Although the MagiMask looks like a virtual reality headset, but it is an augmented reality headset that uses a smartphone like a cardboard box. A good way to discover the potential of AR without ruining yourself.
For many people, augmented reality is either inaccessible or limited to smartphone applications. Augmented reality glasses like HoloLens or Magic Leap One are very expensive. MagiMask is a cardboard helmet that offers an interesting first access to augmented reality with a smartphone plus camera. In concrete terms, the headset looks like a cardboard box for virtual reality like Samsung Gear VR or Google Daydream, but actually offers augmented reality.
Similar to a “GearVR” of Augmented Reality, the headset offers the possibility to insert your smartphone into the device. The latter serves as a video recorder and display. The video thus transmitted on the screen is then enriched with various virtual objects.
The MagiMask is a kind of derivative for the extended reality of the previous mask of the company called MovieMask. One of its special features is that behind its optics it only offers a large view for both eyes, as opposed to conventional headsets, which offer an image divided into two parts so that each eye can have its own image and thus offer stereoscopic 3D. In the MagiMask you will understand that there will be no perception of stereoscopy, regardless of the “magic” of the headset.
In addition, we also ask ourselves about the comfort of the optics, as both eyes must perceive the same image so that the experience remains pleasant.
MagiMask uses the potential of Google’s ARCore and Apple’s ARKit to offer the first approach to augmented reality that is much better than a traditional smartphone AR application, which is very limited in its field of vision. Once the helmet is turned upside down, the user sees his normal environment in real time using the smartphone’s camera. This environment is enriched with holograms in augmented reality.
To enjoy it, your smartphone must be compatible with Augmented Reality. The MagiMask Augmented Reality Headset is currently the subject of a fundraising campaign by Crowdfunding Kickstarter, which you can view here. It is already possible to pre-order a helmet for $99. Deliveries are scheduled for the first quarter of 2019.
It would be compatible with all full screen augmented reality applications and would be accompanied by different position markers to allow the manipulation of virtual objects in space.
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