Will Virtual Reality ever become something real?
The cats at Novation have been involved with virtual reality and related technologies for years but have never seen it take off as a mass marketed product – will it ever happen? Supplementing virtual reality are technologies with terms like augmented reality and mixed reality. Investors have reportedly poured in about a billion dollars to the selective Magic Leap in Florida. So even though ESPN and HBO have backed off from 3D broadcasts, many people see such technologies as the future.
We’ve tried them all. We’ve used Google Glass, HoloLens, Oculus Rift and our own prototypes. We’ve worked on systems for NASA, Mercedes Benz, and the US Navy. We’ve even worked on technology on the edges of virtual reality from stereo vision telepresence and CAVEs to amusement park rides and the yellow first and ten yard line.
Our favorite so far is the Hololens…it is heavy and clunky, but works very nicely. A bit of a narrow field of view, but it is acceptable once you get used to it. We think if they move the heavy batteries and electronics to your shoulders, and focus on a light glasses, they might have something really good.
But the big news re: Novation…James Cameron wants to make Avatar sequels that provide 3D without glasses. We hope he hasn’t been spying on us. The system we are working on is exactly that….We’re developing a walk-around, high resolution display system. It is not very expensive but is a bit awkward for now – we’ll keep working on it, don’t worry. One day you might have an amazing full 3D experience right in the middle of your living room.
After that we might concentrate on Smell-O-Vision.