“Augmented Reality or Computer-Mediated Reality is nothing but the extension of existing reality in real time with the help of computer software’s or programs which helps the user to better interact with it.”

1. “Augmented Reality or Computer Mediated Reality is nothing but the extension of
existing reality in real time with the help of computer software’s or programs which
helps the user to better interact with it.”
What Is Augmented
Reality Or AR?

2. What is Augmented Reality?
Augment means ‘Extended’ & Reality means the state of things as they actually exist, thus
augmented reality is nothing but extended reality. We often get confused between virtual
reality and augmented reality but there is a lot of difference between both of
them. Virtual reality is more immersive while augmented reality extends existing reality.
Virtual Reality enables a user to completely transpose from the physical environment to a
virtual environment while Augmented Reality enables the user to virtually extend his
existing reality into a more interactive form. E.g. with VR you can swim with the sharks
while with AR you can watch a shark popping out of your screen.
As quoted by Tim Cook, CEO, Apple
“I’m excited about Augmented Reality because unlike Virtual Reality which closes the
world out, AR allows individuals to be present in the world but hopefully allows an
improvement on what’s happening presently… That has resonance.”

3. Definition of Augmented Reality
“Augmented Reality or Computer Mediated Reality is nothing but the extension of
existing reality in real time with the help of computer software’s or programs which
helps the user to better interact with it.”
The term ‘Augmented Reality’ was coined in 1990, by Boeing Researcher Mr. Thomas
Caudell though the history says that the dawn of the AR has traces since 1968 When
Ivan Sutherland also considered as the father of computer graphics developed the
first head mounted display system (HMD).
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are inversely proportional to each other. VR is
a recreation of the physical environment while AR recreates a virtual element as an
overlay to the real world.

4. Applications of Augmented Reality
Similar to Virtual Reality, the applications of Augmented Reality are limitless.
Remember Robert Downey Jr. aka Tony Stark in Iron Man series, seems a little far-
fetched, right? But believe it or not, it’s a hardcore technology exactly or similar to
the one depicted in the movie where Tony Stark builds an Arc Reactor using his
father’s prototype design. Scientists today are virtually recreating designs and
models of machines and prototype more or less similar to that of Tony Starks with
the help of AR.
Devices such as Displays (Optical projection systems, monitors), Eyeglasses, Head up
Displays (HUD), Contact Lenses, Virtual Retina Displays, Eyetaps, Handhelds etc.
captures the real-world view and redisplays them as augmented views providing
additional information to the user without requiring the users to look away from
their actual viewpoints.

5. Marketing
AR is majorly used in video marketing and product marketing. AR helps the
customers to experience & preview the product without opening the packaging. It
also enables the customer to customize the products as per their requirements e.g.
virtual dressing rooms enables the customer to try different outfits and peripherals
virtually.
Gaming
The gaming industry has been using AR technology since quite a while now AR
enables players to experience digital video games in the physical environment or
real-world environment e.g. Titans of Space, AR-enhanced pool tables, AR air
hockey. Pokemon Go launched in 2016 allowed AR to take center stage by bringing
Pikachu and Charizard out of the game box onto our front lawns.

6. Industries, Archaeology, Architecture
AR is used in all these industries to formulate designs and virtual structures, be it
ruins or demolished structures in archaeology or visualizing building projects,
structures & machines, and prototypes in the industrial sector. It is also cost effective
as it helps to reduce the cost incurred to build an actual physical prototype.
Education
Videos, Images, Graphics etc. is considered to be an easy way to better understand
things. Psychology says a visual memory is better to remember and more feasible to
understand thus, AR plays a major role in the field of education embedded videos
and graphics in the real-world environment provide in-depth information about
anything. e.g. iWOW App is a mobile based AR enabled world globe it provides
superimposed information about all the countries, satellite’s, weather, flights etc.
Thanks to AR we are now able to provide a more interactive learning experience.
Along with this AR is also used in military and flight training via means of simulators
and to map overlays of trajectories of various objects in geographic coordinates

7. Medical
AR has tremendous applications in the Medical sector from treating phobias,
trauma’s, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). AR can give us a better view of
ultrasounds, endoscopies, X-rays etc. Devices such Near-Infrared Vein Finder enables
doctors to create a vein map of a human body.
The above mentioned are the few applications of AR as we know it today but its true
potential & applications are yet to be explored and are limitless. Till then fasten your
seat-belts coz we are up for a ride to the future. 😊

8. About Chronicloop
Chronicloop is an avid initiative to spread knowledge and information
about the latest trends and technology. For more information visit:
www.chronicloop.com