Exploring The Technology and Applications of Augmented Reality

Exploring The Technology and Applications of Augmented Reality Lecture Notes: What is Augmented Reality? Augmented phenomenon (AR) is a type of electronic idea that integrates mathematical and tangible content into a unique, continuous structure. Amin and Govilkar (2015) label AR as a means that allows the consumer to straightforwardly access attributed news in honest-period, to sufficiently learn the circumstances or purpose of the process or an object. Therefore, AR can improve our ability to see with eyes and trial ideas of the surrounding atmosphere. At the same time, a distinction must be made between improved and computer simulation (VR), as both conditions are often unfairly thought of as identical. The purpose of this paper is to survey the idea of AR, compare and contrast it to VR, and highlight the electronics in addition to the benefits and reasoning behind its use. History of Augmented Reality The plan of reinforcing and improving realism through artificial methods is novel but not entirely new. The first attempts at such enhancements were made in the 17th century, utilizing mirrors, light, and shadows to create illusory figures. One of the most legendary uses of these methods was “Pepper’s Ghost,” a favorite technique used in European stages (Billinghurst, Clark & Lee, 2015). The standard behind modern AR is different, however, as it employs mathematical sciences and advanced film techniques to improve and enhance real-world ideas. The first application of AR in its modern sense dates back to 1963 when Ivan Sutherland developed a Sketch-Pad. He later continued his studies at Harvard University and created the prototype AR plan, which became functional in 1968. This system “linked a CRT-based optical transparent head-mounted display with a mechanical tracking system connected to the PDP-11 calculating and drawing equipment,” enabling the creation of 3D spatial drawings in real-time (Billinghurst et al., 2015, p. 85). 1 Further advancements in AR and VR were closely tied to military applications. One of the primary uses of both types of electronics was in the training of American pilots. While VR was suitable for simulating artificial environments for ground-based training, AR proved beneficial in the cockpit of an actual plane, providing real-time overlays of computer-generated information (Billinghurst et al., 2015). These advancements emerged in the 1970s, leading to the development of the Ultimate Display and Super-Cockpit by Tim Furness (Billinghurst et al., 2015). Development and Commercialization of AR In 1974, the Artificial Reality Lab created a product called Videospace at the University of Connecticut (Stanovic, 2015). Developed by Myron Krueger, this system created an enhanced environment using on-screen silhouettes and program cameras to engage users (Stanovic, 2015). Boeing saw the potential for AR and VR in training not only military but also commercial pilots. By the 1990s, the company invested heavily in designing training modules with intuitive interfaces that adapted to the user’s needs (Frigo, da Silva & Barbosa, 2016). These efforts were followed by companies like Embraer, which used AR not just for training but also for designing and manufacturing new planes (Frigo et al., 2016). However, a significant limitation of early AR systems was their size and lack of portability, which restricted their flexibility. This began to change with innovations such as Louis Rosenberg’s AR system for the Airforce, developed in 1992. It included handlers and a head-mounted display to project augmentations onto the visible environment (Billinghurst et al., 2015). Modern Advancements and Applications In 2003, AR entered the sports industry, significantly enhancing the viewer experience by providing first-person views of the field through the Skycam (Stanovic, 2015). By the end of 2009, AR was widely adopted by experts and news outlets, using advanced systems to enrich user experiences via smartphone scanners (Stanovic, 2015). After 2010, AR and VR technologies began making greater strides toward widespread use. Companies like Volkswagen incorporated AR into user manuals and repair guides, enabling self-repair processes and improving customer understanding (Stanovic, 2015). The introduction of portable AR devices by Google in 2014 marked a turning point. By 2015, investments in AR technology exceeded $700 million, with major contributions from companies 2 like Magic Leap (Barfield, 2015). This trend continued, with investments surpassing $1.1 billion by 2016, demonstrating the technology’s broad potential across sectors, from training to customer engagement (Porter & Heppelmann, 2017). AR is now recognized not only as a technological marvel but also as a lucrative business opportunity. Differences Between AR and VR Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are often mistakenly conflated, but significant differences exist between the two. While both technologies create artificial visuals and sounds, their functionalities and applications vary considerably. Augmented Reality is characterized by the following features (Barfield, 2015): • Real-Time Interactivity: AR systems use sensors and cameras to record live images and sounds, overlaying digital augmentations onto the real-world environment. • Integration of Physical and Virtual Realms: AR typically employs user interfaces, such as smartphone screens, AR glasses, or specialized monitors, to blend physical and virtual experiences seamlessly. This supplementation allows users to interact with a combined physical and digital environment. 3