Kalniei O. V., Petrenko O. M., Timoshenko Zh. I.
Oles Honchar Dnipropetrovsk National University
ASSESSMENT OF PROSPECTS FOR AUGMENTED REALITY DEVICES
Use of electronic devices for augmented reality for cybernetization of human has always been controversial and complex issue. Recent attempts of creating augmented reality devices, and integrating them with the human body (called cyborgs) had great resonance among the scientific and world community. Using technology in order to improve (expand) the human sensor system in addition to the positive aspects can lead to undesirable social and biological consequences.
We investigated two main directions of development of augmented reality devices, such as:
1) Laptop computer also called WearComp. First this device was developed by Steve Mann in the early 1980s. His idea was picked up by many scientists and developers and it’s currently engaged in the creation of wearable computers such known companies as Nokia, Google and Apple. The most famous design for today is Google Glass. They have the form of conventional glasses, with the circuit board built into the rim, battery and speaker, combined with tactile button that transmits the sound directly into the bone. Wearable computer displays the information as a translucent microdisplay through which you can view the information, or directly into the eye of the operator on retina using optical devices (microprojector), mounted into the sunglasses. Control is performed with the touchpad near the right eye. Wearable computers are designed to improve the sensory functions and human capabilities and can be used in medicine, in the military activity, in transport services.
2) Device created by the cybernetic Adam Montandon and Neil Harbisson. The invention was based on certain physical similarity of sound and light waves, which means that if you slow down a light wave, the light gets no longer visible, it becomes audible. Thus it was created the device that allows you to convert the light emission of the optical range of different lengths in the sound radiation and gives the sound vibrations of different frequencies or on headphones, either directly to the brain via bone conduction. It has been applied to compensate for unavailable features distinguishing colors Neil Harbisson (achromatopsia). This device makes the user achieve available identify much more colors than capable of distinguishing ordinary optical system of a person can, and also to distinguish the ultraviolet and infrared radiation. This device opens up new perspectives in creativity and science.
Advanced ideas of creating devices that allow a person have a set of new functions, not inherent nature of the human body. For example: thermal imaging, the difference of the ionization and radioactive emissions, the ability to recognize verbal information of unfamiliar language. All of these devices have undeniable advantages, but, unfortunately, a number of shortcomings and negative consequences of their use are still quite large. At the moment, developers are faced with main problems such as:
– Short battery life (since the main advantage of these devices in their mobility, this deficiency is very essential and now many scientists are actively working on developing new battery technologies).
– High price.
– Some restrictions on their use.
– Deterioration of natural perception of the human senses with prolonged use of devices (a number of negative effects on the human body is quite large and not fully understood, because some problems can be identified only after several years of use, but it is now seen human disorientation, decreased hearing and vision and just change the perception of reality).
Thorough analysis of augmented reality devices is important because the development of new technologies is always necessary to consider all the pros and cons of these implementations for finding optimal solutions and achieve the desired results. In addition public opinion on this subject is quite twofold, so its analysis provides answers to some troubling questions and sets some new.