SP. 103 - Ghost In The Shell: The New Movie (2015)

3D Face Reconstruction from a Single Image

Machine Learning research from University of Nottingham School of Computer Science can generate a 3D model of a human face from an image using neural networks:

3D face reconstruction is a fundamental Computer Vision problem of extraordinary difficulty. Current systems often assume the availability of multiple facial images (sometimes from the same subject) as input, and must address a number of methodological challenges such as establishing dense correspondences across large facial poses, expressions, and non-uniform illumination. In general these methods require complex and inefficient pipelines for model building and fitting. In this work, we propose to address many of these limitations by training a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) on an appropriate dataset consisting of 2D images and 3D facial models or scans. Our CNN works with just a single 2D facial image, does not require accurate alignment nor establishes dense correspondence between images, works for arbitrary facial poses and expressions, and can be used to reconstruct the whole 3D facial geometry (including the non-visible parts of the face) bypassing the construction (during training) and fitting (during testing) of a 3D Morphable Model. We achieve this via a simple CNN architecture that performs direct regression of a volumetric representation of the 3D facial geometry from a single 2D image. We also demonstrate how the related task of facial landmark localization can be incorporated into the proposed framework and help improve reconstruction quality, especially for the cases of large poses and facial expressions.       

There is an online demo which will let you upload an image to convert and even save as a 3D model here

Link

Next-System

Japanese developers are creating mobile apps incorporating Augmented Reality for photographic tricks, from free floating object placements to optical camo effects:

[Google Translate:]

I tried to develop a demonstration using ARkit that makes it possible to take movies like MATOX like the cheat technique “The World” used by DIO in the third part of “Joji O’s Strange Adventure” It was. I hope to be able to respond to Google ARCore in the future. 

Optical camouflage like the Ghost in the Shell.前に開発した光学迷彩！#光学迷彩 #Opticalcamouflage #Invisible #ghostintheShell pic.twitter.com/wVlr7Q188t

— next-system (@next_kinesys)

September 7, 2017

Next-System website can be found here

Kids are burning each other with boiling water in a deadly “Hot water challenge” YouTube trend

As seen in YouTube and Twitter videos, the “hot water challenge” involves surprising a friend by burning them with boiling water.

Another variation includes challenging someone to drink boiling hot water through a straw or pouring boiling water on themselves.

8-year-old Ki’ari Pope’s cousin dared her to sip boiling water through a straw back in March. She obliged and suffered burns in her mouth and throat, requiring a tracheotomy. In July, she complained that she couldn’t breathe and later died. (Palm Beach Post, GoFundMe)

In addition to Pope, the trend has left several kids with serious injuries.

Jamoneisha Merritt, 11, was at a sleepover Sunday night when her friends poured boiling water over her face as she slept. She suffered extreme injuries and may be left permanently disfigured.

North Carolina 10-year-old Wesley Smith also suffered severe burns after attempting the challenge with his stepbrother, the boy’s mother told WNCN.com, a CBS affiliate.

Parents have begun speaking out about the challenge. Read more (8/10/17)

This nanochip reprograms cells to heal organs. The tissue nanotransfection device is a noninvasive nanochip that transports genes to cells through an electrical charge.

follow @the-future-now

This is actually the 2nd Machine learning program!

More than 400 U.S. school districts are using augmented reality to teach students. Is AR the future of education?

follow @the-future-now

Continuing from my previous post, a little FYI …

You can download your model and upload it to @sketchfab

The example above was created using this current Tumblr Radar image from @made

This dartboard from former NASA engineer Mark Rober guarantees a bull’s-eye through the power of software, motors, and motion tracking.

Purple stimboard for anon

Sources: (x) (x) (x)  (x) (x) (x)  (x) (x) (x)

How Bitcoin Works