videogoggles
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In 2017, drones are getting faster, more fun and easier to fix
Drones aren't new to CES, but it's only in the last year or two that they got their own dedicated area in the convention hall. But, drones are meant to fly free, not behind netting, so some bright spark invented the Drone Rodeo: an annual off-site event where the latest and greatest in UAVs could do their thing as nature intended. The event is back this year, and once again it provided a pretty good snapshot of what's going to be hot in the drone world in 2017.
DJI's Goggles put you in the cockpit of a drone
No, this isn't another VR headset. These are video goggles from DJI. Why would you want a headset from DJI? Because it connects wirelessly to the company's new foldable Mavic Pro drone, giving you a live, bird's eye view from the camera (in 1080p no less). The idea isn't new, in drone circles it's pretty common to see bespectacled pilots, especially in racing, where "FPV" (as it's called -- first person view), is the only way to fly the drones at such breakneck speed. DJI announced the goggles (actually called "DJI Goggles") at its big Mavic launch event last week, but they weren't giving demos. We managed to get a rare ride inside them, and it's a whole bunch of fun.
Yuneec's SkyView drone goggles double as a private home theater
The world of "first person view" (FPV) flying -- where pilots don video specs to see what the drone sees -- isn't new, but consumer-friendly headsets like Yuneec's SkyView goggles might make it more accessible. Stick SkyView on your noggin' (pulled-up socks optional), connect a compatible controller -- like Yuneec's own Typhoon H -- and you'll be flying from the best seat in the house. Inside the $250 SkyView is a 5-inch, 16:9, 720p display, and it connects to any HDMI video source, not just drones.
Liquid Image Xtreme Sport Cam goggles hands-on
When you're racing down the slopes, scuba-diving somewhere exotic, or zipping around on your motorcycle, the last thing you probably want to think about doing is shooting video. But if you're the type who just has to capture every adrenaline-pumping moment, Liquid Image has you covered with its new line of camera-equipped goggles. The $349 Scuba camera mask supports depths up to 100 meters, and does stills and video in 720p. The $400 Impact series also does both still and video, but it bumps the resolution up to 1080p. All of these goggles have a microSD slot, as well as buttons along the side for switching between the respective modes. Beware, once you start recording, you'll no longer be able to tell your friends you're in the Black Diamond Club when you really just spend all day on the bunny slope. Press release is after the break. %Gallery-112571%
DIY third person camera rig allows you to pay attention to what's most important: you
Now, this is a strange project to undertake, for sure -- but that doesn't make it uninteresting. And interesting it certainly is. Over at Instructables, you can currently find step-by-step instructions for how to create your very own camera setup, which will allow you to view yourself tooling around in the third person. Weird, right? The whole setup consists of a camera rigged at your back from a distance far enough to film you from behind, a pair of video goggles to wear as you gallivant about, and optionally, a radio transmitter, allowing a remote viewer to join in on the fun and watch along with you. How does it work? A bit disconcertingly if you ask us, but it's something we'd certainly consider giving a try, if only once. Hit up the source for full instructions as well as impressions of the experience. There's a video after the break.
Smart Goggles help you find that one thing... you know, with the stuff
While perhaps some sort of tagging or RFID system could be more effective in this task, you're certainly never going to look as badass on the hunt for a flower pot as you will with these Smart Goggles. Being developed by researchers at the University of Tokyo, the video goggles are hooked up to a backpack computer and record whatever you see. The system can be trained to recognize particular items by name, using some fancy image recognition software, and is meant for people with memory problems or just really hard to find plants. You can even ask the system to play back some recent video of the object ("where did you see it last?") to help jog your memory or just bring back old times. Super-fine white coat not included.[Via Daily Mail]
Scaler intros Teleglass T4-N video glasses
It looks like Scaler has found a bit of room for improvement in its Teleglass T4 video-playin' shades, with the company now offering a new "limited edition" T4-N model. These ones boast a 640 x 480 resolution and, like before, promise to give the effect of watching a 45-inch display from six feet away. As you can see, the shades have also been given a few cosmetic refinements, although we're guessing it'll still take a certain sort of fearless individual to rock these in public. Those that think they can pull it off will have to act fast, however, as only 500 of shades are being made available for the time being, with them setting you back ¥134,400 (or roughly $1,150) apiece.[Via Pink Tentacle]
22Moo intros SeepuStar DV230 video goggles
There's certainly no shortage of low-res video goggles on the market, but Australia's 22Moo seems to think there's room for just one more (they must know something we don't), bolstering its own lineup with the SeepuStar DV230 wearable display -- apparently, coming courtesy of OEM manufacturer Icuiti. While 22Moo's holding back on most of the specs for now, they do say that the Seepustars will give you a virtual 35-inch screen and can be used with just about anything with video out -- just don't be too disappointed if your brand new PS3 looks more like a PS1 after you hook it up to a pair of these. At least, we're guessing -- $250 will only buy you so much resolution. Look for these to be available later this month.
Kowon's new MSP-209 video glasses -- is the future here yet?
Ever since we were wee little bloggers we've longed for the days of video glasses, but nothing so far has been quite ergonomic enough, enjoyable enough, or non-nauseating enough to actually justify a purchase or warrant regular use. We can't say Kowon's new MSP-209 video glasses will solve any of those problems, but the $200 price ain't bad, and they claim the unit's micro LCDs are the smallest and lightest available. The whole unit weighs a mere two ounces, and displays video at QVGA, perfect for showing the phone DMB broadcasts that Kowon is targeting the device for. Supposedly the MSP-209 simulates a 32-inch TV at around 7 feet away and can run on its lithium polymer batter for around 8 hours between recharging. The display should be available in Korea next week, with Europe, Japan and China releases coming sometime next month. No word on a US release (surpise, surprise), but Kowon does mention that a VGA version should follow later this year.[Via Mobile Mentalism]
