MBZUAI researchers have introduced SURPRISE3D, a benchmark for evaluating 3D spatial reasoning in AI systems, along with a 3D Spatial Reasoning Segmentation (3D-SRS) task. The benchmark includes over 900 indoor scenes and 200,000 language queries paired with 3D masks, emphasizing spatial relationships over object naming. A companion paper, MLLM-For3D, explores adapting 2D multimodal LLMs for 3D reasoning. Why it matters: This work addresses a key limitation in current AI, pushing towards embodied AI that can understand and act in 3D environments based on human-like spatial reasoning.
Marc Pollefeys from ETH Zurich and Microsoft Spatial AI Lab will discuss building 3D environment representations for assisting humans and robots. The talk covers visual 3D mapping, localization, spatial data access, and navigation using geometry and learning-based methods. It also explores building rich 3D semantic representations for scene interaction via open vocabulary queries leveraging foundation models. Why it matters: Advancements in spatial AI and 3D scene understanding are critical for enabling more capable robots and AI assistants in various applications within the region.
This article discusses the evolution of mobile extended reality (MEX) and its potential to revolutionize urban interaction. It highlights the convergence of augmented and virtual reality technologies for mobile usage. A novel approach to 3D models, characterized as urban situated models or “3D-plus-time” (4D.City), is introduced. Why it matters: The development of MEX and 4D.City could significantly enhance user experience and analog-digital convergence in urban environments, offering new possibilities for human-computer interaction.
The article discusses immersive analytics, which uses VR and AR to visualize data in 3D and embed it into the user's environment, and reviews systems and techniques from the Data Visualisation and Immersive Analytics lab at Monash University. It explores the concept of "embodied sensemaking" and its potential to improve how people work with complex data. Professor Tim Dwyer directs the Data Visualisation and Immersive Analytics Lab at Monash University. Why it matters: Immersive analytics could significantly enhance data comprehension and decision-making across various sectors in the Middle East, where large-scale projects and smart city initiatives generate vast datasets.