Vuzix Announces 'Augmented Reality Video Eyewear'

Author	Gordon Kelly
Published	26th Mar 2009

Vuzix Announces 'Augmented Reality Video Eyewear'

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Our favourite 3D glasses manufacturer with a military background is at it again...

Vuzix has unveiled a potentially game-changing 'Augmented Reality Accessory Kit' for its flagship VR920 glasses which can superimpose 3D into real world environments. The company uses a children book example with "3D animated characters that literally pop out of the book and fire breathing dragons from a fantasy tale can swoop overhead."

The effects are created using two features: 'CamAR' a clip-on USB camera that mounts onto a pair of Vuzix glasses and tracks objects and the user's position in three dimensional space. Secondly, 'PhasAR' which is a wireless controller that can be used like a Wii remote to show the system exactly where a user is touching in both virtual and real worlds.

"This capability, known as Augmented Reality (AR), will open up new applications in the gaming, education and business sectors," said Vuzix CEO, Paul Travers. "The applications for gaming and education will range from books that come alive to interactive worlds with 3-D characters that materialise right in your living room. You have to ask yourself, why play video games on your flat panel when it can be brought right into your living room?"

Of course in instances such as this a video is worth a thousand words (my RSI sighs in relief). Price and availability info? You must be joking…

Link:
Press Release

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MarioM said on 27th March 2009

@Keldon - quick, patent that idea before Games Workshop/Wizards of the Coast bag it and clean up. I personally didn't take to Magic the Gathering/Pokemon etc but they would ce... more

Robovski said on 28th March 2009

Once again, looks like gadgetry that passes-by the glasses wearing nerd/technophile.

Oh well, I suppose I'll have to get by with my other toys.

SK said on 28th March 2009

In response to Chocoa's comment: Augmented Reality isn't merely a marketing term. It's a very interesting concept that is far more practical than VR, because it stil... more