FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

SCHOOL OF COMPUTING

SECP1513-09-TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SYSTEM

  MAGICX INDUSTRIAL VISIT ASSIGNMENT

LECTURER’S NAME      : DR. ADILA FIRDAUS BINTI ARBAIN

DATE OF SUBMISSION : 17 OCTOBER 2019

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

REPORT ON MAGICX

TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (SECP1513-09)

ARIF SADIRAN,FAUZHAN IHSANUL,AMIN RAZI

UTM UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

 Report of MaGICX Industrial Visit in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

Date: 6 October 2019

SECP1513-09 : Technology in System

To: Dr. Adila Binti Firdaus

School of Computing (Computer Networks and Security)

__________________________________________________________

Introduction

  This report explained in great detail about an exhibition visit to Media and Game Innovation Centre of Excellence (MaGICX) which was located at T03 in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia(UTM),  Johor Bahru, on 6th October 2019. First and foremost we would like to thank Dr. Adila Firdaus Binti Arbain, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia lecturer of Technology and Innovation System (TIS) subject for giving us the opportunity to get a glimpse of few technologies that are currently being researched by MaGICX , which are 3D printing, car driving simulation, kinect interactive wall, virtual reality and augmented reality.

Details Of Journey

 On 6th October 2019, Sunday we departed to T03 in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia(UTM) via car using Grab service at 1.50 p.m. as there are no transportation provided. At 2.00 p.m., we arrived at T03, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia(UTM) and were explained by Dr.Wong Lih Fong, one of the MaGICX researchers regarding the objective of MaGICX as an organization. We were then divided into 5 sections and explore each booth in turns. The program ends at 4 p.m and we safely arrived at 5 p.m. via UTM Shuttle Bus.

Detailed Descriptions 

  Dr. Wong Lih Fong explained that, Media and Game Innovation Centre of Excellence (MaGICX) was established in 2013 as a strategic cooperation between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) to create an ecosystem of creative industry that are specifically focused on gamification and enrichment of digital content. MaGICX will play an important role as the anchor for the Iskandar Malaysia Innovation Valley envisioned, to provide the necessary support and technical expertise in research, business, publishing, marketing and training for industry players to develop commercially feasible products and services.

  At the MaGICX headquarters, the first project we visited was Kinect Enhancement,  which harnesses the capabilities of the Microsoft Kinect to develop a new and Interactive customer information center as explained by Mr Shafik one of the research officers. It works by detecting a user's face through the camera and be displayed on the monitor. The user interface could be navigated by doing a hand gesture, while the icon could be clicked by doing a grabbing motion. However, this project is still in the development phase, there are still some errors and bugs need to be fixed. The camera could only detect one person per time, if there is more than one faces detected, the system will start to detect each face alternatively. The user interface could navigate smoothly through motion gestures, however, there are still problems in the grabbing motion for clicking function. Overall, we think it was a great invention that could be implemented in self-service center. 

  The second project we visited was the 3d printing device, where it uses plastic filament instead of the usual liquid ink. It will print any model, design by its user. The printer costs around RM8000.The presenter demonstrates on how to use it, by print a small model of a dinosaur. There are some premade designs that could be downloaded at https://www.thingiverse.com/ in STL format. The model could also be edit, by using a software called flashprint. It takes around 5 minutes for the 3D printer to start printing, as it needs to preheat the filament.The 3D printers are usually used to make a prototype for testing new products.

  The third project we visited was about virtual reality (VR) which is a simulation of an application and is mostly used in games. MaGICX's officer explained the real values of virtual reality if it is used in medical and education, where medical trainers could do a practical operation without risking any human lives. MaGICX used a virtual reality device manufactured by Oculus which cost around  RM2500. Amin, one of our group members had the chance to test it. The presenter explained that the virtual reality application looks like a classroom and could be used as an online education in the future.

  Regarding the fourth project, Dr. Wong Lih Fong explained that Augmented Reality(AR) is a live vision of real-world environment that augmented with computer-generated images. There are three types of Augmented Reality which are marker based on augmented reality, markerless augmented reality, projection-based augmented reality and superimposition based augmented reality. In MaGICX, they are using superimposition based augmented reality for their Augmented Reality(AR) project. In superimposition based augmented reality, object recognition plays a vital role. Dr. Wong showcases an application developed by MaGICX which detects a coloured rabbit in a book through the camera, and its image is displayed on the screen.  It is explained that the app could be used to improve children’s learning process by making it more interactive. However, the app could only be used for a specific type of book, which makes it inflexible. It however could be improved by using a synchronized application that could detect every type of book in one application.

  The last project we visited was the car driving simulator, which is one of the applications of computer-aided kinematic and dynamic simulators. Driving simulators place the driver in an artificial environment believed to be a valid substitute for one or more aspects of the actual driving experience. Engineers nowadays are using car simulators to research on vehicle design, intelligent highway design, and human factors studies such as driver behaviors under the influence of drugs, alcohol, and severe weather conditions. Although we were given the chance to test the car simulator, it was not a great experience. The power steering is highly sensitive, which makes it hard to be controlled. However, we think with further improvement, this project could be highly successful especially in a gaming related industry.

Travel Details

  Dr Adila  Firdaus binti Arbain was the lecturer of Technology Information System from section Universiti Teknologi Malaysia prepared the industrial visits to MaGICX at  T03,Universiti Teknologi Malaysia(UTM).

Reflections

  As a computer science student, we often regard ourselves as a future programmer. However, MaGICX industrial visits make us realize that it does not necessarily true. The industrial visit has a great effect on our group, seeing technologies displayed by MaGICX made us aware of the rapid technological changes, ranging from industrial to household technologies. The needs of technologies encouraged our group to be the originator of future innovations. The broad scope of our course, which is computer science make us realize the significance of it, in improving the human qualities of living. These encouraged us to improve ourselves in a lot of aspects ranging from computer skills to communication skills. By utilizing the MaGICX program, we could learn how to be a great entrepreneur under the guidance and training of MaGICX officers, and being one of the people who change the world.

Student Feedback

  The industrial visit went successfully. MaGICX industrial visits showcase a lot of projects,that could be applied to improve the technologies in Malaysia industries.The presenters know what they are explaining and are very helpful.We learn that technologies take time to be developed.Even a simple technologies take a lot of effort to be build, especially regarding the safety for the users.

  This report is prepared by group 3. All of the group’s members take part in preparing this report.