Augmented reality

[cennar]

Augmenting your reality.

what would you do with an augmented reality device, no matter how odd the device. would you be more inclined to a visual augmentation, or are you a tactile creature? I'm thinking about doing some mods when I have some down time from classes and I've had a wild time getting ideas out about augmented reality systems. Virtual reality systems that use real stereoscopic input to better or enhance the experience of certain activities. like a pilot having a HUD wile still able to get out of his seat and take a leak. heavy equipment operators, military, medicine, and all those jobs you wish you could get your eyes on the relevant information as it's available and not after the chain of verbal delay. I of course was drawn into the idea of a wearable computer gui and some effect specialist friends a year or two ago. they made a 3d display that took a color and keyed it live wile they ran through a few high end computers generating sprites or 3d material. there was allot of potential to that exact sort of approach they took, even though they them self's didn't have a huge amount of focus or excitement over the idea.

any way that's it any ideas?

[Metallica Man X]

ah yeah...the 3d vr world systems idea....If I recall correctly, the military did some extensive tests with this, and to some extent, is still testing those concepts today. However, it was found that too much time spent with that stuff would result in physical sickness; nausia, vommiting, as well as headaces and distortion of vision....but who knows where it could go with modern computers...

[palmertech]

I have a VR920 HMD, look into it.

[cennar]

those are a bit to over priced for conveniant buchering, but I'll add it to the shelf list till theres a better full 3d option. though augmented systems don't have to be 3d. wouldn't mind though.

[palmertech]

I got mine on eBay for under $200 shipped, and they are easy to mod (Working on increasing the FOV on mine). Has 3D, full head movement tracking, and a surprisingly nice noise cancelling mic.

[Metallica Man X]

Most interesting. What games does it work with, and how does it work with them?

[palmertech]

It has a driver that works with like 40 games, but there is a new driver made by IZ3D that works with any game that uses DirectX, which is pretty much all of them these days. It works be tapping into the 3D engine and making two separate camera views, one for each eye.

[Metallica Man X]

That's neat..i wonder how well it'd work with something like Halo 3 or Hawx? Gawd..how awesome would it feel to be playing a flying game, and feeling more like you're actually IN a cockpit, rather than just looking through a part of it...

[palmertech]

It works great in Hawx.

[Metallica Man X]

Wow, if it works with a flying game like Hawx, then it should work well with other flying games like the Ace Combat series too. Darn, I'm totally sold on just that right there!

Must...buy...expensive...specs!! *hops to ebay*

[palmertech]

Yeah, it works really well with FSX, too.

One thing to keep in mind is that the field of view is not "immersive". It is a lot more like a big TV in front of you that follows your head. The reason for this is stupid, they COULD make optics that were more immersive, but Kopin, the company that makes the LCD and optic module, designed them for camera viewfinders and data displays. Because of this, it would be a "waste" to put pixels that extend past your immediate focus and into your peripheral vision.

That is why I am modding mine.

[Metallica Man X]

I'd be very interested to see how well that works out...and how it's down to mod my own

[palmertech]

I will make sure to post my results if I get anywhere.