AR is a mixture of the real world and virtual reality. It is the middle ground between the two. Augmented Reality Technology is basically the arithmetic result of the real world plus topical and background information of it.
Augmented Reality Definition
Augmented Reality is a live view of the real world environment which is enhanced by computer-generated imagery. It is also known as mediated reality or mixed reality. To give a clearer image, imagine an Iron Man scenario. Iron man’s headset is augmented reality technology, and what Jarvis shows Iron Man through those headsets is nothing but augmented reality.
Where is AR useful?
Imagine some of the following scenarios to perceive the usefulness of augmented reality technology. You’re a football coach, and you are guiding your team to study the opponent tea’s game, their tactics, and their weaknesses. Using augmented reality here and studying trajectories, speed, and other parameters would help the team know their opponents thoroughly.
You’re a war zone aircraft fighter flying in the enemy territories. If you’re well equipped with AR technology, you can find out everything you need to know in that scenario including the range of the enemy missiles, what it is made of, where the enemy jet is coming from, which way would it impact, details about your own jet and weapons to see whether they’re stronger than the enemy’s etc.
One of the most common augmented reality technologies would be the Google glasses. Put them on in the morning. See the time, see your schedule for the day. Do you have to pick up some coffee for your boss? Maybe. The glasses will let you know. Are you running late? The glasses will show you the shortest route between your location and your destination. Need a graphical representation of some statistics? Use the glasses.
AR History
Augmented Reality has surprisingly been around for a long time now. The term ‘Augmented Reality’ was coined in 1990 by Boeing researcher, Tom Caudell. In 1992, AR helped the air force train better by manufacturing virtual fixtures (the earliest AR system) which allowed the military to control the machinery and perform tasks from a remote operating area. In 1998 augmented reality made its way into sports and entertainment. The first yellow first down marker was cast in a live NFL game in 1998 by the 1st & ten line computer system. In 1999 NASA augmented their map data to get enhanced visual navigation during their flight tests, and the naval researchers worked on getting the original model of wearable units for the soldiers by working on BARS (battlefield augmented reality systems). In 2009 ARToolkit helped bring AR to web browsers, and the print media also tried out AT for the first time by making the actor or celebrity on the cover page of their magazine come out alive. Since then, augmented reality technology has only been developing more and more, and now its investment reaches about $1.1 billion.
Difference between VR and AR?
Although this is something that’s usually confused, virtual and augmented reality is quite the opposite reflections of each other. Virtual reality is the digital representation of the real world while augmented reality displays virtual elements in a real life scenario.
The Working of the Augmented Reality Technology
To view information, which is the key aim of any augmented reality technology. For this, it has to find out where you are and what your location is and what you’re looking at. The easy way to do this is by enabling GPS or Wi-Fi hotspots to track you. Otherwise, there are two approaches to how AR works. One is to place a marker and position it. This is called marker-based tracking. It is usually done by pointing your phone or device to data matrix codes using which, the web address is referred and the appropriate web page is called to give you the information you want. Two is to interpret the exact location of the device and all objects that come within its field of view. This is called markerless tracking in you point the device to an object or exhibit in front of you and the device has to recognize it in by using some pattern recognition or feature detection algorithm. This approach is more complex than the first since the device here has to work like the human brain, identify things and process information.
There are also apps nowadays to make a system or a device use augmented reality. Using particular headsets or glasses aren’t entirely necessary (although they are preferred for better performance). For example, Layar and Wikitude are two apps which use the camera on your phone, recognizes the real world in front of you and gives you information by through transparent web pages including landmarks and other points of interests. Snapchat, one of the most popular apps also uses augmented reality
Augmented Reality Technology
Some of the AR technologies include a display which could be monitors or optical projecting systems or just a wearable device. Head mounted displays are the popular thing now. They employ various degrees of freedom and an array of hand movement interactions and positional tracking. Eyeglasses are the latest lightweight AR devices which use a camera to capture the physical world in front of you and use it to display the required information. Spatial Augmented Reality (SAR) makes use of the concept without needing to use head mounted devices or monitors. It uses digital projectors to display information onto objects i.e. the display is separated from the user. Examples are virtual tables, smart lamps etc.
The devices must use proper software and algorithms for image processing and get data input from the picture and restore real world coordinates from the obtained information by using mathematical methods such as epipolar geometry, robust statistics, kalman and particle filters etc.
The future holds a large place in augmented reality.
“I do think that a significant portion of the population of developed countries, and eventually all countries, will have AR experiences every day, almost like eating three meals a day. It will become that much a part of you,”
-Tim Cook
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