Week 1 Homework: Reflecting on Demos
30 August, 2019
- Smartphone/Table AR : Quiver and Spacecraft AR
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:
- Easily accessible, portable, and lower cost since most users already own a smartphone with a camera.
- Doesn’t require additional setup or space
- Useful for small-scale interactive experiences
Disadvantages:
- Works on prebuilt targets only
- The phone camera needs to be held exactly above the printout, any movement outside the grid would immediately disconnect the model
- HTC Vive
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:
- Suitable for large room 360 degree simulations and VR games
- Sound system can be plugged into the headset
- Able to use sound and high quality simulations to provide a more immersive experience
- Easy for users to interact with the virtual environment with the controllers
Disadvantages:
- The headset is slightly bulkier and would not be very comfortable to wear for long durations
- Users will be more prone to simulator sickness with this headset
- The headset is costly
- Requires additional setup- base stations, wired to a powerful computer
- Hololens
It is a mixed reality pair of smart glasses that recognizes movement and hand gestures.
Advantages:
- Light weight, portable and wireless
- Does not need to be connected to a computer
- Recognizes hand gestures and movements- pinch to select, etc
Disadvantages:
- Expensive
- Requires the user to move her head to be able to view the entire hologram. Can get tiring
- Requires additional head movements to make sure the cursor points at the required hologram
- Cave2
It is a large scale hybrid virtual reality system with a 14 camera optical track system.
Advantages:
- Multiple users can be part of the experience together- improves collaboration
- Provides high quality immersive experience
- 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:
- Occupies an entire room- needs to be filled with displays
- Not portable
- Requires a powerful computer and is expensive to maintain
- Does not support 360 degree experience since the displays are not on the floors and ceilings
- Users are more prone to simulator sickness