Xiaoyuan Tu facts for kids

Xiaoyuan Tu (born 1967) is a Chinese computer scientist and researcher. She is an expert in areas like machine learning (which teaches computers to learn from data), behavior modeling, and creating smart virtual characters. She earned her Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Toronto. Currently, she works as a lead scientist and software engineer at Apple Inc. There, she helps create new technologies for motion control and recognition.

Education

Xiaoyuan Tu started her higher education at Tsinghua University. She earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree there. Her studies focused on control theory (how to make systems behave in a desired way) and information science (how information is processed and used).

Later, she went to McMaster University. From 1990 to 1991, she earned her Master of Science degree in computer science. Her research focused on algorithms for parallel computation. This means making computers work on many tasks at the same time to solve problems faster.

Right after, she joined the University of Toronto. In 1996, she completed her Ph.D. in computer science. Her Ph.D. paper was titled "Artificial Animals for Computer Animation: Biomechanics, Locomotion, Perception, and Behavior". This amazing work helped her win the ACM Doctoral Dissertation Award. She was the first woman and the first Canadian academic to receive this important award.

Career in Tech

After finishing her Ph.D., Tu worked briefly at Silicon Graphics as a researcher. She also taught as a guest lecturer at Stanford University. Soon after, she joined Intel as a research scientist.

Early Work

At Intel, Xiaoyuan Tu helped develop a 3D animation system. This system was used to create "intelligent virtual characters." These are like smart computer-generated characters that can move and act on their own. She also led the creation of an interactive shopping system.

Starting AiLive

In May 2000, she left Intel to co-found a company called AiLive Inc with Wei Yen. At AiLive, she was a lead scientist and product manager. Her team worked on using machine learning algorithms in video games. This technology, called middleware, helps games run smoothly.

She also worked on LiveMotion, a program that recognized, tracked, and controlled motion in games. This technology was very important for Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus controller. It helped create a whole new generation of games that players controlled with their movements.

Working at Apple

In December 2009, Xiaoyuan Tu joined Apple. She now works on developing motion recognition and control for new iOS devices like iPhones and iPads. She has played a key role in designing and creating several important features, including:

• Orientation Recognition: Helping devices know which way they are being held.
• Raise to Talk: A feature that lets you talk to your device by simply raising it.
• iOS Motion Activity Classification: Helping your device understand if you are walking, running, or standing still.
• Compass Algorithms: Improving how the compass works on iOS devices.
• iOS CoreMotion Technology: The main technology that handles motion sensing in Apple devices.

During her time at Apple, she has also been recognized as an inventor on several patents. These include patents for AirDrop data encryption, better Magnetometer mapping on iOS devices, and Apple CarPlay automation.

Awards and Recognition

• ACM Doctoral Dissertation Award: For her Ph.D. paper, "Artificial Animals for Computer Animation: Biomechanics, Locomotion, Perception, and Behavior."
• Technical Excellence Award: From the Canadian Academy of Multimedia and Arts.

Books

• Artificial animals for computer animation (1999)

See also

In Spanish: Tu Xiaoyuan para niños