Smart Watch "WatchThru" that can experience AR (augmented reality) without headset

Google's "Google Glass" projects AR graphics on lenses of glasses, Microsoft's "HoloLens" can project AR graphics through headset. Both were ideas of realizing the augmented reality world by attaching the device to the head, but the joint research team of Bohlemen University, Google · Hasselt University got a smart watch "AR" can be realized simply by wearing a clock device "WatchThru"As a new AR approach.

WatchThru (CHI 2017) - YouTube


WatchThru is a concept of smartwatch type AR device developed by Bremen University, Google, Hasselt University.


In addition to the main display of the conventional smart watch, the second screen displaying the AR pops up and has the feature of opening.


For example, when launching the map application on WatchThru's main display ......


On the second screen, the AR graphic of the arrow indicating the direction to go is displayed.


Let it light up where you can connect with the Arduino circuit board ......


It is possible to display the planet where the second screen is facing.


WatchThru is conceived with two versions, the regular version with only two screens and the high-end version with cameras and sensors. In the high-end version, it is considered to start an application that makes life more convenient, such as displaying the location of the nearby plug.




What is used in the movie is a prototype for proof of concept, and it is seen that it will take several years before it appears as a product version. The research team thinks that they want to be able to automatically open and close the second screen.