All Mode
For all the users of the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive VR Headsets who want to experience high-end augmented reality, Stereolabs has arrived with a wonderful hack for you. StereoLabs has just unveiled a smaller, mini version, of its stereo depth-sensing ZED Camera which perfectly fits the conventional mount and can be attached to the Vive and Rift headsets.
ZED Mini Camera
When the ZED Mini depth-mapping camera is attached to the Vive or Rift headsets, it offers a stereo pass-through video. It also does real-time depth-mapping in the surrounding environment by introducing augmented reality capabilities to the VR headsets.
Image credit: Stereolabs
Google and Apple have just introduced their AR tracking abilities to smartphones, using built-in sensors and software integrated solutions known as ARCore and ARKit respectively. However, such solutions have hardware limitations and are far from providing high-end immersive AR experiences. Also, existing high-end AR headsets like the ODG R8 and HoloLens have a limited field-of-view (just 40 degrees) in comparison to the high-end VR counterparts that offer 100 degrees and above.
The ZED Mini Camera, attached to any of these two VR headsets, will imitate an immersive AR experience with real-time tracking and environment mapping in a wide field-of-view. The ZED Mini camera module, attached to the front of the VR headset, is comprised of two camera sensors placed at 65mm distance apart which is pretty close to the inter-pupil distance of most people.
Image credit: Stereolabs
These camera sensors then allow for a comfortable pass-through stereo video within the VR headset. In addition to this, the module will compare the images in both the sensors to map the depth of the scene. As per Stereolabs, these camera sensors can detect depth to an impressive accuracy of 49 feet or 15 meters. After this, the ZED Mini Camera creates a geometric map of the surrounding environment in real time. It will then fuss out all the data with the onboard chip thereby activating the positional tracking feature of the headset in the AR environment.
This means that you can just step into your favourite adult VR game, choose your favourite VR porn character, and sit with him/her on your comfortable couch or soft bed. This new way of interacting with CGI models should definitely enhance your cozy time together. Stereolabs has demonstrated one game that turns your room into a battlefield. Check out the video below.
This certainly looks like an interesting concept from Stereolabs and provides AR developers with excellent tools to try out their AR experiment with wide angle FOV. The pre-orders for the ZED Mini camera have already started on the official Stereolabs website. The shipping will commence next month in November.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mxoOR2nQi0