I was at 2013 ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) SIGGRAPH (Special Interest Group for Computer Graphics), the sector which created
- Special Effects for TV/FILM
most notable disrupter was PIXAR (founded by Dr Ed Catmull, the Computer Science PhD whose dream was to use Computers to make films)
- LUCRATIVE Computer Gaming sector
via GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), notably Nvidia & ATI (owned by AMD)
- Scientific Visualization
most notable is NCSA (National Center for SUpercomputing Applications) which invented the CAVE Virtual Reality simulator. You will often see "NCSA U of Illinois" credits, in many Astronomy related Outreach programs, where Scientific Visualization (3D animations/simulations) are used.
NCSA was founded by U of Illinois astronomer Dr Larry Smarr, who needed supercomputers for his galaxy simulation work. He was in adjoining ACP (Advanced Computation Bldg), next to Coordinated Science Laboratory where Martin Eberhard, myself, & others (Dr Steve Cross, who later would become Georgia-Tech Vice President & President of GTRI/GaTech Research Institute) were at the AARG (Advanced Automation Research Group). The triplicate Computer Vision / Robotics / Artificial Intelligence sector (Core Technology for the Google Car, i.e. robot cars aka AVN..Autonomous Vehicle Navigation), where Dr Smarr visited. Since we got the 1st GE (General Electric) CCD cameras, the CCD was a major Technology "disrupter" that revolutionized Professional Astronomy
I'm working on a Technology Initiative involving Motorsports & Automotive (Tesla Motors possibly a client), to get Silicon Valley Tech involved as Technology Partner
I made many queries about Tesla Motors. PIXAR people tell me there are SIX Model S in their parking lot. Loren Carpenter (former Boeing engineer, 1 of PIXAR founding principals), who posts on TMC, has both a Roadster & Model S. I met Dr Ed Catmull at SIGGRAPH '08 (?), where he told me he had his eye on the Model S. I assume he has one.
Nvidia had a Model S in their booth, as part of their Automotive Division (Audi is also a client):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chimpanzee/sets/72157634769301497/
1 of my old Research friends (back when I was grad student at U of Illinois, along w/Martin Eberhard) is at Nvidia Research, so we are talking about some potential Business & R&D opportunities.
Emerging Technology/Economy of "Smart Cars" (ALternative Fuel..hybrid/electric, Smart Comunication over the Grid, Web/Internet Integration for Entertainment, etc)
..where Tesla Motors is a clear "disrupter" (if they can make adjustments, esp their Organization/Infrastructure to...xxxx)
Agile/Mobile/Hostile accurately describes the Future of Computing:
Mobile Computing
Many leading researchers (Google, Stanford Computer Science, etc) were seen walking around with Google Glasses (has a HUD, Heads Up Display). 3 months from Market. Imagine this "TEchnology Integration" with a high-Tech Tesla Model S -- Drive -by-Wire & HUD. Sounds like a fighter-aircraft..
Space-Age is truly coming to Automotive ("Smart Car").
Google Car (AVN..Autonomous Vehicle Navigation) is also part of Smart Car Technology, AUdi just demo'd their robot car at the recent 2013 CES (Consumer Electronics Show) Lexus demo'd their AVN Research at 2013 CES (Media Day & NOrth Hall exhibition) at 2013 CES.
US Military is being "disrupted" by UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), "robot weapons". THere is a similar/parallel "disruption" in AUtomotive, the Smart Car. All sorts of "automation" (parking, collision detection/avoidance, navigation, etc) is coming.
