Microsoft will stop support for the Cortana app on Windows before the end of this year, but may be preparing a new digital assistant for mobile devices. The company has also filed a patent application for a smart backpack (!) with artificial intelligence.
The proposed backpack will have a camera, microphone and other sensors to collect visual and auditory data from the environment. It could then use this data to complete voice commands given by the user.
According to the patent filing, the backpack could provide navigation assistance, add calendar events, compare prices while shopping, and more. It will have access to the user's data to help provide relevant information.
Microsoft says many current digital assistants are limited to the home and aren't as useful on the go. This backpack aims to bring wearable AI that senses the environment around it.
The user will be able to activate the backpack's AI via buttons on the straps, with different buttons activating different functions. Possible use cases include asking for hands-free directions while walking or asking the backpack to identify an item while shopping to hear reviews.
This particular patent shows Microsoft's interest in extending AI capabilities to wearable devices beyond watches and glasses. It also reinforces Microsoft's broader efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into its products and services, from Office 365 to Bing.
However, it also illustrates the experimental side of AI development. Talking backpacks, according to the company, are another way to showcase the potential of artificial intelligence.
