Immersive HMD (Head Mounted Display)

Introduction
Who hasn't played an FPS and wished they could have a HUD overlay in real life? Maybe some of you, but I'm sure the true geeks reading this have! I looked around and nothing fit my budget, so i decided to build one. Rather than attempting to make a display that you could see through, which seemed far too complicated for my taste, I decided to use a camera and screens to do the job. This is the very first build of this idea, using the cheapest components possible really. I have many upgrades planned, which will be listed in the final section of this instructable. Continue on to see how I did it!

Step 1 Parts and Prep

You are going to need  4 components, basic tools and a fairly delicate touch for this instructable.

Stuff you'll need:
- Webcam
- Headpones (over ear style)
- Safety Goggles (the cooler looking the better!)
- Personal Media Viewers (look for working ones with broken frames to save money!)

Tools you'll need:
- Hot glue gun
- Small flat blade screwdriver
- Exacto knife

Hey, What did you use?
What did I use you ask? Well first of all, keep in mind that this is the roughest version of this build, so I used entry level parts. My PMVs were MyVu Crystal's, which come apart very easily! The goggles I used are the DeWalt "concealer"  model with the smoked lens. Then for headphones I used Sennheiser HD 515s, namely because they were really beaten up and had been laying around for an age! My current webcam is some old junky logitech one. I am already ordering the Microsoft Lifecam (720p, 133 degree FoV, and autofocus!) as an upgrade!

Comments

[khenry1]

dude his is so cool can you make video on this

[McChicken]

I'm planning building this to fit inside my Iron Man helmet (Full metal- Instructable coming soon) and I think i've found a way of creating a HUD. I'm cannibalising an iPhone 4S and making a new OS for it, just basic stuff like date and time, music, horizon indicator, temperature, then using a live feed from two cameras in stereo as the background. I'm using two of the 4S cameras, they have better picture quality than my lifecam and theyre smaller.

[jackle13]

so cool i wish i could make one but i dont have any of the stuff but is awsome

[minijc]

could you link this up to a ps3 or xbox 360

[tox1cchicken]

what does this look like from the inside? I.e. looking through the googles?

[marinekid]

I am considering this as the HMD base for my current idea - Project Photon. This project will feature a number of devices, such as an HMD, nightvision goggles (I can add some ultrabright IRs to the HMD you have here), in-built laser cutters and lots of other light based fun. If anyone has an idea, please reply to this!

:) thanks, Maxiaxie

Edit: might add walkie talkies as well if the sound is fixed on this design.

[ckine]

i am interested in this project and if you have a website or blog or something i could check it out that would be great

[elimisteve]

I'm also very interested, and I think many other hackerspace people in particular would be.

Have you considered creating a KickStarter project for this?

[marinekid]

currently, i'm running it off of this amazing new server (notepad and paper), so if you want, i can email you a blueprint copy. i'll private-message my email address to you. thx

[blinhardt]

Good work..

[Banfield Design]

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the giant gaps in my communication, I haven't spent nearly enough time here thanks to a giant life-explosion. Feel free to direct any questions as PM's as that makes it easier for me to answer you.

Version 2.0 is still under way but is on hold till I can devote my time to it again.

Thanks,
Josh

[sk8trboipyro]

do you think it would be possible to use viewfinders from older camcorders? just a thought, as it might be quite a bit cheaper than myvu crystals

[289poppy]

here's a question: I can't find/afford a PMV, can I just use a laptop LCD with some sort of diverging lens or something? I mean sure it'd be more bulky, but what's your people's opinions?

[289poppy]

Here's a question that may seem a tad bit silly....do I really need a PMV? (darn those things are expensive!) or can I instead just hook up a laptop LCD with a diverging lens or something? I mean it sound pretty straightforwards to me, what's your people's opinion?

[ghostrider2]

i have found a way to improve this for military use. i think i could turn it into a very efficient system. just to warn everybody, though, i will patent it, so watch out.

[tinker234]

i am working on a protype exoskelten suit please tell me in a private message pleasea i would like to know

[KevinAlien26]

People post things on instuctables to share with everyone, I don't think it's purpose is for someone to use someone else's ideas to make money off of and then paten it to keep others from making it? Seems a bit unfair to all of us especially to the true creator of it.

[tinker234]

i wouldnt patenet just a test

[ghostrider2]

cant. my prototype is needed for my own exoarmor. simply put, im starting off with the pepakura method to prove the concept for paintball, then upgrading everything as i get more money and technology until it is battle ready you know, start all paper and bondo, add motors and a control system for better mobility, replace paper with sheet metal, and continue to work from there into something close to iron man capabilities(minus flight. the technology for a powered suit with flying ability is years away from what i can come up with.)

[ghostrider2]

is there any way you could use additional cameras to use an eye tracking program to eliminate the need of a mouse and keyboard?

[KevinAlien26]

You should check out what some guys did with the playstation eye. eye tagging or some sort. It was pretty neat and seems to may be of use to you

[Lyokoking99]

Most regular cams won't work for that I don't believe, but you could replace a mouse and keyboard with a button board in the palm of a hand on a glove, and a joystick on there to use as a mouse.

[carrotman42]

Facel eg. lip and eyes or whatever isn't too hard to do and there are many programs tracking eyes: faceapi and manyCam are just two I have on my computer. There is one for PPJoy code to change facal movements into actions but tbh speech recognision IS easier and will be more accerate as more people look into that market.

[BodenM]

How about modifying a Nintendo Power Glove from the NES? It has a keypad and a D-Pad.

[tinker234]

that be cool

[csarmiento]

hey peps i am trying to make one but for a bike helmet. i want to project my route and gps info on the visor but i still want to be able to see through it. any hints?

[KevinAlien26]

Use sort of a monocle, a 1 eyed piece so u can see the road and see ur route. I believe ur right eye is the one used most by your brain so u may want to put ur screen and eye piece on your left eye so it's not to distort your view

[sidorthatotherguy]

that would make for an awesome daft punk helmet

[goober6]

wait. it's a hmd to put on just to see what's in front of you?

[Railes]

Seams like watching those tiny screens would be extremely taxing to the eyes.

I recall a pair of night vision goggles I have from eyeclops, Headache in under 10 mins.

[epicblue]

i don't really feel like spending $100 on a PMV, and i can't find a used one or anything like one. any ideas? or have one u want to spare for me?

[dvnkmmy]

Two Questions:
1: What is the power source?
2: How do your hear anything with the headphones.
Im only asking because it looks good for like Nerf or airsoft wars, but i just need to know how hearing works with that thingy

[dvnkmmy]

i might just use this for next years sci fair project on Military use

[Banfield Design]

I have started a military concept already, if you want I could give you the information on what features it would have? It uses the laptop (in a small backpack) for all of its power, so far this gives it a life of around 4-5 hours on its own, though I carry the power cord in the pack and plug it in where I can. The headphones are "open air" so the grilles on the side let sound through. In future I will switch over to sealed ones, and let some good microphones and software do the work

[tinker234]

please send me some blueprints i hope to start a concept suit next year to gather plans and money to make a concept suit

[Thundertydus]

Great instructable! Could use a little more detail, but it's understandable that it shifts between parts.

I was thinking of mounting this into a replica helmet from a video game, but also adding IR lights on the sides for night vision, do webcams have IR filters?

[LetsExplodeSomething]

I agree it's a great idea but the instructable itself needs more detail

[Kindhamster]

most cameras are able to pick up ir light.
If you're willing to pay a bit, you can by security cameras that are designed to run on ir light. all you have to do is take the ir leds out of the camera housing and voila.

[dziedzicadam]

Would love a full detail on the military style units.

[dvnkmmy]

that would be nice!! I have an old mac that i dont use. would that work? What would protect the camera? I am really interested in this :D