Tag: wearables

The new app for the head mounted wearable tech can make detections in real time.

Researchers, from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits, have created a first of its kind application for Google Glass that has the ability to measure human emotions and can also determine a person’s gender and gauge their age.

The SHORE real time analysis and face detection software was adapted to work with Glass.

The Sophisticated High-speed Object Recognition Engine (SHORE) can detect a human face with the help of the integrated camera in Glass and gauge a person’s emotions, determining if they are happy, sad, surprised, or angry through a facial expression analysis. At the same time, the app can estimate their age or determine their gender, as well as other aspects about them.

According to the specifications of the product on the official site, the gender detection rate of the face that is being viewed is 94.3 percent. To help the software identify real faces it utilizes a database of over 10,000 annotated faces as a point of reference. All calculations that the technology makes is done in real time by the eye-wear’s integrated CPU.

That being said, the researchers have noted that the app cannot verify a person’s identity and prohibits users from being able to discover a person’s identity through it. In fact, to ensure privacy, the app developers have promised that no data or images that are collected are sent to the cloud. The image data never leaves the device.

The Google Glass app could benefit individuals with sensory processing disorders.

This application is much more than just a gimmick. It has real potential for acting as a communication aid. For instance, a person who has a sensory processing disorder, such as autism, may benefit from the application because it can help them detect a person’s emotions. Interpreting emotions via facial expressions is something many autistics finds difficult.

Furthermore, the technology can be advantageous for those who are visually impaired, as it can provide them with supplementary audio information about the individuals who are within their surroundings. In addition, aside from Google Glass, the software could also be used in other apps like market research or interactive games.

The electronics company is reportedly developing a circular watch to compete with upcoming LG and Motorola devices.

According to a report that was released earlier this week on Samsung’s blog SamMobile, as part of its Gear line of wearables, the South Korean electronics manufacturer is developing a round faced smartwatch and, if this is true, it would mean that Motorola’s Moto 360 will no longer be the only high-tech circular watch on the market.

The new watch is rumored to be SIM enabled.

In addition to having a round display, Gear Solo, which is believed to be the name of the new watch, will supposedly feature SIM (subscriber identity module) functionality. Essentially, SIM is a circuit integrated into a mobile device that securely carries an identification number that is unique to the mobile user. It also stores personal data and prevents operation of the device when removed.

With the inclusion of this technology into the smartwatch, this would suggest that it would have more capabilities that are similar to a cellular phone compared to other smartwatches. For instance, it could have the ability to make phone calls without needing to be synced to a separate smartphone. In April, the company reportedly requested to have the term Gear Solo, which would feature SIM capabilities, trademarked.

Presently, it is not known if the third generation device from Samsung will be powered by Google’s Android Wear as is the case with the forthcoming Moto 360 device or the rumored upcoming LG smartwawtch, or if it will be powered by Tizen, Samsung’s operating system.

In addition to the Gear Solo smartwatch, other devices are expected to be unveiled by Samsung.

Aside from the highly anticipated wearable tech, it has also been speculated that the electronics company will be launching the Galaxy Note 4, as well as Gear VR, a virtual reality headset. It is suspected that Samsung will reveal its new circular smartwatch and other devices next week at its Unpacked media event, which will be held before the IFA trade show that takes place in Berlin and runs from September 5 to September 10.