Tag Archives: augmented reality

Pokemon GO creator Niantic Labs is making an AR headset for outdoor use

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Pokemon is an extremely large gaming franchise, but despite its popularity, only those who would label themselves as gamers would actually have any first-hand experience with it. That was, of course, until Pokemon GO exploded to the point that many smartphone owners have met a virtual critter or two at least once in their lifetime. It has been more than six years since then, and AR game developer Niantic Labs has attempted to recreate that magic with other popular franchises with very little success. To its credit, it hasn’t given up on its AR dreams just yet, and its next big moonshot is an AR headset that’s specifically designed to be worn and used outdoors.

Designer: Niantic Labs

Many people might be surprised that Pokemon GO would be considered an augmented reality game, mostly because it doesn’t fit the image of what an AR application or game should look like. Although it does technically add a virtual layer on top of reality, mostly through location data, most people presume that AR would mean seeing those digital artifacts right in front of our eyes and not through smartphone screens. That would, of course, be ideal, but we still have ways to go to get there, especially with the current generation of AR headsets.

There are already a number of AR headsets available in the market today, but very few are designed for casual use. The majority are, in fact, made to be used indoors, often in professional or industrial settings, where bright sunlight isn’t a problem and comfort is almost secondary to utility. For Niantic Labs’ purposes, however, comfort and convenience are actually the top priorities, and it has designed working prototypes around those requirements.

The prototypes the game developer showed off definitely look sleeker and less bulky compared to many AR and VR headsets. It balances the weight of the headset by moving some of the parts to the back of your head rather than having everything in front. The two parts are joined together by what seems to be a flexible band covered with fabric. That might not be a good idea, though, considering how that material will come in contact with sweat and dirt most of the time.

The most important part of Niantic’s demonstration is that, at least according to the video, the prototypes work as advertised already. Wearers can clearly see both the real world as well as virtual objects like robots and ninjas outdoors in bright light. Unsurprisingly, the most prominent application of this device revolves around AR games, but navigation and mapping are also perfect for outdoor AR headsets like these. Niantic Labs hasn’t given any timeline for this hardware, and it remains to be seen whether it will be able to truly pull it off and, more importantly, make a profit from it.

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This AR helmet for kids hones creativity by scribbling and drawing in 3D space without any limitations

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Honing the creative bend of kids in their early life is important, and their best tool is drawing. That, however, comes with a menacing aftermath for the parents who have to ensure the kids don’t etch the walls of the living room or bedroom with a permanent marker or a hard-to-wipe-off crayon.

To create a good balance between the incremental increase in kids’ creative levels over time without having a messy home, virtual and augmented reality are the best solution. That’s what this AR Helmet concept is all about.

Designer: Designer Dot

With Metaverse applications gaining traction all this while, a product like this one is imminent. It lets children go wild with their scribbling skills without parents having to worry about messed-up walls, tables, or anything else the little ones perceive as the perfect canvas. The combination of the AR helmet having a smart wiser screen to display the augmented interface and the pen controller to let the imagination loose makes this concept highly feasible. Moreover, the unique element of the gadget will appeal to children as well who are becoming tech-savvy by the day.

Both the helmet and the pen controller are lightweight for obvious reasons. The AR elements on the helmet wiser screen guide the kids to draw meaningful shapes by inducing learning. The easy-to-use UI comes with interesting tools to increase productive engagement. Things such as in-built example drawings and the ability to sketch with friends or play educational AR games. The pen controller with one button control is equally easy to use.

The ergonomic comfort of the helmet is paramount so it comes with vents on the front and back to keep active airflow while used for long hours. The chin strap is magnetic for easy clasp action and easily adjustable depending on the head size. AR helmet is charged via a USB cable, and the pen controller attaches to the right side of the helmet for recharging.

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Rumen is a universal helmet-ready AR headset that’s perfect for technical applications

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Ever wonder why we don’t have readily available AR glasses already? You could go buy the Oculus or the HTC Vive right now online or at your nearest retailer, but there’s no Hololens or Magic Leap headset available quite yet. The answer is simple – it lies in the killer app. The ‘killer app’ is that one app that absolutely drives the sales of a product. For the iPhone, you’d think it’s the camera, but it’s actually the app store. For the Nintendo Switch, it was initially The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and then Animal Crossing, for the Oculus, it’s clearly Beatsaber and Supernatural. What’s the equivalent for the AR headset? Maps? Well, maps are pretty useful on the phone the way they are. Translation? It’s useful, sure. But it isn’t the killer app. The killer app for AR, you see, isn’t a consumer-targeted appp. It’s actually more enterprise-focused. AR headsets can help enterprise teams achieve things they previously couldn’t. Surgeons can now observe and dissect human bodies in AR, aerospace engineers can analyze complex systems too, and technical teams can train junior staff through AR. The applications for AR are much more valuable to businesses than to consumers, which is why Microsoft doesn’t sell the Hololens 2 as openly. Even the Magic Leap headset is geared towards businesses and not consumers.

Rumen was designed for enterprise use too, but is less ‘AR Glasses’ and more ‘AR Headset’. With a universal design that fits on heads, caps, and even hard-hats, Rumen was designed with a pivoting visor that can be popped down when you need it, and moved back up when you’re done. This way, you’ve got an AR headset that doesn’t perpetually sit in front of you, and also allows you to wear glasses, safety goggles, etc.

Designers: Hoyeon Shin, Seunghyun Hwang, Siwook Lee, Jihyun Hong

Rumen’s industrial appearance isn’t an accident. It’s designed to be more utilitarian than stylish, hence its appeal. It fits around heads and even helmets, with a band that goes around the sides and even over the top. Control knobs just above each eye let you calibrate your Rumen and an HUD on friction hinges can be either brought into your POV or moved upwards to prevent it from obstructing you. A head-mounted screen projects data onto the HUD, and on either side of the screen are flashlights that allow you to work in low-light conditions without needing a head-mounted lamp too (after all you wouldn’t be able to strap a lamp over the headset).

The adjustable clear display lets you overlay virtual elements on top of reality.

Rumen fits easily on top of all sorts of helmets and hard-hats.

A close-up of the adjustment knob, with a view of the LED flashlight in front.

While the idea of seeing virtual pokemon prancing about in your real world seems like something people would readily pay for, the applications in the enterprise sector are much more promising to AR headset makers. Practically any profession could benefit from augmented reality, be it the medical profession, engineering, design, aerospace, transportation, or even regular technical industries.

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Meet the Microsoft Holo Glasses concept, a consumer-grade fashion-friendly version of the Hololens

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Styled less like a piece of hardware and more like functional fashion, the Microsoft Holo Glasses are redemption for exactly how geeky Google’s glasses were in 2013. They scale down Microsoft’s existing Hololens 2 technology into a slim wearable that fits comfortably on your face, and comes with snap-on frames that allow you to swap styles in a hot minute!

The Holo Glasses are a wearable concept that takes Microsoft’s AR chops and makes them consumer-friendly again. Now, I love Microsoft as a company. Satya Nadella’s done wonders by taking it to the trillion dollar club, and Microsoft’s acquisitions of LinkedIn, Github, and Activision Blizzard are a great example of Nadella’s vision for the company… but at the same time, aside from their gaming business, Microsoft’s entirely an enterprise-focused company. They surrendered the smartphone war by bidding adieu to Nokia, and they even took Hololens 2 and turned it into more of a business solution than a consumer gadget. The Holo Glasses, however, make the company cool again!

Designer: Misneok Kim

Schematically, the glasses are pretty much like the Hololens, with cameras and sensors that help with object and spatial tracking, and lenses in front of the eye that help reflect images into the retina. Like the Hololens 2, the Holo Glasses let you see what’s ahead of you too, giving you a mixed reality experience that only a handful of companies have been able to deliver on… although we’re still expecting Apple to launch their AR glasses shortly too!

As is evident in the image below, the Holo Glasses are designed in two parts – the first being the hardware that sits on your face, and the second being a set of magnetic frames that snap onto the glasses, giving them their fashion-forward look. The frames add the aesthetic appeal to the Holo Glasses while the visors on the actual wearable deal with reflecting visuals to your eye. This dual-glass setup can be seen in many other AR headsets, although what this concept does is slim the contraption down to a level where tech and fashion can coexist harmoniously.

These snap-on frames come in a variety of colors and shapes, giving wearers the freedom to choose their ‘look’. You can simply swap out fascias to alter the appearance of your Holo Glasses, and there’s even the option of getting prescription lenses built into the snap-on frames, allowing people with spectacles to wear the Holo Glasses too!

On paper, the Holo Glasses are a pretty nifty concept. They make Microsoft’s existing tech even better and more democratized, so regular users can access game-changing AR technology without breaking the bank. The glasses can be operated by voice or by buttons and touch-sensitive surfaces on the temple stems. Each Holo Glass also comes with bone-conducting audio units built into the ends, delivering audio directly to the wearer without needing to wear earphones. Ultimately, when not worn, the Holo Glasses can be carried around in their spectacle cases, which also double as charging docks for the wearables.

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Apple Vision renders what the eventual mixed reality headset from the Cupertino giant could be

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Apple was expected to release information about its mixed reality headset at the recently concluded WWDC 2022. Since the fans were left disappointed, there is no other option but to treat our eyes to designers’ interpretation of what the anticipated headset – that could herald Apple into a new dimension – would look like.

Rumors of Apple working on some kind of Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality headset have been shrouding us for a very-very long time. While we have no clarity on what to expect from the headset and when it may be launched, designer Marcus Kane has conceptualized the Apple Vision – an adaptation of Apple’s mixed reality headset, based on its leaks, rumors, and patents.

Designer: Marcus Kane

If analyst Mark Gurman – who has a long-standing record for accurately predicting Apple’s product plans – is to be believed, the new headset will launch in 2023. The unit will be accompanied by a slew of other products, between fall this year and early 2023, Gurman notes. The ambitious period for Apple is just around the corner, and we are speculatively looking at the new iPhone 14 models, updated iPads, AirPods Pro, and an interesting new HomePod.

Besides, there is a likely possibility that Apple would roll out a few Mac models powered by in-house M2 and M3 chips. Reportedly, the M2 chip could also power the company’s premier mixed reality headset. Whether the Apple headset would eventually be an everyday wear or a Meta Quest 2-eseqe headset, only time will tell. For now, Apple Vision speculates it as any other VR headset on the market – a design that is not too far from the Quest 2.

A comfortable fit is perhaps guaranteed by its curved design with breathable soft mesh cushioning to rest against the face. The adjustable rubber headband would presumably be swappable – as Apple’s eventual headset is expected to achieve. The Apple Vision renders are much influenced by the images of the Apple headset idealized by concept maker Ian Zelbo, but it is likely to support microphones, spatial audio and immersive 8K viewing with response to the wearer’s eye movements and maybe hand gestures using onboard optical cameras.

According to rumors, the mixed reality headset is going to pack 16 gigs of RAM with an M2 processor powering its guts. This if eventually achieved will catapult AR/VR experience offered by the Apple headset well past the Meta’s VR headset option or even any other examples currently out there. Slated to be a dynamic choice for users when launched in 2023, will the headset end up looking anything like the Apple Vision, what do you think?

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This Metaverse streaming device connects virtual world with the real one

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The augmented reality and virtual reality applications aided by the sensory inputs to blur the lines between the real and the virtual world are staring us right into the eye. Metaverse is the endgame (that’s what we can assume at this point in time) of this cohesive amalgam of hardware and software ecosystems. Currently, in its infancy stage, the market forecast hints at almost double the growth since 2020 in VR and AR applications. Hence, Metaverse applications too are going to get an exponential boost.

This cool gadget for connecting the real world and the Metaverse world is a gateway for extended usability, providing a smooth transition between the two realms. It makes even more sense keeping in mind the future where the lines will be so blurry that identifying the real from the virtual will be vital. This portal will actuate all the possible applications connected to the Metaverse like gaming, roaming in the VR world, or even having a pseudo-life in an alternate reality!

Designer: Fountain Studio

Users are connected to the VR world via the interface of this gadget having a bezeless display and buttons including power on/off, microphone access, and home button. The user has full control over the peripheral device management and a list of compatible applications it can use. When not having intense visual entertainment in the virtual world, the user can interact with other users using the integrated messenger application to ascertain where you need to invest your time.

So, whether you are going all-in shooting enemies in a game using the Oculus Quest 2 or having a milder experience of roaming in your favorite locations in VR, the gadget manages everything seamlessly, so that you don’t have to go through any hassle of synchronizing hardware and apps. It’ll be like your trusted streaming device for the virtual world.

 

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When AR and VR meet the outdoors. This mixed reality headset was designed to be worn everywhere

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Metaverse, meet universe. So much of our AR and VR experience is limited to the indoors. When the landline became a truly wireless (or cordless) device, the first thing that people did was move around with it. No wires means no boundaries, and the smartphone experience is proof. You can use a phone in the subway, on a mountain, even in the middle of a lake. AR/VR headsets? Not so much.

Designed as a graduation project by the students of Hongik University, Calypso is a mixed reality headset that’s designed to be worn and experienced outdoors. While the original intent of the MR headset was to be able to visualize micro aspects of the world like viruses in a much more observable way (making the microscopic world macroscopic), the Calypso’s design treatment is quite impressive, with the way the headset promotes outdoor use without sacrificing functionality or processing power.

Designers: Hyelim Shin & Youngin Cho

So, how does Calypso do that? Well, it works quite like a desktop computer does… by separating the display from the processing unit. The Calypso’s processor sits in a cylindrical gadget that straps to your body, while the display itself fits around your head, with both the devices interfacing wirelessly. Cameras on the headset send information to the ‘computer’, and the computer in return sends data back that gets displayed on the headset’s tinted MR glasses.

This separation is truly a thing of marvel, as it allows the headset to be a slick, non-clunky device (unlike current AR/VR gear that actually look like massive cinder blocks strapped to your face). Pretty much just the way a cloud server works, all the processing happens ‘outside’ the headset. If I had to draw a parallel, Google’s Stadia would be the perfect analogy. Instead of owning a powerful gaming computer that runs processor-heavy games, Stadia lets you outsource the processing online, so you’re just effectively streaming the game while playing it. Calypso works similarly, with the headset and the body-worn processor interfacing wirelessly.

This really removes all constraints for the headset’s design. There’s no need for a large CPU/GPU, a massive battery, inbuilt memory, or advanced cooling systems. The headset is now a rather sleek looking wearable that clips together magnetically near the bridge of the nose.  Wear the headset when you want to, unplug it and have it resting around your neck when you don’t… it’s entirely up to you.

Cameras on the Calypso give it its augmented reality abilities and spatial awareness. The Calypso comes with two cameras/sensors beside each lens, creating an array of four sensors near the nose, as well as two cameras on either side, above the cheeks. Astute observers will also notice the bone-conducting headphones on the temple-stems, allowing you to immerse yourself in audiovisual content.

The Calypso’s ‘meat’ lies in its body-worn processing center. This cylinder contains everything the Calypso needs to be a high-performance device. It houses a motherboard, CPU and GPU, storage, battery, cooling system, and speakers on each side that work in unison with the headset, sending and receiving information in real-time.

Is something like Calypso possible in real life? Well, the most immediate concern is sheer latency, given the amount of data input/output happening between the two devices. Something makes me think that 5G could, to some degree, solve those problems, although a simple cable also works, personally. Sure, it destroys the futuristic illusion of having two wireless devices, but then again, is a cable really that bad after all??

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This detachable mouse + VR controller combo is what Metaverse applications demand

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Virtual reality and augmented reality are seeping slowly into our lives, affecting the way we interact with our environment. This has changed the complexion of accessories we own, and again, the way we are used to interacting with them. Take for example the good old mouse – which comes in options including ones dedicated for gaming, editing, ambidextrous ones, or ones that come for dedicated left- or right-hand use.

Now, Metaverse adds another dimension to the already diverse VR applications. This is where the Mozer Mouse designed by Suosi Design comes into the picture with multiple-use freedom, both for computer applications as well as VR applications and gaming. The mouse is suited for any kind of scenario – be it creating content on PC or strolling in 3D virtual reality. Mozer is designed in a way to make the switch from one application to another contrasting application, virtually seamlessly.

Designer: Suosi Design

The design studio has cleverly crafted the shape of the peripheral to perform the VR function for 360 degrees of freedom, and back to a normal mouse use when working on your PC. The VR controller bit of the Mozer Mouse easily detaches from the main housing and easily pairs with compatible accessories. This is where the laser scanner of the mouse and the On/Off toggle button lies. So, when tethered to the base, it acts like any other mouse with the optical scanner and toggle buttons in the desired position.

The design has a very practical essence to it since it solves multiple purposes with a very simple clean innovation that doesn’t disrupt the inherent purpose of the peripheral in any way. Perhaps we are going to see more accessories evolve into such modular forms as the Metaverse craze catches the masses!

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Apple has previewed its AR/VR glasses to its board of directors, hinting at a near-future launch

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The Apple AR/VR headset may be just around the corner. Can we expect a 2022 announcement this fall??

A report last week by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has revealed that Apple has internally begun demonstrating its secret AR/VR headset concept. “Apple Inc. executives previewed its upcoming mixed-reality headset to the company’s board last week, indicating that development of the device has reached an advanced stage”, Gurman mentioned in the Bloomberg article. The company’s board, comprising of 8 directors and Apple CEO Tim Cook, meets at least four times each year to evaluate the Silicon Valley giant’s progress. This time, the board members were made privy to what seems like a final version of Apple’s augmented reality headset prototype that the world has been referring to as Apple Glass.

Apple Glass concept by Antonio De Rosa

This marks an important milestone in Apple’s roadmap, hinting at the fact that the AR glasses are in their most advanced stage. It also would be Apple’s FIRST new product (not including the AirPods Max) to be announced without the company’s legendary former designer Jony Ive. The Apple Watch was announced back in 2014 when Ive was the Chief Design Officer.

Here’s a look at a concept pair of Apple AR glasses created by Antonio De Rosa, designed to resemble the iconic spectacles Steve Jobs wore. De Rosa’s Apple Glass concept comes equipped with 6 cameras that perform environment-mapping, eye tracking, and hand + gesture recognition. Everything sits in a frame that’s incredibly slim, looking less like hardware and more like a fashion accessory – an approach that’s important Apple’s fashion-friendly ethos. The Apple Glass concept even comes along with a rather wide charging case, styled to look like an elongated version of the company’s AirPods case.

In recent weeks, Apple has also ramped up the development of a new native OS for its rumored headset, codenamed rOS, or reality operating system. That progress, coupled with the board presentation, hints at the fact that we could be a few mere months away from Tim Cook announcing the new product. Chances are, however, that we’ll see production leaks to get a better idea of the AR headset’s design once Apple begins reaching out to manufacturers with a concrete production-ready prototype.

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AI-enhanced super workers could be a reality with this AR headband that can be fastened to industrial helmets

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Frontline workers in hazardous industrial environments are often overworked due to shortage of labor and are exposed to perilous situations, which can lead to errors and increase the proportion of man-made hazards. Since state-of-the-art technology is changing the face of other industries; it is only fitting to integrate augmented reality into the helmet – the most important accessory – of frontline workers at oil & gas plants, power, aviation, railway, and many such industries to solve these problems.

Enter X-Craft – the first augmented reality device to achieve an explosion-proof protection rating. Designed by Rokid, the X-Craft is created in order to bring a technological transformation in the industry and produce a generation of “super workers.” Basically, this is an industrial explosion-proof AR headband that can fit around safety helmets and hard hats to armor frontline workers with technology that can facilitate in inspections, remote collaborations, trainings, and day-to-day operations.

Designer: Rokid

The headband in addition to AI and AR integration is also embedded with a 5G module to ensure brisk processing and real-time information storage and transmission. The headband is further equipped with a 40° field of view (FoV) display – right in front of the eye – and has a movable camera positioned just above. A secondary camera flip to switch is placed further up – around the forehead (when the headband is worn). The display employs waveguide optical technology to ensure it has a see-through aesthetic with high contrast and light transmission of up to 80 percent.

For the ones who work in more high-risk environments, the headband – featuring a user-friendly control knob on the temple – can be further attached with other peripherals and accessories such as industrial endoscope, infrared sensors, etc to enhance its capabilities and be more assistive to workers. Even with all the tech embedded and the possibility of additional attachments, the headband remains comfortable to wear. Its weight is evenly distributed and the headband’s detachable buckle ensures it can be wrapped around a large variety of helmets and hard hats.

Born to assist super workers in the highest-risk environments, the X-Craft is made to beat the elements. The IP66 water and dustproof rated headband can easily process large amounts of information and data over the cloud and facilitate real-time remote collaboration between teams. To ensure what is seen and transmitted is without a glitch, the X-Craft features three AI-enabled noise reduction mics that pick accurate sounds in the nosiest industrial environments.

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