From Box to Digital cameras, Augmented Reality is the transformation of photography.
The roadmap of photography began around 1816 when Joseph Nicephore Niepce produced what is believed to be the oldest surviving photograph from a window of his estate in Le Gras in the Burgundy region of France from a box camera. In 1869, Louis Ducos du Hauron in Agen, revolutionized photography with the first color photography in three primary colours (red, yellow, blue).
From Box to AR cameras?
More than 200 years later, high definition digital photography has transcended the way we capture both images and video. As a result, we no longer require a camera or even a developing room. We can capture any image on our digital camera, PCs or even smart phones. Beyond this, at the swipe of our fingers we are able to manipulate the color, lighting, brightness and overlay filters to enhance the final image.
In 1968, Harvard professor Ivan Sutherland along with his student Bob Sproull, took photography to another dimension when he invented Augmented Reality. Titled the “Sword of Damocles“, this head-mounted display (HMD) utilized computer graphics to create a “create a system in which the user cannot tell the difference between the real world and virtual augmentation of it.” Due to the limitations in technology and the size of the original VR HMD, it would be another 48 years before the AR revolution began to tickle consumers lives with the Pokemon Go Craze.
However, despite Google’s AR Immersive YouTube Beauty and Oculus Rift’s radical digital entertainment and gaming experience, AR has still has not become mainstream. The promise for AR and VR is great (source techjury.net):
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- The global AR and VR market is projected to grow to $209.2 billion by 2022
- Global VR video gaming revenues are expected to reach $15.1B in 2019
- There are more than 171M VR users worldwide
From Pokemon to your motorcycle?
Looking to take photography out of the 19th and into the 21st century. Singapore based technology start-up Whyre is hoping to transform the way we capture our lives. The Argon Transform is the world’s first dual-camera AR attachment for motorcycle helmets. At 150g it is compact, lightweight and extremely easy to install or even transfer between helmets. Simply affix the unit using sticky mounts. In addition to capturing video and photographs with one touch controls, the Argon Transform also provides a cornucopia of technological goodies including:
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- The Ability to answer, reject, or hang up on calls hands-free
- Caller ID
- View Music Titles
- GPS
- Speedometer
- Digital Clock
As part of the system, Argon Transform comes with a Bluetooth Handlebar Controller that provides riders with one-touch, hassle-free wireless control while riding.
The Front dash Camera records video on an expandable micro SD card built into the Argon Transform at 720p, 30FPS, and image capture at 1080p. The 180-degree field of view Rear-View Camera Feed eliminates blind spots and provides the driver with a full picture of what’s happening behind you. The Augmented Reality (AR) high-definition, translucent display also features brightness control so you can use it at any time of day.
Outside the video, the Argon Transform also has a noise cancelling Hi-Fi Speakers and Microphone built into the device which are great to listen to music or answer a call. Riders can also switch between visual functions as they drive with a one-touch, hassle-free wireless control system to answer/hang-up calls, capture pictures/videos and more.
The Argon Transform is available for purchase through its online Indiegogo campaign and is expected to be delivered in Q1 2020.
Features and Specifications
- Dimensions:
- Front: 101.4 x 36.2 x 51.1 mm
- Back: 36.7 x 114 x 52.5 mm
- Rear Mount: 39.5 x 44.5 x 69.1 mm
- Weight: Front 150g, Back 150g. Rear Mount 50g
- Vision: 180 degree field of view
- Battery:
- Type: Lithium-Polymer Battery
- Battery Life: Up to 8-hour battery life
- Charging Interface: USB C
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4, Wi-Fi, GPS
- Two-Way Bluetooth Intercom System: Private and seamless communication channel for rider distances of up to 100 meters apart.
- Offline Built-in GPS: Does not require data and operates even in remote areas where the cellular network is weak.
- Hi-Fi Noise cancelling Speakers and Microphone
- Dedicated Mobile App:
- Access specific ride statistics, captured media
- Argon settings,
- Argon social community
- Digital riding logbook (record last maintenance dates, spare part changes/cost etc.)
- Status:
- Seeking funding on Indiegogo
- Eta for Delivery: February 2020
For more information or to acquire the: Argon Transform
About Whyre
Whyre is a technology start-up based in Singapore with a mission to create safer road environments for motorcyclists. For more information, visit http://whyre.net/ or https://www.argontransform.com/.
