Page 83 - AC/E Digital Culture Annual Report

Mixed or holographic reality makes possible a perfect interaction between our reality and the virtual objects we project onto it, as it possess depth-sensing cameras that detect the objects around us: tables, chairs, walls, ceilings, etc. It projects virtual objects onto these objects so that they are perfectly integrated and almost indistinguishable from the real ones. Now we can see a rugby player breaking our wall and throwing a ball at us, a yogi seated on our sitting room oor guiding us through a yoga session,or even a pet dragon resting peacefully in our favourite armchair.The latest advances in nanotechnology will allow us to access technologythat is increasingly invisible and goes totally unnoticed to users but it will only be possible to attain this degree of miniaturisation with new materials.Nanotechnology and new materials in the art worldThe latest advances in nanotechnology will allow us to access technology that is increasingly invisible and goes totally unnoticed to users.It will only be possible to attain this degree of miniaturisation with new materials. One has been dubbed the “material of God” on account of its extraordinary abilities: graphene, which is two hundred times harder than steel, incredibly exible, highly conductive, transparent and lightweight. These qualities make it ideal for increasing battery life and designing ultra at screens, for example.Another case is Aerogel, 98% of which is air; it therefore hardly weighs anything, yet it is hard and re resistant, able to withstand tempera- tures of up to 1,000oC without alteration. It is a perfect candidate for NASA’s space shuttle, but can also o er artists a new dimension for creating large, lightweight outdoor structures that can withstand the elements.In addition, Intel is constantly reducing the size of its processors to adapt its strategy to the IoT, as the company is keen not to miss out on this promising technology. It began a couple of years ago with the postage stamp-sized Edison pro- cessor, which was followed by the button-sized Curie processor. Even so, its product roadmap features plans to reduce the Pentium to the size of a pinhead over the next four or ve years.Does this give an idea of the potential of the new materials and processors applied to artworks and cultural spaces?We have examined cities, homes, cinemas, theatres... and the impact the IoT will haveon them, but perhaps the real transformation this revolutionary technology will bring relates to people and their interaction with their surroundings.The Internet of BodyThe Internet of Things encompassess various concepts such as the Internet of Body, wearables and Augmented Human. They entail a revolution not only in the use of wearables but also in new devices such as brainwave headsets or biohack- ing technology to enhance capabilities. Let us take a look at a few cases and uses:WearablesSmart watches, smart lenses, smart ID cards and activity wristbands will have a role in society and will help us interact with our environment.Nowadays most categories of wearable technol- ogies (except tness trackers) feature a large range of products, each with its functions and speci c uses. Wearables represent the next logical step in the mobile revolution. If things are done properly, with a varied ecosystem of brands, retailers, healthcare providers and even governments, these devices will create moreAC/E DIGITAL CULTURE ANNUAL REPORT 201783Smart culture. Analysis of digital trends