Augmented Reality

What is Augmented Reality?

Augmented Reality is a new way to present something between the real world and technology. It is an emerging technology in which one’s Real-time environment is enhanced by computer generated information such as graphic, content, audio or object which is displayed on the screen.

Augmented reality has been in existence for almost three decades, but it has only been in the last few years that the technology has become fast enough and affordable enough for the general population to access. This resource guide will attempt to provide information about what augmented reality is and the role it can play in teaching, learning, medical treatment, entertainment, etc.

Goals of the Augmented Reality

There are several goals of augmented reality that we understand is,

• Challenge the impossible
• Create virtual environment for a more richer user experience
• Integrate it into daily lives to help the masses
• Achieve feats which are limited in real world
• Enhance imagination of youths

Marker

Marker plays a major role in the AR. Directly or indirectly, physical or visual objects can be identified and represent something per our requirement and turn it into some action.

Types of marker:

• QR code, barcode
• Image
• 2D/3D shapes or real world objects

Based on the marker that camera identified, we can display something in the device as we desire.

Types of Augmented Reality

There are 2 basic types of augmented reality depending on the identification of the object or view scene.

 1. Marker-based AR

It uses a camera and a visual marker baked into the content that a marketer wants to present. The viewer holds up the content to the camera to see the AR in action. Basically this type of AR is capable to identify 2d images, bar-codes. Marker-based AR is the most prevalent and easiest to accomplish.

While QR codes are probably the most common form of marker-based AR, other forms exist as well. Before, this type of AR required to write the complicated code to create the holographic illusions; but now it is getting easier everyday for the common individual to create their own. Marker-based implementation utilizes some type of image such as a QR/2D code to produce a result when a reader, typically a camera on a cell phone, senses it.

Advantages:

• Easily identify the object.
• Low cost because of the not require high capacity of camera.
• Easily Implementation

 Limitation:

• It provides accuracy in 2D image or shapes only.

2. Markerless AR

As its name suggests, this type of AR uses a graphic instead of marker. As a result, AR implementation and use is easier; marketers can use existing graphics to present their AR ads and consumers can view them easily.

Markerless AR is often more reliant on the capabilities of the device being used such as the GPS location, velocity meter, etc. It may also be referred to as Location-based or Position-based AR.

The example of the Markerless AR is the Google glass, AR spec, sixth sense device, etc.

While Markerless AR is emerging, it is currently rather limited due to sensor accuracy (i.e. GPS accuracy anywhere between 10-50 meters), service limits (i.e. indoors vs outdoors), bandwidth requirements (4G is not a reality in all places nor can the devices currently in existence actually handle it), and power pulls on the devices.

 Advantages:

• It can identify the 3d or real world object
• Can be used anywhere because it doesn’t require marker

Limitations:

• Hard to implement
• It is not cost effective