Hasta La Gadget!

Bringing touch interfaces to real-world objects often involves putting hardware either inside the item or in front of it, neither of which is especially natural. Fujitsu has developed a control system that could eliminate those obstructions and bring digital interaction to many surfaces, even to old-fashioned paper. Its multi-camera approach can distinguish between objects on a table and the exact positions of a user’s fingers, right down to fingertip outlines; it’s accurate enough to scan text from a book as you drag your finger along the page. The system really comes alive, however, when its projector is involved. Besides providing visual feedback, the image overlay allows for both control of purely digital objects and interfaces tailored to real-world items. The company imagines brochures or maps that pop up extra details, among numerous other examples. While we wonder how long the technology will remain useful when there’s an ongoing push to go paperless, Fujitsu sees enough practicality that it’s anticipating a product in its fiscal 2014. That doesn’t leave long until we can get a very literal hands-on.

Filed under: Displays, Peripherals

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Via: The Verge

Source: Fujitsu

Microsoft has talked up its Kinect Fusion tool since 2011, but it took some time at TechFest this week to show off how the software could be useful in operating rooms. For those who need a refresher, Redmond’s solution can create 3D models of whatever an attached Kinect sensor lays eyes on, but in this instance it was leveraged to create an augmented reality experience. Using an off-the-shelf Kinect camera duct-taped to a tablet, Microsoft researchers layered a model of a brain onto a mannequin’s head, making its would-be mind viewable on the slate from different angles. Ballmer and Co. reckon that neurosurgeons could use the technique to visualize what’s in a patient’s noggin and plan how they’ll guide their scalpel. Word that Fusion would come to the Kinect for Windows SDK first surfaced last year, but Microsoft now says it’ll hit the dev kit’s next release, which should arrive shortly. Head past the break to catch a video of the medical concept app in action.

Filed under: Misc, Peripherals, Science, Microsoft

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Source: IEEE Spectrum

This isn’t the first we’ve heard of Canon’s Mixed Reality system — not by a long shot. The company’s trotted its augmented reality headset out a few times before. The camera maker did, however, take the opportunity to shed some light on its US plans for the head-mounted display yesterday at an event held in Manhattan’s Classic Car Club. Surrounded by the classy convertibles, the company also unveiled the more streamlined (and vaguely Cypress Hill-esque) MREAL name. As before, the headset is decidedly industry-facing, targeting product prototypers with an augmented reality system that lets designers interact with computer-generated versions of their creations before actually willing them into existence.

The MREAL System for Mixed Reality (that’s the full name — or, if you want to drill down even further: the headset is the HM-A1 and the software platform is MP-100) generates video of one’s surroundings using a pair of cameras positioned in front of the wearer’s eyes, which is combined with computer-generated graphics. The result is displayed on a pair of small monitors “to create high-impact, three-dimensional images.” Amongst the potential target audiences for the product are automotive designers, manufacturers, university researchers and museum exhibit curators. Canon’s also planning to open up its SDK to developers, so applications will likely only increase.

As per Canon’s press release, the MREAL system is set for a March 1st release, priced on a sliding scale, depending on which configuration you opt into — though the company tossed out the steep $125,000 price point, along with $25,000 in annual maintenance. The aforementioned press release can be found after the break — or better yet, have a look at our hands-on with the device right now.

Filed under: Cameras, Displays, Canon

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We saw Vuzix shift to a more Google Glass-esque set of smart glasses at CES in January, but it looks like it’s not about to abandon the more traditional wrap-around headsets it’s been churning out year after year. The company’s latest is the Wrap 1200AR, which is a lot like its Wrap 1200VR headset, but with a focus on augmented reality instead of virtual reality. That means you’ll get two (VGA) cameras mounted on the front to capture stereoscopic video of your surroundings, along with a pair of displays (852 x 480 each) to view that video — augmented or otherwise — in 3D. As with the Wrap 1200VR, the glasses also come equipped with head-tracking technology, but they don’t come cheap. These will set you back a hefty $1,499, and are available to order now.

Filed under: Displays, Wearables

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Via: Electronista

Source: Vuzix

Google just hit our inbox with an email inviting folks who pre-ordered the Explorer Edition of Project Glass to two-day hackathons in San Francisco and New York, where they’ll be the first group of developers — not being paid by Page and Co. — to collectively develop for Glass. Dubbed Glass Foundry, the events will introduce developers to Glass, set them up with access to the hardware and familiarize them with the API, called Mirror. Throughout the powwow, Google engineers will be on-hand to help out with development, and the second day will feature demos and “special guest judges.” Hackers in San Francisco can look forward to the event on January 28th and 29th, while those in New York City can snag time with the device on February 1st and 2nd. Hit the jump for the full text of Mountain View’s email.

Continue reading Google invites Glass pre-order holders to hackathons in New York, San Francisco

Filed under: Google

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