Microsoft Contemplates AI-Powered Backpack That Helps ‘See’ Your Surroundings

With smartphones taking on the role of a mini computer in one’s pocket, could the time be coming to revolutionize the good ol’ backpack? If Microsoft has anything to say about it, the answer could be yes, as the technology giant has just unveiled a wearable in this very shape.

Powered by artificial intelligence, this smart backpack was recently cleared by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), claiming to be able to identify objects in a wearer’s surrounding environment, take on tasks, fetch information from the cloud, and pair with other devices nearby.

It could certainly be a viable helper to visually-impaired customers who require an overview of the environment, all of which will be captured and conveyed via a built-in camera, microphone, speaker, network interface, processor, and storage space.

In the patent, Microsoft offered examples of the backpack’s uses. These include being able to inform the wearer if a ski direction is out of bounds, ask for a date to be added to the calendar, or even identify the price of an item in the grocery store.

“The present concepts relate to an artificial intelligence-assisted smart wearable that can function as a hands-free digital assistant,” the firm described.

“Moreover, the wearable may be context-aware such that a user can provide contextual commands that relate to the environment in which the user is situated, and the wearable can understand the contextual command,” it continued.

While it’s unclear when or if this incredible backpack will ever come to market, there aren’t many smart bags currently available. Perhaps, Microsoft’s patented idea could become a staple item in the future.

[via Interesting Engineering and MSPoweruser, images via various sources]