Project Precog – A Dual-Screen Laptop from ASUS that is Powered by A.I.

 

Asus displays its pioneering work with a dual-display laptop on Tuesday at Computex in Taipei; foretelling the innovations to happen over personal computers in the coming years.

 

Project Precog is a concept computer by Asus which involves a twin display PC coupled with Artificial intelligence. With the company hoping to bring the product to market by 2019, the future of dual computers seems all the more plausible.

 

In regard to the prototype, the screens measure around 14 inches and come with a refined elegant metallic body. Asus hasn’t disclosed the specifications or cost details as the final market product may be subject to a lot of changes. Yet, the possibilities of this innovative prototype have left many captivated.

 

Asus’ creators mark on the flexible design of Project Precog where the screen bends to a full 360-degree. They reinstate that this design offers a whole range of configurations making it suitable for any use; one can use it in the tent formation, fold it around to use as a tablet or use it in the customary laptop stance where the bottom screen doubles as a keyboard. It could also be laid completely flat on a table where two people sitting across can enjoy a good game. Precog could also double as a semi-desktop setup by connecting to a wireless keyboard and by placing the two screens in a portrait mode.

 

Asus demonstrated on some of the workings of the Precog showcasing the efficient work interference where the displays could take up different tasks; with one screen displaying videos while the other showed chat windows or how the system can receive excel suggestions while simultaneously allowing you to work on a document.

 

Another interesting feature of the Project Precog, which in the future can prove to be a keystone for more innovations that are yet to come, is its integration with Intel’s Artificial intelligence. By means of providing PC creators with inventive tools and resources, the US chip giant looks to revolutionizing the PC program in developing smart and dynamic computers. With the might of AI and thorough software integration, Project Precog looks to utilize its 14-inch dual displays to its full potential.

 

 

Precog comes with an Intel Movidius visual processing unit which is deft at detecting the placement of your hands on the system. As the Asus Head of Marketing Marcel Campos discusses, the Movidius powered camera is quick to detect and readily enables a virtual keyboard to appear right under your fingers.  For users, the absence of a physical keyboard can be a letdown but if one doesn’t mind the flat typing surface or isn’t concerned with using an external set of keyboard, this wouldn’t be an issue.

 

Recent years have seen the rise of many prototypes that try to work out the concept of dual screens; the slide-out panel of Lenovo's behemoth, the bulky Acer Iconia 6120. Project Precog, which shares a resemblance to Lenovo Yoga book, looks to bringing back the prominence and workability of two-screen design that started with initiatives like Project Taichi, a dual-screen device, Asus showed in 2012. For now, Project Precog may be sharing the spotlight with Lenovo who are to promote their second generation Yoga book.

 

With Asus working on making it a viable product, all one can do is wait for a year or so to see if the Precog makes it out to the market or does it remain as an innovative concept.