Wearing his self-developed augmented reality glasses, Steve Mann makes a keynote speech at the launch ceremony of the future technology research institute in Xiamen, in Fujian province, on June 26. [Photo/taihainet.com]

A potential cutting-edge technological watershed moment occurred when the city of Xiamen in eastern Fujian province launched a future technology research institute on June 26.

The institute was initiated by Steve Mann – considered by some to be the world's first cyborg, who has been referred to as the "father of wearable computing" -- and Jiang Wenjun, secretary-general of the China Wearable Computing Innovation and Strategic Alliance.

Mann has been wearing computers to help his vision since the 1970s era and he currently has a display screen mounted over his right eye, linking him to a computer and the internet.

Officials said the new institute will focus on the next generation of information technology, including artificial intelligence, augmented reality, machine learning, wearable computers, brainwave interactive sensing and other cutting-edge technologies.

Mann and his team would serve as the think tank of the institute.

Mann is a Canadian researcher and inventor best known for his work on augmented reality, computational photography, particularly wearable computing and high dynamic range imaging.

The institute will also introduce world-class scientific and technological achievements from the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe and other places to Xiamen for industrialization.