Re:Meta: The Most Advanced Augmented Reality Interface
by modeless on Friday May 17, 2013 @06:44PM
(#5727051)
Theoretically you could render occluding white objects that are strictly brighter than anything in the real scene by overpowering the background light. Dark objects, shadows, or strongly colored objects could not be rendered in this way, as they require blocking incoming light of the wrong brightness or color.
In practice, overpowering background light is not possible with current displays. They're simply not bright enough.
Re:Meta: The Most Advanced Augmented Reality Interface
by v13inc on Friday May 17, 2013 @06:59PM
(#5727107)
That is a really good point. I seem to remember a really interesting article posted to HN awhile ago that went over all the pitfalls in depth. I'm really wishing I had bookmarked it now.
I think I'm going to have to rewatch the promo video in depth to see if they have any unrealistic demos with glasses-wearing users.
I still believe this technology would be really useful for doing Real Work. You could get around the shadow problem by working in a black surface. I am imagining an interface with a black drafting desk, small bluetooth keyboard, and a 3d tracked pen with this AR display could be absolutely revolutionary for certain engineering disciplines.
Theoretically, it should be possible to overpower the background light and have an object appear to be totally opaque, which is similar to the principle behind one-way mirrors. That amount of light might be blinding in certain circumstances, though.