In the
near future, every inanimate object we interact with may not only have the
ability to see, but could also improve our lives. In order for this visibility
to happen, objects will need the assistance of visual sensors and cameras. Though hotly debated in privacy sectors, experts agree that dozens of
tiny cameras and eventually nano cameras will soon be built into objects,
providing devices the ability to see from every angle and in real time.
As Serge Belongie, Professor of Computer Vision at Cornell Tech points
out, “There may be significant barriers to social acceptance faced by always-on
cameras everywhere. People may ask, what’s the point? Where’s the value? Why
would I want cameras pointed at me all of the time?
“While I don’t know when the turning point of
acceptance will occur, it will coincide with a broad realization that this kind
of visual technology, combined with smart cameras in fixed locations at home
and at work, can in fact improve our health, aid our memory, and provide us new
ways to care for loved ones.”
Before you rejoice in technological advancements (or throw out your fridge in fear) it is imperative to
know how we got here and what it means for human progress.
What It Means To Truly See
I call this all-seeing market opportunity the Internet of Eyes (IoEyes),
and it will empower and connect various inanimate objects – from clothing to
mirrors, refrigerators to buildings… maybe even the paint on your walls will
have the ability to see.
Similar to the Internet of Things, the IoEyes is a network of cameras
and visual sensors connected via the internet enabling the collection and
exchange of visual data on a scale unimaginable before. The ability for these
objects to see is only the beginning of a process that will have an exponential
impact on all business sectors and, ultimately, the human race.
As part of a broader visual technologies market,which capture, store,
analyze and monetize any visual content relating to consumers, the IoEyes is
expected to have a horizontal impact on all business sectors as well as
humanity.
Erik Solem, whose company Mapillary crowd-sources
street photos, believes IoEyes will only have a positive effect on society as a
whole.
“At Mapillary we
aim to understand places and how they change over time using crowdsourced
photos, cameras and visual sensors, combined with computer vision. This
automated type of understanding will improve anything from the future of
automotive, building safer smarter cities, and understanding remote locations.
I am excited for the Internet of Eyes to improve our lives as a key component
in the future of our societies.”
This market is sure to be a catalyst for another technological
revolution.
This is the core of why industry experts meet to
discuss and inspire one another on how Visual Technologies and the Internet of
Eyes at the annual LDV Vision Summit.
Love at First Sight
TThe combination of different types of visual data
from photographic, thermal, CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, and white light with
computer vision, machine learning, and artificial intelligence will deliver
high quality signals unlike anything we’ve had previously.
Imagine performing a simple daily task and knowing
what’s going on inside your body.
A real-time visual feed of you brushing your teeth
will generate not just one visual signal but millions of layers of signals,
including analyzing heart rates, blood conditions, DNA structure, temperature,
and emotional state.
Bathroom mirrors will capture multiple types of
visual data, giving us a health score every time we looked in it while sensors
could detect how much alcohol we’ve had or tobacco we’ve smoked – and possibly
project an expected lifespan as a result. Sentiment
analysis via computer vision will tell us if we are more anxious, stressed, or
happy in real-time – acting as fitness trackers and giving us a daily health
score helping us better understand our health trends over time.
Two companies who leverage computer vision to
deliver sentiment analysis are Affectiva and
Emotient which was recently acquired by
Apple. These simple actions translate into trillions of frames of
potentially actionable data. The value lies not only in being able to see what
is happening at any given second, but also in having computers analyse multiple
trends over time. Sensors in your buildings will be able to manage energy costs
more efficiently by seeing where people are in the building and learning their
patterns of activity.
One unique company, Enlighted, enables this analysis through dense networks
containing a combination of sensors including thermal data.
“From healthcare to retail to office environments,
smart sensors are enabling building owners and operators to make strategic
decisions rooted in data they never had access to before such as real time
occupancy and occupancy patterns,” says Enlighted CEO, Joe Costello.
“Leveraging this sensor data will enable businesses to operate more
effectively, environmentally, and hopefully improve our lives.”
Another company leveraging visual data from cameras
is Placemeter which
visually tracks the activity of people for retailers, real estate, and
governments.
“Placemeter gives eyes to your city, enables it to
understand how people move around, use its amenities and services, and
consequently optimize resources and infrastructure to make our cities more
efficient, safer, smarter. Internet of Eyes technologies like ours deliver
useful data without compromising an individual’s privacy and hopefully will
improve businesses and our lives,” says Alex Winter, Placemaker CEO and
Founder.
Similarly in our homes, companies such as Canary and Camio are
leveraging computer vision and multiple different signals to manage quality of
life and security.
Keys for our home, car, and office have gone
essentially unchanged since they were invented in 1861, but they will soon
become a cute historic artifact, replaced by biometrics that analyze your face,
eyes, and emotional characteristics.
It Is
Important To Have a Vision
The IoEyes will be a more accurate form of
security, leveraging authentication techniques that rely on physical
characteristics. More importantly, these signals will be able to be combined
with other signals for better understanding.
Why it is The IoEyes will be a more accurate form
of security, leveraging authentication techniques that rely on physical
characteristics. More importantly, these signals will be able to be combined
with other signals for better understanding. Eyelock, EyeVerify, and others are already working on biometrics
to fill these needs.
The benefits of biometrics and sensors offer invaluable support.
From deterring people from driving when they are
too intoxicated, to making sure your teenage daughter isn’t bringing home that
boy you don’t like when you aren’t around. One day your house may sense that
you’re tired after a long work day, automatically dimming the lights near your
favorite recliner and instructing your robotic butler to pour you a glass of
your favorite scotch.
Ioeyes Is Not
Blinded By the Future
These examples only scratch the surface of how
IoEyes will empower businesses and individuals.Other sectors that will benefit
from IoEyes include virtual reality, manufacturing, E-commerce, augmented
reality, fashion, publishing, gesture recognition, robotic imaging, importing
and exporting, mapping, and financial markets.
Many business opportunities and life improvements will surface that we
cannot yet fathom.Cameras are no longer just for memories but are fundamental
to improving our daily lives – both in our personal and professional lives.
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