Augmented reality apps have been becoming more and more popular with the addition of video cameras on cell phones. Currently they really do is add silly little enemies and icons over the video camera viewfinder, but the Avatar Machine may just be a glimpse at the future. Created by Marc Owens, the machine is basically a VR suit with a built in camera that hovers directly behind the user, giving them a 3rd person view of the world around them (via the connected headset). Check out the video below.
The creator has some mixed feelings about the machine, saying that it "potentially allows for
a diminished sense of social responsibility, and could lead the user to demonstrate behaviors normally reserved for the gaming environment." Thankfully you'll probably be able to see the suit-wearing neer-do-well from some distance away.