:::

【2020 Solutions】 AI + Desktop Touch Projector, Project Anywhere Without Harming Eyes

What is the next consumer electronics product that will spark a market frenzy after smartphones and tablets? Recently on a crowdfunding platform, a 'smart projector' raised more than NT$10 million in just half a month, becoming a hot market focus.

Formed just over a year ago, Drip-Drop Technology's 'smart touch ultra-short-throw projector' is smaller than a tablet and weighs less than one kilogram. It uses ultra-short-throw optical projection to project an 80-inch image from just 50 cm away from the wall. Most importantly, the projector features virtual finger touch control. This means that inside the lens, an AI algorithm is utilized, allowing the camera to actively learn to recognize fingers and the environment through machine learning. When the image is projected onto a table or wall, no remote control is needed; operations can be directly controlled by touching with fingers.

The Drip-Drop Technology team currently has 4 members, focusing on research and development. The founders have over 10 years of experience in projector development and mass production, including co-founders Wang Shouzheng, You Xianglin, and Chen Zhengfang, who participated in the development of the first laser TV (ultra-short-throw laser projector) launched by Hisense Group in China. In collaboration with Lin Zuoxian, a part-time lecturer at Ming Chuan University who also joined the team in 2019 as the general manager, handling IP, crowdfunding, and business operations management, the rest of the team concentrates on developing interactive projection technology and products to build the smart touch projector.

 

General Manager of Drip-Drop Technology, Lin Zuoxian

▲ General Manager of Drip-Drop Technology, Lin Zuoxian

Smart Touch Projector, a Key Player in the Future Smart Home

At the end of 2018, Wang Shouzheng met Gao Yuan, a professor in the Marketing and Distribution Management Department of the Business and Management College at Gao Yuan University of Science and Technology, specializing in artificial intelligence, multimedia interaction (Unity), and smart interaction devices (APP). They hit it off immediately, with Gao Yuan not only becoming the director of R&D but also becoming a shareholder of Drip-Drop Technology last year.

Wang Shouzheng explained that unlike traditional projectors, the smart touch projector can not only be controlled by touching the screen with fingers but also by hand gestures, such as swiping left or right to adjust the volume or the screen brightness. It can also be used to control household appliances in the future. Despite the technical challenges of projecting on tabletops and controlling by touch, continuous optimization of recognition technology through AI algorithms has been crucial. Within the first half-month of its crowdfunding campaign in February 2020, it raised over ten million dollars, with an expected delivery of 400 units.

Wang Shouzheng believes the greatest challenge in developing the projector was dealing with AI algorithms. The projection might encounter different materials such as glass, wood, or plastic, compounded by lights, angles, background, and interference such as coffee cups, creating varying parameters. The projector sensors must automatically adjust to the surrounding environment to avoid false touches. The projector lens processes 200 finger position frames per minute, and through continuous machine learning, the recognition accuracy has significantly increased.

Smart Touch Projector versus Traditional Projector

▲ Comparison between Smart Touch Projector and Traditional Projector

AI algorithms significantly enhance precision, sensitivity, and recognition in finger touch control

▲ AI algorithms significantly enhance precision, sensitivity, and recognition in finger touch control

The Smart Touch Projector will be used in education, entertainment, and business sectors

Wang Shouzheng mentioned that originally, the smart touch projector was designed for home entertainment, such as providing a larger interactive projection surface to replace traditional smartphones and tablets for family interactions. However, its potential for multiple uses was soon discovered, like in smart kitchens where chefs can interact directly with the projection, avoiding issues when hands are dirty during cooking. It also provides ease of use for the elderly because of larger controls and reducing eye strain.

Playing mobile games with a Smart Touch Projector offers a unique experience

▲ Playing mobile games with a Smart Touch Projector offers a unique experience

In business settings, it can be used to establish interactive projection-based ordering systems, allowing customers to directly interact and order, while businesses can integrate other digital media content to provide diverse services. This includes real estate agents and insurance agents who need to attract business outside the office, as they can achieve better results through the smart touch projector.

Low blue light and diffuse reflection are among the technologies that help protect eye health, making the smart touch projector a significant upgrade from tablets. Drip-Drop aims to secure four patents by the end of 2020 and plans to expand to mainland China within 1-2 years through crowdfunding, allowing more industries to choose smarter options.

Drip-Drop Technology Team

▲ Drip-Drop Technology Team

「Translated content is generated by ChatGPT and is for reference only. Translation date:2024-05-19」

Recommend Cases

這是一張圖片。 This is a picture.
Smart Construction Site Security Platform

In construction site operations, implementing safety protection measures and establishing related processes are essential for controlling workplace safety Every business owner strives to minimize industrial safety risks To reduce the probability of workplace accidents, it is particularly important to inspect personal protective equipment PPE and safety measures The Yongyi Smart Construction Site Security Platform utilizes an AI-embedded system, not only to detect whether workers are properly wearing helmets, but also to manage access control at construction site entrances and verify worker identity The Smart Construction Site Security Platform is also a part of the government's push for the Smart Construction Label Initiative 'Smart Site Management' is one of the three main items under the 'Maintenance Management' indicator, highlighting the importance of 'Smart Site Management' This solution includes access management, surveillance management, safety management, and environmental monitoring as aspects of its AIOT solution Feature Highlights 「Translated content is generated by ChatGPT and is for reference only Translation date:2024-11-09」

【解決方案】台灣軟體科技實力媲美國際 Golface智慧服務促高球轉型
Taiwan's Software Technology on Par with International Standards: Golface's Intelligent Services Transform Golf

Compared to Japan, where 90 of golf courses operate without caddies and use an automated service model, golf course management in Taiwan still heavily relies on human labor Facing a labor shortage of up to 70, adopting a site and membership management platform to provide intelligent golf services may be a transformation worth considering for golf course operators 'Taiwan's software technology is comparable to international standards and definitely has the capability to compete in the global market,' says Tsung-Che Liao, co-founder and CEO of Golface, established in 2014 with the vision to leverage technology at its core, aiming to create Taiwan's first golf entertainment platform With over 9 years vested in cultivating intelligent golf services, Liao is well-versed in the nuances of golf course services He has considerable domain knowledge and has launched a comprehensive intelligent golf solution The world's first networked smart golf cart hits the road automation of golf courses is no longer just a dream In mid-May, Golface's newly developed ARES Smart Golf Cat, the world's first networked smart golf cart, officially became operational Equipped with a dedicated vehicle computer mainframe, dual network systems, AI-based visual recognition cameras, and high-precision GPS tracking, golf courses can now confidently allow golfers to drive themselves The system enables real-time monitoring of any driving violations, and the presence of digital consumption traces allows for insurance coverage The procedure is as follows golfers book the cart via a reservation platform, receive a QR code, pay through the platform, and unlock the cart with the QR code at the golf course The golf cart can then be driven onto the course The course management platform can monitor and restrict the areas through which the cart can travel, ensuring it does not leave the paths Upon completion, the cart is returned through a tablet in the cart In instances of any infractions, penalties are applied directly through the user's account, and for severe violations, future access to the carts may be prohibited This achieves the goal of 'automation' ARES Smart Golf Cat is the world's first networked smart golf cart, officially in service since May 2022 'As labor costs continue to rise, recruiting and training caddies are becoming common pain points in the market While Taiwan's courses still employ caddies, there's a 70 labor shortage,' Tsung-Che Liao added This smart golf cart tablet, combined with a mobile app, has become the ultimate smart caddy Golface is striving to complete the last piece of the 'automated golf course' puzzle Amassing digital consumption trails for advanced client segmentation services Starting with consumer needs, Golface has sequentially launched services like the golf cart tablet, mobile app, golf reservation platform, instructional videos Golface TV, golf tourism, and smart carts The smart cart has been operational since May 2022, currently featuring four units with plans for mass production in the latter half of 2022 Although the cart currently requires manual operation by golfers, remote operation is anticipated early in 2023, with autonomous driving expected in the third phase Via the cart tablet and management system, staff can understand the status of the course through on-screen visual representations, showing each cart's real-time and relative location, departure times, and duration of service per hole, which aids course managers in monitoring on-course consumption effectively, thus reducing traffic jams and customer complaints 'Previously, we relied on staff's mental imagery now, we can employ imagery to visualize real-time situations on the course This makes it possible for those who don't understand golf to work in this field,' emphasized Tsung-Che Liao While course control has traditionally been handled by experienced professional players, the shortage of skilled professionals makes hiring even more challenging Therefore, replacing manpower with digital tools yields twice the result with half the effort The golf cart tablet has entered the Japanese golf market, installed at Fukuoka Century Golf Club Golface's golf cart tablet has been introduced to 14 domestic courses, and has now officially entered the Japanese market, favored by Fukuoka Century Golf Club, where tablets have been installed in carts providing automatic voice announcements for hitting strategies, distance measurements, and visual charts displaying hitting data During the COVID-19 pandemic, with borders closed, Golface utilized OTA technology to provide software updates and troubleshooting, ensuring uninterrupted services, which was highly appreciated by the Japanese golf courses Tsung-Che Liao remarks that Taiwan's software technology is not inferior to other countries like Japan, but more support from golf courses is needed to help transform the industry intelligently 'To assist in the transformation of golf courses, the first step is digitalization,' Liao pointed out By helping courses accumulate data and understand customer service cycles and hitting rhythms, it enables courses to avoid congestion and serve more customers To date, Golface has accumulated data on over 20,000 teams, 35 million scorecards, and over 10 million records This data helps enhance management performance, segment customer layers, reduce complaints, and plan marketing strategies for off-peak periods Golface co-founder and CEO Tsung-Che Liao has spent 9 years deepening intelligent golf services, aiming to build Taiwan's first golf entertainment platform「Translated content is generated by ChatGPT and is for reference only Translation date:2024-05-19」

【解決方案】7毫秒內分離人聲 洞見未來科技協助聽損者「聽說更簡單」
Voice Separation in 7 Milliseconds: RelaJet's Future Technology Makes 'Hearing and Speaking Easier' for the Hearing Impaired

One rainy Thursday afternoon near Taipei Arena, the Taipei Experience Center of RelaJet was fully booked with appointments from people with hearing loss eager to try hearing aids made with a voice separation engine For the hearing impaired, having affordable, lightweight, and effective noise-reducing hearing aids is truly a blessing 'We hope to help users in need to hear the world's wonders again' This empathetic expectation by RelaJet's founder and CEO Po-Ju Chen, who is also hearing impaired, illustrates his understanding of the needs of the hearing impaired He hopes that RelaJet's unique voice amplification hearing aid technology will benefit many more people Affordable hearing aids benefit many with hearing loss Founded in 2018 by Po-Ju Chen and his brother Yu-Ren Chen, RelaJet developed a multi-voice separation engine paired with Qualcomm's Bluetooth audio platform, drastically reducing the price of imported hearing aids, typically costing 80,000-100,000 NT dollars, to just under 10,000 NT dollars They aim to develop affordable goods with excellent noise-cancelling capabilities that wirelessly connect to smartphones In its first two years, the company primarily developed the multi-voice separation engine, which significantly improved the noise reduction quality Once equipped with Qualcomm Bluetooth earphone chips, the audio processing time is drastically short, at about 7 milliseconds to enhance main voice projection and reduce ambient noise, less than half the time required by traditional medical standard of 16 milliseconds for hearing aids, nearly 'zero-delay' 洞見未來科技推出平價助輔聽器,大大嘉惠聽損者 Yu-Ren Chen explains that the primary use of Qualcomm chips for edge computing, along with a streamlined algorithm, achieves extremely low latency and better noise reduction The hearing aids can cover 18 channels, whereas traditional hearing aids cover 4-48 channels In the future, RelaJet will progressively increase the number of channels According to statistics, there are 470 million people globally with hearing disabilities, with a 30 average device use rate in developed countries, with the highest in Western countries Taiwan has nearly 15 million people with disabling hearing loss, of which the middle-aged and elderly make up 30, yet the device use rate is only about 10, which is quite low Yu-Ren Chen further analyzes that the low device usage rate is due to two reasons firstly, the high average selling price of international big brands ranges from 80,000 to 200,000 NT dollars with a three-year usability period, which deters many due to the high cost and maintenance Secondly, in noisy environments, the noise is also amplified which does not necessarily ensure clarity for the users, and the sound parameters can't be adjusted in real-time, making it inconvenient to frequently visit stores for tuning Thirdly, most models cannot connect to smartphones, making it inconvenient for the hearing impaired to take phone calls Utilizing Qualcomm Bluetooth chips for rapid product development In light of this, Po-Ju Chen, formerly a semiconductor engineer at MediaTek, leads the technical development, while Yu-Ren Chen, with a legal background, manages the operations Their seamless collaboration, along with their team employing AI algorithms and chip integration, learns from thousands of hours of audio files in databases through neural networks and deep learning technologies to develop low-latency, high-noise-reduction voice amplification technologies for hearing aids In 2019, this sound processing technology was integrated into Qualcomm Bluetooth chips, winning first place in the Qualcomm Taiwan Startup Competition and becoming a partner in Qualcomm's Global Expansion Program, significantly boosting product development pace In 2021, they launched their own Otoadd series of hearingenhancement products in Taiwan, which received both market favor and positive reviews from many with hearing loss Based on different consumer needs, various product designs are available According to Yu-Ren Chen, the Otoadd wireless earphones with hearing enhancement functions, model N1, are entry-level neckband style priced at 9,500 NT per pair Users can wear the hearing aid while taking calls, and control noise reduction strength and volume through a mobile app They plan to develop accessories in the future tailored to the needs of older adults Besides being available for trials at experience centers in Taipei and Kaohsiung, this hearing aid is also sold through PChome, Taiwan Mobile's myfone, and Elder Age networks, among other channels Another model intended for individuals with mild to severe hearing loss is the Classic R hearing aid, which received the Japanese Good Design Award in 2021 Since its market debut last year, it has attracted those with congenital hearing loss, with users noting improved clarity in noisy environments and appreciating the convenience of Bluetooth connectivity for calls and watching videos This product is anticipated to be exported to international markets in the latter half of this year Additionally, a hearing aid product combining Bluetooth functionality, set to launch in June this year, is sized like typical Bluetooth earphones, targeting visually conscious consumers with hearing loss Its small size and attractive wireless earphone design allow for phone calls, and if approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, eligible users can apply for government subsidies RelaJet to expand into overseas markets, using the USA as a beachhead An interesting question arises due to the pandemic everyone must wear masks which impedes lip-reading How does this affect those with hearing loss Yu-Ren Chen indicates that this situation highlights RelaJet's advantages As each person with hearing loss has different levels of hearing ability, hearing aids can only augment to an appropriate volume, assisting users to hear about 60-70 content, with the remainder relying on lip reading and gestures During the pandemic, as everyone wears masks, masks also muffle sounds, but RelaJet's voice separation engine can correct and strengthen the separation, making it easier for those with hearing loss to recognize voices Besides the Taiwan market, RelaJet's next stage will be expanding into overseas markets, expecting to obtain ISO 13485 medical device quality management system certification and US medical device approval in 2022 They plan to enter the US market, either under their own brand or through OEM arrangements Apart from the Taiwan market, RelaJet will also enter the US market in the next phase for hearing aids「Translated content is generated by ChatGPT and is for reference only Translation date:2024-05-19」