Augmenting reality can be tricky. So far we’ve worked with screens, trying to layer objects over the world , and that’s incredibly challenging because A. transparent screens haven’t really become mainstream (or cheap) yet, and B. real-time motion tracking is a computer’s worst nightmare and one of its biggest hurdles. While our vision of AR has been limited to display-screens and reflections, HTC and Swift Creatives may have paved an easier way for layering objects onto our world in a way that is easy, and more importantly, useful. Their answer? projectors. A projector, by its definition, layers a projection on an object, so working with a projector that can simply project onto an object makes more sense than having a transparent display in front of your eyes that creates objects that seem believable, but can’t keep up with your head’s randomized movements. However, with HTC’s AR Lamp, it’s a lot like projection mapping. The lamp maps relevant materials and objects onto the world in front of you. Take for instance working at a kitchen counter-top. The AR Lamp works a lot like IKEA’s , giving you bespoke guides and information you may need. It actively tracks your progress, updating as you go. (I imagine the AR Lamp could be an absolute gem of a device in training doctors for operations too) Yes, while a lamp’s projection may not necessarily be as 3D as, say, something you would view from a Hololens, it’s much more useful, and less intrusive too. The fact that it isn’t body-mounted or worn, gives it a lot of freedom to be state-of-the-art and useful, rather than amateurish and wearable. The lamp allows for collaboration and communication with other people remotely through a live feed, and even comes with smart-voice recognition, letting you talk to AR-projecting device (probably a first of its kind… most AR devices are computers with controllers, and not smart-gadgets.) Its clean, Nordic design language allows it to fit seamlessly into all homes, changing lives and upgrading the meaning of the smart-home forever… and yes, it works as a lamp too. Designer: for HTC