The starting point for Zappar (London, UK) in the design of the company’s ZapBox headset product line was the idea of combining simple hardware components with existing smartphones to present 6-DoF immersive mixed and virtual reality content. More than that, the system would include two fully tracked controllers and a Unity plugin – all at a very affordable price.
Zappar’s first effort to produce such a product was a cardboard device that they represent as very successful. Now, the company has moved on the next version of this product with the goal of staying true to their original philosophy. The results of their efforts are shown in a video appended to the end of this article and in the figure below.
The ZapBox system includes a headset, two controllers, ultrawide camera adaptor with camera clip and world anchors.
Some of the features claimed for the new system are that the headset is light, comfortable and easily adjustable. The frameless lenses allow the visual content from the user’s peripheral vision to blend almost seamlessly with the content shown on display, without the edge of the smartphone being visible. The purpose of integrating the user’s peripheral vision with the display imagery in this way is to keep the user feeling well connected to the real world.
A pair of 6-DoF controllers is also included to provide physical and intuitive interactions. The controllers have an analogue trigger. The range of controller tracking is improved by the inclusion of an ultrawide camera adapter on the smartphone camera.
A new live-hinged smartphone grip ensures the user’s phone is held securely and centrally in place. (Note that a living hinge is a thin section of plastic that acts as a connection between two larger plastic sections.) It is reported as quick and easy for the user to insert their smartphone and adjust the headset for a secure and comfortable fit. The headset can be worn in combination with glasses.
The design of the grip allows for a wide range of smartphone sizes, makes and models. Ideally the smartphone should be between 135 mm and 160 mm in height when held in portrait orientation. This size range covers most smartphones. Smartphones devices over 165 mm in height are not recommended.
These size constraints imply that essentially any iOS smartphone from iPhone 6 onwards will work. The company suggests that, for best results, Android smartphones should be on the higher end of the performance spectrum, have a gyroscope sensor, and expose a 60 FPS camera mode with manual exposure control through the standard Android camera API that apps are able to access.
The D3 (dot-dot-dash) markers on both the controllers and the world anchors are designed to offer improved tracking quality and enable more efficient algorithms for detection and tracking. World tracking uses a combination of world anchors, motion sensors in the smartphone and other visual features in the user’s environment to offer robust tracking whilst making set up simple.
All existing ZapBox Mixed Reality content will be available with the new ZapBox. Beyond that, the company states that they will also be working to bring further content to ZapBox. In addition, the company will be working on a “ZapBrush” app for painting in MR and VR, and an easy way to view your 3D models in ZapBox. The headset can also be used to view apps designed for Google Cardboard that are available in the app store. A Unity plugin will enable developers to build native iOS or Android apps with their own ZapBox content. Content can also be created with Zappar’s dedicated ZapWorks Studio tool and viewed in the ZapBox app.
The company reports having completed a manufacturable prototype. In order to help cover the cost of the tooling and get production under way, the company is looking to raise funds from a Kickstarter campaign. At the time this article is written, ZapBox has raised $32,105 from 384 backers against an all-or-nothing goal of $65,000. The campaign can be found here and is scheduled to run till November 6th. If the campaign is successful, then production will commence in November with the final product targeted for delivery in April 2021. A successful campaign will also allow the company to move forward with final software developments also scheduled for delivery in Q1 2021. -Arthur Berman
Zappar, Thomas Ffiske, [email protected], +44 7552376904
