Holokit X

Mixed Reality Headset For Phones for Holo Interactive

Holokit is designed to make multiplayer co-located mixed reality more affordable. This project product addresses the high costs of existing MR headsets, opening doors for a wider audience. Holokit X achieves this by turning the iPhone into a mixed-reality headset using a periscope design. It leverages the iPhone's capabilities, providing 6 DoF tracking, environment perception, and hand tracking similar to HoloLens, with a price of $129, 1/30 of the price of HoloLens and Apple Vision Pro.

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Holokit X by Botao Hu

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Mixed Reality Headset For Phones by Botao Hu

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Botao Hu Holokit X

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Botao Hu Mixed Reality Headset For Phones

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Unique Properties

Holo Interactive, a technology company founded by Botao Amber Hu, seeks to revolutionize the way people interact with augmented reality (AR) through its flagship product, HoloKit X. The device, developed in collaboration with Second White, a design studio based in Korea, is a well-designed and comfortable iPhone accessory that introduces Stereoscopic augmented reality at an affordable price point. The company aims to bring the Realverse, a mixed reality incorporating multiple digital layers called "realities"; built on top of the real world, to everyone, by everyone. HoloKit X has a sleek design, durability, comfort, and most importantly, presents a similar field of view with Hololens and even better visual than Hololens at only $129, an affordable price point. The device leverages all iPhone's augmented reality capabilities, combining the hardware on iPhone, such as the bionic chips and the lidar sensor, with the ARkit software, the spatial audio system, and the Airdrop technology to provide a seamless multiplayer augmented reality experience. HoloKit X provides a memorable experience for people trying augmented reality for the first time. With the multiplayer augmented reality experience MOFA embedded in the app, friends and family can enjoy an instant life action role play wizard fight with magic spells. The experience is frictionless and uses the iPhone and Apple Watch that they already possess. In addition, HoloKit X is an ideal tool for developers to develop their own projects or serve their clients. The HoloKit SDK is available for developers to use HoloKit X to develop their own projects and publish them on the Apple App Store. With the affordable price point, HoloKit X provides so much imagination on the augmented reality adoption on education, medical, gaming, and the marketing industry. The device's value and impact lie in promoting face-to-face multiplayer augmented reality experiences that emphasize reconnecting with each other in person. In the post-COVID-19 era, HoloKit X promotes face-to-face communication and in-person interaction that is enhanced by augmented reality. Unlike most augmented reality products, which run the risk of distancing humans by providing immersive content, HoloKit X encourages connection and interaction in real life through augmented reality. This philosophy leads to the "spectator view" feature, allowing non-players to watch the interactions between players with the augmented reality content as the third-person perspective live. HoloKit X believes that the magical moments of augmented reality are for sharing, as a quote from Yoko Ono aptly states, "A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." By making content shareable, HoloKit X hopes to shape a better reality where technology can bridge people in real life, face to face. In conclusion, Holo Interactive's HoloKit X is a game-changer in the world of augmented reality. The device's affordable price point and ease of use make it accessible to the majority of people, while its sleek design and durability make it attractive to users. Its focus on promoting face-to-face multiplayer augmented reality experiences sets it apart from other mixed reality products and demonstrates its commitment to bridging people in real life, face to face. HoloKit X is not just a device; it is a tool for promoting human interaction and communication through technology.

Tags

mixed reality, game, multiplayer, iphone, affordable

Production Technology

Technical implementation: innovative design and development. HoloKit uses a periscope structure to transform an iPhone into an MR headset (United States Patent No.: US 11,709,360B2). It presents a 60-degree FOV, and leverages all iPhone's MR capabilities including the lidar sensor, the PHASE system, and the ARKit. The engineers developed a reality-sharing technology (patent application number 18/498,637) based on multiple connectivity to enable a smooth co-located MR experience. The paper regarding this implementation was accepted by IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality 2023 (10.1109/ISMAR-Adjunct60411.2023.00165). Ergonomics design: Comfortable wearing for movement and Glasses friendly. In terms of ergonomics design, the weight distribution is designed deliberately to be mainly on the forehead rather than the nose, and the elastic headband and thick forehead pad allow users to run and jump while wearing the headset. The plastic body of HoloKit X was crafted to be 20% smaller than other periscope-structure cardboard MR devices, resulting in a smaller and lighter headset. This design choice also allows for the top portion of the phone screen to remain outside of the headset, serving as an interactable touch bar. The optical see-through structure that allows users to see the real environment provides visual stability compared to video see-through AR headset. Even people who suffer from motion sickness can enjoy playing AR games wearing HoloKit X. Because user need to see the real and virtual world together, user have to wear their own glasses. We make the face mask soft and bendable to fit the major size of the glasses. Material: Durable, seamless manufacturing. The Reinforced ABS body of HoloKit X ensures durability even if the device is dropped.Meanwhile, the lower display part is safely coupled to the main body through a double injection Reinforced PC. The double injection process necessitates a transparent component with high optical standards and 3 opaque injections, which is exceptionally challenging to achieve during production. Nevertheless, the outcome is a seamlessly integrated and stylish MR headset. The combination of the metallic gray-colored body and crystal transparent display part creates a unique and visually representative iconography of HoloKit X's usability.

Design Challenge

During the development, realization, and research of the HoloKit X project, there were key challenges in game design and co-located mixed reality technical implementation. These challenges were addressed through the insights provided in the papers "MOFA: Exploring Asymmetric Mixed Reality Design Strategy for Co-located Multiplayer Between Handheld and Head-mounted Augmented Reality" and "InstantCopresence: A Spatial Anchor Sharing Methodology for Co-located Multiplayer Headheld and Headworn AR." In terms of game design, the MOFA paper proposed a design strategy to distinguish the roles of different players based on the affordances, limitations, and capabilities of handheld augmented reality (HAR) and head-mounted stereoscopic augmented reality (StAR) devices. This strategy introduced roles such as a passive spectator and an active puppeteer, creating an asymmetric multiplayer experience. By understanding the capabilities of each device, the project aimed to design engaging and immersive gameplay experiences. On the other hand, the co-located mixed reality technical implementation challenge was addressed through the InstantCopresence paper. This paper introduced a spatial anchor-sharing methodology for co-located multiplayer between head-held and head-worn AR devices. The methodology focused on creating a seamless and synchronized experience for players using different AR devices. By sharing spatial anchors, the project aimed to ensure that the virtual content and interactions were aligned and consistent across devices, enhancing the co-located multiplayer experience. As recorded in the papers, the team effectively overcame the various challenges encountered throughout the development of HoloKit X. By considering the affordances, limitations, and capabilities of different AR devices, the project was able to design engaging gameplay experiences that catered to both handheld and head-mounted AR users. Additionally, the spatial anchor-sharing methodology facilitated a cohesive and synchronized experience, allowing players using different devices to interact seamlessly in the same virtual space. Furthermore, the project leveraged the open-source community and collaboration, as mentioned in the documents, to foster innovation and creativity in the field of mixed reality. The project's focus on affordability and accessibility also made it a valuable tool for various industries such as education, gaming, and marketing.

Project Duration

3 years, New York, US, Seoul, Korea, and Shenzhen, China

Operation Flow

HoloKit X makes it simple to access an immersive MR experience. All you have to do is download the HoloKit app from the app store, open it, place your iPhone into the HoloKit X device, and you're ready to go. The app's design and layout align well with the familiar conventions of the iOS platform. To join the multiplayer game session, simply open the HoloKit app on both phones and let one phone scan the QR code on the other phone in the app, no Wi-Fi or Cellular connection is needed. Wear the HoloKit X is simple, turn on the stereoscopic mode on the phone, and insert it into the HoloKit X, and tie the security strap. And then put the headset in front of the eyes, and slide the headband to the back of the head. Then start the game session by using hand gestures, clicking on the Apple Watch, or touching the edge of the phone screen. Like all other optical-see-through(OST) MR devices, HoloKit X performs best in a well-lit indoor environment, due to the lighting requirement of the LiDAR scanner and the OST MR imaging.

Research

Type of Research:
The type of research conducted for HoloKit X is a combination of user-centered design research and technological innovation research. It focuses on understanding user needs, exploring new possibilities in mixed reality (MR), and developing a product that meets those needs. Research Objectives:
The research objectives for HoloKit X can be summarized as follows: Enhancing MR creative project execution, particularly in multiplayer scenarios. Revolutionizing human-computer interaction and content creation in MR. Democratizing mixed reality by fostering an open-source community. Promoting face-to-face multiplayer AR experiences to facilitate human connection and communication. Methodology:
The specific methodology employed in the design research for HoloKit X is a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods was utilized. This include techniques such as user interviews, usability testing, and data analysis of user interactions with the HoloKit X device. Data Collection and Research Tools:
Data collection involved a range of approaches, including user surveys, observations, and feedback from users who have experienced HoloKit X in diverse contexts. Participants or Experiments:
HoloKit X has been utilized for university research at renowned institutions such as MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and NYU ITP. Students, researchers, and educators participated in the research of asymmetrical MR experience and social acceptance of the head-mounted MR device. Results:
MR projects utilizing HoloKit X have received notable recognition and awards at conferences such as ACM CHI and IEEE ISMAR. The research has yielded positive outcomes and groundbreaking applications within the field of mixed reality. Insights and Impacts:
The research has provided valuable insights into the usability functionality, and potential impact of HoloKit X, as well as in the topics of social acceptance of head-mounted devices and co-located multiplayer MR games. Effect of the Research on Real-life Phenomena:
The research conducted on HoloKit X has had tangible effects on various real-life phenomena, including business, society, and design. The device has been utilized in university research, underscoring its relevance and potential for educational applications. Moreover, HoloKit X's multiplayer framework has revolutionized human-computer interaction and content creation in MR, opening up new possibilities for industries such as gaming and marketing. The emphasis on face-to-face multiplayer AR experiences also highlights its potential for promoting human interaction and communication through technology.

Inspiration

HoloKit X offers an affordable, iPhone-based stereoscopic optical see-through Mixed Reality solution functionally equivalent to much more expensive products like HoloLens. By utilizing the iPhone's hardware and software, we provide a cost-effective alternative to expensive MR headsets, while keeping most of the AR functions including 6 degrees of freedom tracking, environmental perception, spatial audio, and AI-powered hand tracking and human objection detection. Priced at just $129, HoloKit X aims to lower the barrier for the public to experience mixed reality for the first time, bringing the shared dream of AR co-located one step closer to reality. HoloKit X seeks to make co-located multiplayer mixed reality more accessible by allowing individuals in the same physical space to engage with virtual objects together in real-time. Inspired by the motto "A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality", we created co-located MR that encourages face-to-face interaction and interpersonal connections, showcasing AR technology's true potential. The high costs of existing MR headsets like HoloLens and Magic Leap ($3500), which pose a barrier for many to experience multiplayer mixed reality, with group experiences often exceeding $7,000. We addressed this problem by using HoloKit X and making MR accessible to broader audience and content creators. HoloKit X's inception came from Hu's earlier invention, the HoloKit Cardboard, an open-source cardboard MR device introduced in 2018. Although the HoloKit Cardboard was easy to assemble and use, it was not ready for mass adoption. Hu's vision for HoloKit X was to push the design to a level that is of good quality, stable, and accessible to the majority of people.

HoloKit uses a periscope structure to transform an iPhone into a MR headset (United States Patent No.: US 11,709,360B2). It presents 60 degree FOV, a similar field of view with Hololens and even better visual than Hololens at only $129, which is less than 1/10 of the main stream MR headsets like HoloLens and Magic Leap. The device leverages all iPhone's MR capabilities, combining the hardware on iPhone, such as the bionic chips and the lidar sensor, with the ARkit software, the PHASE system, and the Airdrop technology to provide a seamless multiplayer MR experience.

HoloKit X provides a memorable experience for people trying MR for the first time. With the multiplayer MR experience MOFA embedded in the app, friends and family can enjoy an instant life action role play wizard fight with magic spells. The experience is frictionless and uses the iPhone and Apple Watch that they already possess.

In addition, HoloKit X is an ideal tool for developers to develop their own projects or serve their clients. The HoloKit SDK is available for developers to use HoloKit X to develop their own projects and publish them on the Apple App Store. With the affordable price point, HoloKit X provides so much imagination on the MR adoption on education, medical, gaming, and the marketing industry.

Image Credits

Image #1: Holo Interactive, perspective of HoloKit X, 2022. Image #2: Holo Interactive, back view of HoloKit X, 2022. Image #3: Photographer Second White, Close-up photo, 2012. Image #4: Holo Interactive, optical diagram of HoloKit X, 2022. Image #5: Photographer Second White, a man wearing the HoloKit X headset, 2022.

Project Overview

Holokit X Mixed Reality Headset For Phones has been a Silver winner in the Wearable Technologies Design award category in the year 2023 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Silver Recognition

Botao Hu was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2024, a testament to excellence of their work Holokit X Mixed Reality Headset For Phones.

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