I’m ready for the future. I want an AR headset. Google Glass came out in 2014 and I thought the world was ready.
My desire for an Augmented Reality headset I think is a little different than most peoples. I enjoy running every day and use to do it only outside. However I found that watching shows and playing games while running on a treadmill can also be a very enjoyable experience.
The Pitch
An augmented reality headset that allows me to run outside and play video games, watch movies or participate in virtual races.
Remember Mario Kart?
As a child I idolized my brother and beating him in anything was a huge accomplishment. He had a Super Nintendo that we would play Mario Kart on and I would always try to beat his best times. The game allowed you to actually see the previous best racer on the screen at the same time. What I like to call a “ghost trainer.”
Seeing how the best of the best performed allowed you to see how they handled the course and how close you are to their performance. It was a truly invaluable tool to help make me a better racer. So why can’t we do this in real life?
Or what if you could have multiple different racers as projections on your headset to make you feel like you’re racing against a large group of people?
You Mean Zwift?
Zwift is a virtual racing service used frequently by bicyclists and runners. It allows you to feel like you’re racing or in another location when you’re actual on a stationary bike or a treadmill.
You take the technology for indoor activities and allow people to use it outdoors.
Sounds Safe
Augmented reality can definitely cause issues. You need to be able to see other people that are on the trail with you or that giant cliff that’s right in front of you. The theory for this software/hardware is to just add additional data to your surrounding and not remove other humans or pieces of landscape.
I run on trails with no motor vehicles and usually no more than a handful of people. I’d love to be able to see a projection of my favorite movie as I run. Or to have a virtual friend that is pushing my pace. Or even just a heads up display of my pace and heart rate.
Just think how awesome it would be to feel like you are actually running away from a zombie apocalypse.
The Future is Coming
