It is just over a decade that cameras first appeared on mobile devices. Cameras are now one of the most used features in mobile phones. As the technology is advancing with full thrust, handheld computers now have 3D vision that can open up new dimension for imaging apps with whole new ways of using devices. We already have apps that can scan the world in 3D, having 3D rendering hardware, would allow new potential for gaming, commerce and photography.
The first mobile depth sensing technology is Structure Sensor, which will soon hit the market. This accessory for Apple’s iPad, gives the device capabilities similar to Microsoft’s Kinetic gaming controller. Using Structure Sensor, users will be able to make a 3D scan of objects. Behind this device is the San Francisco Company named Occipital. They will start shipping in February 2014. Occipital has been in development of apps that allow people to scan objects in 3D mode by just walking around them.
This innovation is surly a game changing feat as the sensor would enable augmented reality and real world would be overlaid by virtual imagery. The games that would result by this hardware will be like playing ball fetch with virtual cat. Users will be able to throw virtual ball that bounces realistically off real world objects while virtual cat catches and jumps over real world objects.
According to the CEO of the company, they are focusing on providing tools to software developers to come up with compelling apps that use 3D sensing. Among buyers of Structure Sensor, a great deal is in gaming, in using it to scan real objects and copy or print it in 3D technology. This Structure Sensor can be proved a breakthrough in other markets as well, like people are interested in using it in construction industry by using it for measurements of space and replace the ways used today.
The structure Sensor works by projecting dappled pattern of infrared light in to the real world. The camera can observe the distortion in pattern by objects it falls on. This information by camera is then used to reconstruct objects in 3D.
For augmented reality, different companies are working on creating a comprehensive hardware that can relate to the software designed. Hardware manufacturers have already shown their research in progress and hopes to get it launch in coming year. Once this technology gets finalized and rolls in the commercial market, the whole picture would be changed. In fact this would be the mere start of future technology promises.
