S.L.A.M
SLAM stands for simultaneous localization and mapping. It is a technology that understands the physical world through featured points. This technology is important to AR because it tracks the outside world objects in order for virtual objects to interact in a real space. SLAM tracks objects through sensors that collect information about the real world and translate is back to the virtual world or virtual objects. This technology allows for VR and AR to be a much more realistic and interactive experience.
To use AR and VR a map needs to be built of the surrounding environment as it’s being explored in real time. While doing that, it also need to accurately estimate the position and orientation of your phone’s camera with respect to that map.
In VR gaming, this technology may allow for the scenes to adjust to the users real environment and surroundings. In everyday uses, technologies such as google maps and Tesla’s summon feature for cars use the technology to track the outside world so the virtual objects can navigate it.
The following two videos show how SLAM is being used. For example, in the second video a virtual object is placed on a shoe and SLAM tracks the position of the shoe so that while it moves, the virtual object stays on the shoe and moves realistically with it.
