Researchers have developed a computational fabric by integrating a twisted-fiber memory device directly into a single fiber. This fiber, functioning like a transistor, can perform logic operations and store information, enabling the creation of textile-based computing networks. The system utilizes resistive switching in the fiber to represent binary data, and these fibers can be woven into fabrics that perform complex calculations distributed across the textile. This "fiber computer" demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale, flexible, and wearable computing integrated directly into clothing, opening possibilities for applications like distributed sensing, environmental monitoring, and personalized healthcare.
HP has acquired the AI-powered software assets of Humane, a company known for developing AI-centric wearable devices. This acquisition focuses specifically on Humane's software, and its team of AI experts will join HP to bolster their personalized computing experiences. The move aims to enhance HP's capabilities in AI and create more intuitive and human-centered interactions with technology, aligning with HP's broader vision of hybrid work and ambient computing. While Humane’s hardware efforts are not explicitly mentioned as part of the acquisition, HP highlights the value of the software in its potential to reshape how people interact with PCs and other devices.
Hacker News users react to HP's acquisition of Humane's AI software with cautious optimism. Some express interest in the potential of the technology, particularly its integration with HP's hardware ecosystem. Others are more skeptical, questioning Humane's demonstrated value and suggesting the acquisition might be more about talent acquisition than the technology itself. Several commenters raise concerns about privacy given the always-on, camera-based nature of Humane's device, while others highlight the challenges of convincing consumers to adopt such a new form factor. A common sentiment is curiosity about how HP will integrate the software and whether they can overcome the hurdles Humane faced as an independent company. Overall, the discussion revolves around the uncertainties of the acquisition and the viability of Humane's technology in the broader market.
Meta's Project Aria research kit consists of smart glasses and a wristband designed to gather first-person data like video, audio, eye-tracking, and location, which will be used to develop future AR glasses. This data is anonymized and used to train AI models that understand the real world, enabling features like seamless environmental interaction and intuitive interfaces. The research kit is not a consumer product and is only distributed to qualified researchers participating in specific studies. The project emphasizes privacy and responsible data collection, employing blurring and redaction techniques to protect bystanders' identities in the collected data.
Several Hacker News commenters express skepticism about Meta's Project Aria research kit, questioning the value of collecting such extensive data and the potential privacy implications. Some doubt the project's usefulness for AR development, suggesting that realistic scenarios are more valuable than vast amounts of "boring" data. Others raise concerns about data security and the possibility of misuse, drawing parallels to previous controversies surrounding Meta's data practices. A few commenters are more optimistic, seeing potential for advancements in AR and expressing interest in the technical details of the data collection process. Several also discuss the challenges of processing and making sense of such a massive dataset, and the limitations of relying solely on first-person visual data for understanding human behavior.
Summary of Comments ( 5 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43410666
Hacker News users discuss the potential impact of fiber-based computing, expressing excitement about its applications in wearable technology, distributed sensing, and large-scale deployments. Some question the scalability and practicality compared to traditional silicon-based computing, citing concerns about manufacturing complexity and the limited computational power of individual fibers. Others raise the possibility of integrating this technology with existing textile manufacturing processes and exploring new paradigms of computation enabled by its unique properties. A few comments highlight the novelty of physically embedding computation into fabrics and the potential for creating truly "smart" textiles, while acknowledging the early stage of this technology and the need for further research and development. Several users also note the intriguing security and privacy implications of having computation woven into everyday objects.
The Hacker News post "A single-fibre computer enables textile networks and distributed inference" linking to a Nature article about computational fabrics generated several comments discussing the potential and limitations of the technology.
One commenter expressed skepticism about the practicality of the technology, pointing out the challenges of maintaining the optical properties of the fiber over time, especially with repeated bending and washing. They questioned whether the benefits of integrating computation into fabrics outweigh the complexities and costs compared to existing, more robust approaches. This commenter also questioned the limited computational power and memory capacity of the fiber, suggesting that more conventional computing methods would likely be more efficient.
Another commenter focused on the limited applications presented in the research, noting that the examples given, such as posture monitoring, were relatively simple and could be achieved with less complex technologies. They suggested that more compelling use-cases would need to be demonstrated for the technology to gain wider adoption. This comment also raised concerns about the scalability of manufacturing these specialized fibers.
Several commenters discussed the potential implications for privacy, given the possibility of integrating such technology into clothing. Concerns were raised about the potential for unnoticed data collection and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of such technology.
A more optimistic commenter envisioned potential applications in areas like medical monitoring, suggesting that the continuous and close-contact nature of clothing could enable detailed health tracking. They acknowledged the current limitations but expressed enthusiasm for the future possibilities of the technology.
Some commenters discussed the historical context of computational fabrics, referencing previous attempts and research in this area. They highlighted the challenges that have historically hindered the development of such technologies and questioned whether this new approach would be able to overcome those obstacles.
Finally, there was some discussion about the technical details of the fiber's operation, with commenters asking clarifying questions about the materials used and the methods of data transmission and processing. One commenter specifically inquired about the power consumption and how the fiber would be powered in a practical application.
Overall, the comments reflect a mixture of excitement and skepticism about the potential of computational fabrics. While some see the technology as a promising avenue for future innovation, others remain unconvinced of its practical value and raise concerns about its limitations and potential downsides.