Life Like Technologies LLC, based in Dallas Texas, has teamed up with Australian design team Colourblind to debut its first large scale application of their innovative product named ‘Tech Specs’.
Tech Specs are the first commercially available augmented reality technology that allow audiences of concert touring, live events, sporting events and theatre to experience a multitude of sensory inputs whilst being a semi-passive participant of the performances and events stated.
Tech Specs allow show designers and creative personnel to relieve a show of cumbersome lighting, set and video elements, allowing unfettered creative control without physical limitations.
Tech Specs utilise green screen technology first adapted in the film and television industries to enable the viewer to have the capacity to have any kind of imagery overlaid in the glasses to augment what is happening on stage with live performers.
Mikhail Jaqusonski, the Ukrainian inventor of the technology, says, ‘for the first time the ability of a designer to create a complete visual and sensory experience for the observer is here.”
By using micro 4K 3D LED projectors located in the glasses, imagery is directly presented to the wearer’s retina allowing Tech Specs to deliver unlimited images and configurations of scenic elements that can be utilised during the performance. These are in perfect scale to the green screen at the rear of the stage or anywhere else a green screen maybe located and are a seamless interaction with the live performance happening on stage.
By using a complex Wi-Fi and Bluetooth algorithm, the location of the individual user in the performance space allows the imagery to be presented in perspective relative to the viewer’s point of view.
The innovation of this product will mean lower costs for artists and higher profits. Taking into consideration that less physical equipment will need to be hired or constructed, much less lighting, set and video crew will be needed, saving a huge cost on wages, catering, accommodation and flights. Trucking requirements will also be slashed resulting in a win-win for promoters and artists alike. However, production companies will clearly suffer.
Colourblind will be utilizing this ground breaking technology on an upcoming major tour by a forward thinking international artist. Unfortunately at time of press, they cannot yet be named.
“We’re thrilled to be the first design company to use Tech Specs,” commented Lynden Gare, Director of Colourblind. “This is an absolute win for the live music sector of the lighting industry. We are looking at a product which removes the need for third parties. The days of waiting for quotes from rental, trucking, crewing, and video companies are over. Not to mention altogether removing the need to travel to tradeshows around the world and pretend to be nice to people face to face. In the virtual world if we want a new feature in a light we just add it to the program!
“While the cost of Tech Specs technology is less than half the cost of an actual light show, we plan to deliver our shows at the same cost to the band, thus not disrupting the economy while also greatly improving our bottom-line.
“Environmentally this has huge implications too, the 300kva generator required to recharge the glasses every hour runs on biodiesel.”
For a sneak preview of Tech Specs in action click here
