Future possibility of Augmented Reality

Since a couple of years, hardware engineers and software developers are working together to refine their augmented reality technologies. May soon it be the true reality for us all. The possibilities of AR tech are limitless. The only uncertainty is how smoothly, and quickly, developers will integrate capabilities into devices that we use as a daily basis. Augmented reality is more advanced than any technology.

Augmented reality (AR) is a type of interactive, reality-based display environment that takes the capabilities of computer-generated display, sound, text, and effects to enhance the user’s real-world experience. It combines real and computer-based scenes and images to deliver a unified but enhanced view of the world. This experience is seamlessly interwoven with the physical world such that it’s perceived as an immersive aspect of the real environment.

In this way, augmented reality alters one’s ongoing perception of a real-world environment, whereas virtual reality completely replaces the user’s real-world environment with a simulated one. AR is used to enhance natural environments or situations and offer perceptually enriched experiences.

AR works by employing computerized simulation and techniques such as image and speech recognition, animation, head-mounted, and hand-held devices and powered display environments to add a virtual display on top of real images and surroundings.

The earliest functional AR systems that provided immersive mixed reality experiences for users were invented in the early 1990s, starting with the Virtual Fixtures system developed at the U.S. Air Force’s Armstrong Laboratory in 1992.

The possibilities of Augmented Reality

Augmented reality has been explored for many applications, from gaming and entertainment to medicine, education, and business. Recent research compared the functionalities of augmented reality tools with potential for education.

• The basic idea of augmented reality is to superimpose graphics, audio and other sensory enhancements over a real-world environment in real-time.

• Some of the most exciting augmented-reality work began taking place in research labs at universities around the world.

• Health care professionals may soon rely on smartphone-enabled AR. A company called Tissue Analytics is honing an app that helps doctors and nurses use their phones to quickly identify specific types of wounds for faster diagnosis and more efficient care.

• An app that’s simply called Augment will project just about any new product into a real-world environment. Through this AR app, potential buyers can “see” the product in their own homes and read all information and reviews before making a purchase.

• AR Compass Map 3D is like a mapping app on steroids. It combines compass and map overlays with your camera to create a fully-immersive 3D map that guides you wherever you want to go.

• Passengers can use the AR maps from their mobile phone to navigate through the airport. As the app matures, it might eventually help improve traffic flow in the airport.

• With AR technology, the Ikea Place app will help you avoid the predicament in the future. The app was built using Apple’s ARKit technology, and it allows you to scan your room and design the space by placing Ikea objects in the digital image of your room to create a new environment with the new products.

• The Dulux Visualiser app helps you try out a shade of paint for your room before you buy. Just use your smartphone camera to scan your room and virtually paint it with any color of the rainbow.

• Cosmetic company Sephora uses AR technology to allow customers to try out different looks and eye, lips and cheek products as well as colors right on their digital face. This is a powerful way to boost sales and to give customers a fun way to try out new looks.

• There are some incredibly exciting applications for augmented reality in healthcare from allowing medical students to train in AR environments to telemedicine options that enable medical professionals to interact with patients. In critical situations, augmented reality applications can deliver real-time information to the treatment area to support diagnosis, surgery and treatment plans.

• Google has also released Google Glass, a glasses frame that has smartphone capabilities.

• In the construction industry, for instance, immersive technology can help in the development of smart cities with Augmented Reality becoming an integral part of the construction process. Cities collect huge amounts and data. Augmented Reality can make that data visible. Using AR, architects can find a more creative and straightforward way to show urban planners how their projects are going to look like in real life by creating an engaging visualization, triggering faster decision making.

• The AR technology allows humans and machines to interact and collaborate creating a final work that, in turn, is also going to change the vision of how businesses make their presentations.

Augmented Reality will be the future of technology, where all users can implement the technology into everyday use. AR is getting a lot of attention. The recent developments with AR have brought the technology into different venues. AR is expected to be the leading technology in the next few years and with so many applications, it can be used for everyday actions, education, and entertainment.