Technology innovations that shaped 2019 – ETCIO.com

By Prakash Mallya

If there is one thing that continues to redefine the way we live -- with an impact greater than any other since the dawn of evolution -- it is technology. Relentlessly playing the role of an alchemist -- transforming science fiction and fantasy into reality, technology is the artist that holds our attention while working behind the scenes. It is an enabler that can fulfill our wants and needs, and enrich our lives with comfort, convenience, entertainment, good health and even prosperity. And going by the trends, it seems like we cant get enough.

Our growing demand for compute and connectivity on the go led to tremendous innovation in mobile devices; our need for safer, greener and intelligent travel led to the invention of smart, autonomous and electric cars; and our need for carrying out real-time monetary transactions led to the electronic banking facility. Technological innovation seems to almost emulate the change constant of life. Heres a look how this evolution continued in the past year:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)AI continued to top the innovation chart this year. Our demand for safer cities, a safer driving experience and improved healthcare has resulted in a spate of innovations and a paradigm shift in the way we use intelligent data. We have seen AI and machine learning (ML) gradually move out of the cloud and closer to edge devices where analytics happen in real-time. This is because data transmission delays (latency) associated with the cloud can adversely impact mission critical outcomes. In order to keep AI-powered devices, such as those in smart city surveillance systems, autonomous cars and healthcare systems responsive enough, the data needs to reside as close as possible to the source. This shift has also been possible due to System-on-Chip (SoC) processors that lend more computing power to edge devices.

Apart from urban denizens and patients, farmers too have started harnessing the power of AI and technology for improving food security and farming practices. Through AI-powered apps, they are monitoring soil and growing conditions, determining crop choices, predicting the weather and temperature, and improving water utilization, crop quality and output (precision agriculture). Developers in India are putting a plant disease detection solution in the hands of farmers to give them greater control over the health of their crops.

And finally, a discussion in AI would not be complete without talking about AI assistants (what we know as voice assistants), and this year, we saw several new ways we could interact with them. Mercedes for example, integrated both Amazon Alexa as well as Google Assistant into its cars, allowing users the comfort and convenience of using their favorite assistant while driving. Fitness buffs could chat with Nike Coach, a digital performance expert using Google Assistant, to find the sneaker that would augment their workout routine. And pizza lovers could order from Dominos not just via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, but also by using Dom -- Dominos own voice assistant. In India, weve seen regional language AI assistants enabling greater reach for digital services. For those who still miss the human touch in these interactions, theres good news coming their way going by Apples recent announcement, Siri will soon sound more like a person and less like an AI bot.

Gaming

The world of gaming is constantly evolving, providing mind-bending and exhilarating experiences to avid gamers with each generation of development release. Games from the 1980s to the 90s ran on 8-bits and the Color Graphics Card (CGC) had just 16 KB of video memory. From the 1990s till the first decade of the new millennium, the market was dominated by the fifth generation of games -- running on 32 and 64 bits.

By 2019, a gaming culture has already marked its presence, which manifests itself today in peoples passion for serious gaming and gaming competitions that make front page news. With the worlds largest youth population, India is one of the fastest growing gaming markets in the world. Recent reports have estimated significant growth in the number of gamers and game developers in the country resulting in increasing gaming revenues. The number of professional esports athletes and streamers in India are also on the rise. Technologies like cloud, ML AI, data-analytics are already disrupting the gaming ecosystem - not just at the development stage but also improving the user experience to a never before seen extent.

Internet of Things (IoT)Gartner forecasts that there will be 20 billion internet-connected things by 2020. While the list of IoT gadgets for consumers may seem unending, ranging from smart and connected gadgets and appliances such as smart refrigerators, air conditioners, watches, fire alarms, door locks, bicycles, medical sensors, fitness trackers, security systems, etc., there were some that particularly caught our attention this year. Like a specially designed watch with IoT integration for people suffering from dementia, Alzheimers disease or autism, allowing the patient and the caregiver to stay connected round the clock. And an automobile gadget with smart features, such as emergency and panic buttons, automatic crash detection, notification of crash to family, and GPS-based location tracking. Amongst other popular IoT products were intelligent thermostats and smart lighting systems used in homes.

Several automation products have IoT integration such as the home automation range of connected smart devices, including those catering to the users light and music preferences. This year saw several of these devices offering users a hands-free, voice-enabled experience rather than touch screen. In India, weve seen applications across retail, education, smart city initiatives, healthcare, among others. From self-service kiosks to smart classroom solutions to remote patient monitoring to surveillance applications, India has seen both product innovation and implementations with potential to scale.

Virtual (VR), Augmented (AR) and Mixed reality (MR) Taking things up a notch, Extended Reality (ER) is another trend that will make headlines in 2020. It can be explained as a term that covers several new and revolutionary technologies that create more immersive digital experiences. To break it down, this refers to virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality. We have all seen or experienced the digitally immersive experience of a computer-generated world that we can experience using headsets that cut out the real world. This is popularly known as Virtual Reality (VR). Augmented Reality (AR) on the other hand, overlays digital objects and portrays them in the real world via smartphone screens or any other display. Mixed Reality (MR) is an elaborate version of AR, where users can interact with digital objects in the real world. For example, a user could play holographic drums via an AR headset. The concept of Extended Reality is that of experiences.

For gamers, theres Super Mario Odyssey and Legend of Zelda included in the list of VR-compatible games introduced by Nintendo this year. And with the much awaited launch of Chrome AR, we can expect our web browser to deliver newer experiences.

RoboticsPowered with advanced AI technology, consumer robots will soon play a defining role in our daily life, assisting us with vacuuming the house, mowing the lawn, and cleaning the pool. Unlike cleaning robots, the social ones will serve as companions and care for us -- they will remind patients of Alzheimers disease to take timely medication, call family members, and take walks. They will socially interact with us at an advanced level with their ability to recognize faces and common human emotions. They will respond to their names, and even love to be petted. Armed with robot SoC, collaborative mini robots will be able to enhance rescue operations by working in a team without a central server, navigating a map, detecting obstacles and finding paths.

Advanced computer vision is also transforming the way drones operate. For example, drones equipped with Vision Processing Units can be controlled to get close-up images from the correct angles and, combined with AI technology, can help detect structural damage in buildings. One such solution is being used for a restoration project for a section of the Great Wall of China. Drones with neural compute chips are allowing deep-learning calculations and image-detection to be performed locally, without internet connection. These are alerting lifeguards about possible shark attacks or trouble faced by swimmers out at sea. AI-powered thermal cameras within drones are also helping scientists study the effect of climate change on polar bears and snow leopards without subjecting researchers and animals to any risk or stress. In India, weve seen etailers like Filpkart use robotics to automate their supply chain for more efficient customer deliveries.

The world of technology is limitless and the list of technological innovations seemingly unending. Theres never a dull moment for technology enthusiasts, and the best is always yet to come.

The author is VP and MD - Sales and Marketing Group, Intel India

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETCIO.com does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETCIO.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly.

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Technology innovations that shaped 2019 - ETCIO.com