Tag: augmented reality

New AR systems could potentially make a very big difference in complex emergency response.

A team of British engineers is currently developing a new form of augmented reality technology that could become highly usable for the improvement of military operation emergency responses.

The idea is to design the AR tech into highly mobile devices that can be used while in the field.

Among the various applications for the augmented reality emergency response technology includes a portable command center the size of a briefcase. That would be easy to transport and to use in a broad range of different types of emergency situation. Another type of AR tech under development includes a form of wearable device that pilots could use as a type of portable cockpit in order to enhance their awareness.

The British engineers who are working on this augmented reality technology are from BAE Systems.

They have joined University of Birmingham researchers in order to come up with a number of concepts that involve mixed reality that provide the user with the ability to view their actual surroundings combined with virtual images, objects, video feeds, avatars and other types of usable content.

BAE Systems futurist, Nick Colosimo, explained that both virtual and AR technology are becoming increasingly commonplace in consumer products. This has opened up a broad range of potential for that market, but has also revealed the type of benefits that it could provide to the military and armed forces.

These various types of mobile device use an AR headset that has been compared to the Oculus Rift. The use of that gadget will make it possible for commanders to direct various forms of military operation, regardless of whether they involve the use of drones or troops, by viewing a virtual representation of the real situation. The device can also be implemented as a powerful training solution.

The researchers who are working on this augmented reality technology have stated that the headsets may one day be replaced with alternatives as small as eyeglasses or even contact lenses, as the tech continues to develop. University of Birmingham professor and simulation and human factors specialist, Bob Stone, explained that “Since my first virtual reality experience at NASA nearly 30 years ago, the technology has evolved from the primitive head-mounted displays and computers to today’s world where we can interact with complex virtual objects, integrated in real-time with real-world scenarios.”

Shoppers who are looking for the perfect luxury vehicle will be able to use AR technology to help them find it.

Although Ferrari already offers online features to its customers and prospective shoppers that will let them to be able to customize their vehicles so that they can come up with the perfect dream car, it will soon be adding an augmented reality component to this experience that will give them an even clearer idea of how the real experience will feel.

This will help to gain a more thorough understanding of how various colors and features will look.

A growing number of automobile manufacturers are looking to augmented reality technology in order to help them to be able to provide their customers with an improved ability to envision what a car will look like with a certain paint color or interior upholstery. The reason is that it helps a customer to see with their eyes what they had previously needed to imagine in their minds.

Now, the Ferrari Augmented Reality Showroom will help potential customers to design their vehicles in real-time.

The AR app is designed to be used with a tablet for the best results. It makes it possible to be able to use the rear-facing camera on the device in order to track three dimensional objects. Once the device is aimed at one of five different compatible models of Ferrari, it is possible to superimpose a range of different features to be able to see how the vehicle would appear after those changes.

For example, the color of the paint can be changed, as can the brakes, wheel combinations, and a spectrum of different other accessories. This is similar to the feature that is already available with a computer, except that it allows the user to see the changes on a vehicle that is right in front of them.

It also lets a potential customer use the augmented reality to be able to see what is behind the outer “skin” of the car. It reveals the powertrain, as well as an expanded, three dimensional view of the vehicle’s braking system. It creates an overlay of a virtual wind-tunnel that makes it possible for the mobile device user to visualize the vehicle’s aerodynamics. The system is currently on its way to Australian and Japanese Ferrari dealerships and is expected to be in place later in 2015. It will be compatible with the FF, the California, the 458 Spider, the 458 Speciale, and the Berlinetta.