Staying ahead of the race to innovate
At the forefront of emerging digital technologies, from machine learning to human computer interaction, DXC Labs researches and builds prototypes for the future of people, society and business.
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It’s race day at the Texas Motor Speedway, and IndyCar’s finest are lined up and ready to begin the 248 laps of the DXC Technology 600. But the title sponsor has a surprise in store for the watching banks of spectators: A drone appears, carrying beneath it the green flag that will start the race. Once it reaches the starting line, the flag is delivered in flight to DXC's guest starter for the day. And with a wave, they’re off…
This is just one example of emerging technologies that embody speed and agility demonstrated at the race that day: 3D printing, virtual reality, augmented reality, machine learning, and computer vision and voice were among the others. All came courtesy of DXC Labs, a sorcerer’s den of innovation that works with partners and technologists across DXC to ensure that the company is fully equipped with the digital technologies it needs to lead customers through a time of accelerating change.
“It’s our job to understand technology and what it’s capable of—what’s on the horizon in 1 year, 5 years [or] 10,” says Phil Matheson, researcher at DXC.
- Drones: The potential of drones is a perfect example of what Mr. Matheson means. While it was a standard industrial drone that delivered the flag to the starting line, also on display was a special customized drone that is voice-activated and cloud-controlled. Connected to the what3words location app, it could be directed to any precise 3-sq-meter location with a three-word voice command. A special electroencephalography headset demonstrated the possibilities of human computer interaction, allowing the brain’s electrical signals to control the drone. The drone’s camera was equipped with machine learning capabilities, so it could identify objects such as buildings or trees or even human faces.
- Virtual reality: 360-degree footage of the speedway taken by the drone could be viewed on Oculus Go VR headsets, and a 3D model of the track was created from about 1,000 of its high-resolution photographs. The latter capability has potential uses anywhere that a digital rendering can help with exploration, visualization and what-if scenarios.
- Augmented reality (AR): Also featured was an AR-based electronic medical record system. Simply point a tablet’s camera at the bar code on a hospital wristband, and the patient’s health records appear in an overlaid AR view. In addition, DXC Labs has developed a voice-enabled hospital bedside assistant called Ally that can differentiate between patient requests, thus ensuring that registered nurses’ time is not wasted on tasks that could be carried out by nursing assistants.
- 3D printing: 3D printing is another area in which DXC Labs has been particularly active, for example looking at ways to integrate the technology into enterprise resource planning systems. The goal is to provide information on the technical and economic feasibility of 3D printing a particular product compared with traditional manufacturing. DXC Labs’ proof of concept also integrates visual search and a blockchain database.
These are just some of the cutting-edge technologies that DXC Labs is developing, with others including humanoids and quantum computing. They are among the many digital tools in DXC’s toolbox; Sam Johnston, director of advanced technology development at DXC Labs, likens his team’s work to “the tip of the spear”.
Technological change is accelerating,” says Mr. Johnston. “And the best way to contend with that is to adopt these emerging technologies as soon as they’re available to you.”