Just a short video for this lazy Saturday afternoon. The German federal election are held tomorrow, and the voting form may be confusing for some. Luckily, augmented reality is here to help you do the right choice:
Sounds a bit illegal, though I can see parties using such application for a last minute self-advertisement. Unfortunately, no further details are provided.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Handhelds and Cellphones, Markerless | 4 Comments »
Daniel Wagner and our friends from Graz University of Technology bring us another set of amazing videos (previously). Nothing I can say can beat the following videos, so I’ll just shut up, and let you enjoy.
The tracking algorithm behind it is PatchTracker that will be featured in ISMAR09. As you can see in the videos, on an Asus P565 the algorithm achieves 30 frames per second. If that’s a sign of things we are going to see at ISMAR, we are going to have a great conference!
See the third video and find more details here.
Filed under: Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
Today is a sad day for many AR enthusiasts. Just yesterday I’ve asked how would Layar’s new 3d feature affect Gamaray. Now, I unfortunately know the answer. Clayton Lilly, the man behind the Gamaray browser, has decided to quit developing it. In a mail to Gamaray’s developers mailing list, Lilly writes:
After hearing the announcements made by Layar and Mobilizy yesterday I’ve decided to stop developing Gamaray any further. I’ll still support the existing version of Gamaray as best I can, although I would suggest applying for a Layar developer key or learning ARML. The main competitive features Gamaray had were 3D objects and its open http/XML architecture. Since Gamaray couldn’t compete against the other companies when it had these advantages, there’s no point in continuing now that both these features will be covered by the other browsers.
Gamaray was one of the first mobile AR browsers, and took the original approach of embedding 3d virtual objects from the get go. I first interviewed Lilly in June, when he had high hopes for Gamaray. However, even back then, Lilly was woried about the developing a platform:
Right now we are focusing on the creation of multiplayer AR games for Android, our first one being a tank combat game. Beyond that, it will depend on how the market looks, although we have lots of ideas.
We know that AR is going to be very big in the near future, but the challenge is knowing what to focus our efforts on. For a while we thought of creating a more general purpose AR platform, but I’m concerned that Google may already be developing a first person AR viewer for KML data and 3D models.
I hope that in a world where new AR browsers are created by the minute (I learned about two new ones just today), Lilly and Gamaray would find their niche, and maybe create that tank game.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Gamaray, GPS and Compass, Handhelds and Cellphones, Tourism and Outdoors | 3 Comments »
SALZBURG, Austria: SEPTEMBER 22nd 2009. The nascent field of Mobile Augmented Reality (AR) is on the verge of becoming mainstream. In recent months an explosion in the development of practical AR solutions has given consumers numerous AR applications to experience and “augment” their daily lives. With this surge in AR development the potential arises for the multiplication of proprietary methods for aggregating and displaying geographic annotation and location-specific data. Mobilizy proposes creating an augmented reality mark-up language specification based on the OpenGIS® KML Encoding Standard (OGC KML) with extensions. The impetus for proposing the creation of an open Augmented Reality Markup Language (ARML) specification to The AR Consortium is to help establish and shape a long-term, sustainable framework for displaying geographic annotation and location-specific data within Augmented Reality browsers.
In addition to proposing the ARML specification to The AR Consoritum, Mobilizy will be presenting an overview of the ARML specification at the Emerging Technologies Conference @MIT, Boston, and at the Over The Air Event held at Imperial College in London. An introduction to the ARML specification is available here.
The purpose for establishing an open ARML specification is to assure all data that is created for augmentation in the physical world could be universally accessed and viewed on any augmented reality browser. ARML allows individuals and organizations to easily create and style their own AR content (e.g. points of interest) without advanced knowledge of AR, APIs or tools. The ARML specification is analogous to HTML for the Web, which is used for creating web-pages and web-sites.
Features of the proposed ARML specification 1.0 include:
* Founded upon KML with extension name-space for AR specific data;
* Placement of a “View in AR” icon which clearly identifies a mobile website that supports location aware (real time) data in an ARML browser;
* Compliance with basic XML document structure – no proprietary programming API required to create an AR layer.
* ARML adherent data can be viewed on ARML browsers (e.g. Wikitude) and KML browsers (e.g. Google Earth);
* Custom styling of AR data (points of interest) via standard KML styling elements;
* Initial support for UTF-8 encoding.
Additionally all content created using the ARML specification can be also viewed on other KML based viewers such as Google Earth without any modification. For Mobilizy, proposing the ARML specification is a logical step to assure cross-platform exchange of context-aware, location-based, real time data within an AR experience.
Mobilizy understands ARML as a natural evolutionary process to open AR for the entire world. We believe that open standards and open interfaces are a key to success for Mobile AR initiatives. Mobilizy’s strategy is to build a complete AR eco-system for context-sensitive, location aware, real time data exchange in conjunction with a compliant browser that includes interfaces to social bookmarking services, search engines and directories.
Mobilizy GmbH is offering limited access to the preview version of our upcoming ARML browser. If you are interested to gain early access, or you have questions regarding the ARML specification, please contact us at: arml@mobilizy.com
About The AR Consortium:
The founding members of the AR Consortium are eight companies whose primary focus is augmented reality, whether technology, tools, applications, solutions, or content. The AR Consortium’s goals include providing a forum for members to meet, share ideas, and discuss issues facing the growth of the industry, as well as open a dialog about emerging standards and protocols.
About Mobilizy:
Mobilizy is an early pioneer in commercial augmented reality and the creator of the WIKITUDE World Browser, which is one of the first practical augmented reality (AR) mobile applications available world-wide. Mobilizy GmbH engages in the research and in-house development of location-based services and augmented (mixed) reality experiences for smart-phones. Mobilizy is one of the leading innovators in developing new methods and applications for data acquisition and exchange in the emerging market of mobile augmented reality.
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Filed under: Press Release | Tagged: AR Consortium, ARML, Markup language, Mobilizy | 3 Comments »
Layar adds new dimensions to its platform; first demo in Amsterdam.
AMSTERDAM, September 22nd 2009 – Today Layar announced the addition of 3D capabilities to its augmented reality browser platform. With 3D, developers can tag real-life objects with 3D text, place 3D objects in real-world space, and create multi-sensory experiences. The addition of 3D enables Layar developers to create more realistic and immersive augmented reality experiences for mobile devices.
First demo at Picnic Conference in the Netherlands
The first demonstration of the Layar 3D experience will be at the Picnic Conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, from September 23-25. A demo application has been developed to showcase the power of 3D. Conference attendees looking for “Picnic” in the Android Market can find and download the Android application to their phone to view a virtual exhibition that delivers a multi-sensory experience of reality, augmented by 3D.
They will experience the flyby of a jumbo jet, a rocket launch, and be in the middle of an arcade game – all including sound. Conference buildings are tagged with 3D texts and on the lawn several 3D objects are placed such as windmills and 3D “experience domes”. Videos and images of the demo are available at http://www.layar.com/3D.
How does it work?
Layar 3D makes use of OpenGL, the accelerometer, the GPS and the compass of the phone. Developers can place 3D objects in their content layers based on coordinates. Objects can be optimized in size and orientation to create an immersive and realistic experience. The 3D capabilities support live downloading and rendering of 3D objects. Actions such as “open link” or “play music” can be assigned to 3D objects.
November Launch for Android
Together with selected partners Layar will update their API to support 3D objects for new and existing layers. Layar will launch 3D to the public in November together with the launch of version 3.0 of the Layar Reality Browser for Android.
Raimo van der Klein, CEO:
“We are very excited to announce this groundbreaking addition to the platform. Augmented Reality is an experience medium, not just a tool or a substitute for maps. With 3D we deliver these experiences. The platform currently facilitates over 500 developers who from November onwards will have endless possibilities to create rich 3D multi-sensory Augmented Reality experiences.”
About Layar
The Layar Reality Browser displays real time digital information on top of reality in the camera screen of the mobile phone. While looking through the phone’s camera lens, a user can see houses for sale, popular bars and shops, tourist information, play a live game, etcetera. Layar first launched on June 16th, 2009 and announced its global launch and version 2.0 on August 17th, 2009. The Layar platform serves as an enabler for mobile location services – any database with geo-location information can easily be turned in a content layer. The Layar Reality Browser is globally available for mobile phones running the Android operating system, with iPhone 3GS coming soon. Layar is a company based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
More information
Layar3D Augmented Reality Engine Trial: Flyby of a Boeing 747
Layar3D Augmented Reality Engine Trial: Arcade Game
Layar3D Augmented Reality Engine Trial: Venue Tagging
Filed under: Press Release | Tagged: Layar Reality Browser | 8 Comments »
In his recent sermon to the augmented reality community, Bruce Sterling, envisaged the dawn of the AR industry.
He talked about things to avoid (magic) and things to embrace (style). He projected the inevitable: as multiple new AR companies give birth and mature – there will come a time of consolidation. We have seen this phenomenon occurring in many industries before: after going through excruciating pain of the early stage, some companies survive and others go belly up. Among the surviving companies we typically see a consolidation process including mergers and acquisitions.
It is called Natural Evolution, and is viewed by many as a healthy process. Weeding out the weak and letting the strong survive. Hey, after all it turned out well for humans (that’s what some of us think).
On the flip side, that process is far from being the most effective. Significant amounts of investment go to waste, great talent get burned out, and many truly useful products get buried along the path.
So, yes, we could put our blood and sweat, grind through the early stage pain or…we could consider an alternative approach. Dare I say Intelligent Design?
Don’t get alarmed, I am not thinking about a divine intervention…
I am talking about Collaboration.
I should have called it Collaborative Design but that would have taken the punch out of the title, right?
Humor me for a moment and imagine the following scenario (you may close your eyes if it helps…):
A dozen young and ambitious pre-funded AR start ups meet to discuss how to join forces. They devise a collaborative plan that embraces an unmatched pool of talent covering all aspects of a successful company; they create an invincible business plan; they land a significant investment that offers the investing entities a much lower risk. They accelerate the delivery of products and services that work and delight users.
The biggest winners of this approach are naturally – the users.
They get what they want sooner, better, probably cheaper, and with a long term assurance for continuity.
How would this work?
Focus is probably the #1 trait entrepreneurs tend to attribute to the success of all – but especially young – companies. How do you maintain focus when you glue together different entities with different goals?
Definitely not an easy task. Especially when PEOPLE are involved (people tend to have issues and egos).
Federation is an approach that has proven to work in other domains. Each entity has its own leadership, goals, expertise and dedicated funds – and they all share a greater set of leadership, goals, expertise…and funds.
Many other difficulties and concerns will arise: How do you make decisions in such an organization? How do you know who to include prior to proven success? How do you avoid becoming an evil monopoly?
Smarter people than yours truly will have to take a stab at answering these questions. But once we can agree on the following guiding principle I think we’ll be well on our way. The principle is simply sharing a true passion for bringing augmented reality to the world while focusing on the user.
This is simple but powerful.
As Bernard Baruch, a leading banker and financier for much of this century said:
You don’t have to blow out the other fellow’s light to let your own shine.
Some will say it’s naive thinking. Others will say it’s revolutionary.
My friend Robert Rice joked that one day, in 10 years, MBA students will investigate this seemingly crazy initiative as a case study for alternative approaches to nurturing a successful industry…
Is it possible at all?
I truly believe it is. Every day I make an effort to walk the talk.
Robert and I – along with 8 AR companies – have founded The AR consortium as a step towards collaboration.
The timing is critical, though. This scenario is only plausible as long as the AR industry is still small as it is today (to my opinion it hasn’t even given birth yet.)
If you do believe in this approach, now is the time to act.
***
This post is largely inspired by the book Coopetition which changed my view of business.
Filed under: AR Business | Tagged: augmented reality industry, Bruce Sterling | 17 Comments »
A shift from focus on technology to content typically represents major progress in an emerging industry.
Are we there yet?
Seac02 is sponsoring this content creation contest:
Submit videos or images created using LinceoVR — if you still don’t have it installed, what are you’re waiting for? Download it now!
Get the most out of LinceoVR: both virtual reality and camera matching (aka augmented reality) modalities of LinceoVR are allowed. Express your creativity, there’s absolutely no limit to your digital content creation! Just a few examples, to let your imagination flow:
- Industrial design images or videos;
- Character animations images or videos;
- Viral augmented reality images or videos;
- Packaging design images or videos;
- Viral marketing images or videos;
- You name it.. :)
At the end of the public web voting period (30th of November 2009), the top ten voted works will have the right to be judged by our amazing jury. Don’t miss this opportunity, get the chance to know better the power of LinceoVR and to win a Vuzix iWear VR920+CamAr, a Canon PowerShot SX120 or a Logitech Fusion 9000 Pro!
This contest is worth participating for 2 reasons:
1) win a Vuzix iWear VR920 + CamAR
2) Be judged by a mouth watering collection of Italian first names: Andrea, Davide, Fausto, Michele, Antony, Francesco, and Fabio…
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Researchers from the University of California Santa Barbara have a lofty goal on their minds – “Anywhere Augmentation”, which means augmenting arbitrary environments with little prior preparation. Or as they put it:
The main goal of this work is to lower the barrier of broad acceptance for augmented reality by expanding beyond research prototypes that only work in prepared, controlled environments.
Now, if have been following the world of augmented reality for the last year, you are probably familiar with the following situation. There’s some site offering an AR experience, but in order to access it, you have to print at least one black and white symbol. Unfortunately, the marker you have just printed last week, for another site, just doesn’t cut it. Each site requires its own marker, that becomes obsolete after two minutes. It’s a defining example of prior preparation in order to experience AR, and the researcher at UCSB as a plan to eliminate it.
Enters HandyAR. Instead of using a marker, Taehee Lee and Tobias Höllerer want to track your outstretched hand.
You can even have some minimal interaction with virtual objects, dragging and dropping them, by closing and opening your hand, as the following video shows:
Ain’t it cool? You can find much more information over here, where you can also download a binary (Windows) and source code (Visual Studio 2005) to play with.
(via @totalimmersion)
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Markerless, Research, UCSB | 2 Comments »
For our Hebrew readers (the three of you):
It’s the Jewish new year, and Israeli web design firm Netcraft produced this new year greeting. You can try it yourself here. (thanks Alon!)
Happy Rosh HaShana, Ori!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: artoolkit, Visible Markers, web camera | Leave a comment »
Games Alfresco 