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Intel announced the purchase of Movidius which will have to deliver the power of sight to machines
Intel has revealed the purchase of Movidius, a chip company centering on improving next-generation computer vision and sensing technology.
It seems that the company is only focusing on growing the scale and abilities of its computer vision technology. The agreement will help Intel push into hot new businesses with technology for robots, drones, security cameras, virtual reality headsets, and more. Josh Walden, Intel senior vice president, said that we are encountering an era where devices must be connected and able to understand and react to their environment.
The new acquisition, Movidius, has the noble mission of delivering the power of sight to machines. The CEO of San Mateo, Calif.-based Movidius, Remi El-Ouazzane, mentioned that they would remain focused on their cause but with the support and technology to innovate quicker and execute at scale. He also stated that they would maintain Movidius start-up mentality and talent that they have confirmed over the years.
The CEO confirmed that when devices are equipped with the power to see it is just the beginning of artificial intelligence breakthrough. In the future years, we would notice new types of autonomous devices with more superior skills as we proceed on one of the most difficult challenges of AI: making computers not only see, but also think and understand.
Device vision allows machines to visually understand their surroundings. The cameras would represent the computer’s eyes, the central processing unit is the ‘brain’. Presently, computer vision facilitates mapping and navigation, tracking, collision avoidance, object recognition. These are all remarkably compelling in developing markets.
Walden is sure that Movidius represent a substantial potential to quicken Intel’s plans of creating devices capable of understanding scenes, recognizing objects, navigating and tracking. This addition brings algorithms tuned for deep learning, natural interactions, depth processing, as well as extensive expertise in machine intelligence and embedded computer perception.
In August, Intel unveiled Project Alloy, a virtual reality headset which joins battery power with RealSense technology, enabling users to undergo what Intel’s CEO called a ‘merged reality.’
Earlier this year Movidius signed a contract with Google to provide chips for the U.S. giant’s mobile computer vision efforts. The same idea is followed, to help smartphones identify faces and understand signs without requiring to call on the cloud and expect a reply.
image source: Wikipedia
