new tech Archives - Solarflare Studio

Is Real-Time AI the Game-Changer for Experiential Spaces in 2024?

Solarflare Studio — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:30:36 +0000

As 2024 unfolds, the Solarflare team are eager to explore the transformative era in experiential design, driven by the rapid advancements in real-time AI.

Current State of Play

Our journey in technology has been marked by significant strides, particularly in the realm of high-quality image generation. Tools like Stable Diffusion, Runway, Midjourney, and DALL-E have broadened the creative horizon. Traditionally, these tools cater to offline processes, requiring significant rendering time. In exhibitions and galleries, for instance, data visualisation has become increasingly sophisticated, yet such experiences don’t tend to include the same method of prompting and then instantly generating images and videos.

The Next Step Forward IN AI

This year is set to be a turning point with the introduction of technologies like StreamDiffusion and other systems that offer advancements aiming to revolutionise the process of frame-by-frame image generation, making it more responsive and adaptive. The key here is cracking the hurdles of image generation and the latency of the content being created. We’ve got a vision of how these systems can be integrated within experiential activations, drawing users into a more engaged brand experience.

User Experience in Real-Time

Imagine an interactive space where each movement you make transforms into an artistic expression. The potential of real-time AI is boundless. It allows for altering visual narratives based on user movements, instantly changing prompts or styles. Users can even directly input prompts and styles or manipulate videos on screens by integrating sound, motion, and prompting, creating a deeply personalised interactive experience. Essentially, the audience will be able to generate in real-time a piece of art however they like – making this a perfect way for brands to push creativity and technical advancements.

Want to explore the possibilities of new technologies? Get in touch to explore ideas.

Striking a Balance Between Potential and Limitations

Incorporating real-time AI into experiential design brings immense possibilities alongside significant challenges. The most notable hurdle is the processing power required for technologies like Stable Diffusion to operate in real time. Stable Diffusion, particularly in a real-time context, demands robust computing resources to minimise latency, ensuring that the generated images are not just responsive but also of high quality. The hardware requirements for such an operation typically include high-end GPUs and dedicated processing units, which might limit accessibility and scalability in certain environments. However, with the correct setup put into systems, such as live Audio-visual systems like TouchDesigner or Notch, we’ll be able to manipulate content in a number of exciting ways, enabling surfaces to be projected on with the video content that users generate or LED screens to illuminate.

Despite these challenges, the push towards real-time AI remains a key focus, promising a future where experiential design is not only interactive but also instantaneously responsive and dynamically creative.

Feel free to check out our exploration of AI’s Role in Sound and Visual Design here, which uses Stable Diffusion and TouchDesigner to create an audio-reactive visual.

Solarflare’s Vision

We’re excited to be at the helm of this revolution. Our pipelines are being adapted for both brand activations and art exhibitions, maximising the potential of advanced computer graphics and real-time processing.

The team’s trials with these technologies have been illuminating, revealing the potential of merging real-time AI with sophisticated graphics to create captivating experiences. As we continue doing so, we invite you to join us in exploring the vast potential of real-time AI in experiential design, pushing the limits of what’s possible in this vibrant and evolving field.

The post Is Real-Time AI the Game-Changer for Experiential Spaces in 2024? appeared first on Solarflare Studio.

CES 2024: The Most Noteworthy Experiential Tech We Couldn’t Ignore

Solarflare Studio — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 14:39:15 +0000

At Solarflare, we keep a keen eye on groundbreaking innovations that redefine the boundaries of creativity and technology. As we explored the remarkable advancements unveiled at CES 2024, our team hand-picked key elements that not only caught our eye but prompted in-depth discussions on their transformative applications in the coming year. Let’s take a closer look, as we envision how they can push creative boundaries and craft unparalleled experiences in 2024.

Twinkly's Matrix LED Curtain

Twinkly’s Matrix stands out as a captivating creation that goes beyond being a mere curtain of light. It boasts the highest density of smart LEDs globally, offering a fully mappable and customisable light display. Through a mobile app, it can be seamlessly controlled, allowing the creation of dynamic ambient settings that respond to their surroundings. The potential for it to revolutionise visual storytelling is why our team selected Twinkly’s Matrix. It could be a game-changer for immersive art installations where lighting evolves in real-time based on viewer interactions or retail spaces where ambient light subtly enhances the consumer experience.

Want to explore the possibilities of new technologies? Get in touch to explore ideas.

Spatial Computing Advancements

The rapidly advancing world of spatial computing has drawn our interest, particularly with hardware companies introducing innovative solutions that challenge Apple’s Vision Pro headset in the XR (Extended Reality) space. Our team hand-picked Canon’s Mixed Reality headset concept for its promising applications in education and immersive learning. We’re intrigued by the idea of historical tours that bring the past to life or realistic training simulations that prepare professionals for real-world scenarios within a risk-free virtual setting.

Leading the charge in spatial computing, XREAL Air 2 Ultra Smart Glasses offer a comprehensive experience that extends far beyond simple information viewing. These streamlined smart glasses align with Apple’s Vision Pro but may provide a more affordable alternative. Our team sees significant potential in enhancing daily life, whether through AR navigation systems that overlay historical context and social insights onto cityscapes or interactive shopping experiences where product details and reviews are instantly accessible. We believe the convergence of technology and creativity in the XR space holds great promise.

Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord

While there were multiple impressive hardware updates regarding projectors and LED screens, our team specifically wanted to mention the Sony x Ghostbusters Experience at CES 2024. It served as a vivid example of the power of integrated technologies in storytelling, gamification, and pure entertainment. Attendees were active participants in the immersive world of Ghostbusters. From encountering Mini-Pufts brought to life in real-time to experiencing action-packed sequences featuring the iconic Ecto-1, the blend of technology and entertainment left a lasting impression. Sony’s haptic technology transported participants to a world where the floor felt like it was covered in gooey marshmallows. This type of activation is exactly what excites our team and Solarflare, merging multiple technologies to create a fun multi-sensory activation where you feel like you are part of the experience.

In Conclusion: The Next Wave of Interaction

Our team has hand-picked these innovations from CES 2024 because they are not just gadgets and tools; they are the keys to unlocking new forms of expression, interaction, and engagement. As we step into 2024, we eagerly anticipate the exploration of these technologies, driven by our team’s relentless desire to push the boundaries of creativity. We are committed to crafting experiences that resonate, inspire, and transform, fully embracing the extraordinary convergence of technology and imagination that this year promises to deliver.

The post CES 2024: The Most Noteworthy Experiential Tech We Couldn’t Ignore appeared first on Solarflare Studio.

The ultimate VR headset?

Solarflare Studio — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 13:05:16 +0000

Our cto stuart reviews the quest 2 spec, and imagines up the ultimate vr headset.

Today's the day.

The Quest 2 VR headset’s official release announcement is today, with leaked images and videos going live earlier this week – it’s recieving the PR hype we expected. We decided to take a look at the headset, to see what’s included in this iteration and more importantly, what’s not.

We all know the original Quest isn’t the best performing VR headset available, but with Facebook behind them they are certainly one of the most well known brands. That being said, it’s also been our VR headset of choice since its release 18 months ago. It’s standalone and wire-free form, combined with inside out tracking made it super simple to use, it tempted us away from standard PC connected headsets.

Want to explore the possibilities of new technologies? Get in touch to explore ideas.

What are the new features?

A faster Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor
50% Higher resolution (Almost 4k display)
More memory (from 128gb up to 256gb)
More ergonomic design (it’s lighter, smaller, and the strap is softer)
3D positional audio (not necessarily new, but we hear improvements have been made)While these are all worthy iterative improvements that’s all they are, there’s nothing particularly new here. Still, these are probably enough to keep the Quest on its top spot, just in time as the Pico Neo eyes 2 announced last month was snapping at its heels for pole position.

What does our Ideal vr headset + kit look like:

There’s still plenty of scope for improvement in VR headset technology, it’s getting excited though.

No hardware brand has harnessed all the technology partners currently available and collaborated to build something incredible. We thought we’d have a go at spec-ing out our ULTIMATE VR headset, including all the innovations usually only found in individual devices, many of which we have used in our projects over the years.

Design-wise, the lightness and better weight balance like the new Quest 2

Hygiene is key, interchangeable and washable VR covers would be the perfect accessory

Finger tracking controllers and 144hz refresh rate like the Valve Index

Wireless, low latency streaming from DisplayLink

Eye-tracking and foveated rendering like the Pico Neo 2 eye

8k resolution and 200 degrees field of view like the PImax 8k Plus

Automatic IPD adjustment like the XTAL

Virtual smell from Feelreal

Virtual temperature from TEGway

Biometric EEG sensing from MyndPlay or Neurable

Variable focus like the Facebook Half Dome prototypes

And while we are at it why not bundle it with the ultimate peripherals

The omnidirectional treadmill from Infinadec so you can walk naturally wherever you fancy

A haptic feedback suit from Teslasuit to feel your virtual world

A decent RTX3090 powered workstation PC

The above list is forever growing and the above setup might still be a long way off. To create at a headset at a commercially accessible price point for the mass market with all the bells and whistles will take time. The exciting thing is that VR experiences can be designed with all senses being stimulated, for a truly immersive environment.

We’re always testing out new technologies, with our Studio in London packed with kit to play with. If you’d like to book a meeting to try some of our tech, either physically or virtually, get in touch.

EXPLORE WITH US

We’re always looking to expand our network of creative collaborators, from technical specialists to people that work in more traditional art forms. LAUNCH exists to blend the barriers between creative practices and new tech. Get in touch to explore ideas.

The post The ultimate VR headset? appeared first on Solarflare Studio.