ABSTRACT
Several prototype augmented reality (AR) systems have demonstrated ad equate performance to meet the needs of indoor applications, ranging from medical visualization [State 96] to aircraft manufacturing [Nash 97] and even entertainment [Ohshima 98]. However, few have attempted to build augmented reality systems that work outdoors. A group at Columbia Uni versity demonstrated the “touring machine,” which allows a user to view information linked to specific buildings on the Columbia campus as he walks around outside [Feiner 97]. Some wearable computers, such as the CMU VuMan system, have been used for vehicle maintenance applications in outdoor settings. But none of these projects have attempted to achieve accurate registration at a wide variety of outdoor locations.
