Forget about fondling that slab... within 2 years, it'll fondle YOU
IBM predicts computers that can eat, smell, taste, hear, see
IBM has released its annual predictions for the next five years of technology, including phones that sniff you for germs and actual fondling through fondleslabs.
Big Blue reckons that the future holds tiny sensors embedded in computers or mobes that will "smell" if you're coming down with a cold. The sensors will be tuned into odours, biomarkers and thousands of molecules in your breath for diagnosis.
The word "fondleslab" will take on a whole new meaning in the future, as folks will be able to grope whatever it is they might like to stroke through phones and other techs. IBM says its boffins are working on haptic, infrared and pressure techs to simulate touch, like the texture of a fabric for internet shoppers.
Touch and smell will be joined by the other three senses as new ways that technology interacts with the world. Computers will be able to "see" pictures, not just as data, but as recognisable content in the same way that a human being interprets a photo.
Tech will also be able to "hear" sound pressure, vibrations and sound waves with clever sensors and then translate that into an idea of what's happening, including baby babble. IBM believes that baby talk could be interpreted as a language, telling parents what junior is trying to say.
"By being taught what baby sounds mean – whether fussing indicates a baby is hungry, hot, tired or in pain – a sophisticated speech recognition system would correlate sounds and babbles with other sensory or physiological information such as heart rate, pulse and temperature," Big Blue said.
The taste function is being developed by IBM - a system that actually experiences flavours, which can be used by chefs to help create tasty and healthy recipes. The programme will break down each ingredient to its molecular level, so that it can chemically match what people like to eat. As well as coming up with strange new food combinations, the eating computer will also be able to make healthy foods taste better.
While the computers of the future will have human's five senses, they won't be doing the thinking for people yet, Big Blue said.
"Cognitive computing systems will help us see through complexity, keep up with the speed of information, make more informed decisions, improve our health and standard of living, enrich our lives and break down all kinds of barriers - including geographic distance, language, cost and inaccessibility," the firm added. ®
COMMENTS
Babies speech recognition
Baby: sih, gug gug bubububub
Siri: opening the playpen door
As well as coming up with strange new food combinations, the eating computer will also be able to make healthy foods taste better.
The Nutri-matic machine made an instant but highly detailed examination of the subject's taste buds, a spectroscopic examination of the subject's metabolism and then sent tiny experimental signals down the neural pathways to the taste centers of the subject's brain to see what was likely to go down well.
However, no one knew quite why it did this because it invariably delivered a cupful of liquid that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea.
Thanks Douglas...
Excuse me.
IBM believes that baby talk could be interpreted as a language, telling parents what junior is trying to say.
Simpsons did it.
Re: "ABC company predicts XY in Z years"
It already can, there are a few accessories out there to hook up your fondle slab to a Fleshlight.
And no I don't have one, I'd be so embarrassed if someone caught me with an iPad
Re: Oh boy....
If baby gurgles were a proper language somebody would have learned it the old fashioned way by now. If they can communicate in any meaningful way it's likely to be a couple sounds indicating pain or hunger. Surely a computer isn't needed to work those out...
