Canon Launches Mixed Reality System

Canon has announced a new Mixed Reality (MR) System at the Virtual Reality Expo (IVR) on 18 June, 2012 at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center. The company said that it will begin sales of the platform from late June in Japan. This new augmented-reality platform will use head-mounted displays to realistically project virtual images on real backgrounds.


Canon’s Mixed Reality Goggles, Image Credit : DigInfo

Canon’s new MR system will allow users to view 3D objects from different angles by simply walking around them. Highlighting its unique technology Canon has mentioned that the technology is different from other augmented-reality solutions because virtual images can be accurately viewed from any angle using the new solution.

Canon’s specially designed head-mounted displays have one small digital camera next to each eye. The cameras provide input into the system software, which calculates how users should see virtual items and generates images correspondingly. Stereo cameras capture an image of what’s in front of you, and virtual images are overlaid on displays in the goggles. The virtual images are shown to users using two tiny display panels that sit just above the eyes. The images from the display panels are carefully aligned with user’s point of view, to keep the virtual world aligned with the real one. This camera-display combination allows the platform to display virtual items and shapes as though they are being viewed at the correct size and angle, even as users change position. As he system uses motion capture and gyro sensors, it tries to make the virtual look as real as possible.

Canon's New Mixed Reality System, Image Credit: Canon

Canon said that MR is intended primarily for product design. Seeing virtual prototypes at their actual size in a real-world context could reduce the number of physical prototypes that need to be made. In the video below you can see the system produces a great illusion and responds quickly to input from the person wearing the glasses.

Be noted that the system runs on Windows 7 and Windows XP, and requires the use of its camera-equipped head-mounted displays and markers. For further information, head over to the Canon.

Source : Canon
Special Thanks To : Diginfo TV

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Anatol

Anatol Rahman is the Editor at TheTechJournal. He loves complicated machineries, and crazy about robot and space. He likes cycling. Before joining TheTechJournal team, he worked in the telemarketing industry. You can catch him on Google+.

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