Robots and cosmetics loom large in this week’s episode of Games at Work, just not at the same time!  Beginning with a pair of life-like robots, Michael and Michael take a look at a tortoise that is designed from the ground up to provide robot-to-human feedback on how to interact with it, turning red, and even withdrawing its head under its shell when children bang on its shell, and alternately dancing a bit when the children pet it.

Another robot is designed by MIT’s CSAIL team for undersea adventure — swimming naturally as other fish do, which can allow it (and the attached camera) to get much closer to other fish without causing as much alarm as a human might.  Communication with this robotic fish is done via sound, and an innovative Nintendo controller.

News in Augmented Reality include a development from Sketchfab to download 3D models to a plethora of 3D software, Sotheby’s use of Curate and Rooomy to stage houses for sale with digital furniture, and in the cosmetics industry, with L’Oreal’s acquisition of ModiFace, whose purpose is to create augmented reality tech for beauty brands.  ModiFace allows the user  have a virtual makeover, and see what different products would look like for their eyes, hair & lips.

Michael and Michael ooh and ahh over the new TRON Legacy lightcycles from LEGO, which are due to be available any moment now.

Selected Links

TechCrunch article:  This tortoise shows kids that robot abuse is bad — https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/20/this-tortoise-shows-kids-that-robot-abuse-is-bad/

TechCrunch article:  MIT’s soft robotic fish is studying real ones in Fiji — https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/21/mits-soft-robotic-fish-is-studying-real-ones-in-fiji/

Discussion on Swarming robots in Episode 150 — Cyber Dementors — http://gamesatwork.biz/2016/10/23/episode-150-cyber-dementors/

TechCrunch article: Sketchfab lets you import 3D models into your favorite 3D software — https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/21/sketchfab-lets-you-import-3d-models-into-your-favorite-3d-software/

Digital Trends article:  Sotheby’s is making homebuying immersive with AR app Curate — https://www.digitaltrends.com/home/sothebys-curate-ar-app/

Rooomy — https://www.rooomy.com

Digital Trends article:  Cosmetics giant L’Oreal buys AR beauty company ModiFace — https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/loreal-buys-modiface/

ModiFace — http://modiface.com

Style My Hair by L’Oreal — http://www.lorealprofessionnel.co.uk/hair-looks/style-my-hair

Slashfilm article: Cool Stuf: LEGO ‘TRON Legacy’ Lightcycles Hit Shelves Next Week — http://www.slashfilm.com/tron-legacy-lightcycle-lego-set/

Alto’s Odyssey — http://www.altosodyssey.com

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