As promised in the first part of technology series There are several related articles on the way in relation to future key technologies. In this article I will present augmented reality.
Augmented reality is an expression that describes a virtual layer over our physical reality. Augmented reality enhances thus the reality of each individual in many different areas. I will concentrate on a few in this article. If you do not like to read at this time, I recommend you the video below, and in the end of this article.
Augmented reality and information
Each of us has his own reality. Our need for information is as individually as everything else we do. With augmented reality as an integral part of society, you will see useful information such as bus tables, restaurant reviews and all the information you can also now take advantage of. The difference is that augmented reality will present this information in a separate layer outside of the physical reality. Imagine that you need route descriptions from A to B. You will not need to look at mobile phone, call any services or drag out the good old map. You do not even need to ask anyone. You will get an arrow in the field of view that shows the way along a dotted line. Just follow the arrow until you are at your desired destination. If you want to se how far it is, just look forward along the virtual line that goes all the way to your destination. All relevant information included of course. You will be able to customize the information you want presented. When you no longer need something, it will be able to remove it until you once again is in need of it.
Augmented reality and advertising
Have you thougt about the idea of advertising that pops out of every business you walk past? Personally, I think it sounds somewhat anoying. Is there a difference from the neon signs competing for your attention today? Not really. A key in getting augmented reality to work is that the users themselves get to decide what should bombard their senses. Thus, those who actually see the commercial are more prepared to react to it. Imagine that you are looking to buy a new widget. You go in the center of your town, and all businesses who have that thing you are looking for appears. On the horizon you’ll see articles that you can zoom in on. In the zone around you´ll get submitted more detailed information in the form of images, audio, text or video. Right on the retina. I suspect that future generations will have a more natural relationship with this kind of reality. Advertising industry will have good times ahead it seems. We as users want more control over what we want to see. The blinds do not have to trip over the sign on the sidewalk. A good solution for all parties, also for the environment that does not need to contribute quite as much of the promotional materials we use in the Western world per year.
Augmented reality and gaming
Gaming will never .. I repeat never be the same thing again. When augmented reality has been established with good solutions our time period will be regarded as something very “analog” in the future. Maybe they will look at us as we look at the first generation during the Industrial Revolution? Why play football in the fields when you can either fight the dragons, dwarves, and anything else you can imagine yourself. In a agumented reality that far surpasses anything of what reality can offer. I’ve always felt that we need more magic in the world. Now it may become a reality. The key to sharing my enthusiasm is simply to take in that everything you see or experience, will be as real as anything you experience today. Think about it .. wow!
Augmented reality and the entertainment industry
We already see now that augmented reality, to a certain extent, has made it into the movies and tcv-shows. James Cameron’s Avatar had a amazing 3D modeling that led to a rush of new gadgets 3d. Particulary in the television industry. 3D is of course just the beginning of the adventure. Imagine interactive TV-shows, or movies, where you take the role as the main character and must solve the mystery and save the world! We will either need more space, or an appropriate entertainment room. You will no longer be a passive spectator. If you do not choose to be the main character then why not follow the movie from within as an extra instead? Virtual reality is not the same as augmented reality. And virtual reality will not be covered just in this artikelen. In relation to augmented reality and entertainment, there is much that can, and should be written. It all gets too much for just one article. Do not despair if you want more! It is coming soon articles about very real technologies you’ll soon get the pleasure of the acquaintance of 
Augmented reality and status Qou
It is in something as ordinary as the automotive industry we find the most tangible development of augmented reality. They’re working to add a layer of relevant information, presented in the front window. This will enable the driver to get a better idea of driving conditions. Animals in roadside will be highlighted in both light and darkness. Sharp turns will have a recommended speed and line described above, etc. See the videos below for more about this! It seems that the future is not so far away from everyday anyway!
Should you be left with the impression that this technology (except in cars) are too far ahead, I would recommend you to take a little trip back in history. Let’s say 20 years. Did you find any differences until today? The keyword is exponential growth. All new knowledge we produced last year was more than all the scientific evidence produced in all recent history. This development has been steady, and continue to increase in pace. This topic is both exciting and relevant in our immediate future. As I have said before, there will be a separate article on this subject.
To me it seems that we are already there in terms of having the ability to create artificial environments. Before the technically interested programmed in code. In future they will also create their own environments, and applications works in relation to augmented reality. The only thing we lack is a good tool to tie a connection between the artificial and real world. We have seen the film industry creating its own world for many years already. With proper glasses or even better, a contact lens on the eye, we would be able to see it as anything else we see in the real world. The future is here now! It has been here a long time already. We just need a vehicle for feeding the artificial information with the other bodily impressions we process in the brain at all times. I suspect that this is high on the agenda of those who have ambitions with augmented reality.
For now, you can enjoy Goggles application in Google’s first mobile phone. Soon agumented reality will be standard in all mobile phones. Ask yourself whether it is appropriate to call it a phone? Some suggestions for better descriptions?
Filed under: Augmented Reality
