Application of Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality (AR), "The process of superimposing digitally rendered images onto our real-world surroundings, giving a sense of an illusion or virtual reality." (Onvert.com)
By directing computer-generated virtual component into reality view, AR has been effectively applied to multiple industries notably the military, industrial, and medical field. Despite the fact that the technology does adequately implement in various industries, the technology was not widely practiced initially.
Military
Gaming
Retail
Navigation
City Planning
History of Augmented Reality
The story all went back in 1966, where Professor Ivan Sutherland of electrical engineering at Harvard University invented the world's first model of head-mounted display (HMD) which is one of the most important device used for both Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) today. Although the HMD was way too monumental for human head to bear, the invention was the first step in making AR a feasible possibility. (Dan Sung, 2011)
Despite the technology was generally being used back before, the term Augmented Reality is supposed to be fabricated by Professor Tom Caudell while working in Boeing’s Computer Services' Adaptive Neural Systems Research and Development project in Seattle. Tom applied a complex software that overlays the position of certain cables in plane building process with computer-generated graphic so that the mechanic works in Boeing would be smooth and accurate. (Dan Sung, 2011)
Professor Ivan Sutherland with his HMD
Until 1999, AR was only being used by scientists and researchers. The reason behind that was merely due to the devices was expensive, heavy and much complicated to use. Right into year 2000, Hirokazu Kato of the Nara Institute of Science and Technology released the "ARToolKit" to the open source community. The toolkit uses video tracking method to overlay the computer-generated graphics on a video camera. (Jennifer Shore, 2012) The ARtoolkit was so influential towards the following AR development that almost all the flash-based AR application would have been possible due to ARtoolkit. (Dan Sung, 2011)
Ever since the invention of "Smartphone" by IBM and BellSouth in 1993 (Brad Reed, 2010) and the launching of Apple's "Iphone" in 2007, smartphones has begun to flood the technology market around the world. (Charles Arthur, 2012) With the ease of getting applications and popularity of smartphones that equips with cameras, lots of AR applications were published and one of the pioneers was Wikitude. (Dan Sung, 2011) In 2009, the universal ARtoolkit was imported to Adobe Flash platform which makes the AR development reaches today's phase. (Y. Jayachandra, 2014)
Wikitude, a location-based augmented reality experience app
Types of Appplication of Augmented Reality (AR)
There are wide range of use of AR in the industry, here are few that significantly elevates the industry by implementing the technology.
Military
With the ability to overlay information into reality views, the AR technology has been implemented into military field for its beneficial potential towards the industry. One of the examples, a military-grade augmented reality technology which developed by Tanagram Partners based in Chicago. As tactical information is extremely important during combat, the technology developed by Tanagram fulfill the task by providing upper-hand information in hostile situation via AR. (Chris Cameron, 2010)
Head-mounted devices that display tactical data via AR technology
With the technology, soldiers could communicate with a home base server that receive and distribute information to the soldiers' devices, the device allows soldiers to instantly access the data provided by the home base. (Chris Cameron, 2010)
Gaming and Entertainment
As for the gaming industry, the graphical overlay feature of Augmented Reality (AR) does significantly improvise the user experience by immersing the user's senses into the game. In the game developing industries, the developers always find ways to improve gamers’ experience, make the game to be more realistic and create link that connects between the gamer and the virtual world. As for the issue, the AR technology could or already solve the problem for the developer by its nature. (Christian Nutt, 2013)
One of the largest game developer in the world, Nintendo's Pokemon GO
By taking advantages of smartphone and AR technology, one of the world's most well-known games, Pokémon’s developer Nintendo has developed a smartphone game namely, "Pokémon GO". The game changes the way that people played Pokémon for over ten years by moving the platform from trading card and gaming console towards outside with smartphone and AR technology. (G.Clay Whittaker, 2015)
Retail
One of the world's leading retailers IKEA has found that 14 percent of the customers end up returning the furniture they bought with the cause of the wrong size of the home furniture for its intended location. Hence, IKEA has come out an e-catalogue for smartphones in corporate with AR technology to allow their customers to solve their sizing problem before they install their furniture. (Paul Ridden, 2013)
Place IKEA furniture in your home with augmented reality
Navigation
By integrating GPS technology with Augmented Reality (AR), many of the advanced mobile navigation apps now infuse overlaying graphics and signage into the real view via smartphone cameras. Besides, the technology also makes in-car navigation to be more precise. For instance, the world's leading automaker Mercedes-Benz is developing an augmented reality in-car navigation system that allows drivers and passengers to navigate their destination more accurately. (John Brandon, 2013)
An image example of the Mercedes-Benz's new navigation system
As the user drives, the dashboard display will show a live feed from the vehicle's front camera. By overlaying graphics like direction arrows, street names and point of interest, it helps the users to find their destination with more simple and accessible method. (John Brandon, 2013)
City Planning/Visualisation
The Augmented Reality (AR) technology not only applied as entertainment and general purpose but also an aid towards city visualisation. As an example, the city of Christchurch in New Zealand was struck by a devastating earthquake on 4th September 2010 and over 900 city buildings were demolished. Hence, lots of important historical landmarks of the city have disappeared and ever since that, the memories of those landmarks have faded in memories. To recover the building of the city virtually, the CityViewAR was developed by HITLabNZ to allow users to have a glance over the 3D virtual model of the demolished building replaced on the current site. (Lee et al, 2012)
Visual recovery with AR news reported by TVNZ
Despite city visualisation, the HITLabNZ planned to bring CityViewAR to another stage by allowing users to add on their comment on the buildings shown. This could bring benefits towards the architects and city planner with them getting ideas and comments from people about their proposed design on the application. (CityViewAR Introduction, 2011) With the feature, city planners and architects could interacts with the users and propose their designs according to the residents. Also, a further development could include additional historical data to allow people to look back on what the location used to be look like in 50 years ago. (CityViewAR Introduction, 2011)
CityViewAR - See Christchurch as It Was Before The Earthquake