Tech Companies Expand Future Possibilities
Emerging Tech Roundup — August 26
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: Samsung expands XR hardware capabilities, 3D Hologram Rentals offers AR without headsets, StoryFile uses AR to enrich funerals, researchers use electrical currents to improve memory, Wiztales launches an exciting new metaverse, China develops an Earth-metal fueled train, and T-Mobile partners with SpaceX to expand coverage.
Samsung Develops Artificial Muscle Actuators for Immersive VR and AR
(SamMobile, August 12)
Samsung has been working on technology to improve VR and AR experiences. One of the biggest complaints with current VR technology is that the experiences don’t feel real. Images don’t focus the way they would in real life, and the haptic feedback is very limited. Samsung’s new technology is hoping to use artificial muscle actuators to enable faster image focus, and also provide tactile feedback for VR controllers.
3D-hologram Company Creates Life-size Fully Interactive Augmented Reality Holographic Displays with Real-time Motion Tracking
(MarTech Series, August 17)
3D Hologram Rentals has developed a technology that allows users to enjoy AR without the use of headsets. After installation, the technology projects a 3D, life-size hologram that can be interacted with from a designated control space. The technology has been installed in 7 states so far, and can be used in various cases including marketing, entertainment, education and more.
‘Holographic Conversational’ AI Lets Dead Speak at Funerals
(AV Magazine, August 17)
Startup StoryFile has created technology that allows friends and family to have conversations with the dead at their funeral services. The conversation is AI-curated, and is developed using a series of prerecorded Q&A sessions from before the subject had passed. During the services, attendees can ask their loved one questions and receive realistic responses, as if they’re still there.
Electrical Currents to the Brain Improve Memory for Older Adults, Study Finds
(The Verge, August 22)
Researchers found that among 60 study participants, ranging from age 65–88, the pulsing of electrical currents through the brain resulted in increased working and long-term memory capabilities. This approach to memory improvement targets different areas of the brain than medication does, and instead focuses on the brain’s electrical systems. The technology is still in its early, experimental phase, but has delivered hopeful results so far.
Wiztales Release E-commerce Metaverse
(MetaNews, August 17)
Wiztales, a popular event tech platform, recently launched their new metaverse called “Altyug”. Altyug enables retail shopping, casual gaming, and realistic interactions with other people on the platform. According to Wiztales’ VP of Product and Strategy, “Altyug enables individuals to work, play, communicate, shop, and engage with each other and companies in a single virtual universe.”
China’s New ‘Air Train’ Runs Using an Overhead Magnetic Track
(Business Insider, August 19)
China has finished building its ‘Red Rail’ train as of early August. The train uses ‘rare Earth metals’ within its permanent magnets and does not require electricity to run. It can hold up to 88 passengers, hangs at about 33 feet above the ground and is located in Xingguo county of southern China.
T-Mobile and SpaceX Starlink Say Your 5G Phone Will Connect to Satellites next Year
(The Verge, August 25)
T-Mobile is partnering with SpaceX to offer “Coverage Above and Beyond” which will use SpaceX Starlink satellite internet to provide coverage to more areas and eliminate dead zones. This is just the start, aiming to provide basic coverage, but the companies are already weighing future expansions. And luckily for customers, current phones will be able to utilize the network with no special equipment required.
