Project North Star
Project North Star is a community-led project for an augmented reality headset that was originally open-sourced by Leap Motion.
It is named "North Star" because it represents the direction that Leap Motion wanted computer-human interaction to go in.
The project north star is based on a reflector style design. It is an optical-see-through head mounted display (OST-HMD).
Project North Star headsets generally use an Intel T265 and a Leap Motion Controller.[1]
A northstar headset uses a curved reflector. The headsets typically require calibration to correct for geometric distortions introduced by the reflector.
There are multiple different versions, including the original release, and the Deck X.[1]
Headsets can be partially 3D printed.
A northstar headset requires a separate computer to run.
Hardware
The original prototype headsets had a large field of view. The first open-source release shrunk it.[2]
The original reference design specified by Leap Motion uses BOE VS035ZSM-NW0 displays.[3]
Versions
- Release 1 - internal release[4]
- Release 2 - first public open-source release[4]
- Release 3[4]
- Release 3.1[4]
- Release 3.2[4]
- Deck X[4]
- Northstar Next[4]
History
Prototype reflectors were 3D printed using VeroClear resin.[2] A secondary set of reflectors were produced using diamond turning from a block of acrylic material.[2] The secondary set of reflectors were coated with a thin layer of silver.[2]
Software
How to build
A North Star headset can be built by selecting the right displays and driver board.
Calibration is one of the key steps. Calibration can be done with a calibration rig.[1]
Building with support for hand tracking is not recommended.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Project North Star". 2018-04-09. https://www.xvrwiki.org/wiki/Project_North_Star.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Our Journey to the North Star". 2018-04-09. https://blog.leapmotion.com/our-journey-to-the-north-star/.
- ↑ "North Star Display (3.5 inch, 1440x1600 pixels, 120fps)". 2020-12-10. https://www.smart-prototyping.com/Display-for-Project-North-Star-3_5inch-1440x1600-pixels%20Promotion%20sale.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 "Project North Star". 2023-06-17. https://docs.projectnorthstar.org/project-north-star.
- ↑ "Esky". 2021-07-18. https://docs.projectnorthstar.org/project-north-star/software/esky.
