Welcome to the January 19, 2024 edition of ACM TechNews, providing timely information for computer professionals three times a week.

HEADLINES AT A GLANCE

• Britain's Spies Mark 80th Anniversary of Code-Breaking Computer
• AI's Latest Challenge: The Math Olympics
• Self-Assembling DNA Computer Can Sort Simple Images
• Tablet's Light Sensor Can Spy on Users
• Chinese University Tackles Rotor Failure in Drones with Algorithm
• Robots Look Better to Detroit as Labor Costs Rise
• Stroke Survivors Regain Grip with 'Smart Glove'
• Portable VR System Helps Brain-Injured Patients
• 3D-Printed Bricks Turn Amsterdam Storefront into Work of Art
• Tencent Sees a Future Where Everyone Gets By with a Swipe of the Hand
• 'Thermodynamic Computer' Uses Random Noise to Calculate
• Australia Responds to Rapid Rise of AI
• Drone Soccer Aims High at CES

Britain's Spies Mark 80th Anniversary of Code-Breaking Computer

January 18 marked the 80th anniversary of Colossus, the first digital computer, which decoded German messages for the Allied forces during World War II and is credited by many experts for shortening the war. Developed by Tommy Flowers, Colossus decreased the time it took to decode messages from weeks to just hours using 2,500 valves to process information.
[ » Read full article ]

AI's Latest Challenge: The Math Olympics

New York University computer scientist Trieu Trinh has developed an AI model that can solve geometry problems from the International Mathematical Olympiad at a level nearly on par with human gold medalists. Trinh served as a resident at Google while developing AlphaGeometry, now part of Google DeepMind's series of AI systems. In a test on 30 Olympiad geometry problems from 2000-2022, AlphaGeometry solved 25, versus an average of 25.9 for a human gold medalist during that same period.
[ » Read full article *May Require Paid Registration ]

Self-Assembling DNA Computer Can Sort Simple Images

A self-assembling DNA computer developed by researchers at Ireland's Maynooth University classifies images by analyzing how DNA molecules connect in various shapes. The computer is comprised of around 900 different types of DNA tiles—DNA molecules folded into rectangular shapes that can be joined together—designed to form the letters "H," "A," or "M." The DNA tiles then were used to classify 18 grayscale images into categories represented by those letters.
[ » Read full article *May Require Paid Registration ]

Tablet's Light Sensor Can Spy on Users

Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers demonstrated that ambient light sensors on tablets can be employed by hackers to spy on users. The researchers developed an inversion algorithm to transform readings from such a sensor into a 32x32-pixel image of the region above the display. This test generated images of two-finger scrolling, three-finger pinches, and other touch gestures using a Samsung Galaxy View2 tablet. They also demonstrated that videos could be used to conceal illumination patterns.
[ » Read full article ]

Chinese University Tackles Rotor Failure in Drones with Algorithm

Researchers at China's Beihang University developed a method for addressing rotor failure in quadcopter drones. Their algorithm leverages the "uniform passive fault-tolerant control" technique to allow drones to maintain stability and continue flying autonomously after losing one to three of their four rotors. In the event of a rotor failure, the algorithm puts the onboard computer in charge of controlling the drone.
[ » Read full article ]

Robots Look Better to Detroit as Labor Costs Rise

Automakers are again turning their attention to robots to address rising labor costs. GM said robotic automation will help boost productivity and workplace safety. The development of new battery factories and electric-vehicle plants is expected to drive the increase in automation, given that it is easier and cheaper to deploy robotic systems at new facilities. Despite concerns about automated systems replacing human workers, automakers are expected to replace workers only when they retire.
[ » Read full article *May Require Paid Registration ]

Stroke Survivors Regain Grip with 'Smart Glove'

A smart glove developed by researchers at Canada's University of British Columbia could help stroke survivors regain hand functions. The smart glove can track and transmit the wearer's hand and finger movements during supervised rehabilitation exercises, allowing physicians to provide feedback remotely. The stretchy glove features a network of sensor yarns and pressure sensors that detect even small movements and grasping force without motion-capture cameras. It is 99% accurate in detecting and predicting movement, on par with motion-capture cameras.
[ » Read full article ]

Portable VR System Helps Brain-Injured Patients

Occupational therapists at Israel's Sheba Medical Center are helping patients recover from brain injuries using VR technology from startup XRHealth. The compact, portable XRHealth VR system, which features a VR headset, hand controls, and a laptop equipped with XRHealth's proprietary software, is intended to improve a patient's cognitive and motor skills, either in the hospital or at home, using a game-like approach. Said Sheba's Chen Ben Dan, "The VR activities are all specifically rehabilitation-oriented, and just like with a regular computer game, the difficulty is raised each time the patient achieves a certain level."
[ » Read full article ]

3D-Printed Bricks Turn Amsterdam Storefront into Work of Art

A storefront in Amsterdam's high-end shopping district features a "brick" facade made of algorithmically designed and 3D-printed custom ceramic tiles. Produced by Studio RAP, these tiles look like traditional clay from a distance, but appear like ridges on a topographical map or ocean waves when observed up close. The firm developed custom tools and processes to generate the tiles and specialized nozzles for the 3D printers that allow for a high level of detail.
[ » Read full article ]

Tencent Sees a Future Where Everyone Gets By with a Swipe of the Hand

China's multinational tech company Tencent has launched a palm scanning service intended to become part of users' daily lives, allowing them to leave their house keys, wallets, and phones at home. Weixin Palm Payment, launched in mainland China, allows users of Weixin Pay to ride the subway without their smartphones or transit cards. Their identify is verified and payment processed in seconds via a contactless sensor that uses infrared cameras to analyze their palm prints and unique vein patterns, which Tencent says is more accurate than facial recognition technology.
[ » Read full article ]

'Thermodynamic Computer' Uses Random Noise to Calculate

A "thermodynamic computer" developed by researchers at startup Normal Computing uses random "noise" to perform calculations. The prototype stochastic processing unit (SPU) was built on a circuit board comprised of eight interconnected circuits that each stores energy in an electric oscillation. The SPU was exposed to noisy electrical currents, with the input currents changed to run different computations. The researchers used the SPU to run a program that can identify the inverse of a "mathematical matrix," and several programs used to develop and run generative AI algorithms.
[ » Read full article *May Require Paid Registration ]

Australia Responds to Rapid Rise of AI

In response to the accelerated use of AI technologies, the Australian government has announced plans to establish an expert advisory committee to formulate mandatory "safeguards" for the highest-risk AI technologies, such as self-driving vehicle software, predictive technologies used by law enforcement, and hiring-related AI tools. Such safeguards could include independent testing requirements and ongoing audits. Additionally, organizations using high-risk AI could be required to appoint someone to be responsible for safe use of the technologies.
[ » Read full article ]

Drone Soccer Aims High at CES

In a three-minute drone soccer demonstration game at CES, 10 remote-controlled drones maneuvered around a playing field. Drone soccer is played in 20 countries, with more than 2,000 teams in its biggest market, South Korea, where the first drone soccer World Cup is scheduled to take place in October 2025.
[ » Read full article ]