REPORT : MAGIX

Report of Media and Game Innovation Centre of Excellence (MaGICX)

Date: 16 OCTOBER 2019

SECP1513-09 : Technology in System

To: Dr. Adila Binti Firdaus

School of Computing (Computer Networks and Security)

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Introduction:

          This visit was carried out based on our assignment that was given to us. We must write an industrial report on MaGICX. In a group of three to four people, the report must base on the criteria that was stated in the Industrial Visit 1-MaGICX SEM II 1920 rubric. The report should not exceeded 1500 words and not less than 1000 words long. A copy of our report must be submitted via e-learning and one in e-portfolio. We would like to thank Dr. Adilah Binti Firdaus and Centre for Information and Communication Technology (CICT) for the industrial visit that was held on 6^th of October 2019. The industrial visit was held at T03, Level 1, Universiti Industry Research Laboratory (UIRL), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. T03 is one of the building that are far from the Lingkaran Ilmu where most of the faculty placed. Before our tour started, there was a briefieng and introduction that was given by Mr. Wong Lih Fong, one of the researchers at MaGICX.

Details of Journey:

          MaGICX a short form for Media and Game Innovation Centre of Excellence (MaGICX) that was established in 2013. MaGICX was a strategic cooperation between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). They wanted to advertise the environment and development of creative industry that focuses on gamification and enhancement of digital content. MaGICX play an important part as the anchor for Iskandar Malaysia Innovation Valley that provide the industry with researched and development (R&D), business evolution, marketing and training. They believed that they will create a stimulating environment for everyone ehich they will be inspired. They also created a portfolio that they claimed that were able to enhance their brand name in the gaming industry. They have dozens of industries that have made MaGICX works great, some of them are Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM), Institusi Teknologi Petroleum Petronas (INSTEP) and also ANIMONSTA.

            There are five products that were showcase during the tour:

Firstly, we tried out Kinnect. Kinnect was XBOX based application that was built by one of the researchers in MaGICX. The purpose of Kinnect is to give information in an interesting way, for this tour they were displaying about MaGICX. The Kinnect only detects one person standing in front of the camera, but it may vary based on the programmers needs. Kinnect uses XBOX SDK that were free to develop this programme and used c-sharp as the programming language. One of the researchers said that it may take 3 months to build the programme. the Kinnect can be configure to other tasks such as indoor sports, presentation and even communicate. We think that Kinnect will give a big impact in the digital industry and also in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0).

2. Virtual Reality (VR)

We went to the second booth which was a virtual reality (VR). Virtual Reality was a simulation of the real world in an application. It can be similar or maybe completely different from the real world. Mostly, VR used for demonstrating a real lfe like game. For example, first person shooter (fps) game. They simulate the scene in a virtual world to give the user the idea how fps feels. MaGICX used a VR set that was manufactured by Oculus. Oculus build Oculus Quest (VR set) and sold it worldwide. It cost about RM2500. The oculus quest works by using an embedded application inside the system and control it via mobile phone or even laptop. The first setup of the oculus quest needs Bluetooth to connect. It will simulate games, or even walkthrough. We can install our own VR capable application into the system. We can say that, this the future of human’s life. VR can be implemented into national security by sending robots or AI into a war zone and being controlled by soldiers in a safe building. This technology may save many lives but may give problems.

3. 3D Printer.

Then, we visited the 3D printing lab. This lab consists only the 3D printer itself and some personal computer (pc). 3D printer was a printer that will print object by using plastic filament based on the user needs. The printer cost about RM 4000 and above. This was one of the expensive technologies that they showcased. How does it work? The user will download their design at https://www.thingiverse.com/ and they will open the fill in an application that were specifically to customize the design. Then the design will be transfer to the printer. Before the printer start to print, it will take a couple of minutes to heat up. After that, it will print the desired design. Company usually charge their customer by hours. The longer it takes to print the design, the higher the price that the customer needs to pay. We can see that the printer will help us to make an easy prototype without using any other objects. It may cost us very mush to print.

4. Augmented Reality (AR)

MAGIX also have AR and we visited it. They have produced two product and it is publicly use. The name of the two product is ‘WARNA’ and ‘Doa Harian AMEEN’. The work of the product is user need to download the original product online first and purchase the book. Both ‘Warna’ and ‘Doa Harian Ameen’ have the same way to run it, after downloading the scanner from app store, user need to move their camera to scan the certain page from the book and only after then the program works. The product that their developing was really suited for children because they can play and also learn at the same time. One of the products they have is the book that can be coloured and the AR also run with the same colour that applied from the book.

In this topic, by developing this more will give a huge positive response especially in developing the children creativity by giving them the chance to recreate and making new things because they can explore other things that may possible in their imagination that some adult never thing about.

5. Car Simulator

Our group also visited the car simulator room. Inside this room there was many PC at one side of the wall and they all attached together that make it look like a huge TV. There is one stirring wheel, one chair and other components that a car usually have, are connected to the PC. It is kind of similar with the ordinary car games we could find at mall. The coordinator from MAGIX said that this product is still under development. It is well acknowledged by some students that got the chance to tried the car simulator. As we also heard that the students hardly to move the car.

With further development in this product, it will be a great choice to replace the original driving practice or the driving test that cost a lot more money because in real life the car will need to refuel it, will reduce the cost of car repair, and even better it will not disturb other drivers at the road.