Leap Motion reveals an AR headset with high-resolution and 100 degree field of view. The project is known as Project North Star and they are planning to open-source the design of the device. They are leading in hand tracking hardware and softwares. From desktop input devices they moved to VR and now AR is their next step. All their efforts are in process to see how hand-tracking will be merged with VR and AR.
A side-mounted of prototype displays with large ‘bird bath’ style optics that can afford the device a 1,600 × 1,400 per-eye resolution at 120 FPS, with over 100 degrees of combined field of view, and hand-tracking which tracks at 150Hz over a 180 × 180 degree area. Project North Star was basically started to improve an old project of Leap Motion which had awesome specs but was uncomfortable in wearing.
“The vertical field of view struck us most of all; we could now look down with our eyes, put our hands at our chests and still see augmented information overlaid on top of our hands. This was not the minimal functionality required for a compelling experience, this was luxury.” Leap Motion
They made the headset in such a way that it is comfortable than VR systems. One will not experience the barriers of resolution, latency and field of view observed in today’s AR systems. Before open-sourcing Project North Star, Leap Motion will make some changes that will include room for enclosed sensors and electronics, better cable management, cleaner ergonomics and better curves.
Leap Motion hopes that the design will spawn further endeavors that will become available to the rest of the world.