Introduction
Augmented reality (AR) is a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are “augmented” by computer-generated sensory input, that is, sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is modified (possibly even diminished rather than augmented) by a computer. As a result, the technology functions by enhancing one’s current perception of reality.
The first augmented reality systems were created in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1968, Ivan Sutherland developed the Sword of Damocles, the first head-mounted display for computer graphics. In 1972, Sutherland along with his student, Bob Sproull, created the first virtual reality (VR) system, the Ultimate Display, which was capable of projecting photorealistic images into a user’s eyes. However, these systems were too expensive for general use.
The term “augmented reality” was first coined in 1990 by Boeing researcher Tom Caudell. Caudell was working on a project to help factory workers assemble aircraft parts more efficiently by providing them with AR overlays of the assembly process. The term “mediated reality” was coined by Myron Krueger in 1991. Krueger created several AR installations, including the ” responsive environment,” in which people’s movements were tracked and used to generate real-time computer graphics.
The first AR commercial product was the Virtual Fixtures system, which was developed by Louis Rosenberg and his team at the US Air Force’s Armstrong Laboratory in the early 1990s. The system used a head-mounted display and sensors to track the user’s hands and provide AR overlays of virtual controls. The Virtual Fixtures system was used to train aircraft assembly workers and reduce assembly time by 30%.
In the late 1990s, AR systems began to be used in entertainment and gaming. The first AR game, “Dactyl Nightmare,” was released in 1998. In 2000, Nintendo released the ” Pokemon Snap ” game, which used the Nintendo 64 console’s camera to capture images of Pokemon in the real world and superimpose them onto the game’s
What is Augmented Reality?
Augmented reality (AR) is a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are “augmented” by computer-generated sensory input, that is, graphics, audio, video, GPS data and so on.
The augmented reality technology was first used in 1956 by Morton Heilig, who created the Sensorama, a cinema machine that would give users visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile experiences. However, it was not until the 1990s that AR began to gain traction in academia and among businesses.
The first notable AR application was developed in 1992 by Louis Rosenberg, who created the Virtual Fixtures system for the US Air Force. The system allowed aircraft maintenance workers to see virtual images of tools and equipment that were superimposed on their real-world counterparts, making it easier for them to do their job.
In 1999, Sony released the EyeToy, a PlayStation 2 accessory that allowed users to interact with on-screen characters and objects using their own body. This was followed by the release of the Nintendo Wii in 2006, which used a similar technology called the Wii Remote.
More recently, AR has been used in a number of mobile applications, such as Google Glass, which allows users to see information such as weather and directions overlaid on their view of the real world, and Pokémon GO, which uses GPS to place virtual Pokémon in the real world for users to catch.
AR has also been used in a number of industrial and commercial applications, such as in retail, where it can be used for product demonstration and comparison; in training and education, where it can be used for simulations and hands-on learning; and in architecture and construction, where it can be used for design review and project collaboration.
Despite the potential benefits of AR, there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed before the technology can be widely adopted. These include the need for high-quality AR content and experiences, the need for better AR hardware and devices, and the need for improved AR software and tools.
Applications of Augmented Reality
# What is Augmented Reality?
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information on the real world. It has a wide range of applications in various industries such as gaming, entertainment, retail, healthcare, and education.
# 3 Applications of Augmented Reality
1. Gaming
AR gaming is one of the most popular applications of AR technology. It immerses players in the game by overlaying digital objects and characters on the real world. Some popular AR games include Pokemon Go, Ingress, and Zombies, Run!.
2. Entertainment
AR is also used in entertainment applications such as movies and theme parks. For example, the popular movie franchise, Jurassic World, uses AR to bring dinosaurs to life. Theme parks such as Universal Studios and Disney World also use AR to enhance the visitor experience.
3. Retail
AR is changing the retail industry by providing a new way for shoppers to try before they buy. For example, IKEA has an app that lets shoppers see how furniture would look in their homes before they purchase it. Makeup brands such as L’Oreal and Sephora offer virtual makeover apps that let users try on different products before they buy them.
AR has a wide range of applications that are changing the way we live, work, and play. These are just a few examples of how AR is being used today.
Limitations of Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are “augmented” by computer-generated perceptual information, sometimes across multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, olfactory, and gustatory. AR can be defined as a system that fulfill three basic features: a combination of real and virtual world, real-time interaction, and accurate 3D registration of virtual and real objects. These features distinguish AR from other related technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR).
However, despite its potential, AR still suffers from some limitations that need to be addressed in order to make it more widely adopted. Below are four major limitations of AR technology:
1. Limited field of view: One of the key limitations of AR technology is its limited field of view (FOV). The FOV of an AR system is the maximum amount of the real world that can be displayed within the virtual interface. It is typically much smaller than the FOV of the human eye, which limits the amount of information that can be displayed to the user.
2. Limited spatial resolution: Another key limitation of AR is its limited spatial resolution. This means that the virtual objects displayed in an AR system are not as detailed as the real world objects. This is due to the fact that the AR system has to render the virtual objects in real time, which requires a lot of processing power.
3. Limited interaction: AR systems also suffer from limited interaction. This means that the user can only interact with the virtual objects in a limited way. For example, the user cannot pick up and move a virtual object in an AR system.
4. Limited accuracy: AR systems are also limited in terms of accuracy. This means that the virtual objects displayed in an AR system are not always placed in the correct location in the real world. This is due to the fact that the AR system has to track the position of the user in the real world, which can be difficult to do accurately.
Augmented reality technologies – an overview
1. Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that superimposes computer-generated images on a user’s view of the real world, thus providing a composite view.
2. AR technology is used in a variety of applications, including military, gaming, engineering, architecture, and medicine.
3. AR has been used by the military for training and simulation purposes for many years.
4. AR technology is also used in gaming. For example, the popular game Pokémon GO uses AR to place virtual Pokémon characters in the real world for players to catch.
5. AR is also used in a variety of engineering and architectural applications. For example, AR can be used to visualize complex engineering designs or to view a building’s design in relation to its actual location.
6. AR is also being used in medicine, particularly in surgery. AR can be used to provide surgeons with real-time information about a patient’s anatomy, thus helping to improve the accuracy of surgical procedures.
7. While AR holds great promise, there are also some limitations to the technology. For example, AR images can sometimes be blurry or distorted, and the technology can be expensive to implement.
