Augmented Reality: Demystified

Before starting off, we’d like clarify that

augmented reality

is not exactly a new technology. It has been around for quite some time, but caught the attention of everyone only recently, especially after the augmented reality-based mobile video game Pokemon Go went viral. In addition, there are quite a few popular apps like Inkhunter and Tango that have been already using augmented reality.

What exactly is augmented reality?
Augmented reality is an interesting technology. If you have ever used any of the apps that use it, you would know that augmented reality (or

AR

) basically superimposes text or graphics over live pictures that are taken by your phone’s camera.

So when someone plays Pokemon Go, they are essentially capturing a live picture using their phone’s camera, with the app superimposing Pokemon on that live picture.

Quite interestingly, augmented reality is not just limited to images; it can also be used for auditory and other sensory enhancements.




How does it work?
Augmented reality apps largely use two approaches to work - Marker based and location based.

You may have used markers, but may not be aware of them. They work when you point your phone towards a barcode or any similar symbol for some sort of authentication.

Speaking of location-based augmented reality apps, the best example is surely Pokemon Go. These apps use the device’s location and then provide the user with data relevant to that location. This is similar to the technique Pokemon Go uses to help you find Pokemon.

It is also worth noting that currently available smartphones can only support basic augmented reality. To experience the true wonders of augmented reality, one has to use devices like

Microsoft Hololens

.

Other uses of augmented reality
As mentioned earlier, augmented reality is not a new technology and has been around for a considerable amount of time. While it has gained popularity only recently, we have all seen the technology being used to create ghost impressions on stage during plays.



Augmented reality is also used by military for its ground troops, using goggles that provide a layer of radar data over the real-world view, thus enabling them to target missile attacks.

Future of augmented reality
Although it’s been around since 1960s, augmented reality was never as popular as it is now. It mostly owes its newfound popularity to Pokemon Go. Now that it has become such a talked about technology, we can surely expect to see more apps built around it.

Augmented reality has tremendous potential, and now we can hope to see more of it like

virtual reality

. And much like VR, AR need not be limited to just apps. It has the potential to grow in other forms of technologies like smart glasses, head mounted displays and even contact lenses.