Section: Software

Mixed Reality Browser (MRB)

Participants : Yohan Lasorsa, Jacques Lemordant, David Liodenot, Thibaud Michel, Mathieu Razafimahazo.

The concept of Mixed Reality comes from the fact that the real/virtual dichotomy is not sharp, but interpolatively smooth over a virtuality continuum. Idealized notions of reality and virtuality can be thought of as endpoints on a continuum, an instance of the former approach corresponding for example to a see-through display with natural sounds, an instance of the latter to texture-mapped image-based rendering (panoramas) with synthetic sound objects.

Augmented Reality (AR) mode refers to all cases in which the auditory or visual display of an otherwise real environment is augmented by means of virtual sound or graphic objects. The converse case on the virtuality continuum is Augmented Virtuality (AV), where a virtual world, one that is generated primarily by computer, like with synthetic 3D graphic or synthetic panoramic, is being augmented with the audio-visual content of points of interest (POIs).

The Mixed Reality Browser (MRB) is a geolocalized web browser running on mobile devices. It uses standard and open XML formats for content authoring (HTML5, OSM and MAUDL) to allow anyone to create an augmented or virtual reality city tour that can be used with this application.

The introduction of mobile augmented reality browsers has forced a rethink on what kind of reality should be offered. Mobility induces a need for telepresence and simulation to free the user or the developer of the necessity to go every time in the real world. Mobility is the main reason behind the concept of the Mixed Reality Browser. By its intrinsic characteristics, MRB supports advance MR applications like mobile remote maintenance and assisted navigation.