Page 66 - GCN, Oct/Nov 2016

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WishLis
Tech we hope to see in the public sector
VR for the masses
Yes, other virtual reality rigs are already available, but Google’s Daydream View opens the door to a much broader range of public-sector applications. It’s easy to use, exceedingly light and — most important — far cheaper than other headsets. The key remaining obstacle: a very short list of “Daydream-ready” smartphones to power the VR.
Mimicking the brain for better AI
Machine learning is a processor- intensive task; just the electricity required can make larger projects cost-prohibitive. IBM’s TrueNorth processors change that equation by connecting the digital “neurons” in parallel across 256 million “synapses.” In the new NS16e array, such processors combine for 4 billion synaptic connections — a tiny fraction of the human brain’s but still serious computing power. And it draws less power than the average laptop.
66 GCN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016 • GCN.COM IMAGE CREDITS: GOOGLE, IBM, ROBOTEAM
What new technologies do you think GCN readers should learn more about? Tell us on Twitter: @GCNtech #GCNwishlist.
Robots that follow
The Roboteam Probot is a 21st-century mule, without all the attendant stubbornness. It can be piloted
with a wireless controller, but the broader potential rests in its ability
to automatically follow troops or first responders across rugged terrain. The Probot can put a payload of more than 1,600 pounds on a leader’s heels and keep it there for up to 10 hours of transit.