Google is apparently working together with Movidius which is a startup under Alphabet Inc just like Google. The collaboration is aimed at bringing deep learning technologies to smartphones.
Google already has image-recognition capabilities that it has showcased with its Google Photos app. However, that technology requires users to upload images online and then having to search between those images for people or for objects.
This new technology will simplify that process by making all the calculations within the smartphone itself. This would allow real-time identification and tracking of people and objects across a variety of apps. It will be beneficial in several ways such as authorising transactions by recognising people, translating signs etc.
“By working with Movidius, we’re able to expand this technology beyond the data center and out into the real world, giving people the benefits of machine intelligence on their personal devices,” said Blaise Agϋera y Arcas, head of Google’s machine intelligence, Seattle.
Google had worked with Movidius in the past to create Project Tango. While it remains to be see whether or not Google will use this technology eventually in smartphones and for what purposes, it is definitely interesting to see that technology is progressing well and making our lives much easier.