If you think AR is all about interacting with 3D models in your living room or seeing fitness stats right in front of your face, then you'd be wrong.
Step forward Quake Technologies and its futuristic AR-packing smart helmet that has been designed to help firefighters tackle fires faster and more effectively.
Read this: What ARKit tells us about Apple's big AR plans
Its C-THRU AR system is powered by Nvidia Tegra mobile processors and provides real time navigation via a transparent display positioned in front of the firefighter's line of sight. That enables the user to see through smoke and maintain zero visibility.
Combined with thermal imaging cameras, which already aid firefighters, alongside toxicity sensors and biometric sensors, the helmet can provide improved situational awareness of a fire and determine the most effective way to deal with emergency situations. The concept of visual neuroscience plays its part as well with the system reducing disorientation and tunnel vision to help firefighters make rapid decisions.
Qwake Technologies is also working on adding new features like object recognition and flow path tracking to make it an even more valuable tool for tackling a blaze. The system is designed to work in conjunction with other rescue related tech including protective equipment, drones and handheld cameras.
Currently the team are working with firefighters to explore the potential of integrating the C-THRU system and with an advisory board that already includes a number of US fire departments, it looks like this is one way AR is really going to make a difference.
Source: Singularity Hub
How we test
By Michael Sawh
Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.
He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.
Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech.
Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.