Vuzix Corporation has announced that is going to be showcasing an “Augmented Reality” accessory kit for it’s popular VR920 Virtual Reality Video iWear. Why does this matter? Well if you follow various tech-industry news like I do, then you’ll know that both 3D, and augmented reality are hot topics at the moment, with a lot of hype and momentum being built up around them – think Hi-Def a couple of years ago, and you’ve got the level of hysteria!
Augmented Reality, as the name suggests, is when you add complimentary elements to a video you might be seeing, which enhance and boost the experience – in the case of the showcase (!) mentioned above, Vuzix will demonstrate at the 2009 GDC how a simple printed page can be brought to life with 3-D animated characters that literally pop out of the book and fire breathing dragons from a fantasy tale can swoop overhead.
Apparently, the Vuzix AR Accessory Kit consists of two important components:
- CamAR™, a clip-on USB camera that mounts onto a pair of Vuzix Video iWear. The CamAR not only allows the user to see through to the real world but is also designed to accurately track objects and the user’s position in 3-dimensional space.
- PhasAR™, a wireless augmented reality input controller is designed to be used in unison with the CamAR™. The PhasAR™ allows users to interact with virtual, mixed and augmented reality worlds with a revolutionary 6 degree of freedom tracking system that lets the computer know exactly where the user is touching in the virtual and real worlds. Depending on the application, the PhasAR™ can become anything from a powerful virtual magic wand to a 3-D virtual paint brush. The PhasAR™ enables powerful 2-D like mouse support in order to effortlessly control virtual objects in 3-D space.
As you can see, there is a motion-capture device of sorts, with the additional capability of positioning/tracking, and then there’s a HID (Human Input Device) that lets you interact with the environment. One word – cool!
Right now the AR’d VR920 is working with PCs, but I can’t imagine it will be that long before Vuzix has figured things for Mobile too – add in a Mobile Device’s accelerometer and you have the potential for some seriously cool apps!
By the way, for UK readers, Vuzix are going to be at The Gadget Show Live at the Birmingham NEC in the UK on the 17-19th April, where you can try out the Vuzix iWear range – which offers a big-screen experience from a device that fits in your pocket. By connecting with one of many mobile devices and you can enjoy a virtual screen of up to 62” for all of your mobile content including 3D!
— I’ve looked at Vuzix tech before – it’s good, it’s cool, and it works – three important variables if you wanna invest in new gadgets!
Check out the Vuxiz website here.