More than 5,000 attendees, 300 speakers and 300 exhibitors participated in the 2019 Synapse Summit (Synapse), a symposium to help investors, entrepreneurs and leaders build connections in the tech community. The summit was held Jan. 23-24, at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. This event brought together innovators from across Florida and around the world to explore, learn and celebrate innovation and technology. Synapse features illustrations of technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, cryptocurrency, robots, 3D printing, renewables, augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, digital health and financial healthcare.
Jean-Pierre Bardet, dean of the University of Miami College of Engineering (UMCoE), was given the honor to introduce the opening keynote “Innovation Lives Here” by Omar Khan, chief product officer of Magic Leap. Khan gave insights about the company’s first product, the Magic Leap One. This magical and revolutionary headset goes beyond VR and AR. It brings multiple digital worlds into the user’s physical world. The technology, called spatial computing, creates the Magicverse, a novel fusion of digital worlds into the user’s physical space (universe). It brings digital information layers that individuals can overlay in their own space, and touches all types of activities including entertainment, art, sports, work, medicine, etc.
In November 2018, the University of Miami became the first academic partner of Magic Leap to pioneer the next frontier of spatial computing. The partnership is forging new ways to explore art, science, music and other disciplines across all of the University’s 11 schools and colleges. Interdisciplinary teams of faculty members are creating the world’s first spatially-connected campus, and reimagining how students will learn and interact in the future.
Bardet also participated in a panel on the “Immersive Technologies in Education: Bringing Spatial Computing and AR Solutions to Shape the Campus of the Future.” He discussed how spatial computing transports digital information beyond the confines of 2D computer screens, tablets, smartphones, keyboards and mouses. By harnessing sight and sound, this revolutionary technology brings together computers and human brains, as well as senses to produce realistic, interactive experiences. In addition to Bardet, panelists included Kevin Aspegren, vice president of advancement at Florida Polytechnic University; Tim DiFato, associate director for business development at University of Florida; Alex Haber, head of Magic Leap education; Saif Y. Ishoof, vice president for engagement at Florida International University; and moderator Lauren Prager, vice president of communications and programming with Synapse.
“Like eMerge Americas in Miami Beach, the Synapse Summit in Tampa is a key event to connect, develop and strengthen relationships between universities, businesses, entrepreneurs, startups and more,” said Bardet. “Synapse stimulates partnerships with industry leaders to accelerate the translation of discoveries into technological innovations.”
Innovation plays a critical role within the UMCoE roadmap. It drives everything the College does and fosters the creation of new knowledge and its translation into the market so everyone can benefit from technological advances. Innovation is a powerful change agent and a bright beacon that guides the College in its reform of engineering research and education during times of exponential technological growth.
“Technological progress and innovation are moving faster and faster in the industry,” Bardet added. “Symposiums that promote partnerships between academia and industry, like the Synapse Summit, are extremely valuable for research universities, such as UM. As Klaus Schwab said, ‘we are in the midst of a fourth industrial revolution that challenges mind, heart, soul and body.’ In short, we need partners to innovate and stay ahead!”
