The Sample City Lab shows us where we’re headed

Organised by Trend One, the Sample City Lab shows us the upcoming trends that will keep us busy next year. The event is focused on topics such as virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, robotics and the internet of things in particular. The Plan.Net Mobile team were there in Innsbruck, where they weren’t just thrilled by the view from the ski jump (Bergiselschanze), but also by the content there.

Nils Müller, co-organiser of City Labs and founder of Trend One, introduced the innovations that would be shown at the exhibition. One of the exhibits at the show was the NAO robot. A completely programmable, autonomously acting humanoid robot that can supposedly help with issues such as programming, robotics and steering and control technology, as well as creativity, problem solving and working as a team.

The scanning robot NavVis measures room interiors quickly and cost-effectively. 3-dimensional diagrams of interior spaces can be called up via a browser based app to realise virtual tours.

The highlight of the show was the Microsoft HoloLens. The augmented reality glasses allow to display the user information and interactive 3D projections on the direct environment. The HoloLens works without a computer or smartphone, and can be used independently.

A few people at the Sample City Lab were allowed to test the HoloLens themselves. Games and videos right up to Office Programs can be controlled with hand gestures.

The fitness device ICAROS connects workouts with virtual reality. A virtual reality flight simulation is shown while you balance on the device, creating the believable illusion that you’re actually flying through a VR world. The positive side effect: training is fun this way.

An additional controller on the fitness device ensures that every movement of the device is measured precisely. Furthermore, it can control the virtual reality glasses and trigger specific actions.

Barbie has also arrived in the digital age. With artificial intelligence, she patiently answers all questions, and will gladly get into conversations. Sometimes, Barbie herself asks for advice, or wants to know more about her counterpart. The answers are surprisingly complicated, and some conversations take a rather interesting course. Childhood dreams come true here.

A holographic display was an eye-catching highlight. Video projections are reflected in a glass pyramid that conveys a 3-dimensional feeling, and brings the content to life. Additionally, the projections can be examined from three sides, and the scenery can be perceived from various angles.

The Sample City Lab shows us where we’re headed: virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, robotics and the internet of things. These are the themes that drive us, and determine what our world will look like in the future.
Almost everything is fitted out with intelligence, is mobile networked and can react to environmental stimulus. With virtual reality, anyone can quickly immerse themselves in a unknown world, and experience new things. Mobile internet connects (almost) everything, and robots undertake tasks that previously only humans could do. The development is faster than ever before, and one thing’s for sure: it remains exciting!

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