Sony brings AI and augmented reality to the classrooms at the University of Missouri

The renovation that has been carried out in the educational center has been based on the implementation of the Edge Analytics solution and the SRG-X120 cameras from Sony.

The University of Missouri (University of Central Missouri – UCM), located in Warrensburg, It is a public institution focused on quality education. The university's commitment to student and faculty success permeates every facet of the learning experience, so they have transformed their educational environment using technology integrated by AVI-SPL, including solution Edge Analytics (REA-C1000) artificial intelligence enabled (IA) Customizable Sony and cameras SRG-X120 horizontal and vertical movement (PTZ).

AVI-SPL has installed more than 30 Edge devices - with presenter tracking and writing extraction -, connected with Sony PTZ as a new standard in UCM classrooms and plans to implement other 14 further.

Highlights of the Edge intelligent video analytics solution include the adoption of AI and augmented reality technology to improve the quality of communication and collaboration and make presentations more engaging.

When used in conjunction with Sony PTZ cameras, Edge serves as a virtual camera operator to capture a presentation. Additional licenses can be added to add new features and benefits, such as write extraction and PTZ auto tracking, as well as approach by gestures, chroma keyless CG overlay and focus area cropping.

David Gantz, AVI-SPL account executive, helped specify and support this facility and has helped transform the university's predominantly in-person learning experience.

The university needed to update its facilities to adapt to new teaching and learning methods and was looking for a flexible, easy-to-use solution that would encourage collaboration in any configuration or type of classroom..

UCM team began using Edge Analytics solution and PTZ camera with instructors, who recognized the advantages of this simple technology.

“Instructors love the presenter tracking feature for whiteboarding and presentations. It is very fluid and precise and is easy to teach someone how to use it. The adoption has gone very well because we have been very careful not to make the room complex, because complexity discourages instructors from wanting to use technology”, explains Gantz.

UCM also uses the Edge handwriting extraction license, that leverages augmented reality to ensure that words, the notes, sketches and diagrams on a white or black board remain visible to the public, regardless of presenter location.

In certain classrooms, are exploring chroma keyless CG overlay license, that uses Sony's advanced motion detection technology to extract and overlay the presenter over any image, background animation or video for an instant backdrop without the need for dedicated equipment or resources.

Gantz further noted that new cutting-edge technology gives schools like the University of Central Missouri a competitive advantage and can help recruiting. He maintains that students demand technology.

“To attract students to a school, collaboration and interactivity must be offered. Technology is something that students are born with and use every day.. They expect it to infiltrate every aspect of their lives and education is no exception.. By offering a new level of commitment, new capabilities and a digital mindset, Students can overcome some of the traditional classroom worries and distractions and ensure they have a good view of the instructor and their notes., regardless of where they are sitting”.

Gantz is excited about the future of technology and sees AI and AR as a logical path to enrichment., improvement and commitment. In addition to being attractive, technology, and especially AI and AR, They have a real purpose in education.