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Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

                  Although the term Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are used together,

                  there is a distinct difference between the two.

                   Augmented Reality
           Prime (Ver. 2.2)-VIII  superimpose information such as sounds, images, and text on the real-world that we can
                  Augmented  Reality is the blending of virtual world and real life. AR uses technology to


                  see. The virtual content is created by developers within applications and is designed to
                  blend seamlessly with the real-world content. 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 first 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 were upgraded to display target objects.
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                  In 2009, Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s developed SixthSense.  It is a small
                  device worn like a pendant that 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 recognises and tracks the user’s hand gestures
                  with the help of computer-vision techniques.                              SixthSense Device


                                             Google  Glass,  created  in  2013,  is  an  example  of  wearable  AR
                                             interface. It helps the user to remain focussed on the work. It
                                             displays  information  on  the  user’s  glass  screen  through  a  small

                                             projector. It responds to voice commands to activate an application
                       Google Glass
                                             any time.

                  AR enters the lives of most people through smartphones 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.  Another  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,  and places                        Star Walk App
                  of interest.
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