Augmented Reality UPSC

Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented reality (AR) is a direct or indirect live view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are "augmented" by computer-generated perceptual information. 

AR alters one’s current perception of a real-world environment, whereas virtual reality replaces the real world environment with a simulated one.

As both virtual and real worlds harmoniously coexist, users of augmented reality experience a new and improved natural world where virtual information is used as a tool to provide assistance in everyday activities.

Augmented realities can be displayed on a wide variety of displays, from screens and monitors to handheld devices or glasses.

 

Applications of Augmented Reality

1. Applications of augmented reality can be as simple as a text-notification or as complicated as an instruction on how to perform a life-threatening surgical procedure. 
2. They can highlight certain features, enhance understandings, and provide accessible and timely data. 
3. Cell phones apps and business applications by companies using augmented reality are a few of the many applications driving augmented reality application development.
4. Augmented reality is also transforming the world of education, where content may be accessed by scanning or viewing an image with a mobile device.
5. Another example is an AR helmet for construction workers which display information about the construction sites. 
6. Enhanced GPS systems with the help of AR make navigation easier.
7. In fighter planes, a transparent display is positioned directly in the fighter pilots view, it shows information about altitude, speed etc. 
8. With recent advances in computing power and technology, gaming applications in augmented reality are on the upswing. E.g. Pokemon Go