GAMES AND RESEARCH

AR Tennis

ANDERS HENRYSSON, MARK BILLINGHURST, MARK OLLILA
HITLAB / 2006-2007 / NEW ZEALAND

The research project “AR Tennis” uses the electronic tennis game format to explore new ways that mobile devices can integrate computer vision technology. The phone becomes a racket hitting a ball across a virtual tennis court. The game uses a technology known as Augmented Reality, which allows virtual representations to be overlaid onto screen images of the real world. The phone's camera “sees” the game marker overlaid onto the table and, working with a tracking system and computer vision software, renders a virtual ball onto the table viewed on the phone screen. Bluetooth technology is used to synchronise the ball's movements between the phones. “AR Tennis” can be played competitively or as a collaborative game with players working together to achieve the longest continuous volley. Until now, Augmented Reality technology could only be seen in research laboratories or in very expensive applications. However, as computer processors in mobile phones get faster and displays and cameras improve, this technology will likely become commonplace, making possible new types of mobile applications that utilize the surrounding physical environment.