Sci-fi author Bruce Sterling gets into augmented reality with Layar

Launches Dead Drops layer to help people find hidden digital treasures in the real world.

Augmented reality and science fiction go well together, given that many of the current AR startups are building on ideas originally floated in novels and films.

So, it should come as no surprise to find famous sci-fi author Bruce Sterling getting to grips with Layar. He has launched a layer called Dead Drops, which helps people find USB flash drives embedded into buildings as part of artist Aram Bartholi's Dead Drops project.

The layer tells people where the nearest 'DD' is and points them in the right direction, with Sterling popping up to hover in the landscape as the user looks at their screen. Sterling worked with Bartholi, freelance developer Menno Bieringa and Layar's artist-in-residence Sander Veenhof on the project.

According to Layar's blog, this isn't Sterling's only involvement with the startup. "He's also writing a new work of augmented fiction specifically created for Dead Drops, so there are many more hidden 'Sterling-isms' to come."