ex-Valve engineer's AR glasses - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Pat Pending
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2013, 09:03:43 am
content: http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/engadget-goes-hands-on-with-ex-valve-engineers-ar-glasses/I recall a AR demo from a recent CES show involving a dinosaur statue that was rendered atop of a live video feed.That demo had helmet mounted cameras capturing the 'outside' scenery for display on two 800x600 infinity adjusted LCDs.The processing lag was significant, such that rapid changes in viewing angle caused a strong loss of balance sensation.This implementation uses projection instead of image overlay, so any loss of balance sensation is lessened.Each year, CES brings promising 3D demos that inevitably turn out to be (insert expression of choice).I guess we are spoiled by the tantalizing glimpses of the future as portrayed by Hollywood.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 20, 2013, 12:08:19 pm
content: Regardless of whether or not this technology ultimately takes off in the consumer market is of course open to debate. But one thing is for sure, Jeri will have a few million $ in the bank come Kickstarter time. The gamer geeks will lap it up.She has to deliver alotof kit for the $200 though. Margins will likely be rather slim?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 20, 2013, 12:11:32 pm
content: Quote from: Pat Pending on May 20, 2013, 09:03:43 amI saw an ECAD companies demo of a 3D PCB once. It was awful, so hard on the eyes.We haven't evolved to watch stuff in that way.I refuse to watch 3D movies

author: justanothercanuck
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2013, 12:39:17 pm
content: Virtual reality is a fad. I figured everybody knew that when the Virtua Boy only lasted a year before being shitcanned.Best of luck to her though, I don't think I'll be buying one anytime soon.

author: Kevin.D
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2013, 01:12:56 pm
content: Quote from: justanothercanuck on May 20, 2013, 12:39:17 pmYes but there is a difference between AR and VR. AR =augmeneted reallity .these are more similar to an H.U.D.S or an overlay image on clear glasses . I think everyone is trying to get there systems out before google glasses appear.I think there are some good uses for them if someone can solve the focal probs and come out with a decent pair . Stuff like using a multimeter with a pair of these and having the readings pop up in your glasses instead of having to take your eyes off the probes and pcb to look at the meter display .I think theres alot of good uses for these systems more as an simple 2D H.U.D.S overlay more so than 3d graphics .

author: Pat Pending
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2013, 05:29:45 pm
content: Quote from: Kevin.D on May 20, 2013, 01:12:56 pmhmmmm.....a head mounted multimeter - I like itEither a Google glasses killer app or a modernized 1900's shock therapy technique.

author: ecat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2013, 05:37:10 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on May 20, 2013, 12:08:19 pmShe also has the blessing and telephone number ofSanta ClauseUncle Gabe, not a tradeable commodity but worth more than Apple stockProjection glasses and custom projection screen? Doesn't really appeal to me.

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2013, 05:39:22 pm
content: I believe gamers prefer large (curved ?) screens than eye pieces.Alexander.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2013, 07:29:26 pm
content: First thought:Star Wars holo chesssecond one:MIT Media Labhttp://www.pranavmistry.com/projects/sixthsense/Jeri is BRILLIANT. This will be great for kids. Real interaction instead of looking at flat screen, very important in child development. Games are only tip of the iceberg, this could be huge for education and learning.Minecraft in your room? Interactive Lego tutorial? Origami lessons?How about using it over a network and sharing one playground over thousands of kilometers? with physical objectsI wonder whats the max framerate/resolution of those pico projectors. Sensing element looks suspiciously similar to Wiimore IR camera (hardware tracking of 4 IR points at 100Hz, so Jeri uses something updated).

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2013, 08:13:20 pm
content: Quote from: Rasz on May 20, 2013, 07:29:26 pmMy first thought:

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2013, 08:37:01 am
content: Oh,thatValve...Before looking at the post and just at the title I was wondering why someone working with valves would need antireflective glasses.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2013, 06:37:21 am
content: Just listened tohttp://www.theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-147-absorptive-augmented-actuality/OMG this is going to be sooo goooooooooodJeri basically build her own Wiimote IR tracking sensor from scratch, but using modern cellphone HD camera instead of 170x130 whatever nintendo had.Reminds me of thishttp://chipsight.com/chipsight-slidesThis is what Rift has so much trouble with, even using state of the art IMUs they still have drift and need to recalibrate every 10-20 minutes. Not to mention they have very shitty LCD no one seems to mention in reviewsFor anyone interested this is what you see in Occulus right now:https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13291272/oculus-rift-team-fortress-2-render_revised.pngBasically pixelated Playstation2 lever graphics with huge black bars between pixelsThe potential this has is even bigger than I initially anticipated. That Tony Stark oscilloscope reading displayed right next to the board you are working on? WHOA!Instead of wand you could have "magic rings" on your fingers. Or a glove with embedded tracking leds to physically interact with virtual objects.Cant wait for kickstarter.

author: psycho0815
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2013, 06:55:18 am
content: Yeah that thing is seriously cool. And if they can keep that pricepoint it's a no-brainer for me.First thing i thought of was glueing that retroreflective stuff to gamecards and build a sabacc game.i can also see a lot of potential in next-gen board games.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2013, 07:19:26 am
content: Board games would be huge with this. Im spamming Will Wheaton and Felicia Day right now about this

author: thefatmoop
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2013, 07:02:07 pm
content: I don't think this will be a long term success. What surprises me the most is that valve let her take their tech and do a startup with it. Even if she developed it, it was developed at valve and they probably own it unless they messed on legals up or just dont care.

author: Len
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2013, 07:15:31 pm
content: Quote from: thefatmoop on May 29, 2013, 07:02:07 pmOn The Amp Hour podcast linked above, Jeri says that Gabe Newell (boss of Valve) allowed them to take the tech with them when they were laid off. It makes sense to me - Valve didn't want it, and if someone else uses it to make games, Valve will probably end up selling those games on Steam.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2013, 04:07:24 am
content: Quote from: Len on May 29, 2013, 07:15:31 pmShe even mentioned it took a bit of time to sort out the contract. So she apparently has something in written, not just the word of Newell. Contract details are likely a secret, but I wouldn't be surprised if Valve has some provisions in it to get something in return if the thing becomes a success.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 30, 2013, 04:12:40 am
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on May 30, 2013, 04:07:24 amYes, it's in writing, the tech is legally hers.