I have a new hobby. It’s called GeoCaching. In case you don’t know what GeoCaching is, you can get a good introduction here. Otherwise simply think of it as some sort of treasure hunt with the treasure map being GPS coordinates (that you find using a GPS enabled device) and the treasure usually being some sort of waterproof box with a logbook for you to leave your name and date when you found it. Believe me, it’s a lot of fun searching and more than that: finding GeoCaches.

As you can imagine, there are different types of GeoCaches. Traditionals like described above, Mystery Caches for which you need to solve puzzles, NightCaches that can only be found at night and several more. However, recently an absolutely awesome idea popped into my mind. An idea for a new type of GeoCache.

The Augmented Reality Cache

Augmented Reality basically means that the reality is “extended” by virtual information (most commonly 3D Objects). But how does this work? Easy: You place a marker that can be recognized by a special software that runs on a device which has an integrated camera (or the ability to have a camera attached). The software then extends the real world image with the virtual object and displays the result on the display. What makes AR so damn fancy is that this all happens in real time. So if you turn or tilt your device, the virtual objects does the same just as if it exists in the real world.

More easy: On the display  it simply looks like as if the giant monster dwarf was really standing in front of you swinging his enormous warhammer. Only… that he’s of course not really there.

Look here to get an impression of what the heck I am talking about.

What does that mean for GeoCaching

So back to GeoCaching. GeoCaching means that you go to given GPS coordinates and then search for some sort of hidden treasure (the Cache). Sometimes you follow hints or need to solve puzzles.My vision now works like this: The coordinates lead you to a traffic sign for instance. You point your Windows Mobile cellphone with an integrated GPS device and camera to the sign and what you see on the display is a virtual three-dimensional arrow pointing to the right with a text on it saying 50m. Everyone else only sees that traffic sign. But you have a device that extends your sense of reality. You see more. You took the red pill!

So the AR Cache could incredibly increase the GeoCaching experience by adding hints, coordinates and visual clues to real world objects. Also, many cacher already use devices like Windows Mobile cellphones (for instance running CacheWolf) or the iPhone (running Groundspeaks own proprietary software). So there will be lots of people who can experience this new type of GeoCache.

Ideas

For this type of GeoCache to work, a couple of things need to be accomplished. First of all, applications need to be developed that are able to recognize either simple marker or even basic geometric forms (to be able to work with real objects like traffic signs instead of stickers that need to be attached to real world objects). This application needs to be able to import markers as well as 3D Objects, images or whatever, so that a Cache Owner can create an own set of extension for his specific AR Cache. Of course it would be awesome if this application also has an Owner-Tool that makes it possible for the owner to create markers from real world objects instantly with the integrated camera of his device for instance.

Next, this type of software needs to be made widely available for different platforms. The easiest would most certainly be Windows Mobile. Also, Groundspeak should be pretty interested in extending their own GC software with this feature. A Java based application should be interesting, too, so that it will work on basically every device that is able to run own applications. Maybe this is something, the CacheWolf community is looking for?

Speaking of Groundspeak: I sent an email to them with a suggestion to create this new type of GeoCache. I am curious if I get feedback.

Please comment on this if you like the idea.