce challenges and threats to existing organisational competitive advantages, as well as presenting opportunities for organisations to take the lead in completely new areas, long before the competition takes root.

The need to monitor the technological horizon is vitally important. Emerging technology represents a series of potential investments that can have a serious impact on the business. Assessing the technology landscape, making the smart decisions and advocating for the right technology will help secure the organisation’s future.

However, not all emerging technologies are relevant, and not all live up to their promises. In order to choose the right technology for your business, practitioners must evaluate new technologies for their impact, relevance and probability of success. Whether you choose to adopt or ignore a new piece of technology, the wrong choice can be costly.

Each year, organisations of all sizes measure, analyse and plan where they’re investing in technology, however there is still no widely accepted framework for analysing and evaluating emerging technology.

 

Why businesses need a framework for assessing new technology

  • Utilising a framework as a shared understanding, it becomes much easier to discuss technology analysis with customers and other members of the organisation
  • A framework as a shared understanding enables and simplifies communication and education around technology. A framework not only helps you educate someone on a piece of technology, but makes it much easier to learn about technology from others
  • The sharing of information around technology analysis between teams and departments becomes simplified, easier to understand and more efficient
  • A framework helps to identify which aspects of a piece of technology can be included or left out, depending on its application and relevance
  • The framework itself can be improved over time and collect inputs from relevant practitioners

 

The Emerging Technology Analysis Canvas

Similar to Alexander Osterwalder’s Business Model Canvas, the ETAC (Emerging Technology Analysis Canvas) is a framework designed to address the need for emerging technologies.

The ETAC is based on a set of questions arranged around a logical narrative that probe technology.

 

Emerging technology must fulfil four conditions:

  • The identification of a problem and related innovation that addresses the problem, in this case called a trigger. (We consider that both the problem and innovation must come in conjunction because often the innovation changes our perception of the problem).
  • The technology needs to have a significant potential impact. Often the impact may extend beyond the initial problem.
  • The technology has to be feasible given the available resources.
  • The technology has to navigate risks related to technology development and adoption. For example, the technology must develop and be adopted quickly enough to justify any investment.

The ETAC is structured around these 4 elements (Opportunity, Impact, Technical Feasibility and Future) and drills down into the details in each subsection.

 

ETAC (Emerging Technology Analysis Canvas)

 

Source: https://github.com/wso2/ETAC/blob/master/ETAC.md

Opportunity

  • Trigger: A problem and a solution that captured broader imagination that later evolved to a broader technology promising to solve broader problems.
  • Players: Organisations or individuals who are actively improving or using the technology to solve problems. For example, Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM are active players in serverless. We do not include the end users of the technology as players. Instead these are discussed under the value chain.
  • Drivers: external forces that positively impact the technology such as legislation. For this analysis, one can use the PESTLE framework [10] which considers the political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, legal, and environmental impacts on a technology. Among examples of drivers are cost saving, agility, productivity, automation, communication, trust, privacy, government policy, and law. Also, current industries and other emerging technologies can also act as drivers.

Impact

It is important to note that impact is analysed with respect to potential future and not limited to the current state of the technology.

Macro Impact
This discusses the impact on the industry under the following three themes.

  • Network effects and Interactions: A technology has network effects if the increased adoption increase the technology’s value for existing users thus creating a positive feedback loop.
  • Distruptees: – What technologies or industries will be affected by the emerging technology? The effects are twofold: the industries that compete with the emerging technology will be challenged, while the industries that complement it will be propelled. For example, AI may improve disease diagnosis, but at the same time that will reduce jobs for doctors. Some of the effects may be disruptive, where the affected technology or domain is significantly transformed by the technology. Furthermore, there are several impact areas we can consider. For example, we can use the PESTLE framework [10] in reverse and consider the political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, legal, and environmental impacts of the technology. We need to consider not only the first level effects but also the nth level effects as described by [7]. Furthermore, it is important to consider the crossover potentials of the technology where it can solve fundamental problems in a different industry or a segment, which in turn unlocks a wave of advance. An example of this is blockchain, where a technology designed to solve problems of decentralised money is being applied to areas such as identity, provenance or smart contracts in many industries.

Micro Impact
This discusses the impact on the organisation under the following four themes.

  • Competitive Advantage: how does the emerging technology affect competition between organisations? For example, AI enables organisations to automate decisions and make better decisions, thereby helping them out-compete their competitors.
  • Financial Benefits: How would the technology affect the bottom line of organisations. The benefits come in two forms. The technology might make the organisation efficient saving some costs or the technology might enable new revenue sources. For example, AI is being used to automate expensive human tasks, thus reducing costs significantly.
  • Supply Chain: this represent activities that are carried out starting from raw materials and skills until the product or a service is delivered and consumed by the end user. This section discussed how the technology affects the supply chain.

 

Feasibility

  • Technical Merit – This discusses technology breakthroughs the technology has made as well as any technical limitations. For example, AI has achieved several breakthroughs such as deep learning, which has helped in surpassing human accuracy with many problems. However, there are multiple technical challenges including algorithmic attacks, the need for expert knowledge while tuning and applying the AI, and the significant time required for data cleanup.
  • Tools, Ecosystem, & Skills – This discuss the availability of required skills, tools and best practices, and a community. An example of a community is an open source user forum. As the technology matures, tools and ecosystems will get better, which improve the odds of success. For example, blockchains have built a healthy developer community and tools.
  • Friction – What kind of friction will the emerging technology face in its deployment? Here we only consider technical friction, and nontechnical considerations are discussed under Risks. As an example, blockchains are seeing concerns over the transaction rates and power consumption costs.

 

Future

  • Timeline: What are the key possible milestones in the technology development? For example, how long will it take for the core technology to be ready? How fast will the adoption be? For example, blockchains may need further breakthroughs before they are adopted widely and it might take at least 5-10 years to reach those milestones.
  • Risks: What are risks that might limit the technology deployment? This includes non-technical risks as well. We can think of these as the inverse of drivers. Just like with drivers, we can use the PESTLE framework [10] in reverse to find drivers. An example of a risk is that regulators may restrict blockchains based on taxes or money laundering legislation, even when those blockchains are designed to resolve other aspects than digital cash. Among other risks to be considered are the need for standards, privacy concerns, business models, current law and policy frameworks, lack of skills, complexity, security risks, monopoly and vendor lock-in.

 

Summary

The summary section discusses possible technology development and deployment scenarios while weighing other parts of the ETAC. In the opportunity section, we discussed drivers. In the impact and feasibility sections we explore the potential of the technology and technical reality. The future section discusses risks and potential key milestones. The summary section explores the tension between the potential of the technology and environment in which it has to operate to understand potential scenarios and associated likelihoods.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: emerging technology

IKEA using Augmented Reality

July 24, 2017 By eStormAdmin

Tim Cook said in recent months that he was so excited about Augmented Reality that he wanted ‘to yell out and scream.’

He named furniture buying as an example of something that can be completely changed by the use of AR.

“We’ve talked to Ikea, and they have 3D images of their furniture line. You’re talking about changing the whole experience of how you shop for, in this case, furniture and other objects that you can place around the home”.

Ikea’s digital transformation manager has been working on the first AR app of its kind and said that IKEA was going all-in on the AR technology experience.

“This will be the first augmented reality app that allows you to make reliable buying decision. When we launch new products, they will come first in the AR app”.

The plan is that customers will take photos in their own homes, and to use the app to position realistic renders of IKEA furniture directly into their environment. Customers would be able to see what a sofa would look like in a living-room. For example, placing it in the exact position will allow customers to truly see what the item will look like amongst their decor, but will also show how it spacially works in the area.

IKEA says that Apple’s AR technology is so good that the positioning of products will be ‘millimeter precise,’ with sizes and lighting completely accurate. It’s expecting to have 5-600 products available at the time they launch. The company will have a head-start on other companies and it’s been using photo-realistic renders instead of product photos in its existing catalog for some time now. It will be able to drop these same 3D models into the AR app.

Initially this will be used in-store. Ideally IKEA aims to have customers place a sofa in your home using the app, and then click it in the shopping cart on the e-commerce site.

IKEA is aiming to launch when IOS 11 is released.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Apple, emerging technology

Virtual Reality Changes Medical Education

May 10, 2017 By eStormAdmin

With skills shortages and budget cuts, the healthcare sector has seen significant changes in its delivery model in the last few years.

A new initiative in the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles wants to solve this problem by building an intelligent and responsive Virtual Reality training application with real-life emergency trauma situations.

Rather than using mannequins ,  the traditional method for such training  the  students can now wear Oculus VR headsets and experience emergency care scenarios in a virtual environment that looks and feels like a real-life scenario.

The VR simulation is compatible with Oculus Rift headset and Touch controllers. It is designed not only for consumer applications but also for social and enterprise training for healthcare and beyond.

The reality is that there are some lifesaving procedures in emergency medicine that you rarely perform, but must always be ready to perform in a split second.

One such a procedure is known as cricothyrotomy, which involves making an incision into a specific area of patient’s neck and inserting a plastic tube through a thin membrane into the trachea—requires accuracy and speed, and can be lifesaving if performed correctly, but deadly if not completed in a timely or improper fashion. Other life-saving skills including intubation, central line and intraosseous catheter placement also require practice and repetition in order to save lives.

Over the past decade, there has been an explosion in the use of simulation medicine to help physicians gain preparation for performing lifesaving procedures as well as approaching delicate or difficult situations related to patient care.

The idea is that the medical students will be able to practice under realistic workplace pressures and conditions within the virtual world so that they are better prepared in real-life situations.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: education, emerging technology

Mars in Virtual Reality

March 21, 2017 By eStormAdmin

Buzz Aldrin, the second man to step on the Moon, has launched a virtual reality movie detailing his plan to get humans to Mars.

The film – Cycling Pathways to Mars – lasts just under 10 minutes and features the astronaut as a hologram narrating the experience.

Mr Aldrin’s plan involves using the moons of Earth and Mars essentially as pitstops for people travelling to and from the Red Planet – a trip that will take about six months each way.

Speaking to the BBC, he said he hoped the film would help governments focus on a single plan to get to Mars.

“You can’t afford to do them all,” he said of competing visions. “Because it’s using up the budget that we’ve got and we’re going nowhere.”

SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk is investing in space exploration and travel, but said it’s governments who must provide the guidance for achieving the goal of a Mars colony, not companies.

The film brings the viewer to the surface of Mars – surrounded by an envisioning of what a Mars colony may look like.

The film was one of many on show at SXSW’s virtual cinema, a collection of virtual and augmented reality experiences.

 

Charles Singletary from Upload VR, said he was impressed with the experience.”The production quality makes you feel like you’re standing in the middle of a high tier sci-fi film, which makes it all the more mind blowing that Buzz is guiding you through something that could realistically be implemented. “The hologram was very crisp and was presented as a projection in the virtual space, a small detail that keeps the immersion intact.”

The film is available for to view on HTC’s Vive headset – and is coming soon to the Oculus Rift.

Filed Under: eStorm News Tagged With: emerging technology

New online tool will tell when the NBN will be available in your area

February 27, 2017 By eStormAdmin

As part of an update the NBN website address tracker, people will be able to see a time frame for when their local area will be connected to the National Broadband Network (NBN).
This feature is a first for the company, with the previous address tracker only telling people when NBN construction would begin in their area — not a specific time frame for when the service would actually be available.
Those down for a connection in 2017 will be given a three-month window, while people on the list for 2018 or beyond will be given a window of six months.

 

 

Filed Under: News Tagged With: emerging technology

13.3″ Wacom Cintiq 13HD Interactive Pen Display

February 6, 2017 By eStormAdmin

The Cintiq 13HD is an interactive pen display that allows you to create directly onto a 13.3” HD display. It offers you many of the advantages of the larger Cintiq, like the four time-saving, customizable ExpressKeys, the Rocker Ring, and the Home Button for easy shortcut access. Its high-resolution HD 1920 x 1080 LED display features a 178° viewing angle and renders 16.7 million colors.

The detachable stand adjusts to three different working angles and you can also use the Cintiq 13HD flat on your desktop or in your lap. Wacom’s powerful new Pro Pen with 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt recognition, and a more comfortable, ergonomic design provides precise control and a better feel than ever. The new Pro Pen comes in a compact carrying case that includes storage for the extra nibs and color rings that help you easily personalize and identify your pen. The Cintiq 13HD experience starts right away – with a new, simple setup. Our convenient new 3-in-1 cable reduces clutter and makes setup on any Mac or PC a snap.

Key features:

High-resolution 13.3 inch HD 1920 x 1080 LED display with a 178° viewing angle and 16.7 million colors
Compact, slim design takes up minimal desk space
New Pro Pen with 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity for precise, natural control
Four customizable ExpressKeys, Rocker Ring and Home Button for easy shortcut access; use it either left- or right-handed
Detachable stand adjusts to three different working angles
Simple setup to Mac or PC with new 3-in1 cable

Talk to eStorm about WACOM devices.

Filed Under: General News, News Tagged With: emerging technology

Augmented Reality Tools for Education

December 15, 2016 By eStormAdmin

Augmented reality has evolved hugely in recent years within classrooms. Educators will feel far less overwhelmed when trying to introduce AR in their classroom as there are many great apps that don’t require a lot of knowledge in the field.

Augmented reality works well in schools because it brings close to real life experiences to students, immersing them in the experience. It’s dynamic learning, watch their faces when they have the opportunity to explore space, the human body, cells or chemistry elements. You appreciate how eager and engaged they become with some simple AR apps.

Chromville (Free): Educational app using the eight multiple intelligences. Students color their characters and then they come to life with the Visual Arts app.

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/chromville/id748017957?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=imascono

 

Anatomy 4D (Free): Bring the human body to life with this AR app. Have students learn about the different systems and human anatomy with this app.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.daqri.d4DAnatomy&hl=

Field Trip (Free): Field Trip, your guide to the cool, hidden, and unique things in the world around you. Field Trip runs in the background on your phone. When you get close to something interesting, it will notify you and if you have a headset or bluetooth connected, it can even read the info to you.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/field-trip/id567841460?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nianticproject.scout&hl=en

 

Filed Under: Apple, Education, eStorm News, Microsoft, News, SAMR Tagged With: emerging technology

HP Spectre x360

November 4, 2016 By eStormAdmin

hp-spectre-x360-value-ultrabook
Value aside, it’s hard to look at the new line of HP Spectre x360 ultrabooks and not want to have one. With sleek, clean lines and a nearly bezel-less 13.3″ touchscreen display, this 2-in-1 has the power and the brains to make itself a must-have for students, teachers and business.

In true HP fashion you actually get a decent set of specs for not a lot of cash, too. Enjoy a seamless transition from notebook to tablet and everything in between, with an elegantly designed 360° hinge that lets this convertible PC look great in every position. Enjoy lightning-fast performance throughout the day on this premium x360 that boasts up to 12.5-hours of battery life for your non-compromising schedule.

Amazingly thin and light in a visually stunning metal body, this convertible PC is a dynamic blend of design and performance.

Filed Under: Device Procurement, News Tagged With: emerging technology

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