Augmented Reality is on every lips these days, but what is Augmented Reality? Augmented Reality a.k.a AR, also called Mixed Reality, may become the biggest innovation since the Internet in the electronics industry and is about to take the world by storm. AR not only superimposes graphics, text, audio and other features over real-world environements, it also has the ability to refresh and adjust with what you see to provide you with real-time data!
Several apps using this technology, such as Yelp, Layar, Urbanspoon's Scope, are already available on the Iphone and Android. But to really realize the huge potential of that technology and what our future could be with Augmented Reality check out this video:
There are 3 major components:
1. Head- mounted display
2. Tracking & orientation system
3. Portable computer system
When put together, you get an incredible tool that can be used on your desktop in the comfort of your own home, but most importantly it can also be used on mobile devices when integrated in a SmartPhone (e.g. iPhone, Google Android) or even contact lenses or a pair of eyeglasses such as the Nokia's or BMW's Concept Glasses. In reality, this technology is not very new but was confined to specific industries until now. However, with the new era of mobile technology, Augmented Reality is being extended to consumers use and has the potential ability to play a role in everyone's everyday living and in every area. From Gaming, Entertainement, Education, Defense, Business to Social Networking & Tourism, AR has already started to change the way we interact with our surroundings.
AR Games
Augmented Reality applied to video games gives users the ability to interact and play in a mixed environement where the line between what's real and what's computer- generated is blurred by enhancing the users senses.
AR Networking
Not only the way we interact with things will change, social networking and how we interact with others will be impacted. Augmented Reality will give you access to instant social information about friends and others (somewhat like Facebook, Twitter, ect..). There are already apps that allows you to leave virtual messages to others, see who was there or see what others are Twittering in your area. And how about checking your emails or surf the Web... but the augmented way?
AR Navigation & Tourism
Augmented Reality is also currently used to give detailed, yet relevant, instant information to its users on POIs (Point of Interests) and mass transportation systems. AR allows you to see real-time data about restaurants for example to find the one that best matches your needs. AR may also become soon a powerful advertising and marketing tool for all businesses to reach out potential customers.
AR Education
Augmented Reality simulations can be used for educational and training purposes. AR in this domain has many advantages over traditional manual-based and virtual reality models. Thanks to detailed visuals and realistic simulations, Augmented Reality enhances the effectiveness and attractiveness of teaching and learning for educators, students and trainees. On a similar note, augmented travels will also become a terrific interactive and fun learning experience for tourists.
AR Security & Defense
Security and Defense are two other areas where Augmented Reality can be used. Police can get detailed information on a crime scene, or on the suspect instantely.
The military intends to use the AR technology to provide vital information to soldiers on the field using specific AR displays, such as AR glasses or headsets.
AR Medicine
In medicine, AR has been used in areas including surgery simulations & surgical education, visualization of anatomical joints in motion, neurosurgical procedures. With Augmented Reality paired with other state-of-the-art medical equipments, surgeons and doctors could get a better perception of a patient's body and injuries, make diagnosis very quickly but also reduce the risk of potential medical mistakes.
AR Business
In addition to the impact that Augmented Reality will have in the marketing and advertisement areas, the construction and automobile industries will also benefit from the AR technology and will see a significant change in the way they work. AR displays could become a great support for maintenance technicians. Also, data accuracy, better management and timely decisions will bring to these industries new competitive advantages.
And these are only a few examples...
Although researchers and engineers at Universities and high-tech companies are still working on developing and perfecting the technology, enthusiasts say that an Augmented Reality System may hit the market by 2020 and that a sophisticated AR system could become the primary means of accessing information and potentially eliminate the need for desktops, laptops, smartphones and such.
The beauty of Augmented Reality is that it can be used in pretty much any field or industry that you can think of. The novelty of instant information coupled with enhanced perception has already started to play a significant role in our lives. AR brings the Internet to the next level: it's mobile, it's reality and virtuality deeply intermixed for an enhanced vision of our physical world, with real-time information about our surroundings placed in our field of vision.
Don't underestimate this technology. It will revolutionize our lives sooner than we think.
The video below presents promising research on the Bionic Lens, a potential AR System.
Find more info on the Bionic Contact Lens here, or visit IEEE Spectrum.
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