NEW YORK LOFT INSPIRED, NEW ZEALAND DESIGN FLAIR Be sure to come and see the latest showhome by multi award-winning Design Builders <strong>Waikato</strong>. This adventurous one-off design is inspired by New York-loft styling, with generous living spaces and a wonderful river and park outlook. Don’t miss it. Experience the best of New Zealand architectural creativity for yourself this weekend. OPEN SATURDAY’S AND SUNDAY’S 1pm–4pm. 22 Riverpoint Glade, Hamilton. To find out about having a home built around you, call Jeff on 027 488 0044 or you can email me at jeff.marra@designbuilders.co.nz Design Builders <strong>Waikato</strong>. 650 Te Rapa Rd, Te Rapa, Hamilton. www.designbuilders.co.nz DBW0051 D A home built around you
WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS <strong>January</strong>/<strong>February</strong> <strong>2020</strong> 19 Facebook wants to read your mind Social networking giant Facebook is developing an interface between the human brain and a personal computing device that will enable users to operate devices with thoughts, The Information reports. Imagine the rise in productivity if Facebook realises its dream. “We spend a lot of time trying to get our technology to do what we want rather than enjoying the people around us,” said Facebook vice president of augmented and virtual reality Andrew Bosworth in a post last year. “We know there are more natural, intuitive ways to interact with devices and technology. And we want to <strong>2020</strong> TechFest attracts industry leaders Callaghan Innovation boss Vic Crone has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at the <strong>2020</strong> TechFest, recognising <strong>Waikato</strong>’s strength in technology and innovation. Crone is CEO of the Government-owned innovation agency, which partners with businesses of all sizes to provide a range of innovation and research and development services. During 2019, <strong>Waikato</strong>’s tech sector received a total of 32 grants for R&D co-funding from Callaghan Innovation. The projects had a combined value of $29.5 million, build them.” Mind control of devices follows a long line of input methods that started with keyboards and mice and progressed to touch screens and voice controls. Facebook has reportedly shrunk the mind control technology required from the size of a refrigerator to a handheld device, through its purchase of CTRL-Labs in September. “[W]e hope to build this kind of technology, at scale, which signals the significant business spend on high-value tech and science-related activities in the region. Driven by CultivateIT in partnership with Te Waka, TechFest is <strong>Waikato</strong>’s Festival of Technology and Innovation, with this year’s event being held on March 3 at the Claudelands Event Centre. Event director Jannat Maqbool says securing a speaker of Crone’s calibre is a reflection of how much the region’s tech sector is thriving. “Ms Crone will be the keynote at one of the three main stage sessions running and get it into consumer products faster,” Bosworth said. It could be another five to 10 years before Facebook can include such capability in consumer products. As well as the social networking platform, Facebook owns Oculus virtual reality headsets and the Portal range of video conferencing hardware. In the shorter term Facebook may build a variant that translates body movements captured by a smart armband to send commands to devices. “The vision for this work is a wristband that lets people control their devices as a natural extension of movement,” Bosworth said. “Here’s how it’ll work: You have neurons in your spinal cord that send electrical Vic Crone will be keynote speaker at <strong>2020</strong> TechFest. signals to your hand muscles telling them to move in specific ways such as to click a mouse or press a button. The wristband will decode those signals and translate them into a digital signal your device can understand, empowering you with control over your digital life. It captures your intention so you can share a photo with a friend using an imperceptible movement or just by, well, throughout the day, including panel discussions. Based on feedback from previous years, we will also be offering smaller, interactive seminars and workshops, which focus on specific technology topics.” Maqbool says the Callaghan Innovation team will be facilitating one of these workshops. Others will be hosted by leading <strong>Waikato</strong>-based companies including RocketSpark, Enlighten Designs, and SkyPoint Technologies. NZ Story is also running a session and Payments NZ is hosting a financial technology innovation focused session. TECH TALK > BY DAVID HALLETT David Hallett is a director of Hamilton software specialist Company-X. intending to. “Technology like this has the potential to open up new creative possibilities and reimagine 19th Century inventions in a 21st Century world. This is how our interactions in VR and AR can one day look. It can change the way we connect.” Facebook is also freeing itself from other technology giants by building its Maqbool says there is growing interest in the festival from people with non-technical backgrounds and they are including a schools experience as part of the festival. Securing a speaker of Crone’s calibre is a reflection of how much the region’s tech sector is thriving. own operating system from scratch in a project led by former Microsoft engineer Mark Lucovsky. Facebook's hardware products could run the new operating system, Facebook head of augmented reality Ficus Kirkpatrick said. The OS will be built from scratch. Facebook has not said when its operating system might arrive or what products would use it first. Te Waka chief executive Michael Bassett-Foss says TechFest is an opportunity for the <strong>Waikato</strong> tech sector to showcase its knowledge and expertise and demonstrate why it is experiencing such phenomenal growth. “TechFest is also about connecting and providing an opportunity for people to network and build relationships.” TechFest (<strong>Waikato</strong> Festival of Technology and Innovation) will be held at the Claudelands Event Centre on March 3, <strong>2020</strong>. It is free to attend the exhibition, keynote sessions and panel discussion, and there are affordable workshops on offer. For more information visit www.techfest.nz 3 March <strong>2020</strong> Claudelands Events Centre TechFest celebrates the regions technology sector strength and supports the building of networks and opportunities to continue to build on this strength with upcoming talent, businesses that are confident and capable of undertaking their own digital journey, a thriving innovation ecosystem, access to capital for growth, and an overall approach that fosters inclusion in underpinning economic growth and community wellbeing. A curated programme providing unique experiences and an opportunity to forge deep connections. Tech and data for Sustainable cities and communities An invitation to smart cities leaders, councils, designers and planners, decision makers, academics, technology entrepreneurs and innovators from around the country to consider an approach to smart cities that is aligned with SDG 11. STEM Schools Experience An engaging experience for schools offering students and teachers opportunities to get hands on with technology, talk to educators and innovators, and take time out to participate in workshops presented by leading educational technology providers. Technology Showcase Supporting the festivals inspire, innovate and grow keynote themes, with demonstrable tech and innovation stands, and providing networking opportunities to connect and engage with leading innovators, entrepreneurs and experts. crafting your NZ story This workshop is designed to help you bring your New Zealandness to life and will equip you with a way to define your offering, using a simple story based framework to craft your own New Zealand Story. Proudly suPPorted by There are also a wide range of workshops and seminars on offer covering: • Cybersecurity • Productivity tools • data analytics and visualisation • digital marketing • Website basics Plus, sessions on the future of financial technology innovation in payments and support available for businesses through Callaghan Innovation. techFest will provide businesses and the wider community with a platform to inspire, connect, share knowledge and build capacity. 18-300120 Venue Partner For more information and to register for sessions visit www.techfest.nz
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