Intel Labs Offers a Peek at Future Technology, Cutting-Edge Chips

by Jeffrey Burt

Released last year, Intel’s Reader can take a picture of printed material, convert the material into digital text, and read it aloud for users who have trouble reading standard print because of vision problems or issues such as dyslexia.

Intel Lab researchers are exploring how to enable PCs to read a user’s thoughts, with the hope of making the brain the interface to the computer. In the photo, Dean Pomerleau, an Intel Labs scientist, is wearing a MindSet from partner NeuroSky, used primarily in the gaming space to enable the system to get a gauge on the mindset of the user, and adjust the game accordingly.

Intel’s Understand Me project is designed to expand the possibilities of the smartphone, which right now are restricted to a few functions, such as calling or surfing the Web. By capturing and analyzing rich data from a host of sensors—including audio, location, device usage, the rate of hearing, etc.—the phone can infer the user’s activity, social environment and emotional state, which can lead to improved communications and let the device generate recommendations, among other things. In the photo is a handheld device; behind it is a PC crunching data.

Intel’s SENS (Socially Enabled Services) offers a similar idea as Understand Me, in that the goal is for Atom-powered handheld devices to sense what the user is doing, and shares that information about the users with others automatically and in real time. Users can share their activities with others through animated avatars. Pictured are mock-ups of some future devices.

One of the ideas of Intel’s SENS program is to more easily enable users to multitask on their mobile devices. This device would enable the user to watch video while typing on the pull-down keyboard.

Through its Intelligent Home Energy Management project, Intel Labs is looking to give homeowners the ability to monitor their power consumption through a device, such as the Atom-powered proof-of-concept pictured, that is connected to appliances through a home network. Users can then make informed decisions on their power usage.

Intel is looking to expand the types of MIDs (mobile Internet devices) on the market with the upcoming release of “Moorestown,” the next generation of its Atom platform. Pictured is a proof-of-concept mobile phone from Aava Mobile.

The proof-of-concept Moorestown-based tablet from Open Peak and AT&T was announced in March. The device is expected to be launched later this year.

Intel and Visteon demonstrated the latest Connected Car automotive infotainment platform based on the Atom processor. The offering includes a wide range of applications, from radio to navigation to multimedia managers.