[simpits-tech] Disruptive tech, flight sim edition...

[Matt Bailey]

Now that's a spectacular idea! I could see this being the next big
thing for gamers of all sorts. Could also be big uses in the medical
and engineering fields, as well. Just think of what indoor laser tag
could become...heck, you could play alone and still have a blast. :)
You could build levels out of the reflective stuff, and change the
entire look of the place with software.

I can just see this merging with GoogleGlass....and everyone will have
one, and next thing you know, marketers are paying to stick their ads
in the software, so instead of plastering stuff all over a big
billboard, you just see it projected through your glasses, LOL. Sounds
like a bad dystopian scifi movie!  All kidding aside, I hope this gets
a lot of financial and industry support, as it could be a big game
changer for a lot of people.

I could see flight simmers who are currently in the TrackIR and
simpler built-up cockpit level using it as well....I bet it would be
worlds better than TrackIR and three big monitors, or even a big
projector on a flat screen. I don't see it replacing the more advanced
projection systems, however.

Hope you get your skullcap back in place, Gene. :) And thanks for
sharing, this looks like an exciting one to watch.

Matt

On Thu, 26 Sep 2013 19:49:01 -0700 (PDT)
geneb <geneb at deltasoft.com> wrote:

> Well today I had my mind blown.  Not just a little either.  We're
> talking full skullcap separation here. :)
> 
> I've been peripherially aware of an augmented reality project called 
> castAR.  I saw a still photo of it in action the other day and this
> caused me to reach out to the designer with some questions about it.
> 
> Holeeee shit.
> 
> The castAR in its most basic form is a pair of 720p pico projectors 
> attached to what amounts to eyeglass frames, coupled with some glue
> logic and a TrackIR style head tracker.
> 
> The light output of the projectors is so low that you won't see the
> image they project on a normal surface.  It requires what is called a
> "retro reflective surface"  It's essentially the same thing as a
> theatre's projection screen.
> 
> Now think about this - you're in a cockpit with all these things that 
> won't reflect the light from the projectors, but "outside" is this 
> material.  As you move your head around, you're going to see outside 
> visuals where ever the castAR output hits the screen material.
> Because of the head tracking (accurate to .07mm apparently) you're
> always going to see the right visual.
> 
> You see why my head exploded?
> 
> Now add to the outside visuals - instead of stuffing your cockpit
> with LCDs for the various avionics displays, stuff properly sized
> bits of this reflective material where ever the instruments go.  When
> you're looking at them, you'll be seeing those glass displays where
> they belong.
> 
> That's why the top of my head came off. :)
> 
> This is the most disruptive technology I think I've ever seen.  This
> could single handedly revitalize the whole flight simulator genre.
> From what I've read, adding support for castAR isn't that difficult
> of a programming challenge.  I suspect that it won't take long for
> Eagle Dynamics and 1C to add support for castAR once it hits the
> market.
> 
> The company is called Technical Illusions and the hardware is
> designed by Jeri Ellsworth.  The website is
> http://www.technicalillusions.com
> 
> They're going to be opening a Kickstarter on October 15th - I would
> highly recommend that you folks check it out when it goes up.  Come
> hell or high water, I'm going to figure out how to get my hands on a
> pair of these things as early as I can.
> 
> g.
> 
>