Summary
Hrvoje Benko, Ricardo Jota, and
Andrew D. Wilson have created a new tabletop technology which uses powerful
Graphics processing and current generation depth measuring camers in order to
create a small environment in which a user can interact with virtual objects
and not need the assistance of any tools or apparatuses.
The
best way I like to look at it, is it’s extremely similar to the fictional
computer technology seen in the Iron man movies. Users can create and move and
interact with virtual objects and they’ll react as they would in real life. The
technology revolves around 3d capture, head tracking, and real time depth
camera processing. It uses a variety of techniques to address most issues
individually and combines them to create this new technology. The current
implementation, whilst not perfect, serves its purpose and proves that this
approach works.
The
MirageTable is successful but not complete. They want the camera’s to have more
resolution and to scan the whole geometry of an objecy. They also make a point
of how users cannot interact with an object from above, which for the most part
is realistic.
Related work not
referenced in paper
I looked at 'Augmented Reality' on Google as my keyword. Because I didn't want results that were just the MirageTable.
I mostly got results on 'How it works' more than anything on a specific project like Funiture of the Future. The works I got had a fair view of Augmented Reality but it was mostly the kind that's accessible on the iPhone. So I looked up 'Augmented Reality Tabletop' and got more relevant results.
Evaluation
The
writers of the article judged their work both quanitatively and subjectively.
They measure their success mostly by how well it works. Because success is
measured by how well a user can interact with the technology it’s difficult to
judge quantitatively. I feel like that they have a working product under given
limits and they simply consider that a measurable success.
Discussion
I think
the work is really cool and interesting. I can’t be sure why, but I think it’s
growing up, I watched movies and read books where, in the future, this type of
technology exists. Whether it is holograms in star wars or cool watches in Spy
Kids, I just think this is cool. Another thing that I like is that they mention
the future approach to the science. It’s nice that it’s evaluated as a
prototype more so than a finished product.
