Latest news with #Chronos
Geeky Gadgets
4 days ago
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Forecast Anything with Transformers with Chronos or PatchTST
What if you could predict the future—not just in abstract terms, but with actionable precision? From forecasting energy demand to anticipating retail trends, the ability to make accurate predictions has become a cornerstone of modern decision-making. Enter transformer-based models, a new advancement originally designed for natural language processing but now transforming time-series forecasting. Among these, Chronos and PatchTST have emerged as standout tools, offering unparalleled accuracy and adaptability for even the most complex datasets. Whether you're grappling with noisy healthcare data or modeling long-term climate trends, these models promise to redefine what's possible in predictive analytics. In this exploration, Trelis Research explains how transformers like Chronos and PatchTST are reshaping the forecasting landscape. We'll delve into their unique architectures, such as self-attention mechanisms and data segmentation into 'patches,' that allow them to capture intricate patterns and long-range dependencies with ease. Along the way, you'll discover their real-world applications across industries like finance, energy, and healthcare, and learn why their scalability and precision make them indispensable tools for tackling today's forecasting challenges. By the end, you might just see forecasting not as a daunting task, but as an opportunity to unlock new possibilities. Transformer Models for Forecasting What Makes Transformer-Based Models Ideal for Forecasting? Originally developed for natural language processing, transformers have demonstrated remarkable versatility in time-series forecasting. Unlike traditional statistical methods or recurrent neural networks, transformers process entire sequences simultaneously, allowing them to capture long-range dependencies in data. This unique capability allows them to handle complex datasets with greater speed and accuracy. From financial metrics to environmental data, transformers excel at identifying patterns and trends, making them a preferred choice for modern forecasting tasks. Their adaptability is another key strength. Transformers can be fine-tuned to suit various datasets and forecasting objectives, making sure optimal performance across industries. This flexibility, combined with their ability to process high-dimensional data efficiently, positions transformers as a fantastic force in predictive analytics. Chronos: A Flexible and Scalable Forecasting Model Chronos is a transformer-based model specifically designed to simplify forecasting across multiple domains. Its architecture uses self-attention mechanisms to detect intricate patterns and trends in time-series data. This makes Chronos particularly effective in scenarios where understanding complex temporal relationships is critical, such as stock market analysis, supply chain optimization, or energy demand forecasting. One of Chronos's standout features is its scalability. By incorporating advanced feature engineering and efficient training processes, Chronos maintains high performance even when working with large and complex datasets. This scalability ensures that the model remains reliable and accurate, regardless of the size or complexity of the forecasting task. Its ability to adapt to various industries and applications makes it a versatile tool for organizations aiming to enhance their predictive capabilities. Time-Series Forecasting with Chronos and PatchTST: A Complete Guide Watch this video on YouTube. Below are more guides on transformers from our extensive range of articles. PatchTST: A Targeted Approach to Time-Series Data PatchTST adopts a specialized approach to time-series forecasting by dividing data into smaller segments, or 'patches.' This segmentation enables the model to focus on localized patterns within the data before synthesizing broader insights. This method is particularly advantageous when dealing with irregular or noisy datasets, such as those encountered in healthcare or environmental monitoring. The modular design of PatchTST allows for extensive customization, allowing users to tailor the model to specific forecasting tasks. For example, in healthcare, PatchTST can be fine-tuned to monitor patient data and predict health outcomes, even when the data is highly variable. This targeted approach ensures that the model delivers precise and actionable insights, making it a valuable tool for industries that rely on accurate and timely predictions. Real-World Applications of Transformer-Based Forecasting The adaptability and precision of Chronos and PatchTST make them highly valuable across a variety of industries. Key applications include: Energy Management: Predicting electricity demand to optimize grid operations, reduce costs, and improve sustainability. Predicting electricity demand to optimize grid operations, reduce costs, and improve sustainability. Retail: Forecasting sales trends to enhance inventory planning, minimize waste, and improve customer satisfaction. Forecasting sales trends to enhance inventory planning, minimize waste, and improve customer satisfaction. Finance: Analyzing market trends to guide investment strategies, manage risks, and identify opportunities. Analyzing market trends to guide investment strategies, manage risks, and identify opportunities. Healthcare: Monitoring patient data to predict health outcomes, streamline care delivery, and improve resource allocation. Monitoring patient data to predict health outcomes, streamline care delivery, and improve resource allocation. Climate Science: Modeling weather patterns to enhance disaster preparedness, optimize resource management, and support environmental research. These applications highlight the versatility of transformer-based models, demonstrating their ability to address diverse forecasting challenges with precision and efficiency. Why Choose Transformer-Based Models? Transformer-based models offer several distinct advantages over traditional forecasting methods, including: Scalability: Capable of processing large datasets with high dimensionality, making them suitable for complex forecasting tasks. Capable of processing large datasets with high dimensionality, making them suitable for complex forecasting tasks. Accuracy: Superior performance due to their ability to capture long-term dependencies and intricate patterns in data. Superior performance due to their ability to capture long-term dependencies and intricate patterns in data. Flexibility: Adaptable to a wide range of industries and forecasting objectives, making sure relevance across diverse applications. Adaptable to a wide range of industries and forecasting objectives, making sure relevance across diverse applications. Efficiency: Faster training and inference times compared to recurrent models, allowing quicker deployment and results. These advantages make transformers an ideal choice for organizations seeking to enhance their forecasting capabilities and make data-driven decisions with confidence. Industry Adoption and Future Potential Industries worldwide are increasingly adopting transformer-based models like Chronos and PatchTST to address complex forecasting challenges. Examples of their application include: Utility Companies: Using these models to predict energy consumption patterns, optimize grid efficiency, and reduce operational costs. Using these models to predict energy consumption patterns, optimize grid efficiency, and reduce operational costs. Retailers: Using forecasting tools to streamline supply chains, reduce inventory costs, and improve customer satisfaction. Using forecasting tools to streamline supply chains, reduce inventory costs, and improve customer satisfaction. Healthcare Providers: Enhancing patient monitoring and predictive analytics to improve care delivery and resource management. Enhancing patient monitoring and predictive analytics to improve care delivery and resource management. Financial Institutions: Employing these models for market analysis, risk management, and investment strategy development. As transformer-based technologies continue to evolve, their applications are expected to expand further, driving innovation and improving decision-making across sectors. By addressing increasingly complex forecasting needs, these models are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of predictive analytics. Transforming Forecasting with Chronos and PatchTST Chronos and PatchTST exemplify the potential of transformer-based forecasting models to transform predictive analytics. By combining advanced architectures with practical applications, these models empower organizations to forecast with precision, efficiency, and confidence. Whether you're managing resources, optimizing operations, or planning for the future, transformer-based solutions provide a reliable foundation for informed decision-making. Their ability to adapt to diverse industries and challenges ensures that they remain at the forefront of forecasting innovation, allowing you to navigate complex prediction tasks with ease. Media Credit: Trelis Research Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. 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Business Insider
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
I spent a day at Universal's new Orlando theme park. These 6 things impressed me most — and 2 left me disappointed.
I visited Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe, which opened on Thursday. The unique meet and greets and creative food and drink options really blew me away. However, I wish the park had more shade and didn't rely as much on mobile ordering for restaurants. Epic Universe, the newest major theme park in Central Florida in years, opened on Thursday. The Universal park consists of five themed worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park. After a full day in the park, I was blown away by how immersive it felt. I rode every attraction, tasted some of the many food and drink offerings, and met iconic characters. For those wondering if a visit is worth it, I've put together a list of things that impressed me most at Epic Universe — plus two of my biggest disappointments so far. I love how open and immersive the main corridor of Epic Universe is. After walking under the Chronos, the park's main entry structure, you're inside Celestial Park. This themed world is packed with star imagery, plus tons of greenery and flowers. I loved how wide the sidewalks are and how open this area feels. The floral landscaping and water features really do make it feel like a park or garden. All of this gave me a great first impression of Epic Universe as a whole. The park's meet and greets have some incredible characters. I love meeting characters from my favorite movies and franchises, and all around the park, there are opportunities to meet icons like Princess Peach and the Invisible Man. The one character you must see is Toothless, a dragon from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise. The interactive animatronic is impressively cute and lifelike. I liked how interactive the new Harry Potter-themed world is. There are several Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter throughout the world in places like California and Japan. Even so, the newest Orlando addition focused on the Ministry of Magic is exceptional. There are so many small details and interactive areas inside the world that you could really spend all day enjoying it. Even the queue for the ride Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry was breathtaking. Between the giant wizard banners, intricate statues, and lighting design, I felt like I was inside the movies. I also appreciated that this land had many spots where guests can use special wands to interact with "magical" objects and buildings. Dark Universe ended up being a hit for me, mostly because it's packed with entertainment. I typically don't like spooky, scary, or intense things, so I was surprised I really enjoyed Dark Universe. It's themed after famous monsters and creatures, from Dracula to Wolf Man. It has two rides, and I found myself especially impressed by how much walk-around entertainment was packed into this land. As I walked through, I passed tons of storytellers and characters ready to interact with guests and take photos. I especially loved meeting Gregor, a funny monster hunter who hangs around at the land's Burning Blade Tavern. I appreciated how easy it was to get to the park from my room at Universal Helios Grand Hotel. I stayed at the newest Universal Orlando hotel, Universal Helios Grand Hotel, during my visit. It opened earlier this year and has its own entrance into Epic Universe. Staying here meant it was incredibly easy for me to walk to the park. I was able to get from my room to Epic Universe in under five minutes. For me, it's always a win when theme parks have hotels just steps away. The inventive and fun food and drink options impressed me. I've been to many theme parks over the years, but I still found myself impressed by the creative and delicious culinary options at Epic Universe. My favorite sweet treat ended up being the DK Crush Float from Super Nintendo World. It's pineapple-and-banana-swirl soft serve in a waffle bowl topped with caramel popcorn and chocolate pieces that's loaded into a cup filled with pineapple soda. However, I wish the park had more shaded areas. As I walked around Epic Universe, I noticed it didn't have many shaded spots. This felt especially unbearable when the day was at its hottest in the afternoon. Light-colored paths throughout the park seemed to reflect the Orlando sun. Although there are some air-conditioned restaurants and attractions in Epic Universe, I could see this sun exposure being especially tough for young guests or those who struggle with the heat to navigate. I also didn't enjoy the fact that nearly every restaurant relies on mobile ordering. Most quick-service restaurants at Epic Universe rely on mobile ordering instead of having guests wait in line. Although this seems like it could be time-saving and efficient, I struggled to use this system during my visit. My phone wasn't able to get a strong enough signal for my order to go through or for me to input my table number in many spots throughout the park.
Axios
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
A second portal is coming to Philadelphia
Can Philadelphia handle two portals? We're about to find out. Driving the news: A massive, 30-foot tall portal is being set up at the base of the Art Museum's Rocky Steps from May 16-18. The so-called Chronos is a traveling ad for the opening of Universal Orlando Resort's immersive theme park — Universal Epic Universe. How it works: The portal, a replica of the icon for Universal's fourth theme park, will put on night shows with lighting and music, per a company news release. You can also watch "action-packed sequences" highlighting the new park. It'll be open from 10am-8pm. ✈️ 1 cool thing: Visitors can enter a sweepstakes for a trip to Universal Orland Resort and the new theme park. 🤞 The bottom line: Don't blow this, Philly.
WIRED
13-04-2025
- WIRED
GHD's Duet Blowdry Packs Power and Fantastic Styling—for a Price
GHD says the Duet Blowdry checks the surface temperature of the device 400 times per second to make sure it's maintaining the heat throughout your use—even more than the 250 times a second in GHD's similarly equipped Chronos Max hair straightener (7/10, WIRED Review). Also similar to the Chronos straightener, which has just one heat setting of 365 degrees Fahrenheit, the Blowdry only heats to a single heat level: 248 degrees Fahrenheit, which GHD says is an optimum low styling temperature. While 248 degrees is low compared to other heat tools like straighteners or curling irons, it is on the hotter end for blow-dry brushes, which often offer heat levels closer to 200 (though the highest level on some, like the Revlon, reaches up to 240 degrees). The Duet Blowdry also promises virtually no heat damage. I think this will hugely depend on how delicate your hair is and if you're using a heat protectant as you should be, since you are using a heat tool on your hair and wet hair is especially delicate. While GHD describes this as a wet-to-dry brush, the brand says you can't really create a shape with your hair until it's 80 percent dry, but you can still use the Duet Blowdry to get your hair to that 80 percent point before using it to truly style your hair. Personally, I just wait until my hair is somewhat dry to even start using it, but you might want more drying assistance if you have longer hair. Lovely Locks Photograph: Nena Farrell Whether or not the heat damage claims are true, the blowout itself is fantastic. I'm consistently impressed with how much volume I get without feeling like I'm in a wind tunnel, and I have fewer flyaways than I usually would. My blowout lasts longer, too, looking better than usual on day two or three thanks to the low-frizz results without losing volume or getting oily like my hair does after a serious hair-straightener sesh. Is it worth the splurge? Personally, as someone who uses one of these devices after every hair wash day, it would be worth it for me. It's the best result I've gotten by far. While it is twice the price of a Drybar or T3 blow-dry brush, the less frizz and smoother results that last for days are something I'd splurge on for my everyday tool. However, it is a bummer that for the price, you're only getting a single tool. It makes sense considering the design and technology packed into it that's specifically made for a blowout brush, and thus why it's such a good blowout brush, but other similarly priced options like the Shark FlexStyle (9/10, WIRED Recommends) or FlexFusion have a similar price point and come with multiple attachments. Still, my editor finds she still needs to follow up with a proper flat iron after a blowout with her FlexFusion, while I certainly don't need one after a morning with the Duet Blowdry.
CNN
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Epic Universe: Inside Universal's new theme park in central Florida
As if the words from 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' have jumped off the page into reality, fluorescent green fog shrouds people walking through a wizarding world Floo Network transit tunnel, to be greeted on the other side by an atrium with soaring ceilings depicting moving storm clouds. It might be the first time Muggles (non-wizards) have been inside the Ministry of Magic. That is just one jaw-dropping moment for guests to experience when Universal Orlando Resort officially opens its third and newest theme park, Epic Universe, on May 22. It is the first major theme park to open in central Florida in 26 years. At 750 acres, including both guest areas and backstage space for employees, it is believed to be the largest theme park in the world and estimated to have cost up to $7.7 billion to build, according to Dennis Speigel, owner and founder of consulting firm International Theme Park Services. Universal hasn't commented on the park's cost. 'I've seen them all,' Speigel said of theme parks around the world. And Epic Universe, he said, is 'too damn good.' That first impression has everything to do with Universal's use of the most advanced technology available coupled with intentional design to build a sense that the visitor is truly in a fantastical space with no glimpse of the outside world. At a media preview ahead of the public opening, CNN saw each of the park's 'worlds' and the experiences in them, including technology never seen in a theme park before. Let's take you through each section. It all begins with walking through Chronos, a portal that takes guests into the main hub of Epic Universe: Celestial Park. Here, guests will find Stardust Racers, a dual-track roller coaster, as well as Constellation Carousel, beautifully lit with animals that spin in different directions. There are shops, restaurants and bars nearby. But that's just the beginning. From this hub, guests can choose to enter four other portals, each leading them to a different world. 'It's as if all of the worlds of Epic Universe are closed off from the rest of the park,' said Alicia Stella, owner of Orlando ParkStop. Stella, who has been tracking the development of the park since its inception, said 'when you enter those portals … you are no longer in a theme park. You are in the Isle of Burke, from 'How to Train Your Dragon.' You are in the video games of Nintendo. You are in the Wizarding World, and you are in the world of Universal monsters, at Dark Universe.' When guests are inside one of these spaces, the only thing visible beyond its walls and sets is perhaps the top of Helios, a glittering new hotel located in the center of the park. Through one portal, in the world called Dark Universe, Universal brings to life its signature monsters including Dracula, the Wolf Man and the Invisible Man. The anchor attraction in this world — and one of the best in the park — is Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, utilizing some of the most advanced, life-like robotic technology ever created. Prev Next But it's through another portal, to Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, that the resort has introduced its most ambitious ride to date. Universal Orlando Resort already has two themed Harry Potter areas in its existing parks, but the third installment within Epic Universe brings people into the 1920s Paris of the 'Fantastic Beasts' offshoot story, full of street atmosphere, shops and restaurants. Guests will then be expected to time travel to experience the impressive ride, Harry Potter: Battle at the Ministry, going via metro tunnel from 1920s Paris into 1990s London, after the original Harry Potter series has concluded. Staff at the awe-inspiring Ministry of Magic are preparing for Dolores Umbridge's trial, and guests will ride an omnidirectional elevator, chasing her through the building. Epic Universe's third portal transports guests to the first-ever theme park land devoted to the 'How to Train Your Dragon' franchise. Guests have told CNN that they have seen tests of large, extremely life-like dragons flying through the sky via drone, although those were not on display during media previews. Guests will find roller coasters and a kid-friendly boat ride in the midst of an elaborate Isle of Berk, where dragons breathe fire and ice. A technically impressive show inside a theater features Toothless, the lovable dragon from the series, who flies above the audience, landing on stage. Super Nintendo World, which currently exists in Universal's Japan and Hollywood park locations, now comes to Epic Universe through a fourth portal with a beloved Mine-Cart Madness ride themed to Donkey Kong, in addition to the go-kart racing ride, Bowser's Challenge. Guests can wear special 'Power-Up' bands on their wrists to play games and win points, running around a life-sized video game while Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach mill about. Universal officials told CNN the company invented new technology and secured patents for Epic Universe experiences, including special animating effects, ride design and robotics. The results are most obvious on two rides guests are most likely to be talking about after their visit: Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. The Harry Potter ride feels like an experience combining elements of Universal's existing Spiderman ride and Disney's Rise of the Resistance. It features trackless ride systems, augmented reality, and high-resolution projections combined in new ways. For all the children who waited at midnight for the release of a new Harry Potter book a generation ago, 'this is our new midnight release,' said Ryan Clavin, host of DIS Unlimited: Universal Show on YouTube. Like many theme parks, Universal employs dynamic pricing for tickets, which varies depending on the season and how busy the parks are anticipated to be. Single-day tickets for Epic Universe recently became available, starting from $139 for adults and $134 for children ages 3-9, plus tax. Those prices currently apply to some weekdays in September, with the most expensive single-day tickets priced at $199 and $194 for children, plus tax, during the late December holiday season. Disney World's Magic Kingdom, the most visited theme park in the world, also has a ceiling of $199 during the same time frame. Multi-day ticket packages are also available, which allow guests to visit Epic Universe on one of those days. Per-day pricing on multi-day tickets is lower than single-day tickets. Universal's 'Express Pass,' which allows guests to enter attractions through a faster line, can vary by date. These passes often cost more than the park ticket itself. For example, buying an Express Pass for the busy July 4 holiday at Epic Universe will cost $250 for a single day, a cost in addition to the ticket price. Stella said she believes these prices are in line with existing parks. 'I think it's priced appropriately. Actually, a lot of us who are big fans of the theme park industry are surprised at some of the price points being as low as they are, because I feel like there was an opportunity to charge whatever they wanted for opening,' Stella said. She added that Universal's brand-new hotels near Epic Universe are also priced more affordably than she expected. With so much buzz around Universal's new park, industry experts are watching for Disney's response. 'Disney and Universal are in the greatest boxing match they've ever been in at this point in time, and it's a slug fest,' Speigel said. 'I believe that within 12 to 16 months, Disney will announce its fifth gate theme park, because it's necessary.' Disney, still the dominant leader in the theme park industry, currently has four theme parks on its Walt Disney World property in central Florida, the last of which opened in 1998. For the moment, the company has announced a slew of new themed lands and attractions within existing parks, but no new theme park. 'Is [Epic Universe] going to put Disney out of business? Absolutely not. Is it going to put a chink in their armor? Yes, it will,' Speigel said. Universal's momentum has ramped up ever since it opened the first area themed to the Harry Potter franchise in 2010 at its second Orlando theme park, Islands of Adventure. Speigel said Universal Orlando Resort saw a 36% increase in attendance in the year that followed, the biggest one-year increase he has ever seen in any park attendance in history. In Disney's 2024 fourth quarter earnings call, Hugh Johnston, chief financial officer of the Walt Disney Company, highlighted positive early bookings for this summer and said, 'The history of other non-Disney parks opening in Florida has been positive for Disney bookings.' While that may be so, Stella believes the typical family vacation where most of the time is spent at Disney World, with a small portion of the week at Universal, may shift in balance. 'I could definitely see it being, 'Well, we need two or three days at Universal, so we'll only do two or three days at Disney,'' Stella said. 'If they're coming to Orlando anyway, or if they're coming to Epic Universe on purpose, will they decrease their stay elsewhere, like Disney? Will they skip Sea World altogether?' Speigel said, 'Everybody subscribes to a rising tide floats all boats, but it does eat up some of the market too.' He added that he expects 2025 to be a year of heavy discounting by all parks, not just to compete with Epic Universe, but to anticipate a worsening economy. Even with the stock market roller coasters and Goldman Sachs predicting that recession odds are rising, Speigel predicts at least 6 million guests will visit Epic Universe within its first year. Clavin said what he saw on the Harry Potter ride is indicative of the spectacle Universal has created in the entire park: 'This is sort of a very good example of why we love theme parks … Where else can you literally step into a movie like this?'
