A*Star, NTT DoCoMo demo new tech

ZDNet Asia visits two exhibitors at this year's CommunicAsia tradeshow to see what new technologies are on display.

By Liau Yun Qing, Contributor June 23, 2011 at 7:46 p.m. PT

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COMMUNICASIA, SINGAPORE--Tucked away on level 3 of the Sands Expo and Convention Center, the booth of the Institute for Infocomm Reseach (I2R) of Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) is visibly smaller than last year's but the technologies exhibited were eye-catching.

Photo and caption by Liau Yun Qing

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One of the technologies on display was the 3D Face Reconstruction Web Service, which automatically detects human facial features in photographs and generates a three-dimensional version of the person's face. Once a photograph is submitted to I2R's server for processing, it takes about 10 seconds for a user to receive the 3D image.

The researchers said the technology can be used for online games or leisure and fun purposes. A 3D Face App Competition is also underway, for participants to create innovation desktop or mobile applications leveraging the service.

Photo and caption by Ellyne Phneah

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I2R also showed off EasyPark, a wireless sensor network to track the availability of parking lots at an outdoor carpark. On the right is a prototype which functions using a sensor and a solar panel.

As the prototype is currently fitted with ultra-sonic sensors, it may indicate that a parking lot is occupied when people or animals pass it, or when objects are placed in its vicinity. The researchers are looking at the possibility of tapping magnetic or infra-red sensors for greater accuracy.

Photo and caption by Ellyne Phneah

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One of A*Star's new media-related projects, Limelight, uses semantic and ontology technologies to monitor and analyze online sentiments. The platform is targeted at PR managers and managers who want to track brand awareness online.

Photo and caption by Ellyne Phneah

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At NTT DoCoMo's booth, the Japanese mobile operator is showcasing augmented reality (AR) applications. The fishing application shown above presents a virtual pool when the camera is aimed at the AR marker. With a flick of the wrist, users can cast the hook and wait for the fish to bite the bait. Another flick reels in the fish.

Photo and caption by Liau Yun Qing

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Also at the NTT DoCoMo booth is a demonstration of near-field communication (NFC) roaming technology. By the end of 2012, NTT DoCoMo and Korean telco KT hopes to merge their NFC technologies so users in both countries can use their e-wallets or mobile coupons when travelling.

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