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I've been reading about some new Head Mounted Displays and was wondering if TIR has been considered to be used with a HMD? I believe pairing the two technologies together is the logical next step.

The two displays I've looked into are:
Icuiti V920 - www.iisvr.com
-VGA Stereoscopic LCDs with built in audio
eMagin Z800 - www.emagin.com
-SVGA Stereoscopic OLEDs with built in audio

The Z800 is interesting because it has an integrated head tracking mechanism, although I'm sure it is not nearly as robust as the TIR3 with VE.

Have you had a chance to pair the TIR with any HMDs? Have you had a chance to test any of these newer (relatively more affordable) HMDs?

I'm just curious and excited about these new technologies and would love to see the TIR combined with an equally amazing HMD product.

We have considered HMDs, and are talking with the companys you mention. But our products are focused on amplifying small motions you make (so far). Most HMD makers want to give people the freedom to turn completely around (even though they tend to have thick cables that would strangle anyone who does this). Besides, who wants to get that physical for any length of time?
HMDs will probably remain a small niche industry for many years.

There's this whole issue with "VOR" (Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex) that makes HMDs a very risky proposition. Basically, having tiny screens that almost completely fill your eyes' field of view has consistently lead to problems with your inner ear. There is a classic story of an over seas plane ride to Japan where all the first class passengers were allows to use HMDs for hours on end, and when they finally took them off, they had trouble walking, and were extremely nauseous. in the aisles.

This is why HMDs tend to be programmed to shut off after about an hour, to force you to take a break. Because you're basically retraining your inner ear to work incorrectly. Someday if the technology speeds up enough to quickly, properly, and precisely match your real world experience, they may be a viable product.

Ultimately, TrackIR is a large improvement over HMDs, because it uses "fishtank VR" (looking through a virtual window) instead of "VR Goggles" (trapping your eyes in a sub par simulation).

[ September 21, 2005, 11:47 AM: Message edited by: NaturalPoint-Warren ]