LOCKED ON VIDEO: Zdenek Kalal created software that allows a video camera to lock on to an object and track it even as it moves, and to identify one face in a crowd. The Predator algorithm can recognise patterns, objects and faces, once they are selected on screen. The software could allow people with disabilities to use computers more easily, or could be used for video post-production, in robotics or for many other purposes. It's easy to imagine hundreds of uses, in fact. This is one to watch. More at Surrey and video on YouTube.
HEAT AND LIGHT: The thing about the sun is that it provides both light and heat, so solar energy is making use of only one aspect. A new polymer-based solar-thermal device does double duty. The device includes oil filled tubes. The sun shines through the tubes and onto a spray-on polymer photovoltaic that converts the light to electricity. Then the tubes deliver superheated oil to a heat pump to deliver heat. The tubes collect both visible light and infrared heat. Making energy from both heat and light, that's smart. Details at ScienceDaily.
THEY KNOW WHERE YOU ARE: Current methods of tracking a computer's physical location by its IP address may be out by as much as 35Km (sorry NCIS). A new method uses thousands of markers and is much more accurate. The technique starts by measuring ping times and translating that to an outer radius. Then they narrow the radius by sending data packets and checking which routers are used. Finally they ping likely landmark servers. On average they narrow the radius to 690 metres, sometimes 100 metres. The whole thing works without the user's permission, though proxies can void the results. A miss is as good as 100 metres. More at NewScientist.
INTERNET KILL TROWEL: A 75 year-old woman in Georgia (near Russia, not USA) didn't have enough money to live on so was digging up copper wire to sell. With a bit of digging with her trowel she severed the main Internet lines for eastern Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. There could be a nice 'protection' racket in there for anyone who owns a
trowel. More at ReadWriteWeb.
RIDE TIME: In San Francisco complex maths might get you to your meeting on time, in a luxury sedan, not a cab. You'll pay a premium, but that could be better than not getting there at all. Uber is a startup that hires luxury cars. Tell Uber's custom smartphone app you need a ride and the phone tells the company where you are, and handles payment as you've already registered with a credit card. Uber's computer system works out where cars are needed. Passengers rate the driver through the app too. The system also monitors weather and events for better planning, constantly refining the prediction algorithm. Sounds like the cab you call when you're not calling a cab. More at Wired.
- Miraz Jordan knowit.co.nz
Tech Universe: Friday 8 April
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