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MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) scientists have created BrightMarker. This covert, unseen fluorescent marker is embedded within 3D-printed items like balls, containers, gadget cases, or gears. The researchers are confident that their innovation has the potential to improve applications such as motion tracking, virtual reality, and object detection.
Crafting a BrightMarker involves utilising the CSAIL researchers’ software plugin compatible with 3D modelling software. Once the marker is positioned within the design’s geometry, it can be saved as an STL file, suitable for 3D printing. By incorporating fluorescent filaments into the printer, individuals can produce an item that conceals a concealed tag reminiscent of an unseen QR code. It’s important to note that these markers must be integrated into an object before its creation, indicating they cannot be affixed to pre-existing items.
BrightMarkers remain invisible to the naked eye, preserving an object’s form, appearance, and function without disruption. This attribute ensures their integrity, offering a means to integrate metadata into the physical world subtly. Users can access an enriched interactive experience with their surroundings by connecting data and tangible objects.
In a swiftly evolving landscape where the distinction between actual and digital environments continues to blur, the demand for robust solutions that seamlessly bridge the gap between physical objects and their digital counterparts is rising.
Mustafa Doğa Doğan, a PhD candidate at MIT’s CSAIL and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, emphasised, “BrightMarkers function as gateways to ‘ubiquitous metadata’ within the physical realm. This term refers to directly embedding metadata — details about an object’s identity, origin, function, and more — directly into physical items. It’s comparable to an unseen digital signature accompanying each product.”
Their system is promising in virtual reality (VR). For instance, a toy lightsaber with an embedded BrightMarker could enhance VR gaming by interacting with tag-detection hardware, making other in-game objects more immersive.
“In a future dominated by AR and VR, object recognition, tracking, and traceability are crucial for merging the physical and digital worlds. BrightMarker is just the beginning,” said Raúl García-Martín, a visiting researcher at MIT CSAIL.
BrightMarkers can be used in wearables to follow limb movements for motion tracking accurately. It aids game developers in creating lifelike experiences. It also bridges digital and physical experiences for diverse users.
Furthermore, BrightMarkers are valuable in supply chain tracking too. Manufacturers can scan tags to get metadata about product origins and journeys. They’re also helpful for night vision monitoring in home security cameras. A specialised camera could track movements without compromising privacy.
“The fluorescent filaments emit light which can be effectively filtered through our imaging hardware,” explained Doğan. “This addresses the typical ‘blur’ seen in conventional discreet markers, enabling effective real-time tracking, even during object movement.”
Doğan remains optimistic about the potential of the system to integrate metadata into our daily lives. “BrightMarker harbours significant potential in reshaping our tangible interactions with technology,” he observed.
“As this technology progresses, we can envision a future where BrightMarkers seamlessly integrate into our everyday items, facilitating effortless interactions between the physical and digital realms. From enriched retail experiences allowing consumers to access detailed product information in stores to streamlined supply chain tracking in industrial settings, the opportunities are vast,” Doğan says.
