Augmented reality (AR) enhances the real-world environment by overlaying digital content and information onto the user's view of the real world. There are two main types: marker-based AR which uses images to trigger virtual content, and markerless AR which relies on location to overlay information. AR is used by tourists, soldiers, consumers and more to enhance experiences. As smartphone AR apps grow in popularity, the future includes uses like visualizing home renovations and interactive shopping experiences. While privacy is a concern if AR is connected to social media, the technology does not currently enable gaining private information by pointing phones at people.

1. AUGMENTED REALITY (AR)
WHAT IS IT & WHY IS IT AWESOME?
Alistair Hart, Mangoesmapping
Fungis workshop 16.11.12

2. Augmented Reality (AR)
• What is it – types of AR
• Examples, historic and current
• Who uses AR?
• AR for smartphones
• The future for AR
• Privacy Issues
• AR app demos

3. Marker-based AR
• Marker-based AR uses marker/s or an image of
some kind that an AR application can be
programmed to identify.

4. Marker-based AR
credit: Lynn Barry, Pranav Mistry, MIT Media Lab

5. Marker-based AR
• The SixthSense augmented reality system lets
you project a phone pad onto your hand and
phone a friend -- without removing the phone
from your pocket.
• Can you see the markers?

6. Marker-based AR

7. Markerless AR?
• Overlaying artificial information about the
environment and its objects on images of the
real world – location based…
• The location-based Augmented Reality view
provides a direct view of reality "enhanced" with
additional, computer-generated content, as
opposed to a conventional map, which provides
an abstract view from above.

8. Early Example - 1984
credit: Hollywood.com

9. Current example - BMW

10. MVS Virtual Cable

11. Markerless AR?
• AR can use the following device features:
– GPS
– Inclinometer
– Gyroscope
– Solid state compass
– Digital camera/optical sensor
– Digital display/data projector
– Wireless sensors
– RFID tags
• AR also needs access to data to augment reality!

12. Who uses AR
• Tourists
• Soldiers
• Commuters
• Consumers (Groceries to Real Estate)
• Jobseekers
• Pilots
• Restaurant goers
• The incontinent…

13. • Today’s focus is on AR apps for Smartphones…

14. Smartphone AR

15. Layar

16. CBA Property
Guide

17. Wikitude

18. Future of AR
• Apps to show homeowners what different paint
colours look like in a room
• Grocery shopping apps:
– user reviews
– health information
– ingredient explanations
– competing products

19. Future of AR
• Current industry estimates are that AR market
segment will reach $3 billion p.a. by 2016, with
profound impacts on education, training and
business
• Growth rate of AR market segment reflects
growth in early days of spatial industry

20. Privacy Risks?
• AR connecting with social media accounts (eg.
myspace, facebook)
• Point your phone at someone and gain information
about him/her
• Child safety??
• No indications technology heading this way anytime
soon

21. Privacy Risks?
• AR connecting with social media accounts (eg.
myspace, facebook)
• Point your phone at someone and gain information
about him/her
• Child safety??
• No indications technology heading this way anytime
soon
credit: Hollywood.com

22. App demos if time

23. Thanks for listening!