Is Computer Vision Tech the Answer to Affordable Organic Farming?

Just when it seems like computer vision technology is everywhere, some engineering student at Stanford takes it even further.

Lee Redden, 26, a Ph.D. student in engineering at Stanford, has combined his knowledge of artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer vision to create an innovative start-up called Blue River Technology. As far as we can tell, Blue River is unique in its mission: to develop a robotic weed killer that could be used by organic farms instead of chemical pesticides and manual labor.

According to Blue River’s website, Redden and his team were inspired to discover a way for farmers to do their job without harming the environment or consumers.

The robotic system uses cameras, computer vision and machine-learning algorithms to distinguish weeds from lettuce plants. In the initial stages of the project, their machine used laser blasts to kill the weeds—but that was too expensive for the long run. The next stage involves using superheated organic oil on the weeds.

Hopefully the device is extremely fine-tuned. Redden told the New York Times that the machine, which is pulled by a tractor, must identify weeds and kill them within 200 milliseconds.

Robotic Prison Wardens Coming to South Korea's Prisons

At 5 feet tall, equipped with intelligent cameras and object-recognition capabilities, this robo-warden is looking to clean up South Korea's prisons.

The robot, which is still in the prototype phase, will begin a month-long trial next year at one prison. Afterward, officials at the Asian Forum for Corrections hope the bot will be used throughout the country to help squash violent behavior and minimize prisoner suicide attempts.

How? The bot will roll around on four wheels, using its cameras, sensors and object-recognition software to detect voilent outbursts, fights and even suicidal behavior. When the bot finds something amiss, it will notify human guards so they can take it from there.

This is an interesting way for South Korea, which is known for its robotic innovation, to cut down on the number of guards needed and, hopefully, the amount of violence they encounter. But in all honesty, I'm dying to find out how long it takes for prisoners to smash their robo-warden to bits.

Augmented Reality GPS ... on a Camera?

Next time you go on vacation, make sure you see (and photograph) all the best sights by taking along the new Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR compact superzoom camera.

The F600 includes GPS so you can tag your photos as you go. The location can then be plotted on a map, which features an augmented reality landmark navigator. Muchlike a cell phone app might, this navigator automatically locates places of interest from a built-in database of about 1 million locations. It also lets you know where they are and how to get there, all on the camera's 3-inch screen.

The camera also features motion-detection software that will help you to avoid taking blurry pics. When the camera automatically spots that a subject is moving, it adjusts to a high shutter speed to freeze the action. Awesome!

The camera goes on sale at the end of October, just in time for Christmas gift planning. Oh and it's only about $540.

ACLU: Chicago's Surveillance Network Violates First Amendment

Boasting a network of thousands of public surveillance cameras, Chicago is the most-watched city in the United States. And while privacy concerns over Chicago's surveillance network are old news, now the American Civil Liberties Union is involved. 

The ACLU released a report today that claims any further expansion of the network would be a violation of Chicago citizens' First Amendment Rights. 

Currently, the Chicago Police use about 1,200 cameras on city streets, and there are an additional 4,500 in schools, 1,800 on city buses and trains and 1,000 at Chicago-O'Hare International Airport, according to NBC Chicago. 

Several studies have shown that Chicago residents feel protected--not violated--by the security cameras. But the ACLU argues otherwise. They're claiming that the millions of dollars used to invest in the surveillance network could have been used to hire more police officers. After all, according to NBC Chicago, the cameras resulted in less than 1 percent of arrests over the last four years. 

Amazing New Car Enables the Blind to Drive

This month, Daytona International Speedway isn't just about racing. A unique car that enables blind people to drive will be unveiled there Jan. 29. 

The car, a modified Ford Escape Hybrid, features special sensors, computers and interfaces that help it gain an unprecedented understanding of its road environment -- and even enable the driver to make his or her own decisions. It was designed by engineers and students at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, College of Engineering in Blacksburg, Va.

How does it work? According to the Vancouver Sun, the first step is the sensors, which include lasers and cameras. 

"The laser shoots around, scans the environment and makes a map around the vehicle," said Dr. Dennis Hong, an associate professor in the mechanical engineering department. "The camera system looks all around the vehicle by using some very sophisticated computer vision algorithms to identify and classify objects so that the vehicle knows ... a tree is over there, a rock is over here."

The sensor information enables the car's computer to create a virtual map of the environment. It then interfaces with the driver when necessary: 

Special driving gloves, for example, vibrate across each knuckle to let the vehicle's operator know how sharply to turn, while speed strips, which vibrate along the driver's legs and back, indicate how much to accelerate, says Anil Lewis, director of strategic communications with the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Md.

One interface, for example, is the AirPix, a small tablet-like device with holes on it. Compressed air comes out from these holes and forms an image of what is around the vehicle.

"You put your hand over it and feel these are the roads. That's a tree over there; there is a moving vehicle to my right," says Hong. "The computer provides information about the vehicle so that it is you, the driver, who makes active decisions," he adds. "That is the concept."