CastAR

CastAR, originally founded as Technical Illusions in March 2013, was a technology startup focused on developing a versatile augmented and virtual reality system. The company was established by former Valve employees Jeri Ellsworth and Rick Johnson, who leveraged technology they had initially developed at Valve and later acquired the legal rights to. Ellsworth, a self-taught computer chip designer and inventor known for creating the C64 Direct-to-TV, and Johnson, a seasoned game programmer, combined their expertise to pioneer this new hardware. Their journey began with a shared passion for hardware and gaming, which led to the creation of the castAR glasses.

The firm's core product was a pair of glasses designed to provide both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences. The primary AR functionality, termed "Projected Reality," utilized two micro-projectors on the glasses to cast a stereoscopic 3D image onto a special retro-reflective surface. This surface would bounce the light directly back to the wearer's eyes, creating hologram-like images that appeared to float in the physical world. A key feature was its ability to support multiple users in the same space without visual crosstalk, as each user would only see their own projected view. For a full VR experience, a clip-on attachment was available to block outside light and reflect the projected image directly to the user's eyes. The system also included a "Magic Wand" controller for 3D interaction and an RFID tracking grid to augment physical objects like board game pieces or cards.

CastAR initially targeted the consumer market, with a strong emphasis on tabletop gaming and other interactive entertainment. The business model appeared to be centered on selling the hardware system directly to consumers. The startup gained significant early traction with a successful Kickstarter campaign in October 2013, raising over $1 million against a $400,000 goal. This public validation was followed by a substantial $15 million Series A investment from Playground Global in August 2015. Following this investment, the company decided to refund its Kickstarter backers, promising them a free consumer version of the product upon release. In 2016, the company expanded by opening a studio in Salt Lake City with talent from the former Avalanche Software and acquiring the game developer Eat Sleep Play. Despite these milestones, CastAR struggled to bring its product to market and failed to secure a necessary Series B funding round. The company ultimately shut down in June 2017, laying off its approximately 70 employees. The assets and intellectual property were intended to be sold off.

Keywords: augmented reality, virtual reality, projected reality, AR glasses, VR headset, Technical Illusions, Jeri Ellsworth, Rick Johnson, tabletop gaming, Kickstarter, Playground Global, head-mounted display, stereoscopic 3D, retro-reflective, Magic Wand controller, RFID tracking, video games, consumer electronics, hardware startup, Valve alumni, AR/VR system, 3D visualization, interactive entertainment, gaming hardware, failed startup