As the Augmented Reality technology/concept passes through more and more research centres, there are bound to be loads of exciting new applications popping up. Here is one that caught my fancy from Natan Linder at MIT Media Lab whereby they are enabling a regular lamp to become a form of augmented reality projector. Since it is quite complicated to explain, I have lifted their own text here:
“LuminAR reinvents the traditional incandescent bulb and desk lamp, evolving them into a new category of robotic, digital information devices. The LuminAR Bulb combines a Pico-projector, camera, and wireless computer in a compact form factor. This self-contained system enables users with just-in-time projected information and a gestural user interface, and it can be screwed into standard light fixtures everywhere. The LuminAR Lamp is an articulated robotic arm, designed to interface with the LuminAR Bulb. Both LuminAR form factors dynamically augment their environments with media and information, while seamlessly connecting with laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. LuminAR transforms surfaces and objects into interactive spaces that blend digital media and information with the physical space. The project radically rethinks the design of traditional lighting objects, and explores how we can endow them with novel augmented-reality interfaces. LuminAR was created by Natan Linder and Pattie Maes from the Fluid Interfaces Group at the MIT Media Lab.”
What do you think of this application? How much would you like it on your desktop? Personally, I love the idea.
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