Page 149 - TechPluse_C7_Flipbook
P. 149

Explore  More



                 Tech Update





                     AUGMENTED REALITY AND VIRTUAL REALITY

                 Although the term Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are taken together here, there is a
                 distinct difference between the two.
                 Augmented Reality

                 Augmented Reality is the blending of Virtual Reality and real life. AR is using technology to superimpose
                 information such as sounds, images and text on the real world that we can see.  Images are created by
                 developers within applications that blend in with content in the real world. AR users can interact with
                 virtual content in the real world and can also distinguish between virtual and real content.
                 AR is not a new technology. It was used in the display panels of fighter aircraft in the 1990s. The panel
                 displayed information about the altitude, direction and speed of the aircraft. A few years later the panels

                 displayed the target objects.
                 In 2009, Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s developed
                 SixthSense.  It is a small device that is worn like a pendant
                 and  combines the  use  of  a  camera,  small projector,
                 smartphone and mirror. The projector and the camera are
                 connected  to  the  mobile  device  in  the  user’s  pocket.  The
                 projector projects the visual information on physical surfaces
                 such as walls and other objects. The camera recognizes and               SixthSense device
                 tracks the user’s hand gestures with the help of  computer-vision techniques.
                                    Google Glass created in 2013 is an example of wearable AR interface. It helps the user
                                    to remain focussed on the work. It displays on the user’s glass screen through a small
                                    projector. It responds to voice commands to activate an application any time.
                    Google Glass
                                    AR enters  the  lives of most people  through
                 phones and tablets. Vito Technology’s Star Walk app lets a user
                 point their phone or tablet camera at the sky and see the names of
                 stars and planets superimposed on the image. One more app
                 called  Layar  uses the  GPS location  of  the  smartphone  and  the
                 camera to collect information about the user’s surroundings. The
                 app then shows information about the nearby restaurants, stores
                                                                                                Star Walk app
                 and places of interest.
                                             Disney Research developed a coloring book with AR. After the user colors
                                             in a character in the book, he / she launches the app on the device. The app
                                             uses the camera to detect the character that was colored. The app also uses
                                             AR to recreate the character in a 3D form on the screen.

                        Coloring book





                                                                                                  Explore More       147
   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154