From: David Bowden <david_bowden@hp.com>
Subject: Re: TECH: Q on HUD glasses
Date: Thu, 05 Dec 1996 14:30:06 -0500
Organization: Hewlett Packard


David Watt wrote:
> 
> Does anyone know if HUD glasses as opposed to HMD have really been
> developed yet?

The I-Glasses! by VirtualIO display the image on glass prisms set before
the eyes, which allows the user to retain the view of the real world if
desired.  They also have a blinder that can be placed over the glasses
if a more immersive environment is desired.  

We've been speculating that they could be used as a form of virtual 
communications - having an absent third party actually superimposed into 
a room along with "real" participants.  The location of the "virtual" 
participants can be tracked using the head tracking equipment so that
they're not moving about the room randomly as your head turns.  

Or as a technical assistant to overlay advice to technicians or
mechanics working on unfamiliar equipment - "Turn this screw here".

There are lots of interesting uses for such equipment.  I'm sure there
will be some actual code written to take advantage of it soon!

David S. Bowden
Ferndale, MI
david_bowden@hp.com