The makers of the Oculus Rift virtual reality system have acquired Surreal Vision, a company specialising in real-time 3D scene reconstruction. The company’s work seeks to create an accurate representation of the real world within the virtual world in order to enable enhanced levels of presence and telepresence. Users will be able to move around their true environment and interact with real objects within virtual reality.
Sound similar? InAVate reported
last month on the progress made by VOID (Vision Of Infinite Dimensions) with a very similar concept. However VOID experience is, initially at least, intended to be offered at a limited number of specially prepared locations in visitor attraction-style applications.
The acquisition of Surreal Vision suggests Oculus Research is working to make this technology more widespread in the future, tapping into
a potentially large demand for easy and affordable telepresence by businesses with sites spread across the world. Oculus Rift is due to be released early next year.
A statement released by Surreal on the purchase read: “Ultimately, these technologies will lead to VR and AR systems that can be used in any condition, day or night, indoors or outdoors. They will open the door to true telepresence, where people can visit anyone, anywhere.
"Much progress has been made toward this future, but significant challenges remain. For virtual reality, the accuracy and quality of the continuously updating 3D reconstruction must be near flawless, which is a requirement almost no other modern computer vision problem faces. When we cross these seminal thresholds, users will perceive the virtual world as truly real – and that is the experience we’re driving toward."