Vuzix tries its hand at augmented reality

A new headset from Vuzix brings augmented reality gaming. What does that mean? This is basically a 3D hud with a camera. It can directly interact with objects you’re looking at – say a block can have its own meta-information that appears whenever you look at it. I’m going to get the boys to look into this one because it sounds quite cool. Release post jump.

Vuzix to introduce the World’s First Consumer Augmented
Reality Video Eyewear at 2009 Game Developers Conference

See this groundbreaking technology at the Moscone Center, Booth Number 6420 NH, on March 23rd
– 27th, 2009 in San Francisco, CA

Rochester, NY – March 24, 2009 – Vuzix Corporation, the leader in video eyewear for the mainstream
consumer, defense and low vision markets, will showcase a game-changing Augmented Reality Accessory Kit
for the popular VR920 Virtual Reality Video Eyewear. Partnering with metaio, Inc., a world leader in
augmented reality software solutions, Vuzix will demonstrate at the 2009 GDC how a simple printed page can
be brought to life with 3-D animated characters that literally pop out of the book. Additionally, be prepared to
experience the thrill of a fantasy tale coming to life with a fire breathing dragon flying overhead.

Vuzix AR Accessory Kit consists of two main features:

• CamAR™, a clip-on USB camera that mounts onto a pair of Vuzix Video Eyewear. The CamAR™ not
only allows the user to see through to the real world but is also designed to accurately track objects and
the user’s position in 3-dimensional space.

• PhasAR™, a wireless augmented reality input controller is designed to be used in unison with the
CamAR™. The PhasAR™ allows users to interact with virtual, mixed and augmented reality worlds
with a revolutionary 6 degree of freedom tracking system that lets the computer know exactly where the
user is touching in the virtual and real worlds. Depending on the application, the PhasAR™ can
become anything from a powerful virtual magic wand to a 3-D virtual paint brush. The PhasAR™
enables powerful 2-D like mouse support in order to effortlessly control virtual objects in 3-D space.