USER INTERFACES & HAPTICS
The PowerHap shows no significant frequency or amplitude
limitations for customized haptic feedback to key human
mechanoreceptors.
Hz signal feels ‘rough’ (like a jack hammer), and above 100Hz ,
the sensation is ‘smooth vibration’,” continued Tan.
The chart below shows the performance envelopes of the
three PowerHap actuators. Note that all are well above the human
detection threshold over a wide range of frequencies vs.
the LRA solution with a narrow frequency range.
Another important feature of the PowerHap actuator and
Boréas driver combination is the ability to deliver a very low latency
A comparative summary of haptic actuators’ specifications,
showing the superiority of PowerHap.
response speed of less than 1ms at the system level - not
just the actuator. Low latency is important to get fast feedback
so the user doesn’t keep pressing a button or pressing harder
because the haptic response to the touch was too slow.
Finally, TDK summarized the PowerHap performance specifications
compared to competitive technologies.
AI to replace depth sensors on smartphones, says Lucid’s CEO
ABy Julien Happich fter a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for
what was claimed to be the world’s first 180º field of view
3D camera for virtual reality content creation, Californian
startup Lucid is now taking its know-how and IP to the smartphone
and robotics market.
Back in 2014 even before Lucid was established as a company,
co-founders Han Jin (CEO) and Adam Rowell (CTO) had
set themselves the goal to improve robots’ vision and sense of
their environment, focusing on the eyes as a dual camera. What
really launched the company was the LucidCam 180º 3D VR
consumer camera they proposed to consumers on Indiegogo
in 2015. The compact camera doesn’t have a depth sensor and
3D feature extraction is done purely in software with the help of
a well-trained machine-learning algorithm, which the company
says gives results on par with depth-sensor-equipped devices
but without the added costs.
At Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Lucid announced it
wants to scale its core AI-enhanced 3D software technology
into dual- or multi-cameras mobile and smart devices, including
smartphones, drones, smart speakers and robotics.
Software-based 3D feature extraction isn’t new of course, yet
most dual-camera smartphones, drones and robots also sport
a depth sensor for good measure. So what is it that makes
Lucid’s solution so compelling for OEMs to license it? We asked
Lucid’s CEO during a phone interview.
Jin first gave us a small market overview, noting that although
dual cameras have been around for years, it is only over
the last few years that those devices have benefited from more
GPU power and connectivity.
“Back in 2012 started the 3D hype, driven by more powerful
CPUs and GPU for advanced computer vision. But now everything
is more connected, they are no longer isolated devices
whose content you have to export to a microSD card. 3D cameras
are connected through apps, smartphones, internet, yet
Lucid’s Co-Founder and CEO Han Jin holding a dual-camera
phone.
The LucidCam 180º field of view 3D camera for VR content
creation. Dual camera, no depth sensor.
www.eenewseurope.com eeNews Europe September 2018 News 41
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