Table of Contents
What is augmented reality?
The History of AR
How Augmented Reality Works
5 Types of Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality (AR) vs. Virtual Reality (VR)
Augmented Reality Examples

What is augmented reality?

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that combines the real world with virtual elements in real-time. It enhances the user's perception of their surroundings by overlaying digital information such as images, videos, or animations onto the real world. AR can be experienced through various devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart glasses, or through dedicated AR headsets.
Snapchat filters and Pokemon Go are examples of augmented reality (AR) applications. Snapchat filters use AR technology to overlay digital effects on a user's face in real-time, enhancing their selfies or videos. Pokemon Go, on the other hand, uses AR to bring virtual Pokemon characters into the real world, allowing users to catch them using their smartphones.

The History of AR

The history of Augmented Reality (AR) is rooted in the 1960s, when computer scientists first began conceptualizing the idea of merging digital information with the physical world. The technology of the time was far from making this a practical reality, but the foundation was laid by Ivan Sutherland, who developed a system called the Sword of Damocles. This was an enormous headset connected to a computer that was suspended from the ceiling.
Over the next several decades, advancements in AR led to helpful aviation, military, and industrial simulation tools, but the technology didn’t gain a national audience until the late 1990s.
Further advancements in AR technology occurred in the early 2000s. Hirokazu Kato developed ARToolkit, an open-source software library that allowed for the creation of AR applications.This breakthrough in software development contributed to the rapid growth and expansion of AR applications in various industries.
The first time a company attempted to use AR in the commercial space was in 2008 by BMW. Customers were able to see a mini, three-dimensional model of a vehicle from their phones upon scanning a magazine ad for BMW.
Since then, AR has evolved at a rapid pace and is being used for both commercial and individual purposes. Between 2011 and 2013, AR was embraced by companies like Disney, Coca-Cola, and National Geographic to execute campaigns at large events and in public spaces like shopping malls and Times Square.
AR gained mainstream attention in 2016 with the release of Pokemon Go, a mobile game that combined virtual creatures with the real world using AR technology.
As of the end of 2017, 187 million people used Snapchat daily. And that's just Snapchat. AR is now so popular that multiple social networks, businesses, and retailers use the technology. That's a lot of augmented reality.

How Augmented Reality Works

To understand how AR works, we can break it down into four main components: input devices, processing, content, and output devices.

1. Input Devices: AR systems rely on input devices to capture information about the real world. These input devices can include cameras, sensors, GPS, accelerometers, and more. The input devices gather data, such as the user's location, orientation, and the environment's characteristics.
2. Processing: The gathered data from the input devices is processed by AR algorithms and software. These algorithms analyze and interpret the data to understand the user's context and the real-world environment. They perform tasks like object recognition, motion tracking, and depth sensing to accurately place virtual objects within the real world.
3. Content: Once the processing is complete, AR systems use the interpreted data to generate relevant virtual content. This content can include 3D models, animations, text, images, or videos. The virtual content is then superimposed onto the real world, aligning with the user's perspective and the real-world environment.
4. Output Devices: The final step in the AR process involves displaying the augmented reality experience to the user. Output devices can vary based on the AR application and can include smartphones, tablets, smart glasses, or headsets. These devices provide the user with a view of the real world enhanced by the virtual content. Users can interact with the virtual objects by manipulating their devices or using gesture recognition.

5 Types of Augmented Reality

1. Marker-based AR: This type of AR uses physical markers or images that the AR application can recognize. The AR application uses the device's camera to track these markers and superimpose digital content onto them. This type of AR is also known as Recognition-based AR or Image Recognition .
2. Location-based AR: This type of AR uses the device's GPS, digital compass, and smartphone cameras to identify the user's location. The digital content is mapped to specific locations, and when the user enters a predetermined location, the objects are displayed on the screen. This type of AR doesn't require any cues from the object to deploy .
3. Projection-based AR: This type of AR is a video projection technique that can extend or deliver digital data by projecting images on the surface of 3D objects or the user's physical space. It allows users to freely move around the environment within a specified space where the projector and camera are placed .
4. Markerless AR: This type of AR doesn't require any physical markers. Instead, it uses the device's camera to recognize and track objects in the real world. This type of AR is often used in mobile AR applications, where the device's camera is used to track the user's movement and orientation .
5. Passthrough AR: This type of AR uses the device's camera to recognize and track objects in the real world, but instead of superimposing digital content onto these objects, it creates a virtual window into a digital world. This allows the user to interact with digital content as if it were part of their real-world environment .

Augmented Reality (AR) vs. Virtual Reality (VR)

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are immersive technologies that bring a simulated environment to the user. AR overlays digital information onto the user's real-world environment, enhancing their perception of the real world with digital content. This is typically delivered through a device we already own or through the lens of modern technology.

On the other hand, VR creates a completely artificial environment that replaces the user's real-world environment. VR is usually delivered through a fully immersive environment using a head-mounted display and a hand-held controller. Through this equipment, the user can be fully immersed in a virtual world.

While both AR and VR are designed to bring a simulated environment to the user, each concept is unique and involves different use cases. AR is often used in mobile applications and games, where the digital content is overlaid onto the real-world environment. VR, on the other hand, is often used in gaming and virtual tours, where the user is fully immersed in a virtual world.

Augmented Reality Examples

Augmented Reality (AR) has a wide range of applications across various industries. Here are some examples:

1. Gaming: AR is commonly used in mobile gaming applications. For instance, the game Pokemon Go uses AR to superimpose digital creatures onto the real-world environment, creating an immersive gaming experience.
2. Social Media: Social media platforms like Snapchat use AR to enhance user experiences. Snapchat's filters allow users to alter the way their selfies look by pairing their physical face with a digital overlay.
3. Education: AR can be used in education to provide interactive and engaging learning experiences. For example, AR can be used to bring historical artifacts to life in a museum, allowing students to explore them in a virtual environment.
4. Commerce: AR is used in retail to provide a more interactive shopping experience. For instance, customers can use their smartphones to scan a product and see detailed information about it, including its features, specifications, and customer reviews.
5. Healthcare: AR is used in healthcare to provide surgical guidance, where surgeons can use AR to visualize the surgical site in 3D during surgery. This can help reduce errors and improve patient outcomes.
6. Public Safety: AR is used in public safety to provide real-time information to emergency responders. For example, firefighters can use AR to visualize the layout of a building they are entering, helping them to navigate the building more safely.
7. Tourism: AR can be used to provide virtual tours of historical sites or museums, allowing visitors to explore the site in a virtual environment

Conclusion

In conclusion, Augmented Reality (AR) is a rapidly evolving technology that combines the real world with virtual elements in real-time, enhancing the user's perception of their surroundings.
The future of AR is incredibly exciting, with the rapid advances in computing power and the proliferation of affordable hardware leading to endless possibilities.