For those of you who follow TED and our other resident technofreaks, you will have most certainly have seen Sixth Sense and its capabilities.
You may also know that Mistry(Who invented the software and hardware configuration for the device) Planned to release the source code and mapping for the hardware configuration.
This to me, in a world full of greed was an insane gesture, by a most awesome man. I have serious respect for a man who spends all his time developing something worth billions across numerous markets and just gives it away with the premise of "making the world a better place" and "helping the modern day man".
Anyhow, I have been following development and I am pleased to say the source was released as promised on Sept 5th!
Google Code: code.google.com/p/sixthsense/updates/list
If you require more info on the project a quick google on "Sixth Sense" will reveal a lot including the TED video from a few years back.
Sixth Sense
The part about the 3D pen, physical notes showing up in the computer, etc etc etc much of it was actually patented well over a decade ago ( around 1997) by a schoolmate of mine who started a company during the dot com timeframe. I guarantee you that they locked down every possible patentable thing they could given the real money people where throwing at it. Matter of fact my pal got his PhD from the same school as the people in the video.
Where am I going with it? My guess is there are so many others with claims to bits and pieces (including there recognizing the MS surface table) of these ideas and still pretty crude. So release it to the public, grab the tiger by the tail, and see where it takes you, rather then be locked up in litgation for centuries
That being said download complete
Where am I going with it? My guess is there are so many others with claims to bits and pieces (including there recognizing the MS surface table) of these ideas and still pretty crude. So release it to the public, grab the tiger by the tail, and see where it takes you, rather then be locked up in litgation for centuries
That being said download complete
Ssssh
it's not worth billions... and there isn't anything revolutionary or complex or innovative in this software. That's why he is releasing it.
the whole concept is nice but not really new (see Telepointer) nor patent-able (well in a 'normal' world it isn't. but may be it is in the USA with their crazy patent laws allowing to patent a simple idea).
Actually the author is more skilled in communication and really know how to make the buzz and sell himself...than actually doing scientific stuff.
yeah, I really do have a problem with these kind of so-called scientists
and I'm not the only one. I blame the journalists and tech bloggers who give too much attention to these people. They also unfortunately plague TED conferences.
I've 1000x more respect and admiration for the team that made the smart bird. (although it will (is) be used as a military spying tool but that's another story).
the whole concept is nice but not really new (see Telepointer) nor patent-able (well in a 'normal' world it isn't. but may be it is in the USA with their crazy patent laws allowing to patent a simple idea).
Actually the author is more skilled in communication and really know how to make the buzz and sell himself...than actually doing scientific stuff.
yeah, I really do have a problem with these kind of so-called scientists
and I'm not the only one. I blame the journalists and tech bloggers who give too much attention to these people. They also unfortunately plague TED conferences.I've 1000x more respect and admiration for the team that made the smart bird. (although it will (is) be used as a military spying tool but that's another story).
MrChaos wrote:QUOTE (MrChaos @ Sep 12 2011, 01:50 AM) the flying bird was done a wee bit ago by the Chinese
decied to just keep the joke
Give them hell Spawn and remember us little folks on the other end
While I agree with some points, I disagree with others. The software applications may not be unique but the base layers are and the hardware singular might not be, but the hardware map is.
He may have come into issue in the long term with copyright and patent, but he still could have made a ton of cash in the meantime. The actual device could easily be patented when it was first released, instead he left it all open.
It is more likely worth billions, the lease of the hardware configuration in other devices and the source to run it by large mobile, computer, camera, technology companies. The possibilities are huge.
Just because something borrows technology doesnt mean its not innovative, the same goes for how complex or simple it is.
The fact is, its more advanced than telepointer or any of its other predecessors by a large shot, and has paved the way already for new hardware that is based on it.
There is a trend, pioneered by Apple, to confuse people between innovative and creative ...
If it was worth billions, don't worry he would have cashed in already. So why didn't he ? and he was not alone on this project.
Why he waited 2 years to publish the code. Why no significant improvement or new demos since 2009 ?
Like i said the idea is nice but that's pretty it. nice.
He oversold the concept with too much unrealistic and impracticable demos. not to say slightly faked demos.
For instance the 'draw a circle on the arm to show a clock' is certainly faked: whatever the device is looking at, it will show a clock when detecting a 'circle been draw'. it doesn't detect that you draw on your arm. anyway with the device hanging from your neck try to point toward your arm efficiently and quickly, you'll see the impracticability.
Vertical projection plus vertical arm gesture = not practical. it's well-known problem in the 'touch screen' world, called gorilla arm syndrome.
Practicability issue with the requirement of wearing finger markers.
etc. try to imagine each of the demos in a real world every day scenario. you'll see the problems and limitations.
you'll see the 'over done' demos and the more realistic ones.
As for the software, the real 'core' piece in there is the gesture recognition and there is none here, just basic stuff requiring finger markers.
That is were the real 'added value', the billions, are: unconstrained gesture recognition software.
So basically he showed the world some nice concept , he built a prototype but that's it. he doesn't have the key technology to make it really work. Much like demoing a new car concept but been unable to build its engine. Do you think the Kinect would have sold millions if players had to wear colored gloves and head cap...
now again, I don't blame the guy for this. gesture recognition software is like voice recognition software and all 'recognition' software in general (face, movement, events,etc) is a very difficult field on which tons of inventive applications are stuck , waiting for significant progress to be made.
If it was worth billions, don't worry he would have cashed in already. So why didn't he ? and he was not alone on this project.
Why he waited 2 years to publish the code. Why no significant improvement or new demos since 2009 ?
Like i said the idea is nice but that's pretty it. nice.
He oversold the concept with too much unrealistic and impracticable demos. not to say slightly faked demos.
For instance the 'draw a circle on the arm to show a clock' is certainly faked: whatever the device is looking at, it will show a clock when detecting a 'circle been draw'. it doesn't detect that you draw on your arm. anyway with the device hanging from your neck try to point toward your arm efficiently and quickly, you'll see the impracticability.
Vertical projection plus vertical arm gesture = not practical. it's well-known problem in the 'touch screen' world, called gorilla arm syndrome.
Practicability issue with the requirement of wearing finger markers.
etc. try to imagine each of the demos in a real world every day scenario. you'll see the problems and limitations.
you'll see the 'over done' demos and the more realistic ones.
As for the software, the real 'core' piece in there is the gesture recognition and there is none here, just basic stuff requiring finger markers.
That is were the real 'added value', the billions, are: unconstrained gesture recognition software.
So basically he showed the world some nice concept , he built a prototype but that's it. he doesn't have the key technology to make it really work. Much like demoing a new car concept but been unable to build its engine. Do you think the Kinect would have sold millions if players had to wear colored gloves and head cap...
now again, I don't blame the guy for this. gesture recognition software is like voice recognition software and all 'recognition' software in general (face, movement, events,etc) is a very difficult field on which tons of inventive applications are stuck , waiting for significant progress to be made.
Last edited by KGJV on Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:07 am, edited 1 time in total.