[quote style=”boxed”]Augmented Reality is all about creating new ways for people to visualize things. It lets us convey ideas in a raw form, without the need for language, and if done right, you can really accelerate communication.[/quote]
Brian Mullins is a visionary and a technological democrat. He believes that technology is so important to our ability to function in business and life that it is becoming a liberty all should have access to. With a background in industrial robotics and management at multi-billion dollar firms, Brian now creates value as an experienced entrepreneur who solves his own real world problems by creating technology solutions, and then shares them with the world. Daqri, dubbed the “Youtube of AR” is his third company.
Brian says:
“Before YouTube, only a select few people had video on their websites, but now whether it’s a cat video a video blog or a trailer for a Hollywood blockbuster, everyone can publish their video content easily and without writing code. We want to do the same thing for Augmented Reality. We don’t think everyone is going to create their own augmented reality experiences, but we want to open the door to those who do want to create them so that more and more people can consume this kind of experience.”
Brian’s vision is to grow the platform with consumers and also with key B2B verticals that can benefit from customers’ visualizing their products in AR. Opening the API, and inviting innovation in the space by making the tools very accessible to everyone and building a strong community of daqri users and developers.
What are you working on right now?
It’s Sunday at 8:15pm, my son and I are building models on our makerbot 3D printer.
What does your typical day look like?
Typical days vary from crazy to extra crazy.
3 trends that excite you?
Augmented Reality – it’s changing the way we interact with technology, and it’s what I do.
3D printing – it’s poised to transform the way we manufacture goods, and has the potential to do a lot of good, not the least of which is the opportunity to shorten supply chains.
Mobile processing power – If you think Augmented Reality is awesome now, wait until you see what we do with the next generation of hardware. It will be mind-blowing.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I have learned that the best way to bring ideas to life is to put together a strong team that shares the vision and has the right combination of skills.
What inspires you?
New technology. Not just because it’s new or faster or thinner, but because technology is the physical manifestation of the human will. No matter what the technology is, there was a time not too long ago when someone thought it was impossible.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I want a gym where every piece of equipment has video games built in. It could change the way people feel about fitness, and some clever game mechanics like achievements could be real motivators.
What do you read every day, and why?
Boingboing – if you have to ask why, go check it out.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read, and why?
Daemon (and Freedom) – They are my favorite books, and I think you’ll like them.
What is your favorite gadget, app or piece of software that helps you every day?
Email, its kind of like the fax machine of the internet. It lets you connect with anyone who is online, even if they don’t tweet or aren’t linkedin.
Who would you love to see interviewed on IdeaMensch?
Penn Jillette – The guy is intelligent, articulate, and he does magic!
What is Augmented Reality all about?
Augmented Reality is all about creating new ways for people to visualize things. It lets us convey ideas in a raw form, without the need for language, and if done right, you can really accelerate communication.
Connect:
Follow me on Twitter @mrlaserbeam / @daqri and check out
daqri.tumblr.com
www.facebook.com/daqriAR
www.Youtube.com/daqriAR
www.linkedin.com/pub/brian-mullins/25/b6b/166
[box size=”small” border=”full”]This interview was brought to us by Gaia Dempsey, the Co-Founder of Demeter Interactive.[/box]
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.