Winking Studio is taking gaming to the next level with new 3-D technology. The AI based ware comes as a user friendly creative tool for producing animated characters. Rita Liu gives all the details on how to use the innovative features for making the next on screen character.
Click below for the podcast interview.
At the Acer Computer presentation, the Taiwan company showed an intriguing new AI based technology for gaming. Winking Studios, an art source gaming development company that enables users to create 2D and 3D works for platforms. The big question is: Can this technology go beyond gaming?
An exclusive interview with the head Winking Studios’ AI head Rita Liu.
Winking, what is the background of the company?
Winking Studios was established in 2003. With over 20 years of game development and art outsourcing experience, Winking Studios has over 800 employees through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Suzhou. Our expertise includes art outsourcing and full project development, across PC, Mobile, Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, and PS5.
Our partnership with the top companies in the business allows us to perfect our craft to the finest. We continue to deliver the most exceptional work for our partners around the globe, such as Activision Blizzard, EA, Bungie, Ubisoft, Riot Games, SQUARE ENIX, NCSoft, NEXON. Over the years, Winking Studios has been part of many great projects, including Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Destiny 2, Skull & Bones, Lineage 2M, Genshin Impact, Final Fantasy XIV, Blade & Soul 2, and Onmyoji.
In 2023, Winking Studios launched its AI Research Lab. We introduced GenMotion.AI, its first AI tool created to support and empower animation professionals in producing high-quality content.
Do you see Winking as a disruptive technology?
Our approach to this AI tool is different, with the focus not solely on AI itself. We designed GenMotion.AI to boost animators’ productivity, with AI technology simply helping us reach that goal. We know that no innovation changes things overnight; only tools that integrate seamlessly into existing workflows are truly practical. This tool is set to revolutionize the art production process—not by disrupting it, but by enhancing it.
How could this tech go beyond gaming?
Currently, our tool is designed for animation professionals, providing advanced editing options to fine-tune their work. We plan to expand its accessibility to anyone wanting to express their creativity. We will offer intuitive options to help bring their ideas to life.
Is there a certain skill needed to use Winking?
You’ll need to enter a prompt, and currently, since the tool is designed for animation professionals, some skill is needed to apply the animation to a 3D model within 3D software or game engines. However, we plan to make GenMotion.AI accessible to users without specialized skills in the near future, offering them the same quality we provide to professionals.
How would the average person use Winking Art Modeling?
Our future updates will expand the tool’s accessibility to both seasoned professionals and amateur creators. Users will be able to choose from a variety of 3D models, using an intuitive interface that simplifies animation generation, making it easier than ever to bring their creative visions to life.
Acer presented Wining Studios technology at the IFA 2024 in Berlin
Digital X in Cologne, the digitalization event started by German Telekom hits the mark for technology gatherings. On September 18th and 19th, brands, experts and press discuss topics concerning: cybersecurity, sustainability, connected business and future of work.
The fifty thousand attendees moved from one staging area to another talking to individuals and teams concerning the future of digital interaction.
I found it a bit contradictory, the topic of Connected Business as many technology companies are requiring return to offices. Since the Covid Lockdowns, Virtual, Augmented and Immersive Reality devices and gadgets have advance rapidly. Apple’s Vision Pro, Meta’s Quest and Microsoft’s HoloLens are being promoted as the next generation of tech headsets.
The Huawei IdeaHub ES2 introduced me to the Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) term. The hardware is compatible with Zoom and Microsoft Teams platforms for distanced collaborations. The smart whiteboard, camera and speaker/voice incorporate Z-Tech technology. The applications for this technology go beyond corporate office usage. The educational potential is boundless. Higher learning is about to get disrupted. Schools and universities could use the entire hardware system and platforms digital classes, eliminated the need for physical classes. Students log in to a session with an instructor and can download the lecture via a QR code.
Curiously, giant IBM offered a fashion and tech melody. The US company works with clothing brands an AI profile matrix for brands to better understand customer needs and purchasing habits. Given the poor financial health of online sales platforms, maybe this could help, but I have a few doubts.
I would like to write better about start-ups area in Cologne; however, Germany is still a country trying to embrace the business trend while trying to stay in the risk adverse box. Originality requires going out on a limb. Many of the ideas at the different booths seemed more safe copies of tried concepts.
Schedule Digital X on your tech calendar for 2025, this get together is well worth the time.
Digital X in Cologne hits September 18th. The latest news in innovation and digital technology will get our attention this season.
At IFA Berlin, BalconyFarm showed how city dwellers can grow not only plants, but also herbs in windows. The Seoul start-up has developed an intimate gardening eco-system based on smart gardening.
Read the exclusive interview with CEO Sungwoo Kim.
Why did you decide to start BalconyFarm?
The idea of the window-inserted smart farm, BalconyFarm, actually started back in 2012. Since the 1950s, the mass supply of standardized collective housing has accompanied global urbanization, leading to the growth of the system furniture, kitchen, and home appliance markets. However, there have been almost no new proposals regarding windows, which are truly important. So, I wanted to bring a change to the window itself. Since establishing my architectural design office in 2011, I have designed and completed around 40 projects, while over 3 million apartments have been built in Korea. Completing individual buildings beautifully is important, but I also wanted to participate in the collective housing market, which has already been built in large quantities and continues to be constructed, to transform and improve the living spaces for more people.
Was there a trigger for the ideal?
In 2020, when I began research on windows, a steel company called Daehan Steel commissioned my office to design a master plan for a large scale smart farm named GREF. At that time, the global agricultural production was suffering due to the climate crisis. While acquiring knowledge about smart farms, I came up with the idea of a home-use small smart farm integrated with windows. With the support of Daehan Steel, I was able to officially start product development.
How simple is plant growth process?
All you need to do is insert the pot containing the plant seeds or seedlings into the seedbed and scan the QR code on the package. Then, all plant-related data is automatically registered in the BalconyFarm. After that, you just need to refill the water and nutrient solution once a week when you receive a water shortage alert on your smartphone. The light, airflow and water needed for the plants are all automatically controlled by the BalconyFarm.
This is not just for plants, a person can grow herbs, correct?
Of course. You can grow about 40 different types of plants, including various herbs such as basil, rosemary, arugula, and chives.
An in-house vertical smart-farm, does this require a lot space?
Typical small smart farm products, no matter how compact, inevitably take up living space since they are mostly designed like shelves or standard home appliances. In contrast, the main feature of BalconyFarm is that it doesn’t occupy any space at all. It is inserted into the wall thickness where the window is installed, so even when installed in a very small room or a studio-type house, there is no waste of space.
How did you dumb proof this product for people with brown thumbs? Please explain the app control.
As explained earlier, all you need to do is insert the seeds or seedlings into the seedbed and scan the QR code. There’s nothing else you need to do. If any issues arise that the BalconyFarm cannot control, the app will automatically provide additional instructions, such as opening the window for ventilation or refilling the water. The app’s avatar, CONY, will send you notifications to take action accordingly. The BalconyFarm app is designed with an interface that mirrors the actual BalconyFarm, making it easy to understand intuitively. For example, when the lights come on in the BalconyFarm, the app also automatically lights up. Similarly, if the watering nozzle in the BalconyFarm retracts, it is reflected exactly the same way in the app.
As architect, design is important, what principles did you apply from that discipline to Balcony Farm?
BalconyFarm was created to help plants grow. The focus was not on making the BalconyFarm product stand out, but rather on highlighting the plants themselves. To enjoy the view coming through the window alongside the growing plants, the design of the BalconyFarm had to be as minimal as possible. Even when plants are not being grown, the frame’s angle was delicately adjusted and designed to allow light to flow along its surface, so as not to block the light and view coming through the window. The indicators showing the status of the BalconyFarm were also minimized to make it look like part of the window itself.
How much does your system cost? How would this technology work in old windows?
The expected launch price in Korea is 1,000 euros for the BalconyFarm DUO, 700 euros for the BalconyFarm SOLO, and 140 euros for the Balcony Farm POT. The launch in Europe or the United States will likely be next year. I should be able to provide the exact prices then.
When applying it to existing windows, we are researching ways to attach it to the window like furniture. However, to fully utilize the features of the Balcony Farm, I recommend replacing the oldest window with a new one that has the BalconyFarm inserted.
From IFA Berlin, we managed to nab some podcast interviews with tech pioneers.
At IFA Berlin there is always new devices and gadgets to find among the twenty-eight halls, some from big brands, some from start ups
More tech news and reviews coming soon.
IFA is coming this September. The large consumer electronics and technology event celebrates its Centennial in 2024 in Berlin.
This year there will be many elephants in the room
Artificial Intelligence continues to be a big question mark. The fear and misunderstanding of the new technology continue to baffle industry and individuals.
Recently, tech giant Google lost a big anti-trust case in the United States. Will the Mountain View company have to sell Chrome browser or Android operation system?
Tech and consumer brands are getting squeezed by costs resulting in many industry layoffs.
As consumers face higher prices, many have resisted upgrades, delaying expensive purchases.
Geopolitics continue to play a larger role in technology development and innovation. With China producing more sophisticated chips, other countries could break away from Western centric devices, platforms and operating systems.
IFA 2024 starts September 4th.
IFA 2023 had some curious devices on display. The Global tech event never disappoints for debuting newest and sometimes curious gadgets that may or may not be in a store near you.
What are some of the highlights from InnoTrans 2022? A lot. I will post more soon.
Exhibits that struck a cord with me at the transportation fair.
Grammer Seating, LG Lighting, Vienna Metro, VDL Bus, Koncar Tram.