Artificial intelligence can already destroy humans in Jeopardy and chess, and now it can also see our embarrassment as they do it.
FLIR Systems, one of the top thermal imaging companies, has collaborated with Movidius in developing an AI-powered camera called the FLIR Boson. This latest thermal imaging camera comes with a Movidius Myriad 2 vision processor, which is designed to perform targeted tasks including object recognition and tracking, environment mapping, and even eye and gesture tracking.
The core capabilities of the Movidius Myriad 2 vision processor allow the Boson camera to thermally detect and recognize objects hidden from view. In addition, its environment mapping feature can efficiently profile a particular area, possibly providing a smart thermal fingerprint of a building to detect insulation efficiency.
Andy Teich, president and CEO of FLIR Systems, has attributed Movidius's technology in delivering the amount of computer power to the size, weight, and power requirements of Boson camera today. The integration of Myriad 2 vision processor and thermal imaging camera has paved the way for artificial intelligence to penetrate the growing thermal imaging market.
The Myriad 2 has 12 vision cores that are capable of "deep learning." Deep learning is a concept where machines can learn multiple layers of representation based on any given information, in order to accurately process data, images, text and sound.
Movidius CEO Remi El-Ouazzane has also expressed excitement about what FLIR can bring to the table.
"FLIR will be instrumental in deploying advanced computer vision in applications such as home security, personal vision systems, drones, law enforcement and defense," he said, adding that it also creates a new market niche to explore.
The Boson camera is currently the smartest thermal camera available on the market. It is half the size, yet twice as power efficient compared to FLIR's older model, the TAU 2. The miniaturization of the device is an exciting feature that could potentially entice other technology manufacturers to integrate the Boson camera into their system.
Some pioneering technology company may set its sights on another traditionally human past-time. The next AI may even be able to read our tells through a slight increase in body temperature, possibly taking over the Texas Hold'em Poker tournaments.
