Items of Interest

Using AI on The Vatican Secret Archives

Researchers in Italy, on a project called In Codice Ratio, are using OCR and AI to begin to digitise hand written manuscripts from The Vatican Secret Archives. The challenge lies in creating an OCR system efficient enough in recognising hand written Latin script. The researchers have pioneered a mehtod called jigsaw segmentation, where a word is segmented into blocks analogous to pen strokes, as opposed to segmentation by letter.

KRUSTY

NASA have successfully completed testing of a nuclear fission power system called KRUSTY (Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling Technology). The reactor uses Kilopower, technology based on using the heat produced by the nuclear fission of uranium to produce power. The prototype built by NASA, running at 800 degress celcius produces 1kW of power but can be scaled up to produce 10kW. Reactors to be built for mission to the Moon and Mars aim to produce 40kW.

Stack Overflow For Teams

Stack Overflow has launched a teams product, which includes a private searchable questions and answers knowledgebase and Q&A engine, stored on a dedicated network in a logically seperated database. Pricing starts at $10 per month for the first 10 users and $5 per user per month thereafter.

Snap Spectacles 2.0

Snap has released the second version of its Spectacles smart(?) glasses. These ones are $150, shoot HD video and, new to this version, can take HD photos. According to The Verge, they are less bulky and easier to use. If predictions come true, we'll all be wearing glasses like these, or better ones from Apple, in the next few years.

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