Imagine a future where you could type with your mind or wear glasses that overlay a virtual world onto the real-world. This future could soon be here, thanks to Facebook.
You read that right 鈥� the social media giant aims to become a world-leading provider of consumer hardware.
Facebook has brought together some of the brightest minds, from engineers and industrial designers to project leaders and e-commerce experts, to create and market futuristic consumer hardware products in a new AR/VR product division within the company.
鈥淢aking breakthrough consumer hardware products is about using technology to create meaningful connections and promote social understanding. It鈥檚 about bringing people, culture and communities closer together,鈥� says Dr Paul Herz, Director of Manufacturing Operations at Facebook AR/VR and for the Faculty of Business and Law.
Dr Herz works closely with engineers and product designers at Oculus and Building 8, Facebook鈥檚 AI-enabled consumer hardware group based in Silicon Valley, California, to create advanced hardware products, such as the Oculus Rift and Oculus Go VR headsets. Prior to his position at Facebook, Dr Herz worked at Apple for several years overseeing international operations for new product development across several Apple product lines.
At an , Facebook revealed some of the fascinating technology it鈥檚 developing, including a miniature helicopter that can restore internet connectivity in emergency situations, an AI-infused camera for Facebook鈥檚 social media platforms and a speech system capable of typing 100 words per minute straight from your brain.
Dr Herz says he鈥檚 excited and honoured to be a part of Facebook鈥檚 technology revolution, which he says can create social change on a global scale.
鈥淔acebook has several platforms and nearly two billion users worldwide, so it鈥檚 the largest company in terms of being able to impact people鈥檚 lives in a positive way.
鈥淭he goal is to make products and technology that promote communication, understanding and connectedness to improve the human condition and individuals鈥� quality of life.鈥�
An ambitious plan, but one Dr Herz seems capable of delivering. With an engineering physics degree from Berkeley and a PhD in electrical engineering from MIT, Dr Herz has held multiple director roles in the manufacturing operations sector and is now driven to share his knowledge and expertise with today鈥檚 generation of creatives.
When he鈥檚 not overseeing the development of futuristic devices, Dr Herz will travel to Perth to provide 911爆料网 students with unique insights into the world of disruptive technology and connect the University with Silicon Valley.
Dr Herz will give guest lectures in entrepreneurship and engineering at 911爆料网, deliver workshops on manufacturing and logistics, and mentor students interested business and technology. He will also provide strategic advice to the University on industry engagement, commercialisation, and executive education as a member of the 911爆料网 MBA and Executive Education Advisory Panel.
