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AI smartphone tool offers hope for faster stroke detection

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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AI smartphone tool offers hope for faster stroke detection
  • Researchers now plan to expand the capabilities of the app and collaborate with healthcare providers to integrate it into existing emergency response protocols.
  • Technology leverages power of facial expression recognition to identify the unilateral changes in facial muscle movements that occur in stroke patients.

In the critical realm of emergency healthcare, the timely detection of a stroke can make all the difference in a patient’s recovery and long-term prognosis.

A team of biomedical engineers at RMIT University has developed a smartphone application that leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to identify stroke patients within seconds.

Led by PhD scholar Guilherme Camargo de Oliveira, under the guidance of Professor Dinesh Kumar, the research team has published their findings in the prestigious journal Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine.

The key to their innovation lies in the application’s ability to analyse facial expressions and detect the subtle asymmetries that are characteristic of a stroke.

The app, which boasts an impressive accuracy rate of 82 per cent, could prove to be a game-changer for paramedics responding to emergency situations. By providing them with a user-friendly, real-time diagnostic tool, the technology has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes.

Early detection is critical

“Early detection of stroke is critical, as prompt treatment can significantly enhance recovery outcomes, reduce the risk of long-term disability, and save lives,” Dinesh Kumar, Professor, School of Engineering, RMIT University, said.

The underlying technology, which builds upon the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) developed in the 1970s, leverages the power of facial expression recognition to identify the unilateral changes in facial muscle movements that occur in stroke patients.

The innovative approach addresses a pressing issue in the field, as studies have shown that a substantial percentage of strokes are missed in emergency departments and community hospitals, often due to the subtlety of the symptoms and the potential for bias in the assessment of patients from diverse backgrounds.

The researchers now plan to expand the capabilities of the app, collaborating with healthcare providers to integrate it into existing emergency response protocols.

By incorporating the ability to detect other neurological conditions that affect facial expressions, the team aims to create a comprehensive tool that can serve as a valuable asset for first responders and healthcare professionals alike.

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Technological advancements to drive shipments of AR/VR headsets

Ana Mary Joseph
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Technological advancements to drive shipments of AR/VR headsets
  • Meta dominates market in first quarter, followed by Apple, ByteDance, Xreal and HTC.
  • IDC forecasts a return to growth in headset shipments later this year, with a projected 7.5% increase over 2023.
  • Beyond 2024, the shipment volume is forecast to see an annual growth rate of 43.9% from 2024 to 2028, indicating a promising future for the industry.

The global shipments of augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) headsets have experienced a significant decline in the first quarter of 2024, dropping 67.4 per cent year-over-year.

The decline was expected as the market transitions to incorporate new categories such as Mixed Reality (MR) and Extended Reality (ER). The International Data Corporation (IDC) recently revised its taxonomy to include these new categories, reflecting the evolving nature of the industry.

Despite the declining shipments, the average selling price (ASP) of these headsets has risen to over $1,000, largely due to the entry of Apple into the market and the focus of incumbents, such as Meta, on premium offerings like the Quest 3.

The price increase can be attributed to the ongoing innovation and development in the field, as manufacturers seek to provide users with more immersive and advanced experiences.

The market leadership in the first quarter of 2024 was dominated by Meta, followed by Apple’s recent entry. ByteDance, Xreal, and HTC rounded out the top 5 players.

The introduction of the Quest 3 and the Vision Pro has helped to educate users and encourage developers to create mixed reality content, blending the digital and physical worlds. However, this technological advancement has come at a premium for consumers.

Lower price points

Looking ahead, IDC forecasts a return to growth in headset shipments later this year, with a projected 7.5% increase over 2023.

“With mixed reality on the rise, expect strictly virtual reality headsets to fade in the coming years as brands and developers devise new hardware and experiences to help users eventually transition to augmented reality further down the line,” Jitesh Ubrani, research manager, Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers at IDC, said.

The introduction of newer headsets and lower price points are expected to drive this turnaround. Beyond 2024, the headset shipment volume is forecasted to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 43.9% from 2024 to 2028, indicating a promising future for the industry.

The decline in strictly virtual reality headsets is expected, as the market shifts towards mixed reality and extended reality solutions. These new categories offer users a more seamless integration of the digital and physical worlds, providing a more immersive and engaging experience.

As the technology continues to evolve, the industry can expect to see a gradual transition towards augmented reality as the primary focus for future developments.

Snap adds AI tools to advance AR capabilities

Mohammed Fahad
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Snap adds AI tools to advance AR capabilities
  • By enhancing the capabilities of its Lens Studio, the company is empowering both seasoned and novice developers to create captivating AR experiences that can be seamlessly integrated into Snapchat and other platforms.
  • Company’s goal is to create more natural and lifelike AR experiences, where the overlaid effects can seamlessly integrate with the user’s environment, responding to factors like head movements and lighting conditions.

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, Snap, the parent company of Snapchat unveiled its latest iteration of generative AI capabilities that will enable users to experience more realistic and immersive special effects when using their phone cameras.

Snap’s strategic focus on AR is a testament to the growing importance of this technology in the social media landscape.

By enhancing the capabilities of its Lens Studio, the company is empowering both seasoned and novice developers to create captivating AR experiences that can be seamlessly integrated into Snapchat and other platforms.

The introduction of AI-powered tools, such as the ability to generate three-dimensional images from text prompts, marks a significant step forward in streamlining the development process and expanding the creative possibilities.

Engaging experience

“What’s fun for us is that these tools both stretch the creative space in which people can work, but they’re also easy to use, so newcomers can build something unique very quickly,” Bobby Murphy, Snap’s chief technology officer, said.

Moreover, Snap’s advancements in AR technology are not limited to mere aesthetics. The company’s goal is to create more natural and lifelike AR experiences, where the overlaid effects can seamlessly integrate with the user’s environment, responding to factors like head movements and lighting conditions.

The attention to detail reflects Snap’s commitment to providing its users with a truly immersive and engaging experience, setting it apart from its social media rivals.

As Snap continues to push the boundaries of AR technology, the potential implications extend beyond the realm of social media. The company’s innovations could have far-reaching applications in various industries, from e-commerce and entertainment to education and training. By making AR development more accessible and user-friendly, Snap is not only catering to its existing user base but also paving the way for broader adoption of this transformative technology.

Logitech launches MX Ink stylus in collaboration with Meta

Ana Mary Joseph
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Logitech launches MX Ink stylus in collaboration with Meta
  • One of the standout features of the MX Ink is its ability to serve as a third controller for Meta Quest headsets.
  • Its pressure-sensitive tip mimics the natural experience of writing or drawing, making it suitable for both 2D and 3D content creation.

Logitech has announced the launch of its latest product, the MX Ink stylus, developed in collaboration with Meta.

This stylus has been designed to enhance the user experience and functionality of Meta Quest mixed reality (MR) headsets, including the Quest 3 and Quest 2 models.

The MX Ink stylus is tailored specifically for use with Meta Quest MR headsets, offering users greater precision and control for a wide range of tasks within MR environments. Whether creating art, navigating applications, or annotating documents, the MX Ink promises seamless integration and improved usability.

One of the standout features of the MX Ink is its ability to serve as a third controller for Meta Quest headsets, allowing users to effortlessly switch between the standard Quest controllers and the stylus without any disruption. The pairing process is simple and can be managed through the Meta Quest app, ensuring a seamless integration with compatible headsets.

Smoother drawing experience

The MX Ink stylus boasts a pen-like design, providing a comfortable and familiar feel. Its pressure-sensitive tip mimics the natural experience of writing or drawing, making it suitable for both 2D and 3D content creation. Furthermore, the stylus can be paired with the MX Mat to deliver an even better and smoother writing and drawing experience.

The introduction of the MX Ink stylus comes at a crucial time, as the demand for MR headsets is set to rebound.

According to a report from the International Data Corporation (IDC), the market for MR headsets is expected to grow from 9.7 million units in 2024 to 24.7 million units by 2028.

Key industry players driving this growth include Apple, Microsoft Corporation, Magic Leap, Alphabet, and Meta.

Furhan Zafar, VP and Sustaining Product Operations and Accessories at Meta, has expressed excitement about the MX Ink stylus, highlighting its potential benefits for Meta customers. Zafar stated that the MX Ink offers a “first-of-its-kind input device for the Meta Quest ecosystem” and is expected to support a wide range of applications, benefiting users across the board.

Microsoft’s new AI-powered PCs hit the shelves

Ana Mary Joseph
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Microsoft’s new AI-powered PCs hit the shelves
  • Surface Laptop and Surface Pro devices are available in four colours

Microsoft has announced the availability of its new Copilot+PCs – Surface Laptop and Surface Pro –designed for the AI era.

The laptops are available in four colour options, starting at $999 estimated retail price on Microsoft.com and the Microsoft Experience Centre, the company said in a statement.

Microsoft aims to take on Apple with its AI-powered PCs.

The 64GB Surface Laptop (7th Edition) with 64GB RAM starts at $2,399.99 in black with a 13.8-inch display, Snapdragon® X Elite (12 Core) Processor and 1TB SSD Storage.

The 15-inch Surface Laptop (7th Edition) with 64GB RAM begins at $2,499.99 in black with Snapdragon X Elite (12 Core) Processor and 1TB SSD Storage.

Empowering people

“Today marks the beginning of a new era for Windows, with the launch of Copilot+PCs. We can’t wait to see how these new AI-powered devices empower people to be more productive and creative,” said Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s Chairman and CEO.

The new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro are more powerful than ever with Snapdragon X Series processors, which provide faster performance and all-day battery life with a powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for all-new AI experiences, said the company.

The new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro are more powerful than ever with Snapdragon X Series Processors, providing faster performance and all-day battery life with a powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for all-new AI experiences, said the company.

Connected to and enhanced by the large language models (LLMs) running in Azure Cloud in concert with small language models (SLMs), Copilot+ PCs can now achieve a level of performance never seen before.

“They are up to 20 times more powerful and up to 100 times as efficient for running AI workloads and deliver industry-leading AI acceleration,” according to the company.

Relief Validation becomes Bangladesh’s first commercial e-Signature provider

TCN Bureau
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Relief Validation becomes Bangladesh’s first commercial e-Signature provider
  • Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, in Bangladesh, becomes one of the first partner to issue electronically signed digital diplomas to its students.

Berlin-based Veridos and Bangladesh-based DG Infotech have created a joint venture – Relief Validation – to make a significant contribution to the “Smart Bangladesh” initiative.

Relief Validation has been accredited by Bangladesh’s Controller of Certification Authorities (CCA) as one of the first providers of fully fledge, legally valid e-signatures.

One of Relief Validation’s first contractual partners is the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, in Bangladesh. It is using the company’s solution to issue electronically signed digital diplomas to its students.

“Empowering progress, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology embraces e-signatures, revolutionising the validation and accessibility of academic transcripts and certificates. With e-signatures, the university spearheads a groundbreaking approach to academic validation, securing recognition from embassies and international universities, propelling our graduates onto the global stage,” Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed, Vice Chancellor of Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, said.

Smart Bangladesh initiative

With its platform, Relief Validation enables all citizens, companies and institutions in Bangladesh to use e-signatures that are equivalent to traditional handwritten signatures on paper documents.

The Smart Bangladesh initiative, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hassina, aims to transform Bangladesh into a digitally advanced and sustainable society. It is based on the four pillars of Smart Citizens, Smart Government, Smart Economy and Smart Society.

“We are proud to play a pioneering role as the first e-signature provider in Bangladesh,” Marc-Julian Siewert, CEO of Veridos, said.

“Our e-signing solution provides a secure and efficient platform for digital transactions, making an important contribution to the digitalisation of Bangladesh.”

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