The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) in Taiwan has designed the world’s first interactive aquarium, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to recognise aquatic species and display information about them.
ITRI’s AI Aquarium, the recent recipient of a CES Innovation Award, is now in use at Taiwan’s National Museum of Marine Science and Technology.
The innovative system uses technology to exhibit information about marine life on a transparent display according to visitors’ line of sight.
It recognises aquatic species with up to 98 percent accuracy and displays corresponding details about them.
ITRI’s president Edwin Liu said the AI Aquarium uses smart display, AI recognition, and human-computer interaction technologies to offer a unique visitor experience.
AR visitor services
“This innovation addresses the needs in the post-pandemic era and the trends of immersive experience,” Liu said.
“It has been applied in the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology in Taiwan to enhance marine exploration and education, offering a more interactive and effective option than conventional aquariums.”
Regardless of their height, the system can detect the direction of a visitor’s eyes and hand gestures. It can also play video and audio to enhance the experience, and uses contactless technology.
“AI Aquarium incorporates dynamic object recognition technology with an intuitive user interface to provide an intelligent self-guided experience,” says ITRI.
“Observers can learn about marine life in real time and access detailed information via gesture control.
“AI Aquarium recognizes more than 10 gestures, creating an entertaining and interactive human-machine interface.”
Images: Industrial Technology Research Institute