Previous basic examples of augmented reality include the coverage of sporting events, where virtual billboards are created in perfect symmetry to the television cameras. This is achieved by the constant adjustment of the billboard projections.
On taking the technique further, however, problems arise around the issue of people moving within the environment. For the experience to be convincing, the position of the person’s eyes would need to be tracked constantly and relayed back to the sensors.
To approach the problem, student Jurjen Caarls designed a helmet featuring two small screens and two semi-transparent mirrors.
Caarls, who worked with Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague on his project, sees this as a significant step towards greater interaction between people and computers.
Commenting on his invention, he said: “I can imagine a future in which people experience augmented reality by wearing glasses with integrated displays that project images on their retinas. These images will seem to be just another part of reality. Think of it as a visual Walkman.”
Applications for the technology could be found in museum tours, architectural planning and industrial maintenance.
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Date Published: September 30, 2009
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