These are some of the old days of buzzwords digital transformation is the reality that’s changing the way we live, work, and play. Augmented Reality is this a piece of technologically fascinating wizardry, empowered to change many spheres, from gaming to healthcare and education? And what exactly is it? If you’re curious as to how it works and would like to find out how it applies to real life, this beginner guide is for you!
What is Augmented Reality?
Basically, AR is the overlaying of digital information such as images, sounds, or other data on top of the real world. As opposed to VR, which engages you totally in a virtual environment, AR enhances the real world by adding digital elements to it. Think of AR as a bridge that both digital and physical worlds are merged together to provide an interactive and immersive experience.
How Does AR Work?
AR works with cameras, sensors, and software that take in and translate your environment and uses this information to overlay relevant digital content to the AR-enabled device.
Here is a quick rundown of AR’s process:
- Detection: AR devices or apps detect your environment with the use of cameras and sensors.
- Tracking: With its software, it determines very accurately the position and movement of objects in your environment.
- Overlay: Digital content layers on top of the real world, tracking data, and your surroundings in real-time.
Real-Life Applications of AR
It is no sci-fi fantasy anymore because AR has been widely adopted throughout all types of industries. Here are a few examples:
1. Gaming
The gaming industry has traditionally been one of the earliest and most enthusiastic adopters of AR. The best-known example is Pokémon Go, where players have to hunt the real-world equivalents of digital creatures with the use of smartphones.
2. Retail and E-Commerce
AR enables customers to “try before they buy.” Apps like IKEA Place create a view of furniture in customers’ homes, while cosmetic companies use virtual try-ons for makeup. This has completely revolutionized the world of online shopping, making it far more interactive and personalized.
3. HealthCare
As the application of AR in healthcare, it is especially used for training, diagnosis, and surgery. There have been cases where the use of AR simulations allowed medical students to practice surgeries doctors could use AR to see the details of 3D patient anatomy.
4. Education
AR brings learning to life and makes it fun. A biology student can perceive a 3D model of a heart in class while a history student may watch historical events happen. AR is hands-on learning instead of memorizing text. This implies that the impact of learning is higher and much more impactful as compared to the traditional method.
5. Navigation
AR can offer you real-time navigational assistance. For instance, Google Maps just recently updated with an AR interface that superimposes arrows and directions on your screen as you walk so you will have easier navigation through new places.
Tools to Get Started with AR
If you are excited to give it a shot here are the tools that will get you started with AR:
- ARKit (iOS): Apple’s toolkit for building AR applications.
- ARCore – Android: Google’s tool kit to create AR experiences on Android.
- Spark AR: A tool by Meta (earlier Facebook) to create AR effects on social media apps such as Instagram and Facebook.
- Unity & Unreal Engine: Prevalent game engine concepts used to support AR for a very immersive 3D experience.
The Future of AR: What’s Next?
The possibilities of AR are massive. Hardware, such as AR glasses, and software is sure to lead to an increased integration of AR in our daily lives. Just think about how cool it would be to have an AR with real-time conversation translation if you talk to someone, visual shopping suggestions or be shown what people see in remote work when collaborating on shared screens.
