Intel seeding the AI markets
Nice to see them priming the future. We need something to soak up all these extra GHz flying around.
The Russian lab sounds like an interesting place.
Intel's software to enable a new class of AI-like, 'computer-vision' equipment
By Mark LaPedus
Semiconductor Business News
(12/11/01 00:49 a.m. EST)
siliconstrategies.com
SANTA CLARA, CALIF. -- Intel Corp. is exploring a new and promising segment in the broad artificial-intelligence (AI) field--and perhaps enabling the long-awaited, futuristic computer system in the movie classic "2001: A Space Odyssey."
In a move to optimize its future microprocessors for next-generation applications, Intel here today released a new--and free--software line to propel the development of "computer-vision" equipment, such as advanced inspection systems and sophisticated airport security gear that could one day easily spot and detect terrorists via a standard PC, according to the Santa Clara-based company.
And way out in the future, Intel's software could even possibly enable the development of "HAL," the AI-based computer system that was depicted in the hit movie "2001: A Space Odyssey," according to observers. Released back in 1968, the movie is based on the classic science fiction novel by Arthur C. Clark.
Meanwhile, Intel's new software--dubbed OpenSource Computer Vision Library 2.1 (OpenCV 2.1)--is said to enable the development of computers that can view the world the way people do, that is, in stereo. The software is capable of viewing stereoscopic "depth" and "flat" images, thereby enabling a new class of "computer-vision" equipment that can support face recognition, object tracking, and other advanced features in a system, according to Intel.
The new software release also includes an optional interface to Matlab, a software development tool for computer vision research. Matlab is developed by MathWorks Inc. of Natick, Mass.
OpenCV 2.1 is an updated version of Intel's previously-announced "computer-vision" software line--dubbed OpenCV 1.0. Announced last year, OpenCV 1.0 consists of 500 image-based tools and software code for developers. Both 1.0 and 2.1 versions are free and can be downloaded via Intel's Web site.
The new software expands Intel's presence in the "computer vision" market, a fledging business that involves real-time vision, imaging and processing of complex images in a computer system, according to Intel. This market appears to be an offshoot from the AI business. In the 1980s, AI was a hot market, but the segment fizzled in the 1990s, due to the lack of applications for the technology, according to analysts.
Now, however, computer vision is one of several technologies vying for dominance in the new and emerging biometrics market. Biometrics makes use of several technologies--such as face location, fingerprint identification, retina scans, voice recognition, and others--to identify a person in a particular application.
Analysts believe that a range of security applications will drive the booming biometrics market. Biometric technologies promise to deliver secure PC and computer networks, as well as ATM, telephone and Internet-based transactions.
But perhaps the biggest--and most controversial market--for biometrics is security at airports, especially after the terrorist attacks in the United States on Sept. 11. Several companies have launched and deployed airport security products, including those based on face recognition technologies.
But this embryonic technology is somewhat limited--at least according to a Web site called "Avanti--The Biometric Reference Site (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/avanti/). "Extravagant claims have sometimes been made for facial recognition devices which have been difficult if not impossible to substantiate in practice," according to the Avanti Web site.
"To date, facial recognition systems have had limited success in practical applications. However, progress continues to be made in this area and it will be interesting to see how future implementations perform. If technical obstacles can be overcome, we may eventually see facial recognition become a primary biometric methodology," the site added.
Officials from Intel dropped hints that facial-recognition technologies have a long ways to go before they prove viable in airport security systems and other settings. But the advent of new microprocessors, falling camera prices and other technologies will enable better and faster real-time computer-vision algorithms on standard PCs, said Wilfred Pinfold, director of microprocessor research technology at Intel Laboratories.
"There is a lot of work being done on computer vision right now," Pinfold said. "But as far as the general market is concerned, there has not been [a lot of acceptance of the technology,]" he said in an interview with SBN.
Intel hopes to change those trends, with new advances within its vast R&D operations. Intel Labs--the company's powerful R&D organization--is developing its future computer-vision software and other advanced technologies. The bulk of the software work is taking place at Intel's Software Development Center in Nihzniy Novgorod, Russia. Established in 1999, the center currently employees over 100 computer research scientists and engineers working in areas such as computer graphics, vision, and other technologies.
The company appears to be propelling computer-vision technology on at least two fronts. By the end of this decade, Intel has made it no secret that it hopes to develop 10-20-GHz microprocessors--which will drive a new range of new and future computer applications.
For example, Intel's subsidiary in China is developing an advanced voice-recognition software platform, which supports both English and Chinese languages--particularly the Mandarin dialect. Eventually, Intel hopes to develop more advanced speech-recognition technologies, like universal translation machines. These applications will require processors that run at speeds of 10-GHz or faster (see April 13 story ).
It appears that computer-vision will also require faster chips as well. For example, an airport security system, which is driven by today's processors, can only store and process a limited number of individuals in a database, according to Pinfold. Future systems, based on faster processors, could store and process a plethora of individuals in a database, he said.
The technology is not limited to airport security. "Today, computer vision is used for quality control and industrial inspection--- such as spotting bad potato chips before they go into the bag," according to Intel "But what if an intelligent camera, mounted high over a public recreational pool could recognize potentially fatal behaviors such as a sinking inert body in the swimming pool?," quizzed the company.
Over time, the technology could even help in other respects. For example, future computers would be able to read sign language, which, in turn, could be automatically inputed in a system. Current technologies are unable to handle these tasks. "Maybe in 10 years, I believe that computer-vision technology could read sign language," Pinfold said.
It's unclear how long before companies develop full-fledged, AI-based computers, such as those from the hit movie "2001: A Space Odyssey." But in any case, companies hope for better results than in the movie. In the movie, the computer went awry after it felt threatened by the ship's crew, it was noted. |
