Last week’s InsideAR 2011 conference held in Munich, Germany, and hosted by Metaio, a technology company specializing in augmented reality, brought to light some of the most innovative developments to come to augmented reality ever. Augmented reality technology has always been leaps and bounds ahead of conventional hardware, limiting the use of the technology a great deal. Now, however, hardware technology is advancing at a much more rapid pace than it had been two decades ago, enabling developers to push the boundaries of technology and find out what augmented reality can really do.
Among the companies attending the conference was Vuzix, a leading producer of video eyewear and personal display devices. Vuzix has been working on a head-mounted AR system that would bring its wearer a new level of entertainment. The system would make use of augmented reality to enhance the real world with digital displays. In some cases, these displays would be little more than additional information, but it can also be used for gaming and finding directions.
Metaio, host of the event, also unveiled their new do-it-yourself augmented reality content creator called Metaio Creator. The program allows users to create full-fledged augmented reality experiences that can be shared an embedded in just about anything. The DIY approach to augmented reality is meant to appeal to creatives who have a tendency to push the boundaries of innovation. With their help, Metaio may find new ways to implement AR technology that they would have never found on their own.
