Paraswift, the Base-jumping Robot

Robots are already smarter and faster than most of us. Now, they're even more adventurous.

Check out Paraswift, the first generation of a new base-jumping robot. The droid can climb the walls of tall buildings, jump off and deploy a parachute to soften its landing.

Although Paraswift was created for entertainment value, it definitely has some potential in the fields of surveillance and 3-D mapping.

Crime Cameras in San Fran Helping the Innocent

San Francisco's attempts at citywide surveillance over the years have been complicated, expensive and, at times, counterproductive. But there's no denying the fact that surveillance cameras have helped decrease crime by up to 24 percent in certain areas of the city.

Originally, supporters of the surveillance network touted it as a way to decrease the frequency of violent crimes, not just non-violent burglary, purse-snatching and the like. However, since the camera system isn't monitored live, the video is really only helpful as evidence, not prevention. (Unfortunately, the city's strict privacy controls prohibit real-time monitoring.)

However, the San Francisco Examiner recently revealed another, unexpected role that the suveillance cameras are playing.

The new trend has San Francisco defense lawyers using video footage to exonerate falsely-accused clients. Several defendants have been cleared of charges thanks to the cameras, which proved their alibis or disproved others’ accounts of the incident.

And the trend is growing. In fact, nearly one-third of the 109 requests to view the footage last year came from defense attorneys, the Examiner reports.

“We’ve incorporated the existence of surveillance tapes into our practice,” Public Defender Jeff Adachi said, adding that his office has a list of all the city surveillance cameras and his attorneys are trained to request the footage.

“It is hit or miss. You have an obligation to secure that evidence,” Adachi said. “They have proven valuable in some cases.”

In one high-profile case, the cameras helped exonerate a man accused of murder. The video footage showed that he had in fact been acting in defense of a disabled woman when he unintentionally killed an attacker.

Qatar to Build Robotic Clouds to Cool World Cup Stadiums

Imagine playing an exhausting 90-minute soccer game on a hot field in Qatar, where summertime temperatures often reach 106 or more. Wouldn't you give anything for at least 10 degrees of relief?

Enter the UAV cloud. Qatar University researchers are developing a unmanned aerial vehicle whose sole purpose is to provide shade to the players and fans below. The goal is to cool stadiums during the 2022 World Cup. But these artificial clouds might also serve as aerial communication and security hubs. 

The clouds will be constructed of carbon fiber and solar panels and filled with helium. Although the prototype, set to be completed later this year, will only be 4 by 3 meters, the final clouds will be about the size of a large jet. The researchers say the devices could cool soccer stadiums by 10 degrees or more. 

New Zogby Poll Re-affirms Americans’ desire for Security … and Privacy

Although the use of video surveillance and facial recognition technology is increasingly common in the United States, the public harbors complicated opinions on their use -- and their impact on privacy – as a new Zogby International poll reveals. 

3VR recently teamed up with Zogby to ask Americans about their attitudes toward surveillance and facial recognition. The findings indicate that people crave the benefits of this technology – but only until it makes them feel as though their privacy is at risk.

For instance, Americans appreciate surveillance in airports and other places where security is important. A majority of respondents (57 percent) said that video surveillance makes them feel more secure because it hinders illegal activity.

The public is even more supportive of technology that uses facial recognition to detect criminal activity in airports. In fact, 66 percent of respondents replied that airport security with facial recognition would provide a positive impact. Interestingly, the most active supporters of this advanced technology are those aged over 65 years.

However, while Americans support the use of facial recognition to ensure their security, privacy concerns make them hesitant to fully embrace the technology. Now and in the future, success for these products will be tied to the success of their privacy measures.

Companies like 3VR have been taking these concerns into account for years. The company’s intelligent search capabilities, for example, allow users to implement privacy protections such as access control, encryption and face blurring.  

“Privacy enhancement has always been a core component of 3VR’s product strategy,” a 3VR representative said.  “Companies that don’t take these issues seriously aren’t listening to their customers.”

The Zogby poll found that each respondent’s answers also varied greatly depending upon whether they identified themselves as frequent travelers or hotel guests. While a majority believes that video surveillance improves security, it’s interesting that frequent travelers are more likely to view video surveillance as a privacy concern – most likely because they’re simply more aware of its presence.

And while travelers generally support video surveillance and facial recognition for security purposes, most disapprove of new "Minority Report" applications where they are recognized as frequent shoppers. A large majority of respondents either disapprove of services enhanced by facial recognition features (35 percent) or are not interested in the offering (43 percent). Frequent travelers took that aversion even further: 29 percent said they much less likely to stay at a hotel that participates in such applications and 20 percent are somewhat less likely.

Of course, the world needs both security and privacy; now, we have to find a balance between the two. Many current surveillance systems falling back on “dumb” cameras -- and require an army of people to watch them. No wonder Americans feel like their privacy is in danger. However, new technologies that enhance monitoring and visualization capabilities will bridge the gap between security and privacy. It’s just a matter of time before more people and companies begin demanding them.

Beijing to Begin Tracking Citizens Using Cell Phones

Authorities in Beijing plan to begin tracking citizens using cell phone location information, a decision that has already raised concerns about privacy violations.

Dubbed the Beijing Residents Real-time Travel Information Platform, the system will compile information on users' movements around the city. By tracking each person's time of departure, destination and means of transport, city officials hope to gain a better understanding of traffic flow. 

Beijing is notorious for its traffic problems. Remember the nine-day, 62-mile-long traffic jam last year? 

To avoid these types of disastrous delays, Beijing authorities hope to continuously provide traffic information to drivers and other commuters and work toward developing a more effective public transportation system.

Chinese commentators and bloggers, on the other hand, are concerned that cell phone tracking could enable the government to track protestors or dissidents.