Canon unveils augmented reality dinosaur show in Japan

Canon's just unveiled its new augmented reality display in Chiba, Japan, and we have to say, we're thinking about heading over there to check it out... and hopefully experience what it's like to be eaten (virtually) by a T-Rex. Featuring 260 dinosaur specimens, the display makes us of a virtual reality viewer -- one for each person roaming round the exhibit -- putting the dinosaurs at a "distance" of about 5 meters. The exhibit will make use of various Canon products, including an inkjet printer, an LCD projector and several different cameras. The dinosaurs will be on display starting July 18th until August 1st, so you probably want to just go ahead and book a flight right now.

[Greg @ Jul 8th 2009 9:05PM]

This would rock when high.

[Look_Around_You @ Jul 8th 2009 9:24PM]

If you were high, would you need it?

[Monkey with glasses @ Jul 8th 2009 9:26PM]

Anything besides being arrested is fun when high.

Oh, except for taking drug exams.

[Boards of Canada @ Jul 8th 2009 9:42PM]

Just taking normal school exams was quite a challenge being high.

[OneLove @ Jul 8th 2009 10:19PM]

thats one fucked up dinosaur. lol.

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Jul 8th 2009 10:58PM]

Especially since it's makes us.

"Featuring 260 dinosaur specimens, the display makes us of a virtual reality viewer . . ."

[loosely_coupled @ Jul 9th 2009 5:01AM]

Could you imagine strapping that on your head and running around the "museum" when you are on mushrooms? holy crap that would be insane..

[Greg @ Jul 8th 2009 9:06PM]

This would rock when high.

[tyler @ Jul 8th 2009 10:28PM]

I think you might be.. hence the double replies..

[Zac @ Jul 8th 2009 9:06PM]

That 3D model is pretty bad

[Link2877 @ Jul 8th 2009 9:21PM]

could use some better lighting or bump mapping if you ask me, and get rid of that stupid look it has on its face.

[McFly @ Jul 8th 2009 9:57PM]

...i think she's real...

[Zac @ Jul 8th 2009 10:03PM]

Yeah, some heavier normal mapping with scales, some shadows, lighting the matches the girl.

[Cy Starkman @ Jul 8th 2009 10:51PM]

that model isn't lame, its really lame

[Shinigami @ Jul 9th 2009 2:58AM]

But what if you could see it from any phone with a camera and Java support? Aim the camera at the bones and you see a dinosaur!
Probably won't happen till every phone with camera has Tegra chip...

[loocas @ Jul 9th 2009 5:07AM]

One would assume that Canon would be able to spit a bit more cash on a proper 3D artist to give them some really nice dinos!

[10minutehobo @ Jul 9th 2009 8:26AM]

It really is lame. Look at the right foreleg.

[Einlander0 @ Jul 8th 2009 9:19PM]

Velociraptors and Jurassic Park say hi. o/

[jesse @ Jul 8th 2009 9:23PM]

SHOOT HER! SHOOOOT HER!!!

[Jocaju @ Jul 8th 2009 9:38PM]

Yeah, I miss JP too, just hope they're making the 4th.

[Podaman @ Jul 9th 2009 3:40AM]

God creates dinosaurs, God kills dinosaurs, God creates man, man kills God, man creates dinosaurs...dinosaurs kill man, woman inherits the earth.

[dsteve303 @ Jul 8th 2009 9:25PM]

Wow, that looks NOTHING like a T-REX. FAIL!

[Ghen @ Jul 9th 2009 9:05AM]

I lol'd

[shinrajp @ Jul 8th 2009 9:29PM]

That Dino is too fake....

What about augmenting porn star in reality instead of dino.

[clayts @ Jul 8th 2009 9:32PM]

That dino looks stoned, lol

[jjigen @ Jul 8th 2009 9:33PM]

Do you have to stick that device on your face? It's gonna be like walking around looking through a narrow straw. I can imagine everyone bumping into each other.

[kinryanchan @ Jul 8th 2009 11:13PM]

You know the Polaroid camera should face the other way. Silly girl!

[Agent .25i @ Jul 8th 2009 9:43PM]

Remember the wands that told you what you were looking at, by picking up the faint transmissions form various locations within at the CN Tower?
Need these there. Ever wondered what it would be like to jump from this location? I bet you have.

[theWallychamp @ Jul 8th 2009 9:52PM]

Until August 1st? Aw man!!! I'm heading to Japan for the first time on Aug 3, I'm going to miss it. :(

[Matt @ Jul 8th 2009 10:08PM]

I'm guessing this, like 3D movies, won't work right for me because of my amblyopia?

[Bandit5317 @ Jul 8th 2009 10:32PM]

Maybe the T-Rex that almost eats the stig?

[Hung @ Jul 8th 2009 10:43PM]

I'm about to unveil an augmented reality Canon Museum in Japan in America. Instead of having to fly to Japan to put on a helmet and walk around an empty room, you get to put on an helmet where ever you are and walk about any empty room at your convenience.

But you still have to go through the 18-hour plane ride. I can't bypass this without overflowing.

[JohnTech @ Jul 8th 2009 10:43PM]

I'll accept this as a temporary placeholder until they get around to making freakishly realistic robotic dinosaurs.

[Chase @ Jul 8th 2009 10:53PM]

this would be nice

[farfisa @ Jul 8th 2009 11:04PM]

If you're sticking something that big on your face, do you even need to be there?

"including an inkjet printer"--this is sounding more like staying home all the time :) Probably some kind of print and fold thing.

[Shawn Latchford @ Jul 9th 2009 1:02AM]

Use or us? It would be cooler if it makes you a virtual reality viewer.

[Einhanderkiller @ Jul 9th 2009 2:10AM]

OH SHIT!

[Nlozon @ Jul 9th 2009 8:55AM]

It's shopped!
I've seen some shoops in my time!

[John Stracke @ Jul 9th 2009 9:07AM]

Really? I thought it was a real, live photo of augmented reality.

[Magallanes @ Jul 9th 2009 9:50AM]

JESUS CHRIST IT'S A DINOSAUR GET IN THE CAR!

[Augmentality @ Jul 13th 2009 12:39PM]

This is way cool, but I wonder how they deal with registration errors ... http://blog.augmentality.org/?p=126