ANTVR Trials Virtual Girlfriend For MIX Augmented Reality Glasses

Recently ANTVR launched a Kickstarter campaign for their new MIX headset which offers users a compact and lightweight head-mounted display (HMD) for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) experiences. The headset was funded in only a matter of hours and continues to gain more funds with just over ten days left to go. To demonstrate the potential application of the MIX, ANTVR recently showcased the popular VR Kanojo title on the headset, now running in AR.

VR Kanojo

Developed by the Japanese company Illusion, VR Kanojo allows user to interact with a virtual girlfriend by the name of Sakura Yuuhi. Players are able to become immersed in the experience and, as the game describes itself, “fell her breath on your cheek and the warmth of her fingers on your arm as you laugh and talk the day away”. Working with ANTVR the developers have been making adjustments to the title to bring it over to the headset in a new version of the title which is now dubbed AR Kanojo.

The title will offer the same experience as players have come to expect with the VR version of the title but this time it can be experiences in a whole new way. Bringing the virtual girlfriend experience into the augmented reality is not just an opportunity of players to have a fresh perceptive on the title but also showcases the flexibility of bring VR titles over to AR.

“A virtual romantic partner is the ultimate dream for many men,” said ANTVR Founder and CEO Qin Zheng. “I love the concept portrayed in movies like Blade Runner 2049, which have long imagined that holographic lovers could mitigate their physical and emotional desires. This augmented reality experience is the closest we’ve come yet to making that science fiction a reality.”

ANTVR previously had their demonstrations of AR Kanojo running on the MIX available to view, though these have since been removed. You can find a different demonstration below though that showcases the AR potential of the MIX in a similar vain. The Kickstarter for the headset still has over ten days left at the time of writing and is way ahead of it’s funding goal.

VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the last on MIX and ANTVR in the future so make sure to stay tuned for more. In the meantime, you can see VRFocus’ hands-on with the MIX during our discussion with Zhu Lee, of ANTVR’s Software Product Department. You can find that interview by clicking here.

AntVR: Kickstarter-Kampagne für AR-Brille “MIX” erfolgreich – Live-Demo am 21. Mai

Das chinesische Unternehmen AntVR startete kürzlich eine Kickstarter-Kampagne für die AR-Brille MIX, die dank kompakter Größe, geringem Gewicht und einem Sichtfeld von 96 Grad sowie Kompatibilität zu SteamVR seine potenziellen Unterstützer überzeugte, und innerhalb von nur acht Stunden das gewünschte Finanzierungsziel von knapp 42.000 US-Dollar erreichte. Aufgrund des raschen Erfolgs setzten die Entwickler ein Stretch Goal von 150.000 Euro zur Produktion der sogenannten VR Visor, einem Linsenaufsatz zur Modifikation des MIX-Modells zur VR-Brille. Heute am 21. Mai präsentieren die Entwickler eine Live-Demo der neuen Brille. Im Einsatz zu sehen sind populäre Steam-Spiele.

AntVR – Kickstarter-Kampagne für AR-Brille “MIX” erfolgreich

Das Finanzierungsziel der AR-Brille MIX wurde bereits nach nur acht Stunden erreicht. Die neue AR-Brille soll zwei Displays mit einer Auflösung von 1200 x 1200 Pixel mit einer Bildwiederholrate von 90 Hertz besitzen und ein Sichtfeld von 96 Grad offenbaren. Zusätzlich soll die Brille dank des geringen Gewichts und des angepassten Formfaktors einen angenehmen Tragekomfort bieten. Die MIX-Brille ist mit SteamVR kompatibel und unterstützt optionales Raum-, Augen- und Hand-Tracking sowie die Nutzung eines 3D-Controllers.

Nun veröffentlichten die Entwickler ein neues Stretch Goal zur Produktion des Linsenaufsatzes VR Visor, der die Brille zu einem AR- und VR-fähigen Hybrid modifiziert. Die undurchsichtigen Aufsätze sollen demnach anstelle der transparenten AR-Gläser angefügt werden und die MIX-Brille dadurch zur lichtundurchlässigen VR-Brille umfungieren.

Am 21. Mai um 22 Uhr stellt das Unternehmen eine Live-Demo der neuen Brille auf der offiziellen Webseite der Kickstarter-Kampagne vor. Darin soll die AR-Brille im Einsatz mit verschiedenen Steam-Titeln präsentiert werden.

Die Auslieferung der ersten Versionen der MIX-AR-Brille soll Ende 2018 beginnen. Das Standard-Set, bestehend aus Brille und Controller, ist für Unterstützer der Kampagne für unter 500 US-Dollar erhältlich. Der reguläre Verkaufspreis soll sich laut derzeitigen Kickstarter-Angeboten auf knapp 650 US-Dollar belaufen. Weitere Verkaufssets mit zusätzlichen Modulen findet man auf der offiziellen Kampagne bei Kickstarter.

(Quellen: Kickstarter | AntVR | Video: AntVR Youtube)

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ANTVR MIX Headset Zooms Past Kickstarter Target

When it comes to immersive technology projects, be they virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) or mixed reality (MR) many seek backing through the aid of crowd funding websites such as Indiegogo, Kickstarter, etc. With not just experiences, but the technologies behind them and the utilisation of those technologies constantly being developed, it’s a good way to secure the funding needed to continue development and put the product ‘out there’.

As a result, we at VRFocus will often hear word or one or two such projects a week, whether it’s for a new piece of hardware or a new videogame. Some get funded. Some do not. As always with these things it really depends upon the product itself as to whether or not in can attract interest.

One project we’ve covered this week already has been that of MIX a new compact AR head mounted display (HMD) from ANTVR with 96 degree field-of-view (FoV) which also happens to be compatible with Steam VR, besides its AR functionality. The Kickstarter campaign for the MIX only began at midday yesterday, May 15th. Yet, in this instance funding has gone exceptionally well, with the sum required for securing funding being reached in just eight hours and, at the time of writing, with 29 days left to go on the campaign, funding has now surpassed £60,000 (GBP) and is well on its way to doubling its initial total thanks to An Early Bird offer for the headset of $449 (USD).

Speaking in an update, Qin Zheng, CEO of ANTVR was overjoyed by the initial response. “For our first update we just wanted to say we’re thrilled to see that after nearly 8 hours, we’ve already reached our goal with 75 backers! Thank you so much to all those who have jumped on board this early. We’re so happy to see such initial enthusiasm for the project—it makes us very excited about the state of the AR market.”

“We’ve already received a lot of great feedback and we’ll continue to update our FAQ and address the questions you’re sending. Please continue to spread the word about MIX and keep sending us more questions and suggestions. We have a long way to go still and are very much looking forward to engaging more with all of you and your ideas throughout the duration of the campaign. This is why we’re back on Kickstarter—to make this a collaborative process from start-to-finish with all of you die-hard AR enthusiasts, and we’re off to a fantastic start.”

VRFocus got hands-on with the MIX during our discussion with Zhu Lee, of ANTVR’s Software Product Department. You can find more about the headset in that interview by clicking here. We’ll bring further updates on ANTVR’s progress as the campaign progresses.

 

ANTVR Launches Kickstarter for its Compact AR Headset

Having first displayed a new augmented reality (AR) headset design at CES 2018 in January, Chinese technology company ANTVR has today launched a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign to support the device’s development. 

Called MIX, the new AR headset promises to not only offer a small, comfortable form factor but one of its biggest selling features is its wide filed-of-view (FoV), coming in at 96-degrees. While that might not sound a lot in comparison to VR headsets like Oculus Rift or HTC Vive which are both 110-degrees, in relation to AR rivals like Microsoft HoloLens (35-degrees) and Meta 2 (90-degrees) it’s still an improvement.

As for content MIX connects to PC and is designed to be compatible with SteamVR. Existing videogames on SteamVR with a dark background like Beat Saber, Audio Shield, Space Pirate Trainer and Tilt Brush can be used on MIX. And to make development on MIX easy, AntVR has ensure compatibility with the SteamVR SDK.

 

MIX AR comparison

The Kickstarter campaign is looking to raise $50,000 USD by 15th June, 2018. Funding tiers start from $449 which is for the discounted Super Early Bird pledge, saving $200 off the normal retail price of the standard MIX DK headset. However, there are several version available offering different immersion levels depending on the external kit backers are will to pay for.

So at $539 is the MIX DK ‘inside-out’ version which also comes supplied with a tracking module. The there’s the MIX DK ‘hand-tracking’ model, which comes with a hand-tracking unit and 3DoF controller for $539. Jumping to $569, this tier offers an ‘outside-in’ hand tracking kit and 3DoF controller, while at $629 the eye-tracking module is included with the headset. Or for those with the cash, $909 will net you everything.

Should the campaign be successful AntVR estimates that MIX will ship in December 2018. VRFocus will continue its coverage of ANTVR and the MIX AR headset, reporting back with further updates to the funding campaign.

ANTVR Announce Kickstarter For Mixed Reality Headset

Back in January, Chinese virtual reality (VR) headset maker ANTVR announced it was planning on launching a new hybrid VR and augmented reality (AR) headset, which would be made available through Kickstarter. The company has now revealed that the campaign will begin in May, along with a few other new details.

ANTVR say that its hybrid headset is designed to be a less expensive alternative to Microsoft’s pricy HoloLens mixed reality headset. The company says that the ANTVR mix offers many superior features to the HoloLens in addition to its much lower price.

One of the primary criticisms of the HoloLens is its narrow field-of-view (FoV), which offers only a 35-degree FoV. The ANTVR Mix headset is promising a 96-degree FoV, which would make it one of the widest FoV available on a commercial AR headset.

The ANTVR Mix headset is substantially smaller than the HoloLens, and offers each eye a 1200 x 1200 display with a 90Hz refresh rate, along with inside-out tracking and six degree of freedom. The device has full SteamVR compatibility and comes with two USB ports, allowing for extension modules to be added in future.

According to VentureBeat, the Kickstarter will run from May through to June, with the device priced at $500 (USD). Those interested can sign up on the ANTVR website to be notified once the campaign begins, since a precise date has not been confirmed.

VentureBeat also managed to get hands-on with the device, describing the quality of the Ar holograms as being similar to what you might see on an Apple device showing an ARKit-powered AR app, though with the addition of the stereoscopic effect thanks to wearing the glasses instead of a flat screen.

The company expects to begin shipping the ANTVR Mix headset by the end of 2018. VRFocus will bring you further news on the ANTVR Mix as it becomes available.

ANTVR to Launch $500 ‘Mix’ AR Headset on Kickstarter in May

AntVR, the Beijing-based company known for their 2014 VR headset Kickstarter, is launching a new crowdfunding campaign soon focusing on a hybrid AR headset called simply Mix. The makers are promising a bevy of bells and whistles, including the ability to integrate with the SteamVR platform so users can play VR games too, and all at only $500.

Update (04/17/18): According to a Venture Beat report, AntVR is launching their Mix AR headset in May via a Kickstarter campaign. With the price tag of $500, the Mix AR headset is said to boast a 96-degree field of view, two 1200 x 1200 displays with a 90Hz refresh rate. Inside-out head tracking offers six degrees of freedom.

AntVR is promising to ship to backers “by the end of 2018.”  The company also published a video showing the headset ‘in action’ as it was filmed through its lenses with an iPhone X.

The original article follows below:

Original article (01/04/2018): The company, which launched their first Kickstarter back in May 2014, raked in over $260,000 to realize their wireless VR headset. While the headset actually ended up shipping to backers, the lack of manufacturing experience and a penchant for overpromising the headset’s capabilities—optimistic ambition notwithstanding—ultimately rendered AntVR’s first headset a complete flop. To soften the blow of the tumultuous launch, the company offered a 20 percent discount off the next iteration.

AntVR’s first VR headset, image courtesy AntVR

AntVR has since gone on to ship a number of devices including a room-scale VR headset called AntVR Cyclops, and a number of portable Cardboard viewers, with one such viewer made in collaboration with Lenovo. Not many of these headsets have hit Western shores however, as the company only sells through the China-based webshop AliExpress.

While not much is known about the new AR/VR headset for now (see update above), two photos published by the company show a single camera sensor, two reflective panels/displays, a pair of servomotors mounted on each temple (possibly to change from AR to VR mode), and what appears to be a halo-style strap.

The post ANTVR to Launch $500 ‘Mix’ AR Headset on Kickstarter in May appeared first on Road to VR.

Kickstarter-Kampagne geplant für AR/VR Hybrid-Brille ANTVR Mix

Werbung für Virtual Reality Hygiene

AR oder VR? Warum nicht beides zusammen? ANTVR plant eine neue Kickstarter-Kampagne, um eine Hybrid-Lösung zu verwirklichen. Auch wenn der Name des Unternehmens wohl kaum jemandem etwas sagen wird – bereits 2014 hatte das chinesische Unternehmen eine Kampagne erfolgreich durchgeführt und eine VR-Brille auf den Markt gebracht. Die Hybrid-Lösung nennt sich ANTVR Mix und soll im Januar erstmals vorgeführt werden.

ANTVR Mix: AR und VR in einer Brille

Wer aktuell auf die Webseite von ANTVR linst, entdeckt dort das ANTVR Cyclop Kit 2 – eine mit 700 US-Dollar nicht gerade günstige Lösung. Es enthält neben der eigentlichen VR-Brille zusätzlich einen „Positions-Teppich“ für Roomscale-Erfahrungen. Die Controller erinnern mit ihrer aufgesetzten leuchtenden Kugel etwas an die Move-Controller der PlayStation 4, allerdings will ANTVR sogar Finger-Tracking ermöglichen.

Nun arbeitet das Unternehmen laut VR Focus an einer Hybrid-Lösungen: Einem Headset, das Augmented Reality und Virtual Reality in einer Brille vereint. Dazu nutzt das Unternehmen eine Technik, die es TDST nennt: Time Division See-Through. Sie soll das Licht der Umgebung mit dem Licht im Headset mischen. Genaueres verrät der Hersteller noch nicht dazu. Den Formfaktor seines AR-/VR-Headsets will ANTVR klein halten, das Sichtfeld soll aber immerhin 96 Grad betragen und damit weiter sein als bei anderen AR-Lösungen. Es entspräche damit eher dem FOV aktueller VR-Headsets.

Weiterhin plant das Unternehmen, das Anwender das Headset ANTVR Mix mit dem PC verbinden. Für eine breite(re) Software-Unterstützung soll die Kompatibilität mit SteamVR sorgen. Ein genaues Datum für den Beginn der Kickstarter-Kampagne gibt es zwar noch nicht, ANTVR will aber seine Mix genannte Lösung auf der CES in Las Vegas vorstellen. Die Messe für elektronische Consumer-Güter findet dieses Jahr ab dem 9. Januar statt, bereits ab dem 7. Januar lädt die Messe zu ersten Pressekonferenzen ein. Wir werden berichten, sobald uns weitere Informationen zu diesem sicherlich interessanten Konzept vorliegen.

(Quelle: VR Focus)

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ANTVR Return With Plans For Hybrid AR/VR Headset

It’s been quite some time since ANTVR first made waves with its successfully crowdfunding campaign for its all-in-one virtual reality (VR) headset. The company is hoping to draw attention again in 2018 with the announcement that it is working on a hybrid Vr and augmented reality (AR) visor.

ANTVR first came to the attention when it launched a Kickstarter campaign for a ‘all-in-one’ VR headset back in 2014, successfully raising over $260,000 (USD) for its device, which was able to run on a wide range of devices, not just PC but even older consoles such as the Xbox 360. After the campaign finished, little else was heard from the company, who are still quietly selling the ANTVR headset on its website, priced at $699. The company also sells inexpensive Google Cardboard-style mobile VR viewers and 360-degree cameras, with a consumer base mostly located in China.

The company is now working on launching a new Kickstarter campaign to finance a new project for a hybrid VR and AR visor called the ANTVR Mix, which the company says will utilise a newly developed optical technology that can blend light from the real world with light within a virtual environment. ANTVR call this technology Time Division See-Through, or TDST.

ANTVR say that the aim for developing the ANTVR Mix is to create a VR/AR visor with a small form factor, but also a wider field-of-view, with the ANTVR Mix aiming for a 96-degree field of view. The ANTVR Mix will run from a connected PC and work with SteamVR. The company believes that using the SteamVR SDK will allow developers and content creators to quickly and easily develop AR as well as VR content for the device.

The exact date of the Kickstarter campaign is yet to be confirmed, but ANTVR are planning on exhibiting the ANTVR Mix during CES 2018, which will run from 7th-12th January, 2018 in Las Vegas. Further information can be found on the CES website.

Further news on ANTVR and the latest from CES 2018 will be here on VRFocus.

10 super-cheap VR headsets you should try right now

Virtual reality is still in its very very very early stages. The headsets are bulky or uncomfortable, the interfaces aren’t really there yet, there isn’t that much content, and the experiences can sometimes give you motion sickness.

But you need to try it anyway, and have you friends try it, and have your kids try it because it’s a completely different thing from anything we’ve had before. It isn’t a gimmick. It really is transformative, and it will eventually change how we socialize, how we learn, how we play, and how we work. Trying it out for yourself will give you an idea of what the potential is, and hey, it might inspire you or your kid to create the next billion-dollar startup.

The technology is changing so quickly, though, that anything you buy today will be obsolete tomorrow. So no point in spending too much money, right?

Here are ten super cheap virtual reality headsets that are still pretty good. I’ve tried them and liked them because they’re easy to use, light-weight, and convenient. Some are better than other headsets advertised for $100 or more.

Use them for casual games, watching videos on a private virtual movie screen, and, ahem, for adult content. They work with any late-model smartphone, both Android and iPhones.

FiiT VR 2S

This was my favorite of all the Cardboard-compatible headsets last year because it’s light, easy to use, but big enough to have an excellent 102-degree field of view with my Samsung Galaxy S6 and Pixel XL smartphones. It weighs 9 ounces, has adjustable lenses, and I found it to be really comfortable to wear. It normally sells for around $25, though it’s on sale now at Amazon for $22. Still, I wasn’t going to list it — until I saw it for just $8 on TVC Mall (okay, with $7 for shipping, that comes out to about $15, but still a good deal.) You can also get it for $16 on Gearbest, where it comes with a free controller. Read my review here.

Leji VR Mini

This was another headset that I loved last year. The field of view, at 96 degrees, is a bit smaller than the FiiT VR 2S, but the Leji is also more compact, lighter, colorful and is just as easy to use. The picture here doesn’t show it, but it does come with a headstrap similar to that of the FiiT VR 2S. The Leji holds smartphones with screens of 4.7 to 6 inches and weighs just 7 ounces. It normally sells for around $20, and you can get it on Amazon in blue, green, pink, white, and yellow — and with a free remote. You can also get it in white, pink, and yellow on GearBest for $9.92Read my review here.

Mini VR 3D Glasses

$4 on GearBest, available for 3.5 to 5.5 inch iPhones and Android phones. Yes, these are super cheap, even cheaper than sets made out of cardboard — but they still work! In fact, I love them, and carry similar sets around with me everywhere. The field of view ranges from 90 to 110 degrees, depending on screen size. Weighs less than 2.5 ounces. These kinds of open-sided headsets are great for quick games and videos, and for showing off virtual reality to friends because you can see what they’re looking at. It also makes switching apps and videos easy because you can just tap the screen without having to take the phone out of the headset. And they fold up, so you can stick them in a pocket or purse. Finally, you don’t need a button or a controller, since you can just tap the screen instead, so they’re perfect for iPhones. Yeah, iPhones don’t work with external controllers.

VR Smart Pro 8 squareVR Start Pro 8

$5 on AliExpress, available for 3.5 to 6 inch iPhones and Android phones. In black, blue, pink and white. The field of view is 80 degrees. Doubles as a phone stand. A simiilar case is available for $4 from GearBest in white, blue and black.

Foldable VR 3D Glasses

$5 on GearBest, fits any phone from 3.5 to 6 inch screen size, available in black, folds in half. The field of view is 80 degrees, and the weight is less than 1.5 ounces. Sturdy, minimalist and particularly good for watching videos on a virtual movie screen when you have a phone with a low-resolution display. A larger field of view is more immersive, but also makes every pixel on a screen really visible, so a lower field of view is sometimes better for older phones.

VR Fold

$9 on Amazon. 95 degree field of view, adjustable lenses, fits any phone from 4 to 6 inch screen size, available in black, purple and red, folds in half. I’ve got these, and I love the adjustments on the lenses. The one downside for me with these compared to the other folding glasses is that they clip in from the top of the phone with just a single arm, so you have to be careful to hold phone so that it doesn’t shift around. Review here.

VR Case

$5 on Amazon, $9 on GearBest, available for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and 6S, in rose gold and black. Folds flat, doubles as phone case and phone stand.

Noton

$7 on Amazon, works with any phone with a screen size between 4.7 and 6 inches, and weighs 6 ounces. The lenses aren’t adjustable and there’s no button or padding. However, there’s a plus side to the lack of padding — you can easily wipe the headset clean with an alcohol wipe, so it’s pretty hygienic to use with a lot of other people. There’s a similar headset available on Amazon in light blue for $9.99. Read my review here.

AntVR

$9.90 on Amazon, fits any phone from 4.5 to 6 inch screen size. This headset folds flat and is pretty sturdy. It’s also one of the few folding headsets that comes with a head strap. A very similar design is available from GearBest for $7Read my review here.

VR Shinecon G05A

$6 on GearBest, fits any phone from 4.7 to 5.5 inch screen size. The field of view is listed at 80 degrees, which is on the low side, but okay for watching videos. On the plus side, there are straps and adjustable lenses, and it weighs only 5.5 ounces. Shinecon is a pretty well-known brand, and I get a lot of emails from readers about them, but I haven’t liked any of their other headsets so far. This one seems to address many of the problems I’ve had, with an easy-to-use, drop-in design for holding the phone, and an outside cover that doesn’t obscure the phone’s camera so that you can use it for augmented reality applications. I just bought one, and will write a review once it arrives.