Google has opened developments related to Cardboard virtual reality technology

Google company opened source code tools to develop applications for the platform cardboard, which allows you to use any smartphone to create affordable virtual reality helmets. In the simplest case, to create a helmet, it is enough according to the proposed cutting cut out a frame from cardboard to secure the smartphone in front of your eyes and use two lenses to focus.

Google VR SDK for developing virtual reality applications and mobile demos apps for Cardboard open licensed under Apache 2.0. The SDK includes libraries for creating VR applications for Android and iOS, a rendering system for generating output for viewing on Cardboard helmets, and a library for pairing helmet frame parameters with an application via a QR code.

SDK Allows create applications for smartphone-based VR helmets, forming a stereoscopic image by splitting the screen into two halves, in which the picture for the right and left eyes is separately formed. When forming the output, parameters such as the type of lenses involved, the distance from the screen to the lens, and the distance between the pupils are taken into account. The SDK includes out-of-the-box features for creating virtual environments, including motion tracking, user interface elements, and stereoscopic rendering with support for lens distortion compensation.

The picture changes depending on the position of the head and the movement of the user, which allows not only to display a static stereo image, for example, to view 3D movies, but also to navigate in the virtual space as in specialized VR helmets (play 3D games and view videos and images in 360 degree mode). To assess the displacement in space, the camera, gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer present in smartphones are used.

It is noted that Google has recently ceased to actively develop the SDK, but interest in the project remains, so it was decided to transfer the development into the hands of the community and develop the project together. Interested enthusiasts have the opportunity to independently develop the functionality of Cardboard and add support for new screen configurations for mobile devices. At the same time, Google intends to continue to participate in the overall development and transfer new features to the project, such as components to support the Unity game engine.

Source: opennet.ru