What is Augmented Reality (AR) — Meaning | Example | Uses

Shriyansh Tiwari
3 min readFeb 21, 2024

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Augmented Reality (AR)

In recent times, technology has made amazing things possible by mixing the virtual and real worlds smoothly. Augmented Reality (AR) is leading this change, giving users exciting experiences that make reality even cooler. In this guide, we’ll talk about what AR is. Also, show examples of what it can do, and look at how it’s used in different industries.

What is Augmented Reality?

Augmented Reality or AR technology mixes digital stuff with what you see around you, using devices like phones or glasses. It’s not like Virtual Reality, also makes a whole new world. With AR, you can play games, learn, get medical help, or find your way around. As well as all while seeing your real surroundings with extra digital stuff added in.

Uses of Augmented Reality

People use AR technology in many areas. In schools, it makes learning more fun by adding digital stuff to books or things around us. Doctors use it to help with surgeries and training. In shops, it lets people try on clothes virtually before buying them. Also, in games, it mixes pretend things with real places. And for finding places, like in maps, it shows us helpful info while we’re walking around new spots. AR makes our daily life more interesting with digital things added to what we see.

What are the 3 Types of Augmented Reality?

The three main types of Augmented Reality (AR) are:

  1. Marker-based AR: Marker-based AR, also called image recognition AR, uses special codes or patterns. Like QR codes to make digital stuff show up on your device when you point its camera at them. They use it for fun ads, learning apps, and finding your way around places.
  2. Markerless AR: Markerless AR reality, also known as location-based AR, doesn’t need special codes to put digital stuff in the real world. Instead, it uses things like GPS and sensors in your device to figure out. Where you are and which way you’re facing. They use it in apps to find your way. Also, Playing games that use your location, and getting info about places you visit.
  3. Projection-based AR: Projection-based augmented reality development puts digital stuff on things around you, like walls or tables. So you can interact with them without wearing special glasses or goggles. Stores, cool exhibits, and art shows use projection-based AR to mix digital stuff with real things.

Top Augmented Reality Companies

Some companies are experts in augmented reality technology. Magic Leap makes a special computer system for AR. In fact, Microsoft has its HoloLens AR glasses. Google offers AR through its ARCore platform. Apple also has AR with ARKit for iPhones and iPads. Other important companies in AR include Vuforia, which helps make AR apps, and Unity Technologies, a popular platform for making AR stuff. As well as these companies are making AR better and more common in different industries.

Examples of Augmented Reality

In games like “Pokémon GO,” it puts digital creatures in real places for players to find. In education apps like “SkyView,”. As well as it helps people learn about stars by showing them in the sky through their devices. Stores like IKEA use AR to let customers see how furniture looks in their homes before buying. In healthcare, AR helps doctors practice with tools like AccuVein, which shows veins. Navigation apps like “Google Maps” use AR to show directions on the screen as you move. Also, Social media like Snapchat has AR filters that add fun effects to photos and videos.

Conclusion

Augmented Reality (AR) changes how we interact with the world, giving us lots of options in different areas like games, learning, health, and shopping. If we know what AR is, see what it can do, and look at how it’s used, we can make cool stuff with it in the digital age. If you want to grow your career in the field of AR. You can enroll in an AI ML Certification course. It will help you to become an AR Developer.

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