What is augmented reality?
According to Webopedia, Abbreviated as AR, Augmented Reality is a type of virtual reality that aims to duplicate the world’s environment in a computer. An augmented reality system generates a composite view for the user that is the combination of the real scene viewed by the user and a virtual scene generated by the computer that augments the scene with additional information. The virtual scene generated by the computer is designed to enhance the user’s sensory perception of the virtual world they are seeing or interacting with. The goal of Augmented Reality is to create a system in which the user cannot tell the difference between the real world and the virtual augmentation of it. Today Augmented Reality is used in entertainment, military training, engineering design, robotics, manufacturing and other industries.
I think augmented reality is cool, combining reality and virtual world into one. I am amazed at how augmented reality is used. Augmented reality can be used in games, and it makes gaming more interactive; involving actual movements. I have this perception that gamers are lazy people who do not move and just sit on the couch and play games 24/7. Ultimately, they are unhealthy couch potatos. This perception is true actually! In the US, it has been found that adults aged 35 years and above are more vulnerable to health issues by leading a lifestyle that just involves gaming.
As hypothesized, health-risk factors – specifically, a higher BMI and a greater number of poor mental-health days – differentiated adult video-game players from nonplayers. Video-game players also reported lower extraversion, consistent with research on adolescents that linked video-game playing to a sedentary lifestyle and overweight status, and to mental-health concerns.
However with augmented reality, playing games can even give one some exercise! Instead of just sitting down in front of the computer or television to play games while eating snacks, with augmented reality, greater interaction can be expected from players. This can be seen with the world’s first augmented reality game, which is really awesome! I would consider getting it for myself or even my game-addicted cousin, allowing him to get some fresh air.
Not only can augmented reality be used for games, it can be a new tool for tourism too. It can bring sightseeing to a whole new level. With augemented reality, experiencing the past in the present can be made possible. The video below features Augmented Reality GPS Tour, allowing one to learn history of a certain place in a country while sightseeing. It brings history back to life literally. I think this invention is awesome, allowing you to explore a certain place at your own time and pace without the need of a tour guide/tour book while sightseeing.
Augmented reality can be used on hand phones too. In the Netherlands, an application called Layar can be downloaded. It can gather information about a certain place using the camera on the phone and GPS. For example you face the phone towards a certain restaurant, information about it will appear on the phone’s screen. You can even tell if the restaurant in hiring!
In August 2009, some iPhone users were surprised to find an augmented-reality “easter egg” hidden within the Yelp application. Yelp is known for its user reviews of restaurants and other businesses, but its hidden augmented-reality component, called Monocle, takes things one step further. Just start up the Yelp app, shake your iPhone 3GS three times and Monocle activates. Using your phone’s GPS and compass, Monocle will display information about local restaurants, including ratings and reviews, on your cell phone screen. You can touch one of the listings to find out more about a particular restaurant. Read more here
I think augmented reality is one of the best thing on earth. It blurs the line between reality and virtual by enhancing what we see, hear, feel and smell. More importantly, how augmented reality can be used to make things better and improving a certain experience. With augmented reality, gaming can be made more interactive, sightseeing can be made more interesting by presenting it in a fresher way and information can be attained faster and easier.
