I like watching some movies about dogs, especially about guide dogs.

Perhaps it is an exaggeration to say that dogs are man's most loyal friends. However, it is no exaggeration to say that guide dogs are the most reliable friends of the blind. Apart from crutches, family members and enthusiastic passers-by, probably only guide dogs can accompany the blind.

However, although guide dogs are loyal and lovely, it is difficult for them to die with their owners. Also because of the estrangement between species, we can't communicate with our host more deeply. This is perhaps the biggest regret of the blind and the biggest regret of the guide dog. Especially when the guide dog leaves before the owner, how lonely the owner is! Moreover, when the owner left, the guide dog was so sad.

So I thought a long time ago, if advanced technology can equip the blind with an artificial intelligence guide dog, how happy it will be!

At the Microsoft Build 20 16 conference, I finally saw what I expected. Although it is not a cute dog, it shows me the future.

"I am Sakib Sheikh! Saqib shaikh, a software engineer for the blind, appeared in front of us and began to tell his story, telling artificial intelligence and his story with a video. He has a new life because of artificial intelligence.

Relying on Seeing AI, an artificial intelligence project being developed by Microsoft, saqib shaik "saw" his world through smart phones and Pivothead smart glasses.

What does he think of the world? Take a look at the short video of Microsoft, and you will get a general idea. Here, we might as well take some pictures.

One, in the street, there is a boy playing skateboard. Saqib shaikh slides a part of smart glasses. Smart glasses take pictures in front of them. By recognizing this shot, smart glasses convert the shot into language and tell saqib shaikh that a handsome boy is playing skateboard. Sakib Sheikh smiled.

Second, in the reception room, there are several gentlemen and a beautiful lady. Saqib shaikh slides a part of the smart glasses, and the smart glasses tell him that this is a 40-year-old man and that is a beautiful girl around 20 years old. Sakib Sheikh smiled.

Third, in the restaurant, the waiter handed the menu. Sakib Sheikh took out his mobile phone, photographed the menu, and then told him the recipes on the menu, so that Sakib Sheikh could take it easy.

These, for a blind person, are very good.

I even think this short video about the blind and artificial intelligence is the warmest scene at the Microsoft Build 20 16 conference, full of Microsoft's money desire. Perhaps, Microsoft put this clip at the end of the day's activities, and it also has the purpose of showing its humanity. Even if it is an advertisement, I feel it is a very touching and imaginative "public service advertisement". Isn't it?

Moreover, the products displayed in this "public service advertisement" are very similar to my dream industrial intelligent guide dog. Although, it is far less lovely than a guide dog.

However, the practical functions displayed by this future product are far stronger than those of VR that only do gimmicks on pornographic websites, right? At least I think so.

However, how deep is Microsoft's "guide dog" into the people?

I feel that it will take a long time and a long way for Microsoft brand "guide dog" to enter the folk and real civilian use. Why?

First, its actual combat goal is not enough, and its actual effect is not very strong.

Judging from the video of the conference, this product is still a laboratory product. Some recognizable images are more specific or typical pictures. If you face a complex world, this product needs more powerful recognition ability. Because, a blind man is not only faced with lovely young men, beautiful girls and delicious food. It is fundamental to identify some unexpected unknown situations and solve problems for the blind. From the current point of view, the actual combat goal of AI is not very rich, and the actual effect is not very strong.

Second, its price is still difficult to popularize.

Judging from the present situation, it must be very expensive. At the beginning, the expensive price of Google Glass once discouraged consumers. Microsoft's AR glasses Hololens are only for developers and corporate partners, and the price is as high as 3,000 US dollars (about RMB 1945 1 yuan). Relatively speaking. Looking at the price of AI and its supporting products will not be much lower. I'm afraid this price level is difficult to popularize in a short time, especially for users in developing countries with backward economic level.

Third, some unknown hidden dangers of this product are still uncertain.

As I said before, this is still a laboratory product. What are the hidden dangers in the future? We don't know yet. Will it "come down" to some extent? Will it suddenly fall? Will it give the wrong instructions? Will it make users feel uncomfortable? Even, will it be used by hackers? These problems are not very clear at present.

But anyway, I still like the creativity and humanistic care of this product. I imagine that in the future, one of its products can be made into a dog like a plush toy, which will be convenient and enjoyable for blind friends. How good would that be? I remember a robot dog playing with its owner before. Then it seems that the real Microsoft brand "guide dog" can also be expected.

How far will the Microsoft brand "guide dog" at the Microsoft Build conference go to the people? We are looking forward to that day!