Augmented Reality

Using projection mapping and a mix of tracking systems, creative studio THÉORIZ shows off a slick prototype which projects 3D images that dynamically adapt to movements, creating a sort of Holodeck version 1.0. Everything you see was captured live, with no post-production.

Developer Abhishek Singh wanted to see what kind of stuff he could do with Microsoft HoloLens, so he decided to replicate World 1-1 from Super Mario Bros. in augmented reality. If you thought people wearing Google Glass looked silly walking around…

Real life Arms. Jabii is a spring-loaded toy boxing glove designed to be safe enough for children. It also has a premium variant that has an accelerometer and Bluetooth chip that works with an augmented reality app.

Microsoft’s HoloLens tech is one of the most promising augmented reality systems we’ve seen. KennyWdev shows off a version of Portal that’s been modded to work with the goggles in the real world. It’s not perfect, but it’s a cool glimpse at the shape of things to come.

Reach Robotics’ MekaMon is a modular spider-like robot that you control via a mobile app. The robot is agile and has an animated and endearing way of moving and acting. You can play solo in augmented reality mode or fight another MekaMon player.

If you want to try out a tattoo design before committing to get inked, you can get a temporary tattoo, or you can use Ink Hunter. It’s an augmented reality app for iOS that lets you upload designs, project them on your body and edit and share the photo.

Inspired by his own holochess board from Star Wars, Academy Award winning effects wiz Phil Tippett is working with HappyGiant to create Hologrid Monster Battle, an augmented and virtual reality board game with collectible cards and battles between Tippett’s creatures.

The second in a series of videos called Polygon Graffiti. Made by Japanese collective AUJIK, the series is a conceptual look at the potential of augmented reality for artistic expression. First video here.

The young team at Frants Innovators claims it’s working on an augmented reality computer that translates English audio into text in real time, providing closed caption for daily life. The display is worn on eyeglasses frames while the rest of the computer is in a pocketable case.

The Yamaha PES2 is an electric motorcycle concept that has two electric motors – one under the tank and another one inside the front wheel – for two-wheel drive. It also has a crazy augmented reality helmet that overlays data from the bike’s cameras and other sensors.

Disney researchers have developed a method which lets kids (or adults) fill in a coloring book and see their creations mapped into 3D space via augmented reality. It works in real time on an ordinary tablet, and can even account for the curvature of the book’s pages.

The Verge goes inside Industrial Light & Magic’s virtual and augmented reality lab. Their efforts are helping moviemakers visualize spaces, and may someday allow us to jump right into the worlds of Star Wars, Jurassic Park and more.

Based on Word Lens, the Google Translate app’s visual translation feature now deciphers texts from 27 languages. To show off its versatility, Google matched the app with the lyrics to the rock & roll classic La Bamba.

Microsoft showed off its augmented reality headset HoloLens by demonstrating a new version of Minecraft made especially for the device. It will let you play on a virtual flat display on walls or project a 3D world on your desk.

Microsoft wants to take augmented reality to a whole new level, with see-through goggles which can project full color interactive 3D objects into your field of vision. It’s still a prototype, but early hands-on users are impressed.

Following up on their IllumiRoom concept, Microsoft’s RoomAlive tech surrounds users with video, and allows them to interact with content. Sadly, it requires multiple projectors and Kinects, so we doubt it’ll ever be produced.

This promising virtual reality system can be used with HDTVs, gaming consoles, PCs and anything that has an HDMI output. It also has a clever controller that can be used as a gun, a joystick, a gamepad and a motion controller.

Google Glass is still in beta, but on 4/15/14, any US resident over 18 years old will be able to purchase the wearable device. Sign up on the Glass website to get an email reminder and be back there on Tuesday to place your order.

Like the Oculus Rift, castAR glasses can display stereoscopic 3D video and track motion. But its defining feature is the ability to project video or images in front of the wearer, allowing for more social applications and tangible interaction.

Using Epson Moverio transparent displays combined with a small camera, Meta hopes to create a gadget which provides true gesture-controlled augmented reality – and makes you look like a complete dork.

Greg Kumparak made his small scale model of Doctor Who’s unique ride appear bigger on the inside. He made an augmented reality mobile app that shows a 3D model of the TARDIS’ interior.

Using AR tech and a special t-shirt, a 3D, moving Alien chestburster pops forth from its wearers chest. Get the app free for iOS or Android, and the T-shirt for 30 bucks or print your own target.

Using a sandbox equipped with a Kinect and a projector, this interactive environment displays a live topographic map based on the height of the sand, and simulates water flowing through valleys.

Taking a cue from the Nintendo 3DS, the PlayStation Vita will ship with 6 AR cards for use in augmented reality games, three of which will be available at launch and downloadable for free. More here.

Creative design studio Appshaker created a live augmented reality setup for National Geographic. They displayed live footage of bystanders with interactive CGI, which included a huge T-Rex.