• May 11, 2016

TECHNOLOGY TUESDAY TWO: The Technology Strikes Back!

TECHNOLOGY TUESDAY TWO: The Technology Strikes Back!

TECHNOLOGY TUESDAY TWO: The Technology Strikes Back! 1001 667 Vantage Technology Consulting Group
Welcome to the 2nd Annual Technology Tuesday!

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Technology Tuesday!

Vantage Technology Consulting Group hosted its second annual Technology Tuesday open house event on May 10th, 2016. During this interactive event, guests were able to view, test, and experiment with emerging technologies.

Some of the technologies included were interactive displays. With touch and pen capabilities, interactive displays are ideal in collaborative environments. Real-time annotation overlay and mouse emulation enhance standard computer tools, and with the ability to save and print, notes can be easily distributed. This technology is currently being utilized in active learning classrooms.

Pen and touch interactive display.

Pen and touch interactive display.

A guest uses the joined interactive displays.

A guest uses the joined interactive displays.

Educational facilities are able to enhance learning through interactive and collaborative technologies which allow students and faculty to share ideas. Other applications for interactive displays can be medical facilities, especially in the pediatric wards.

The interactive displays provide an outlet for children to create art or play games with other rooms without having (or needing) to leave the comfort of their bed. The touch-technology reduces the sterilization of pens and allows more freedom of movement for those that aren’t able to grasp small objects. With internet capabilities, patients will be able to speak with relatives on a large screen display. Medical staff can also utilize these displays to update patient information and have the most current details on the patient’s care plan.

The Star Wars Lightsaber app demonstrates real-time interfacing of portable devices by allowing users to directly connect through a website without the need to download apps. This saves valuable space on devices and also allows freedom in content. This technology would be useful for real-time polling in active learning classrooms. The instructor would be able to see student opinions, or what percent has grasped the lesson, or as an attendance counter.

A guest battles an Imperial Stormtrooper with an iPhone, utilizing online networks.

A guest battles an Imperial Stormtrooper with an iPhone, utilizing online networks.

Testing AccuVein, a device that illuminates veins for accelerated medical care.

Testing AccuVein, a device that illuminates veins for accelerated medical care.

The medical device AccuVein offers medical professionals another tool in elevating patient care.  By sensing the hemoglobin, the device will illuminate the veins and allow for instant vein identification.  Valves will no longer be compromised and a simple, “swipe” test can show if blood flow is weakened. With a battery life lasting about three days of normal use, this device can even be taken to remote locations.

With head-wearable devices that work off electroencephalogram (EEG) technology, brain monitoring and cognitive assessment are easier to maintain and track. These devices allow “thought” control and can be used for entertainment, like gaming and drones, or practical uses, like prosthetics.

A guest tries out brain mapping and control.

A guest tries out brain mapping and control.

LED Display Wall

LED Display Wall

The new, flexible, light-weight LED display walls offer an alternative to video displays. Coming in 10mm, 7mm, 4mm, and 2mm dot pitch, images can be bussed together for a single video feed from a player or video wall processor. The flexibility and adhesive backing allows for a wider range in placement; screens can now be curved and shaped to existing structures (like the inside of a subway tunnel or the dome ceiling of a stadium).

Exhibits (from left to right): brain mapping, interactive table, LED display

Exhibits (from left to right): brain mapping, interactive table, LED display

Control Center for 5 different high definition cameras

Control Center for 5 different high definition cameras

High Definition Cameras now have built-in software for self-learning video motion analytics that can track individual movement. By using video patter detection, cameras are able to distinguish moveable objects (cars, people, etc.) and adjust focus to follow that object. Additional software can cross-reference databases and identify faces and license plates. With IR illumination and other embedded technology, high definition cameras can work in low-light conditions and provide a clear video image. These cameras are vandal resistant and weather tested to last through the harshest conditions.

Transparent Interactive Touch Displays provide another way to showcase rare items without subjecting them to the average environment. Enclosed boxes protect the item while being able to digitally display information. With touch-screen capabilities, guests are able to have large amounts of information on an object and see the object, all while protecting its integrity.

Transparent Interactive Touch Display

Transparent Interactive Touch Display

Parabolic Speaker

Parabolic Speaker

Parabolic Speakers uses the round shape to focus sound waves to minimize stray sound for a more controlled audio environment. Useful in museums and other environments that require localized sound, the parabolic speakers can provide different immersive experiences for the user.

The Microsoft™ Kinect camera connected through USB to a computer showed the fun ways to use virtual reality to alter appearance. The displayed program allowed guests to try on dresses, jackets, and superhero costumes. This type of technology can impact the retail industry by providing a means to “try-on” clothes while online shopping. It can also provide an outlet for those that want to digitally impose their environment or to be used as a full body camera to monitor posture or actions in a situation.

Guests test out the interactive table.

Guests test out the interactive table.

A guest becomes Captain America through Fitnect, a program through Xbox Kinect.

A guest becomes Captain America through Fitnect, a program through Xbox Kinect.

Highly effective in team collaboration spaces, the interactive table provides a convenient way to share and edit on ideas/notes/presentations/designs/etc. With the ability to connect to multiple screens, communication across long distances are easier and more efficient. Retail spaces can also utilize interactive tables to show maps for easy navigation, information/history/insight of the business, or promotional material.

The inexpensive Google Cardboard allows users to experience virtual reality with the use of a smartphone. Guests were able to run along-side dinosaurs, scale a wall at Yosemite National Park, or ride a rollercoaster. Products like virtual reality lenses can provide outlets for those unable to venture outside. Recently, virtual projections have been utilized in hospitals to allow patients to experience a change in environment. No longer are patients confined to their hospital rooms, but can explore the Great Wall of China, or witness the sunrise on the Serengeti. With virtual reality products, the possibilities are endless.

Guests try out Google Cardboard, an inexpensive virtual reality experience that works with any smartphone.

Guests try out Google Cardboard, an inexpensive virtual reality experience that works with any smartphone.

Michael Dannenberg, Director of New and Emerging Technologies, tries out immersive reality glasses.

Michael Dannenberg, Director of New and Emerging Technologies, tries out immersive reality glasses.

Augmented reality glasses blend reality and digital content by superimposing digital information over a live camera image. This technology can be used for training on experiments/labs, manufacturer assembly work, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and other areas that require instant digital information throughout the word day.

Guests enjoy refreshments

Guests enjoy refreshments…

and lunch break on the patio.

…and lunch break on the patio.

Vantage was very excited to share new technologies with our guests and we look forward to next year’s event.

 

See last year’s, first annual event: https://www.vantagetcg.com/technology-tuesday-test-drive-the-future/

 

Statement of non-bias: Vantage is a non-biased independent technology consultant and displayed a range of equipment from a variety of manufacturers. Systems demonstrated were not for promotion or resale but rather for informational purposes only. Manufacturer representatives were not present at the event.