Technical Systems Inc. has introduced CastAR, a wearable projected augmented reality system that offers an exciting experience of 3D/ holographic gaming on a screen that can be mounted anywhere.
CastAR is a projected augmented/ virtual reality system consisting of a wearable glasses, retro reflective surface and a wand (console). Wearable glasses are fitted with two micro-projectors and a tracking camera. The two micro-projectors projects images on a retro-reflective surface which bounces most of the light falling on it towards the 3D glasses back enabling viewer to see images/ video in 3D. The retro-reflective surface is highly reflective and directional allowing multiple players to use a single surface without interfering with other player's images. Active shutter lenses help remove the remaining interference. The tracking camera at the center of the glasses track the movement of the player head and orientation enabling software to accurately decide how the 3D image should appear to you.
CastAR is a projected augmented/ virtual reality system consisting of a wearable glasses, retro reflective surface and a wand (console). Wearable glasses are fitted with two micro-projectors and a tracking camera. The two micro-projectors projects images on a retro-reflective surface which bounces most of the light falling on it towards the 3D glasses back enabling viewer to see images/ video in 3D. The retro-reflective surface is highly reflective and directional allowing multiple players to use a single surface without interfering with other player's images. Active shutter lenses help remove the remaining interference. The tracking camera at the center of the glasses track the movement of the player head and orientation enabling software to accurately decide how the 3D image should appear to you.
The wand works as a joystick which has buttons, trigger and a thumb stick allowing users to play games and interaction with the 3D projection. The wand feeds back the input from user to laptops or to a gaming console (XBOX, Sony PlayStation).
Currently, the inputs to the two micro-projectors are through an HDMI connection which maybe from laptops or gaming console but the designers are looking to add alternate ways of communication for connectivity with mobile phones too.
Besides, 3D gaming, this device can also be used people to interact with 3D projections. For example, business person can interact with the data or a teacher interacting with models. The retro-reflective surface is fitted with a RFID tracking grid at the base which can be used RFID fitted bases/ tags to play table games like chess. The company has also made available CastAR software development kit for developers to make applications for the device.
CastAR's founder Jeri Ellsworth and Rick Johnson, introduced this device at CastAR at Maker Faire 2013 where the device received huge popularity. The founders got their inspiration from Star Wars: Episode IV- A new hope which showed R2-D2 and Chewbacca playing holographic chess game. The founders are now raising funds through KickStarter to commercialize the device. The campaign has already surpasses the goal of $4,00,000 with 23 more days to go as of this writing and device is expected to be available in market in September 2014.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Speak your mind here.