EYEsect: see the world through the eyes of a chameleon

 

 

With its alien appearance and cumbersome exterior, the EYEsect looks more like an outfit from Star Wars than headgear for viewing city streets. But this futuristic helmet is more than an accessory: it lets you see the world through the eyes of a chameleon, or any other animal that takes your fancy.

Built by Berlin-based art collective The Constitute, the EYEsect uses two video cameras connected to a first-generation Oculus Rift headset to let the wearer experience mind-melting perspectives. The cameras act as detachable eyes that can be magnetically attached anywhere on the helmet's exterior or held in your hands, allowing you to create your own field of vision. "It allows users to take the perspective of a horse, chameleon or a totally out of body point of view," says Christian Zöllner, one half of the Constitute.

 

People try out the Eyesect. Photograph: Eyesect 

  One camera feeds into the left side of the helmet display, providing the visuals for your left eye, the other into the right. It's then up to your brain to make sense of what it is sees. But while some can happily wear it for long periods, others give up after seconds, overwhelmed by the intensity of the experience. For while the brain is accustomed to taking two sets of visual information and combining them, the EYEsect pushes this ability: "Our visual cortex isn't used to this kind of seeing," says Zöllner.

Exhibited in Liverpool late last year, the device may be returning to the UK this year, however, Zöllner says anyone passing by Berlin is welcome to drop them a line to try it out. It may not help you get perspective but the EYEsect will certainly let you see the world with new eyes.

About when it would hit Nigeria-  we don't know yet.