The PhiSat-1 satellite contains a new hyperspectral-thermal camera and an AI smart camera chip, Intel said. PhiSat-1 is one of a pair of satellites on a mission to monitor polar ice and soil moisture, while also testing intersatellite communication systems, it said. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), PhiSat-1 (Ф-sat-1) is the first experiment to demonstrate how artificial intelligence can be used for Earth observation, filtering out less than perfect images so that only usable data are returned to Earth. PhiSat-1 was launched in early September on the Arianespace SSMS rideshare mission.

Cars are turning into computers with a unique set of requirements. One of the more important components is a camera, which is a secondary feature in PCs. Cameras are aiding mirrors in allowing cars to self park, and they will serve as the eyes for autonomous cars, helping capture and analyze images. The number of cameras on cars will only grow as drivers seek a better view of the vehicle's interiors and exteriors. For car makers, the next big goal is to bring context and understanding to those images.