Is 'vision' the next-gen must-have user interface?

3/23/2012 3:56 PM EDT

The more I learn about this "embedded vision" thing, it is fascinating. As Jeff Bier said during the interview, "We have only scratched the surface," as far as the embedded vision applications are concerned.

What's your favorite "embedded vision" product?

3/23/2012 3:57 PM EDT

You can read about many more cool embedded vision applications, and learn how embedded vision systems work, at www.Embedded-Vision.com.

3/23/2012 6:27 PM EDT

These applications have been developing for some time, even if not strictly under the name of "embedded vision."

What I'm most intrigued about is applying these techniques to privately owned medical devices, with optional communication to your doctor's office. Any number of tests and diagnoses should be doable this way, and potentially more reliable than current methods.

Another application is self-driving cars. Just yesterday, I commented to my wife how in a few years, we won't believe how people could ever have been trusted to drive manually. How reckless of us!

3/23/2012 9:07 PM EDT

I look forward to putting on a headset that will block my vision with displays that provide me a superset of what I could see without the headset. In several sci fi shows/movies, these have been imagined in various ways. Whether it's as "simple" as having a high def, heads up display in your head, giving you quantitative data on what you are seeing through the eyes of the headset. This would include Automatic IR/visual switching, etc. depending on the enviroment. Automatic zoom and macro capability. (that's right, fellow plus 40ers, no readers necessary!)

3/23/2012 11:16 PM EDT

How good is digital pen i am curious? What if there is some bug and it can destroy the content. It can be a nightmare for reporters.

3/23/2012 11:39 PM EDT

Is the first time I hear the term embedded-vision. I think is appropriate. It really is impressive the kind of app's that are coming out. Never thought it was possible to diagnose if you had a little too much alcohol to drink just by a camera scanning your eye. Wow! wait a minute... this app in the iphone and the iphone connected with the car through perhaps Bluetooth... then the iphone can stop the car from starting if the eyes show that the party was really hard. I think this could save lives, don't you?

3/24/2012 1:16 AM EDT

In my opinion Embedded vision is a dangerous concept to come as a UI. Because you can do multitasking while listening music with your headphones, while taking on your microphone or the mobile but it is almost impossible if your eye gets engaged in something.

3/24/2012 6:28 AM EDT

I may like to see an application where embedded vision can convert lip movements from far distance to spoken English or translate to other language of choice.

3/24/2012 9:52 PM EDT

One simple app that could be interesting would be a video meeting conferencing app with a camera that zoomed in on the speaking individual with moving lips. We do it subconsciously.

3/26/2012 3:59 AM EDT

Embedded vision will certainly help people do lot of things in the future just with the sigh of an eye.

3/26/2012 6:33 AM EDT

A great nice collection of new applications to see and enjoy.Seeing is believing. Cameras connected to computers with AI artificial intelligence can make real support with entertainment to human life.

3/26/2012 4:07 PM EDT

Old habits die hard. Oscilloscope users cling to knobs. See my blog "A new face," at http://www.tmworld.com/article/520960-A_new_face.php

3/26/2012 4:34 PM EDT

I see potential for at least two abuses here -

1. Put on a vision interface headset, and advertisers have *really exclusive* command of your eyeballs;

2. Government can easily eavesdrop on conversations with lip-reading hardware/software.

That said, vision interfaces are just another tool that are probably coming no matter what. The way they're used depends on us.

Voice correlation with lip reading in speech to text for the hearing-impaired would be a wonderful application.

3/26/2012 6:29 PM EDT

I have seen the Livescribe pen in action: very impressive, although the digital paper is a hassle. I would like to see vision processing provide the same type of interface as the pen but without special paper. I remember years (and years ago) a "white board" that had a scanner built in so that anything drawn on the 3' x 4' screen (that scrolled for new/fresh screens) could be copied, and sent electronically That was a big help for free flowing conversations!

3/26/2012 6:48 PM EDT

I particular like the eye lid detection to improve road safety.

There is no doubt vision as UI will be the next big exploring topic. I think there are still a lot that we don't know. In terms of application area, I believe vision, together with other sensors, will certain improve road safety by helping the driver to stay in the lane and providing warning in emergency situation. Another application area would be in gaming. Maybe, in the very near future, gamer can just stare at the desired target instead of using button to toggle between enemies.