Hello and welcome!
This week I'll try to throw some light on the topic of augmented reality. This is a very wide issue and my posts will be only a tip of an iceberg. I hope that I'll succeed in providing you some basic information and encourage you to investigate more on this by yourselves. Let's begin.
What is augmented reality?
The goal of augmented reality is to add information and meaning to a real object or place. Unlike virtual reality, augmented reality does not create a simulation of reality. Instead, it takes a real object or space as the foundation and incorporates technologies that add contextual data to deepen a person’s understanding of the subject.
How it works?
A range of technologies can be used for augmented reality. Many augmented reality projects use headgear or a similar device that projects data into the user’s field of vision, corresponding with a real object or space the user is observing. In the case of a technical course on PC maintenance, for example, augmented reality might overlay a schematic diagram onto the inside of a computer, allowing people to identify the various components and access technical specifications about them. PDAs or other portable devices can use GPS data to provide users with context— including visual, audio, or text-based data—about real objects or places. Augmented reality is not merely a companion text or multimedia file but a technology designed to “see” a real object or place and provide the user with appropriate information at the right time. Augmented reality is designed to blur the line between the reality the user is experiencing and the content provided by technology.
Hardware
The main hardware components for augmented reality are: display, tracking, input devices, and computer. Combination of powerful CPU, camera, accelerometers, GPS and solid state compass are often present in modern smartphones, which make them prospective platforms for augmented reality.
Display
There are three major display techniques for Augmented Reality:
- Head Mounted Displays - places images of both the physical world and registered virtual graphical objects over the user's view of the world
- Handheld Displays - Handheld Augment Reality employs a small computing device with a display that fits in a user's hand
- Spatial Displays - Instead of the user wearing or carrying the display such as with head mounted displays or handheld devices; Spatial Augmented Reality (SAR) makes use of digital projectors to display graphical information onto physical objects.
Tracking
Modern mobile augmented reality systems use one or more of the following tracking technologies: digital cameras and/or other optical sensors, accelerometers, GPS, gyroscopes, solid state compasses, RFID, wireless sensors. Each of these technologies have different levels of accuracy and precision.
Computer
Camera based systems require powerful CPU and considerable amount of RAM for processing camera images. Wearable computing systems employ a laptop in a backpack configuration. For stationary systems a traditional workstation with a powerful graphics card. Sound processing hardware could be included in augmented reality systems.
That’s it for the beginning. In my next post I’ll write about software and applications of augmented reality.
Here are some videos to catch the idea:
Amazing, was my first impression after viewing these clips, they are not new but still they make a very good impression. To be honest, this is a huge step forward that gives us many new opportunities. Practice always gave us more experience than theory, here we can get practical knowledge without the risk spoil something. A good example here is a movie from BMW - now everyone will be able to replace oil and set up a new tire. Learning also becomes much easier when we can see things with our own eyes, almost touch something or to feel like we were there, thanks to this technology is possible without leaving home.
ReplyDeleteI'm very impressed I even wonted to make diploma on it unfortunately some already took that subject. I once heard that in the U.S. you can use nokia phone to take a picture of someone or somewhere and get information from let us say Facebook about him.
Hey. Really interesting post.
ReplyDeleteThe term AR covers a broad area: mobile devices, games, business, information systems and from time to time someone invent new use for AR. So it will be interesting to see how the definition takes form along with new ideas.
I cannot really agree with three major types of displays
ReplyDeletewhat about?
- A PC or Mac with webcam
- A games console with camera accessory
- A large TV screen with advanced Set Top box and Web cam
The last video show some real power of AR.
ReplyDeleteStep by step manuals/tutorials like the one showed in the video can be very useful in the process of educating a variety of technicians.
The idea is good. I really love it, but last movie (BMW) seemed a little scary. I mean, that technician (mechanic) doesn’t need to think any more, everything is just displayed in those glasses. I wouldn’t like a surgeon who is instructed through a device and had no clue what he was doing.
ReplyDeleteAugmented reality is really amazing. This technology give us very hudge posiibilties. The best one sample of usage this technology for me is interactive tourist guide on mobile phones ( iPhone which use GPS position).
ReplyDeleteIf the car repair will be as it was showed on the BMW clip, I would repair 80% of faults in my car, by my own. Great! Not only can you easily repair your car without service, but also you can learn something new.
ReplyDelete