Week 1 Homework: Reflecting on Demos

30 August, 2019




  1. Smartphone/Table AR : Quiver and Spacecraft AR
  2. Quiver and Spacecraft AR are both Augment Reality applications that identify printed targets and let you view the 3D model close and study it. Advantages:
    1. Easily accessible, portable, and lower cost since most users already own a smartphone with a camera.
    2. Doesn’t require additional setup or space
    3. Useful for small-scale interactive experiences
    Disadvantages:
    1. Works on prebuilt targets only
    2. The phone camera needs to be held exactly above the printout, any movement outside the grid would immediately disconnect the model

  3. HTC Vive
  4. HTC Vive is a virtual reality system that tracks the user’s movements and uses motion tracked handheld remote controllers to interact with the environment. I viewed Google Earth on HTC Vive.
    Advantages:
    1. Suitable for large room 360 degree simulations and VR games
    2. Sound system can be plugged into the headset
    3. Able to use sound and high quality simulations to provide a more immersive experience
    4. Easy for users to interact with the virtual environment with the controllers
    Disadvantages:
    1. The headset is slightly bulkier and would not be very comfortable to wear for long durations
    2. Users will be more prone to simulator sickness with this headset
    3. The headset is costly
    4. Requires additional setup- base stations, wired to a powerful computer

  5. Hololens
  6. It is a mixed reality pair of smart glasses that recognizes movement and hand gestures.
    Advantages:
    1. Light weight, portable and wireless
    2. Does not need to be connected to a computer
    3. Recognizes hand gestures and movements- pinch to select, etc
    Disadvantages:
    1. Expensive
    2. Requires the user to move her head to be able to view the entire hologram. Can get tiring
    3. Requires additional head movements to make sure the cursor points at the required hologram

  7. Cave2
  8. It is a large scale hybrid virtual reality system with a 14 camera optical track system.
    Advantages:
    1. Multiple users can be part of the experience together- improves collaboration
    2. Provides high quality immersive experience
    3. While it requires a motion tracked controller and glasses to perform any actions, the objects can all be viewed by regular 3D glasses as well
    Disadvantages:
    1. Occupies an entire room- needs to be filled with displays
    2. Not portable
    3. Requires a powerful computer and is expensive to maintain
    4. Does not support 360 degree experience since the displays are not on the floors and ceilings
    5. Users are more prone to simulator sickness