Augmented Reality Technologies for Training: A Video-See-Through, Helmet Mounted Display

Commercial virtual reality, and video-relay augmented reality head worn displays do not meet the requirements needed to perform Augmented Reality Training of Marines for call-for-fire and close-air-support situations. Trex Enterprises proposes an Augmented Reality Technology Helmet-Mounted Display (ART-HMD), which includes low-cost components combined with low-latency (< 5msec) electronics for data transmission and overlay of computer generated data with stereo camera imagery, an optically enhanced inertial head tracker and a RF-based precision geolocation system, which provides accuracy of 30cm. The ART-HMD includes a display with field of view (FOV) of 100 degrees, two user-removable and user replaceable low-light EO/IR sensors and embedded optically-enhanced inertial head tracker with nominal accuracy of three mils. The device attaches to Marine Corp helmet night vision goggle rails. It has a capacity to transmit its video stream to an external device and to receive and display an externally sourced video stream, and to display its camera imagery overlaid with real time imported imagery. Under the Phase-I program, Trex will define system hardware and software requirements; demonstrate optically enhanced inertial head tracker, design and fabricate a brassboard, demonstrate a low-latency video relay, fabricate and demonstrate low-latency electronics, design a Phase II prototype and develop CAD design package.