"Terminator Vision" Is Here For the iPhone

musefrog writes "The BBC is reporting that so-called augmented reality has arrived — in the UK at least. From the article: 'Via the video function of a mobile phone's camera it is now possible to combine a regular pictorial view with added data from the internet just as the fictional Terminator was able to overlay its view of the world with vital information about its surroundings. For example, UK-firm Acrossair has launched an application for the iPhone which allows Londoners to find their nearest tube station using their iPhone.' The page features an impressive video demonstrating AR in action."

Comments

Re:Camera?

[BobMcD]

Yes, this, exactly. You could turn the camera off and overlay the same data over a blank screen, and it would make no difference.

Its a fine app, but not nearly 'augmented reality', at least not by way of a camera or in the way depicted in the film.

Re:Hud?

[Lallander]

I think what you are looking for is an EyeTap. http://eyetap.org/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyetap

Re:Hud?

[just fiddling around]

I can't currently find a better link than wikipedia, but there is a class of HUDs that are called "Visual retinal displays" that project the HUD info on the retina of the wearer. I have read about a system that uses a very low power laser and a micro-mirror to paint on the retina; the system can be integrated in the glasses' branches. Of course, there is still a need for control hardware somewhere, but it can be remote (ex.: on the hip)