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In this Q&A, get a glimpse into the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision through the lens of longtime Unity user Gerard Espona, whose robot digital twin project was featured in the Made with Unity: AI series. Working as simulation lead at Luxonis, whose core technology makes it possible to embed human-level perception into robotics, Espona uses his years of experience in the industry to weigh in on the current state and anticipated progression of computer vision.During recent years, computer vision (CV) and AI have become the fastest-growing fields both in market size and industry adoption rate. Spatial CV and edge AI have been used to improve and automate repetitive tasks as well as complex processes.This new reality is thanks to the democratization of CV/AI. Increasingly affordable hardware access, including depth perception capability as well as improvements in machine learning (ML), has enabled the deployment of real solutions on edge CV/AI systems.Spatial CV using edge AI enables depth-based applications to be deployed without the need of a data center service, and also allows the user to preserve privacy by processing images on the device itself.Along with more accessible hardware, software and machine learning workflows are undergoing important improvements. Although they are still very specialized and full of technical challenges, they have become much more accessible, offering tools that allow users to train their own models.Within the standard ML pipeline/workflow, large-scale edge computing and deployment can still pose issues. One of the biggest general challenges is to reduce the costs and timelines currently required to create and/or improve machine learning models on real-world applications. In other words, the challenge is how to manage all these devices to enable a smooth pipeline for continuous improvement.Also, the implicit limitations in terms of compute processing need extra effort on the final model deployed on the device (that is, apps need to be lightweight, performant, etc.). That said, embedded technology evolves really fast, and each iteration is a big leap in processing capabilities.Spatial CV/AI is a field that still requires a lot of specialization and systems. Workflows are often complicated and tedious due to numerous technical challenges, so a lot of time is devoted to smoothing out the workflow instead of focusing on value-added tasks.Creating datasets (collecting and filtering images and videos), annotating the images, preprocessing/augmentation process, training, deploying and closing the feedback loop for continuous improvement is a complex process. Each step of the workflow is technically difficult and usually involves time and financial cost, and more so for systems working in remote areas with limited connectivity.At Luxonis, we help our customers build and deploy solutions to solve and automate complex tasks at scale, so we’re facing all these issues directly. Our mission, “Robotic vision made simple,” provides not only great and affordable depth-capable hardware, but also a solid and smooth ML pipeline with synthetic datasets and simulation.Another important challenge is the work that needs to be done on the interpretability of models and the creation of datasets from an ethical, privacy and bias point of view.Last but not least, global chip supply issues are making it difficult to get the hardware into everybody’s hands.Data-centric AI is potentially useful when a working model is underperforming. Investing a large amount of time to optimize the model often leads to almost zero real improvement. Instead, with data-centric AI the investment is in analysis, cleaning and improving of the dataset.Usually when a model is underperforming, the issue is within the dataset itself, as there is not enough data for the model to outperform. This could be the result of two possible reasons: 1) the model needs a much larger amount of data, which is difficult to collect in the real world, or 2) the model doesn’t have enough examples of rare cases, which take a lot of time to happen in the real world.In both situations, synthetic datasets could help.Thanks to Unity’s computer vision tools, it is very easy to create photorealistic scenes and randomize elements like materials, light conditions and object placement. The tools come with common labels like 2D bounding boxes, 3D bounding boxes, semantic and instance segmentation, and even human body key points. Additionally, these can be easily extended with custom randomizers, labelers and annotations.Almost any task you want to automate or improve using edge CV/AI very likely involves detecting people for obvious safety and security reasons. It’s critical to guarantee user safety around autonomous systems or robots when they’re working, requiring models to be trained on data about humans.That means we need to capture a large amount of images, including information like poses and physical appearance, that are representative of the entire human population. This task raises some concerns about privacy, ethics and bias when starting to capture real human data to train the model.Fortunately, we can use synthetic datasets to mitigate some of these concerns using human 3D models and poses. A very good example is the work done by the Unity team with PeopleSansPeople.PeopleSansPeople is a human-centric synthetic dataset creator using 3D models and standard animations to randomize human body poses. Also, we can use a Unity project template, to which we add our own 3D models and poses to create our own human synthetic dataset.At Luxonis, we’re using this project as the basis for creating our own human synthetic dataset and training models. In general, we use Unity’s computer vision tools to create large and complex datasets with a high level of customization on labelers, annotations and randomizations. This allows our ML team to iterate faster with our customers, without needing to wait for real-world data collection and manual annotation.Since the introduction of transformer architecture, CV tasks are more accessible. Generative models like DALL-E 2 could also be used to create synthetic datasets, and NeRF as a neural approach to generate novel point of views of known objects and scenes. It’s clear all these innovations are catching the attention of audiences.On the other hand, having access to better annotation tools and model zoos and libraries with pre-trained, ready-to-use models are helping drive wide adoption.One key element contributing to the uptick in computer vision use is the fast evolution of vision processing units (VPUs) that currently allow users to perform model inferences on device (without the need for any host) at 4 TOPS of processing power (current Intel Movidius Myriad X). The new generation of VPUs promises a big leap in capabilities, allowing even more complex CV/AI applications to be deployed on edge.Any application related to agriculture and farming always captures my attention. For example, there is now a cow tracking and monitoring CV/AI application using drones.Our thanks to Gerard for sharing his perspective with us – keep up with his latest thoughts on LinkedIn and Twitter. And, learn more about how Unity can help your team generate synthetic data to improve computer vision model training with Unity Computer Vision.

Conflux Technology, an Australian company specializing in heat transfer solutions and additive manufacturing, has announced a collaboration with Italian hypercar manufacturer Pagani to address thermal management challenges in the Pagani Utopia’s transmission. The Utopia, Pagani’s latest hypercar, uses a 6-liter twin-turbo V12 engine designed by Mercedes-AMG. Its powertrain integrates a custom seven-speed transmission developed by Xtrac, available in both automated and manual configurations, to deliver the high levels of control and responsiveness required in extreme driving conditions. The Australian-based firm developed a cartridge heat exchanger specifically for the Utopia’s transmission oil system to improve heat rejection. According to the company, this solution achieves a 30% increase in heat rejection compared to the previous heat exchanger design. This enhancement is critical to maintain optimal thermal performance during high-load operations and ensures the vehicle meets global emissions standards, including those in California. Pagani’s Utopia hypercar, powered by a 6-liter twin-turbo V12 engine. Photo via Conflux Technology. Pagani subjected the Utopia’s transmission system to extensive testing, including track and road validation as well as thermal shock trials. These tests confirmed the durability and thermal resilience of the new heat exchanger under demanding operational conditions, aligning with the vehicle’s performance requirements. Michael Fuller, Founder and CEO of Conflux Technology, said: “Our advanced heat exchangers are designed to enable new levels of effectiveness, perfectly complementing the engineering craftsmanship that Pagani is celebrated for. This collaboration showcases the synergy of precision, innovation, and excellence.” Francesco Perini, Head of the Technical Department at Pagani, emphasized: “Conflux’s advanced heat transfer technology empowers the Pagani Utopia to achieve superior heat rejection ensuring optimal thermal balance, even in severe driving conditions. In our relentless pursuit of perfection, every detail matters. Conflux’s cartridge heat exchangers are a testament to precision and innovation, playing a vital role in ensuring that the Utopia can be enjoyed for a romantic drive on the French Riviera as well as on the most demanding tracks.” Oliver Nixon, Head of High Performance Automotive at Xtrac, stated: “The innovation of Conflux’s technology has allowed Xtrac to continue to push the boundaries of transmission performance, whilst maintaining the lightweight, motorsport derived ethos of our transmission solutions.” Conflux Technology’s additive-manufactured cartridge heat exchangers. Photo via Conflux Technology. Conflux is developing its Conflux Production Systems (CPS) to scale the production of its heat exchangers, supported by an AUD 11 million Series B funding round. The company’s technology is applied across multiple sectors, including aerospace, motorsports, high-powered industrial equipment, and defense, where effective thermal management is essential. The cartridge design leverages additive manufacturing to produce complex geometries that enhance heat transfer while reducing weight, supporting the requirements of high-performance automotive applications. Xtrac, headquartered in Berkshire, UK, with additional facilities in Indiana and North Carolina, specializes in engineering transmission and driveline systems for both motorsport and automotive sectors. Engine bay featuring Xtrac’s seven-speed gearbox. Photo via Conflux Technology. Additive Manufacturing in High-Performance Automotive Design Bentley Motors recent limited-run Batur grand tourer, The Black Rose, integrates additive manufacturing into its design through 18-karat recycled rose gold components. Developed by the Mulliner division in collaboration with precious metal supplier Cooksongold, the project uses up to 210 grams of printed gold in elements such as the Drive Mode Selector, air vent controls, and steering wheel insert. These components are hallmarked in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, with some also bearing the hallmark commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. Bentley’s investment in additive manufacturing capacity since 2022 amounts to £3 million. This focus on additive manufacturing extends to high-performance vehicle engineering, as seen in McLaren Automotive’s W1 hypercar. The W1 incorporates titanium 3D printing in the production of front uprights and wishbones for its suspension system, contributing to significant weight savings and enhanced dynamic performance. McLaren reports that the W1 achieves a vehicle weight of 1,399kg, enabling a power-to-weight ratio of 911PS/tonne and supporting acceleration from 0 to 200km/h in 5.8 seconds. Central to this development is the company’s collaboration with Divergent Technologies, whose DAPS platform supports rapid design iteration and manufacturing flexibility.s. Front view of the McLaren W1 hypercar. Image via McLaren. Take the 3DPI Reader Survey — shape the future of AM reporting in under 5 minutes. Ready to discover who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards? Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights. Featured photo shows Pagani’s Utopia hypercar, powered by a 6-liter twin-turbo V12 engine. Photo via Conflux Technology. Anyer Tenorio Lara Anyer Tenorio Lara is an emerging tech journalist passionate about uncovering the latest advances in technology and innovation. With a sharp eye for detail and a talent for storytelling, Anyer has quickly made a name for himself in the tech community. Anyer's articles aim to make complex subjects accessible and engaging for a broad audience. In addition to his writing, Anyer enjoys participating in industry events and discussions, eager to learn and share knowledge in the dynamic world of technology.

Nioh 3 Cometh Nioh 3 officially revealed - and it's not a PlayStation exclusive, even if there's a demo you can only play on PS5 Out of nowhere, Team Ninja took the Sony State of Play showcase by storm to deliver more than just the reveal of Nioh 3. Image credit: Team Ninja, Koei Tecmo. News by Sherif Saed Contributing Editor Published on June 5, 2025 As part of the PlayStation State of Play, we got treated to the surprise reveal of the next game in the Nioh action RPG series. It’s simply titled Nioh 3, and it’s going to be changing so much of what we know about Nioh. Nioh 2 is set for release in early 2026. To see this content please enable targeting cookies. First, the game is not a timed PlayStation-exclusive, which is great to see (and a first for Nioh). It will be available on PC and PS5 simultaneously when it arrives next year. The even more surprising news is that there’s a demo available right now, though sadly only on PS5. This is the alpha demo, which implies there’s going to be at least one more demo - beta - prior to launch, if Team Ninja’s history with Nioh is anything to go by. The demo is available only until Wednesday, June 18 Nioh 3 takes place in Japan’s Sengoku period, and stars a new protagonist; a young warrior (Tokugawa) set to be the next Shogun. Obviously Yokai are in the mix here right alongside human enemies. Nioh 3 is described as an “open field” game, which is a major change for the series. It’s interesting that Team Ninja didn’t call it outright open world, though perhaps the negative criticisms Rise of the Ronin drew for its open-world structure may have had a hand in that. Regardless, gameplay areas look to be more open than past Nioh games, even if the trailer doesn’t show much of that. Watch on YouTube Perhaps the most interesting detail was made in this PlayStation Blog post, where Nioh 3 general producer Fumihiko Yasuda revealed that combat has two main styles: Samurai, and Ninja. Both styles can be switched between on the fly. The Samurai style is described as the most similar to other Nioh games, though stances weren’t mentioned in the breakdown. The Samurai style also comes with new additions, so it’s not entirely similar.The post mentions Arts Proficiency, which boosts the power of martial arts - an area that’s typically been neglected in Nioh games. There’s also Deflect, which is effectively a parry system. Then there’s the Ninja style, which has faster movements, and unlocks a host of aerial actions. This is where the Ninjitsu techniques now sit, and some of the abilities discussed include leaving behind a clone after attacking. Nioh 3 looks to be a big step forward for the series, so we’ll have to wait until we get our hands on it to find out whether Team Ninja has been successful at evolving its formula this time around.

How Many 0s? 007 First Light officially revealed as the title for Hitman dev's James Bond game, and we'll see it in action later this week This week is IO Interactive's big 007 coming out party, as the studio's next James Bond game has been officially unveiled - or at least its title has been. Image credit: IO Interactive News by Sherif Saed Contributing Editor Published on June 3, 2025 IO Interactive has officially dropped the first real news on its in-development James Bond game since it was initially announced back in 2020. The game is called 007 First Light, and IO revealed it with nothing but a single piece of art on Twitter. The good news is that we won’t have to wait too long to actually see more, because IO is planning some big events this week. To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Alongside this teaser, the developer also announced its first-ever showcase. Dubbed IOI Showcase, the event is being held in person in Los Angeles this Friday, June 6. It’s also going ot be livestreamed, of course, kicking off at 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 2am UK. As you may have already realised, that’s a few hours after Summer Game Fest’s kick-off show, which will be going live 2pm PT on the same day. It’s very likely that Geoff Keighley’s show will bring a first-look teaser that directs viewers towards the showcase taking place a couple of hours afterwards. The IOI Showcase will deliver our first look at gameplay, but it’s also going to offer some updates on IOI Partners games such as the upcoming MindsEye, as well as some Hitman news for good measure. 007 First Light does not have a release target, and though it was initially announced as a multi-platform title (and the start of a trilogy), the only officially confirmed one of those is the upcoming Switch 2. The game will very likely also be released day-and-date on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Friday’s event will no doubt clear all that up for us, and maybe even provide a proper release date for one of the most mysterious games currently in development. 007 First Light is an origin story with an original character that’s not based on any existing Bond portrayal in the films. It stars a young James Bond with his own stories in a separate canon.

Fit-for-Purpose Digital Platform Regulations: Navigating Thailand’s Economic Future  Tech For Good Institute

Next-Gen Space Technology Powered by Hong Kong Universities  OpenGov Asia

The Krusty Burger is a health inspector's nightmare, responsible for spawning the Krusty Burger, the Ribwich, The Clogger, and the Steamed Ham (per Principal Skinner). It comes with seven minifigures, including Krusty the Clown, Sideshow Bob, Homer Simpson, and Officer Lou. You can purchase it for $209.99 on June 4, although LEGO Insiders can order the set via Early Access beginning on June 1. You can sign up for free here.LEGO The Simpsons: Krusty BurgerOut June 1 for LEGO Insiders, and June 4 for everyone else.$209.99 at LEGO StoreTo learn more about the set and its creation, we interviewed its designer. Ann Healy is a 39-year-old Senior Model Designer who's worked with the LEGO Group for the past six years. Here, lightly edited for clarity, are her thoughts on creating LEGO The Simpsons: Krusty Burger, the first new LEGO Simpsons set in nearly a decade. What other LEGO sets have you had a hand in designing over the past six years? Healy: I worked for three years on the LEGO Friends line. A few years ago, I got the opportunity to work on a Disney favorite of mine: The Sanderson Sisters’ Cottage set from Hocus Pocus. That project took years in the making to come to market, and I’m quite proud of it. More recently, I have been working on the LEGO Icons team. From last year’s products, I designed the McLaren MP4/4 & Ayrton Senna set and the Poinsettia LEGO Botanicals set.What drove the decision to revive the Simpsons brand after such a long hiatus? Healy: We saw that even after a 10-year stretch since a new Simpsons set, there was still a lot of love for The Simpsons amongst LEGO fans. Our market research showed that there is huge brand loyalty for The Simpsons, appealing to people globally. Designing the Krusty Burger in LEGO brick form serves as a natural continuation of our Simpsons line and gives us the opportunity to make new, never-before-seen LEGO minifigures.LEGO designers often build in their free time, working towards builds that they hope will one day become sets.“Coincidentally, the original Simpsons House and Kwik-E-Mart LEGO sets were some of the last sets I purchased before I knew I would be coming to work at The LEGO Group. In my first week working here, I found an early prototype of the Krusty Burger set on a shelf in our office. For context, LEGO designers often build in their free time, working towards builds that they hope will one day become sets. It gave me hope that someday, I might get the chance to work on something like that. Five years later, to my surprise, our Head of Marketing pulled that same prototype off the shelf and said it was time to revisit The Simpsons! I volunteered right away as a lifelong fan of the Simpsons. I couldn’t believe my luck!Describe the process of designing and building this set as best you can. How many times did you have to build the entire model in the course of finalizing it?Healy: I started with refining and updating the old prototype, figuring out the general layout and developing a building-instruction flow. I worked digitally first, then built the model physically. From there, I would go back and forth between digital and physical, seeing if the model would work with real bricks. We have design team check-ins where I showed progress on the model and got suggestions from our Creative Lead and the other model designers. I had several check-ins with the IP partner, where I would show them the latest updates and they could give feedback on the model and mini figures. I also had internal review meetings with our Model Governance and Building Experience teams, where we build the model, review every construction step, evaluate the play experience and test the strength of the model.I did not keep track of every time I rebuilt the model, but I would estimate at least 20 times. The last time I built the Krusty Burger set was when the first production boxes arrived from the factory. I built it one last time for quality assurance!Krusty Burger isn't a fully realized location in the show in the same way that Moe's Tavern is, or the Kwik-E Mart is, or the Simpsons’ house is. Which TV episodes did you use to map out the Krusty Burger and determine how it's set up? Healy: Disney was a great partner in sending us reference images and layouts when available. Also, I watched as many episodes of The Simpsons as possible, so I could translate the TV animation into a real, physical, toy playset. Season 20, Episode 21, “Coming to Homerica,” is the episode we used the most in reference, because it features the Mother Nature Burger that we reference several times in this LEGO set. The “Ribwich” from Season 14, Episode 12, “I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can,” is also featured. Other referenced episodes of note include: Season 6, Episode 15, “Homie the Clown” – Homer performs at a Krusty Burger Season 12, Episode 13, “Day of the Jackanapes” – Bart and Sideshow Bob go to the Krusty Burger. Season 10, Episode 1, Lard of the Dance” – Homer tries to sell grease from the restaurant.Season 7, Episode 15, “Bart the Fink” – Features the IRS Burger takeover.Season 19, Episode 1, “He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs” – Homer hides in the Krusty Zone ball pit. Season 15, Episode 10, “Diatribe of a Mad Housewife” – Shows the Krusty Burger drive thru sign. Season 21, Episode 4, "Treehouse of Horror XX" – Features the Krusty Burger in “Don't Have a Cow, Mankind.”What's your favorite deep cut Easter Egg in the build? Healy: Above the Krusty Burger drive-thru window, there is a kitchen display screen, showing that someone has placed an order for 700 burgers. This is a reference to the Season 5 episode “Boy-Scoutz 'n the Hood,” in which Krusty has unwisely opened a Krusty Burger oil rig in the middle of the sea.What was the most challenging aspect of designing this build? How were you able to overcome it? Healy: The most rewarding challenge of designing this set was building the Krusty Burger Sign with LEGO bricks. The IP partner paid a lot of attention to the proportions of Krusty’s face within the sign, giving us reference material and tips on how to best capture his likeness. We even got hand-drawn doodles of the Krusty the Clown from them! One of my model-designer colleagues used to work as an illustrator and used his skills to capture Krusty’s features in brick-form even more accurately. In addition, it was challenging to get the heavy Krusty Burger sign to stand up and remain stable on a single axle. Our Element Lead on the design project suggested we use a new element she was developing, an axle sleeve, to increase the weight the rod could hold upright. This new element did the trick.The most rewarding challenge of designing this set was building the Krusty Burger Sign with LEGO bricks.“Is this a one-off revival of the Simpsons brand? Or is this the beginning of a longer partnership, where we can expect to see more LEGO Simpsons themed sets in the near future?Healy: I cannot speculate on future products, per the LEGO Group’s and our partners' policies. Nonetheless, as a huge Simpsons fan myself, I am hopeful that fans have a positive response to this set!LEGO The Simpsons: Krusty Burger, Set #10352, retails for $209.99, and it is composed of 1635 pieces. You can purchase it on June 4 for the general public, or starting on June 1 for LEGO Insiders. You can sign up for LEGO Insiders for free here. And stay tuned! We will be building, photographing, and reviewing LEGO Krusty Burger later this month,Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO. He's also been published in Complex, Engadget, Gamespot, Kotaku, and more. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.

In our June issue Our June issue looks at the housing spectrum, with a particular focus on non-market and affordable housing. Odile Hénault starts our journey in Montreal, where two shelters—Le Christin by Atelier Big City and Les Studios du PAS by L. McComber in collaboration with Inform—offer dignity to people experiencing homelessness. We next travel to Beaverton Heights, a transitional housing project in the Region of Durham, Ontario. Designed by Montgomery Sisam Architects, the complex addresses the often-invisible homelessness of a rural area, and expands the aesthetic possibilities of modular construction. In Toronto, we visit Gerrard Healthy Housing by Atkinson Architect, which aims to add gentle density to an established neighbourhood. We also tour Anduhuaun, LGA Architectural Partners’ shelter for Indigenous women, which offers a place of nurture and grounding for its clients. LGA Architectural Partners is the coordinating firm behind the new Canadian Housing Catalogue, a repository of designs for multi-family homes. John Lorinc examines the catalogue’s potential for widespread uptake. Our long-read this month is a report by Yellowknife-based Kristel Derkowski on the driving factors behind the Northern housing crisis—and ways to start addressing it. In this month’s AIA Canada Society Journal, a quartet of Canadian educators explore how architecture schools are contributing to addressing the housing affordability crisis through research, studios, and hands-on initiatives. On the other end of the housing spectrum, Adele Weder visits Revery Architecture’s The Butterfly and First Baptist Church. She looks at how the striking landmark delivers tangible benefits for both residents and the wider public. Our issue is rounded out by an obituary for Dick Mah Sai-Chew (1928-2025), and reviews of books on the history of the barrack, James Strutt’s round houses, and sustainable housing in a circular economy. -Elsa Lam, editor The post June 2025 appeared first on Canadian Architect.