Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09/13/virtual_reality_goggles/
Boffins develop Terminator-vision goggles
Acid trips without the... er... acid
Posted in Hardware, 13th September 2007 15:40 GMT
If you've ever wondered what it's like to trip on acid or experiencing life through the eyes of the Terminator, then a team of Russian inventors may have the gadget for you. The team has created a pair of virtual reality goggles that enables users to experience the world from a completely different perspective.
Matrix Glasses
The goggles, dubbed the Matrix Glasses, essentially apply Adobe Photoshop-esque filters to the feed from a front-mounted camera in real-time. The purpose, apparently, is to convert the reality of the mundane world around the user into some sort of virtual reality.
An online video [1] explains that the user's goggles are connected to a processing and battery box, which the creator says is designed to be strapped around the user's waist, although little else is said about how the device works.
Users will look a little like Star Trek's Geordi La Forge
However, he claims that it doesn't include a processing unit, giving it the advantage of being able to operate as soon as it's switched on – though the 'blue screen of death' would probably be considered an positive experience in this case.
One pair of specs, different experiences
It also incorporates a radio transmitter, so that the user's experience can be shown on a projector screen. Using it inside, though, can't be half as much fun as walking around outside, while the buildings change colour and streets take on a sort of Matrix film effect.
No word has been given about the availability or cost of the virtual reality kit - assuming it even becomes a real product - but if the inventors would like to send us a set for review then we'd be extremely pleased to give our professional opinion.
Thanks to Register Hardware reader Steve for the tip.