Merge Labs' AR blaster was recently unveiled at CES 2018, demonstrating that the company is looking to bring AR toys to the masses. The company's newest product, the '6DoF Blaster,' is an impressive toy that uses a smartphone to allow users to experience and AR environment while playing a live first person shooter. The plastic blaster has a built in mount for smartphones, where the AR world is projected, and features four buttons for reloading, zooming, slowing down an enemy target, and a trigger. The demo shown at CES was running a Merge VR game built using Apple's ARKit platform.
The name, 6DoF, comes from a term often used when discussing VR and stands for six degrees of freedom. The term is a desirable trait among VR/AR manufacturers and enthusiasts as is refers to the ability to look around and move in the VR/AR environment while still being in the virtual world. The Merge Labs AR Blaster is expected to be available in 2018 and does not yet have a price affixed to it. That being said, Merge Labs is already known for its incredibly affordable VR headset, so expect a similar affordability in the 6DoF.
Augmented Reality Blasters
Merge Labs Debuted a New AR Blaster that Brings VR Games to Life
Trend Themes
1. AR Toys for Masses - Merge Labs is bringing AR toys to the masses with their new AR blaster, offering a more accessible way to experience augmented reality gaming.
2. 6dof in AR/VR - The use of six degrees of freedom (6DoF) in AR/VR is becoming a desirable trait among manufacturers and enthusiasts, allowing for greater immersion and interactivity.
3. Affordable AR/VR - Merge Labs' reputation for affordable VR headsets suggests that the upcoming 6DoF AR blaster will likely be offered at an affordable price point, making AR/VR experiences more accessible.
Industry Implications
1. Gaming - The development of AR blasters creates opportunities for the gaming industry to innovate by offering more immersive and interactive experiences.
2. Augmented Reality - The introduction of affordable AR blasters presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the augmented reality industry to expand market reach and enhance user engagement.
3. Mobile Technology - As AR blasters utilize smartphones and AR platforms, the mobile technology industry can capitalize on this trend by developing more advanced hardware and software solutions.