On July 6th, 2016, the free-to-play location-based augmented reality game known as Pokemon Go hit the Android and iOS app stores – starting a social phenomenon. With the game’s popularity skyrocketing, several people have created fun and innovative ways to immersive user’s further into the experience. Below is a list of 5 of them:
Battery Backup Smartphone Case
In order to catch em’ all, skilled trainers are always on the move looking for the rarest Pokemon out there. Keeping their batteries running is super important. Hence the emergence of a customized backup system stylized as an actual Pokedex. Those interested in making their own version just needs to 3D print the case, mount a USB microB Plug Breakout inside, install the battery, and pop in a cell phone. Good to go!
[via Sparkfun]
Arduino Based Safety Badge
Hunting for Pokemon through a smartphone screen can be distracting. To help increase awareness of their surroundings, players can develop a clip-on badge to sense when when objects and other people are close by. If the person is about to walk into someone or something while tracking down Pokemon with their cellphones, the Ultasonic Sensor embedded into the badge vibrates a motor notifying the person to move to the side. The extra pair of eyes can be a lifesaver, literally.
[via Circuit Digest]
Handheld Pokemon Tracking Device
Wandering around the streets aimlessly searching for Pokemon takes up a lot of time. The game becomes more strategic when players can view the best places to find the rare ones. This can be accomplished by transforming a PocketC.H.I.P. circuit into a fully fledged Pokemon mapping system. Technically, this is considered breaking the game’s Terms of Service, so updates to Pokemon Go can limit access to services like this. Already some Pokemon mapping applications similar to this have already been shut down.
[via Nextthing.co]
Homemade Bracelets
Niantic, the company behind Pokemon Go, plans to release a bracelet that vibrates when Pokemon are close by around September 2016 (as long as it is not delayed again). In the meantime, instead of waiting, players can 3D print their own version. Although the DIY prototype doesn’t include all of the intended functionalities, developers are quickly working on integrating the vibrating features. Still, the homemade bracelets look pretty good and are sure to spice up any Pokemon Go players’ wardrobe.
Augmented Reality Headsets
Rather than playing the Pokemon Go on a phone, those with access to AR headsets like the Microsoft Hololens and the ODG R7 glasses can catch Pokemon in a more intuitive fashion. This takes the immersive levels up a notch, glimpsing into what the future of Pokemon on a true AR platform would look like.
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