Assets Multiplayer in augmented reality - a device detection engine for mobiles

We are working on a device-to-device co-detection technology which enables smartphones and tablets to recognize each other in their camera field of view. We’re able to identify and localize other devices up to about 30 meters distance. The idea is that this will enable game developers to create first person shooter games in AR.

Our plan is to make our device detection method available as an asset. What do you think of this idea? Could it be useful? Wouldn’t you want to fire projectiles of poultry at your friends?

We'd be very grateful for your feedback. If you're interested, please sign up for our newsletter:
https://vizar.ch/204-2/

 

What if the person looks away from the camera though?

 

Do it see others through walls?

 

Hello,
This wouldn't change anything. The detection method is based on optical signaling, not on facial recognition. The device to be detected has a program running on it as well which regulates its signaling.

 

No, the detection technique requires a clear line-of-sight. Perhaps you are thinking about sound-based techniques, such as CovertBand, but they are very impractical for AR applications for several reasons.

For AR, you need a detection method that is both accurate and rapid and that's what we can offer.

 

Not sure what you mean by this, but it sounds cool

 

Very cool. Would you be able to detect the other devices if the app wasn't running? e.g. when someone comes in range of your device and you both have the app, you get a notification "nearby hostiles detected".
I'm imagining a city wide battle royale game xD

Watching this thread

 

This would be possible to implement using the GPS information. One could imagine the app doing exactly what you described and giving a proximity notification. Then both players would react by taking their phones out and activating the app, and then our device detection engine would enable them to localize each other in the camera field of view.

I think the city wide battle royale game sounds like an exciting idea that should be one the roadmap. A nice aspect is also that you wouldn't actually have to share your GPS location to the other player, since he/she only needs to know that you're nearby.

We're working with the development of a better demonstration version and hopefully we can show some more exciting material in the next months.