In the classic movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” vividly animated characters interacted with actors in a seamless film reality. Now a tech startup wants to put digital objects all around as, as if they were a seamless part of our world.
The company, Magic Leap, has hundreds of employees in its Florida headquarters, according to the Christian Science Monitor. Earlier this week, the company told investors that its headset would augment users’ reality, weaving virtual objects seamlessly into our environment.
Last year, Google invested more than $500 million in the company. Today, Google’s Alphabet tech incubator division is collaborating to aid in the company’s development.
A company video released earlier this year showed an augmented reality office in which workers could delete emails and arrange files with a swipe of their hands. In addition to headsets, the company is developing a device similar to Google glass, allowing users to view computer-generated images anywhere in their fields of vision.
The company also makes use of independent developers, hosting “app fests” to encourage creativity and involvement with the company’s software. One developer created a virtual cookbook that can be viewed on any kitchen surface.
Magic Leap says it is gearing up for mass production of the systems, though no details were offered about a release date or pricing. Meanwhile, Microsoft is also developing its augmented reality HoloLens technology, which it says will be available sometime in early 2016.