Augmented Reality is quite simply put, changing the perception of reality by simple and logical enhancements to the view. Computer generated digital information is overlaid on the real world information by superimposition; layering meaningful images, videos and sounds on the real world visuals. Ultimately it is a complete fusion of both the worlds; the real and the virtual leading to augmentation of the real one. Augmented reality is a technique which needs powerful imagination for application and exploring the areas of implementing it. Smart thinking it is all set to change our lives by supplementing everything we see around us.
So, starting from everyday shopping at supermarkets and kiosks where AR helps us to examine contents inside the packets, probably the ingredients as well as being a great help with the origin of the product itself. On the other hand, AR can be used as an innovative marketing tool by giving constant information to a customer busy shopping in a large store by displaying information of similar products in other alleys and on-going offers or even upcoming discounts. AR is all set to change the reading experience completely by making the books and periodicals come alive! Related graphics and videos are superimposed into the text and images of the chapters to bring more excitement into reading and keeping the reader enticed. And when the reader is a bored student, imagine the wonders that AR can bring to learning and education.
When it comes to city planning, architecture or interior design, AR brings help for people who just cannot co-relate how that sketch or AutoCad image would be transformed into a real piece of furniture or a room. Lo and behold, the buildings, the furniture and even the gardens with fountains just pop up on the real landscape. AR proves to be a very good tool for archeology to aid building a description of an era gone by.
On the other hand AR has heralded an industrial revolution of sorts by foreseeing the behavior of mechanical designs before actually rolling them out for production. Design improvisation stands a fair chance if done at an initial stage.
Tourism and travelling receives an impetus where AR comes to the rescue of the traveler by constantly superimposing information about tourist attractions, restaurants, transport routes or even shopping when on the move. While navigating with GPS, the driver can get the road, traffic and weather conditions directly on the map. It can even translate a foreign language, to a language of choice when superimposed over reading materials.
AR changes working patterns of professionals like doctors and military personnel. When a doctor gets the patient history directly displayed while examining a patient, it saves a lot of time and reduces the chances of missing critical information. When it comes to anticipating enemy movements and devising defense and attacks, AR is a savior. Maps and weather forecasts are used as hints, together with basic information by the forces to plan their actions.
And of course Gaming and watching sports too gets a makeover where AR allows the virtual characters to enter our real world or us to enter the virtual world to join for a game. Trajectories of objects like balls or movement of sportsmen themselves enhance the view of the audiences.
Modern day smartphones, tablets and even the wearables are equipped with efficient hardware to augment our world. The mobile applications, cameras, accelerometers, the GPS and compasses all make it possible to implement AR techniques.
Intuitiveness and ingenuity driven AR methodologies can work wonder for purposeful use.