The Technology of the Future: Augmented Reality.
Augmented technology is a technology that uses a computer-generated image combined with a real-world image, projected on the user’s display devices. It includes text, images, graphics, 3D Models, real-time tracking, audio, video, etc. Nowadays, most Augmented reality application is delivered through smart devices like phones, tablets, and glasses. The most popular examples are Snapchat’s filter and Pokémon GO. Augmented Reality is also widely used for both consumer and business purposes like AR heads-up display that provides a view of navigation, collision warning, and autopilot. Augmented reality is enhancing or replacing old conventional methods for education and entertainment.
History of Augmented Reality
Augmented reality was considered first achieved by Morton Heilig, a cinematographer, He created Sensorama which can deliver visuals, audio, vibration, and odors. It was not automated but still was the first successful attempt in Virtual reality.
In 1965, Ivan Sutherland, a computer scientist created the head-mounted display. Ivan’s Technology was not practical at that time.
In 1975, Myron Krueger developed the Virtual reality interface in the form of “Videoplace” which can allow users to interact with virtual objects in real-time.
In 1980, Steve Mann created the first wearable computing device.
These were not augmented reality but due to this continuity in research augmented reality become possible. In 1990, Thomas Caudell coined the phrase “Augmented reality” for the first time.
Louis Rosenberg developed the first functioning Augmented reality technology in USAF Armstrong’s Lab in 1992. This was called a very complex robotic system which was developed for lack of speed in processing power and was named Virtual Fixtures.
Bruce Thomas developed an Augmented reality mobile game called ARQuake in 2000.
Google launched its open beta for Google Glass in 2013
Microsoft announced the augmented reality headset HoloLens in 2015.
Types of Augmented Reality technology available today
1. Marker-based Augmented Reality: A marker-based AR used a marking technique which is a special visual object and an optical device used to initiate digital visualization. The technology will calculate the position and orientation of the object.
2. Marker-less Augmented Reality: A marker-less AR generally uses location-based information to analyze what users will get and find in a specific region. It works with other technology like GPS. It is used in navigation applications, product delivery applications, and cab services.
3. Superimposition-based Augmented Reality: In Superimposition-based Augmented Reality, digital information in the form of visuals projected on display devices, the original object is replaced fully or partially with an augmented object.
Some key features of Augmented Reality
1. Visualization: Visualization is used for many things including designing, planning, and entertainment. Augmented reality projects visuals on the user’s display device to provide digital information. Data visualization with augmented reality enhances the effectiveness and productivity of business processes by rendering an immersive environment.
2. Instructions: Augmented Reality is used in the education sector as well. It is used for training, coaching, and mentoring. AR can improve workforce productivity and collaboration for any kind of business. Usually, videos are not interactive and unable to adapt to individual learning requirements. Augmented Reality provides real-time interactive visual instructions which can help user to experience things and tasks in a virtual environment. Nowadays, pilots, astronauts, military, and medical professional uses AR for learning.
3. Interaction: People need to have physical objects to interact with the world. Augmented reality as it provides a virtual environment augmented with computer-generated visuals. Game Developers use AR interaction to create another world experience for users Pokémon Go is a successful AR game that can cause addiction.
4. Geolocation: Geolocation become a necessary feature for smart devices. Navigation applications can be integrated with augmented reality technology to create a better experience and guide for drivers. Cab service uses both Virtual reality and Augmented reality integrated with geolocation features to create a better virtual environment for the consumers.
5. Cloud storage and Cloud-computing: Most of the data is stored in the cloud servers for the fast and better performance of the software. VR developers use cloud servers for storing and computing. Computation power and storage on a user device can cause trouble for huge data applications and also become a headache for the user. Cloud technology can be shared and transmit data to a huge number of users. It will save cost, improve the quality of the application and provide a satisfying and better experience for the consumers.
6. SLAM support: SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), allows applications to track the movement while mapping the space. With help of SLAM, applications can identify the location of objects in a given space. SLAM can provide the ability to view an object from multiple angles. When you move closer or far away, it will automatically adjust the location of the object while superimposing the virtual information.
7. 3D Object tracking: 3D Object tracking allows you to develop an application that uses 3D objects as AR markers.
8. Smart Glass support: Generally augmented reality applications are developed for mobile devices, but still, they can’t provide a truly immersive experience to the users. Wearable devices like smart glasses become a new thing for future technology. It can reflect projected visuals as well as allow users to see through the glass to provide an impressive immersive virtual environment.
Conclusions or Future of Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is one of those technologies that transform science fiction into reality. AR is a very functional technology that can be used in different industries like retail, manufacturing gaming, healthcare, aerospace, military, and many more. Facebook’s Meta is the Open Virtual world that allows users to create their avatars and enjoy their dream life in this virtual space. Augmented Reality can be integrated with machine learning, and powers facial and spatial recognition. AR and AI can function together to create innovative solutions for many both businesses and personal requirements. It can help in collaborating and in designing and developing new products. Augmented reality will impact all aspects of society. There will be approximately 1.7 billion active users who will use AR devices by 2024. 71% of consumers say that they would shop more if they will use augmented reality features in e-commerce. AR and VR in healthcare are predicted to reach more than $19 billion by the end of 2030. Augmented reality in entertainment would reach $4.5 billion by 2030. Augmented reality combined with artificial intelligence can be the new big thing for the future of businesses.
