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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
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