Augmented Reality Increases in Capabilities, Enhancing Quality of Life
Emerging Tech Roundup — December 17
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: RealWear brings the frontline into the metaverse, Mercedes-Benz works on an autonomous vehicle, Harbinger Health experiments with AI to detect cancer, luxury NFTs are expected to increase in value, Bucheon uses AI to track COVID patients, PhD student helps fight depression experienced by astronauts, and Singular Health uses Oculus headsets to heighten surgical approaches.
Introducing RealWear Navigator™ 500: Wearable AR for Frontline Workers
(BusinessWire, December 8)
As the technology of our world slowly transforms into AR and digital, RealWear works to keep frontline workers tech-savvy as well. Their new RealWear Navigator™ 500 will allow businesses to include their frontline in remote collaboration, workflow, training and more. The device is completely hands-free, voice-controlled and has over 200 app integrations.
Mercedes-Benz to Launch Self-driving System in 2022
(Motor Authority, December 9)
After gaining regulatory approval in Germany, Mercedes-Benz has announced their newest product offering Drive Pilot Level 3. The autonomous vehicle is capable of steering, accelerating, braking and more, all on its own. It also has a safety feature that will automatically slow the car to a stop if the driver “fails to take back control when prompted.”
New AI Startup Launches to Help Detect Early Signs of Cancer
(AI In Healthcare, December 10)
Recently-launched startup Harbinger Health is working to detect cancer in blood samples earlier by using AI. The technology is unique in that it looks for biological events indicating Cancer, rather than statistics. The startup has received a $50 million investment and has high hopes for the company’s future advancements.
Luxury NFTs Market to Reach $56B by 2030
(Coin Telegraph, December 11)
Luxury brands can expect the value of their NFTs to increase substantially as the metaverse grows. As users start to move into the metaverse for socializing and play, they will likely want their avatar to wear designer pieces, similar to their real-life wardrobe. Retail drops could be held in the metaverse, much like Gucci’s recent drop, where users can purchase and later sell for a higher price, serving as a new investment opportunity.
South Korea to Test AI-Powered Facial Recognition to Track Covid-19 Cases
(Reuters, December 12)
Bucheon, South Korea will be testing out new technology that will track the whereabouts and habits of COVID patients around the city. The 10,000+ CCTV cameras will also monitor the people that patients interact with and whether they wear masks outside of their own homes.
B.C. Student’s VR Tech Gets Lift Off in Experiment on Astronaut Loneliness
(Global News, December 12)
PhD student Katerina Stepanova has created a VR simulation in which six volunteers will experience the same isolated feeling that astronauts do on their way to and from outer space. Volunteers will be presented with campfires, scenes from nature, sunsets and more to combat feelings of depression and loneliness. Stepanova hopes that after drawing her results in July, she can apply a more advanced version in a real space flight.
Singular Enters the Metaverse
(The West, December 13)
Singular Health has elevated 2D imagery used in surgical simulations to 3D, allowing for more visibility. When surgeons have a 360 degree view of tumors, for example, they can design a better plan of action for their surgeries. The software also has voice and text interaction through headset Oculus Quest 2, allowing for enhanced collaboration during surgeries.
