How Augmented Reality is Being Used in Tech
Augmented reality, along with virtual reality and artificial intelligence, is set to revolutionize the way we see and interact with the world around us. While we have seen it in games such as Pokemon Go, augmented reality can do far more than bring your favorite pocket monsters to life.
Technology has been expanded to include the fields of medicine, education, the military, and everything in between. Here are some of the ways augmented reality is being used in tech across several sectors.
What is Augmented Reality?
The first question that some may have is, what is augmented reality? In simple terms, augmented reality is next gen technology that allows programs to place screens and layers of data on top of a real-world image using a camera in your phone, glasses, or something similar.
As mentioned already, Pokemon Go was able to “place” a Pokemon in your living room, local park, or wherever, and it appeared to be really there. This technology can also be used to explain the history of a building or statue if you point your camera at it, for example.
How Does Augmented Reality Work?
The first thing you need for augmented reality is a camera device, such as a smartphone. The AR program then uses something known as computer vision to analyze the video and images.
Once the data is analyzed, the AR program can figure out where you are and what you are looking at and then send back the relevant information.
Uses of Augmented Reality
Repair & Maintenance
The first very effective use of AR is to repair and maintain almost anything. For example, if you are a car repair person or work on intricate damaged cabling systems, you can use your AR application on your phone to analyze what you are looking at.
The program will then be able to send back important information, such as data about the parts, any mistakes that could have been made during the manufacturing or building of a particular part, and what problems you could encounter.
This will save tons of time and money and allow for more effective and faster repairs of any type of object or system. These benefits only grow exponentially the bigger the task is.
Gaming
AR has already shown its huge potential in gaming, but many developers are hoping to take it even further. Imagine viewing your town or city as a level in a game, with you having to reach certain points or find objects to progress.
Augmented reality, combined with virtual reality, will be able to place you in a game in ways we have never seen before. Instead of simply controlling a character, you become the character with the real world around you being the world you play in.
AR Glasses
AR glasses are nothing new, but they are only getting better and better. While you can pull your phone out to use AR features, having access to them constantly can greatly improve the lives and work of millions of people.
AR glasses can be worn and allow you to access all kinds of data on anything you are looking at. It can be used to help with education, such as math and the sciences, as equations, concepts, and properties can all be displayed in front of you.
This is a very basic example, but it shows the ease with which data can be found and used on a second-by-second basis.
Keyboards & Monitors
While this may seem like an idea from Star Wars before, AR keyboards and monitors are not far from reality. Using a combination of technology, it is possible to create usable keyboards and monitors wherever you are, giving you the same access and capabilities that a real-world computer would give you.
Improved Military Technology
One area where AR can be used to improve a sector’s technology drastically is the military. Using IEDs as an example, soldiers, especially those in combat, will often come face-to-face with them; however, these devices are designed not to be seen.
If there is a pressure plate or tripwire, AR glasses could spot them long before any soldier comes close enough to be in danger. However, this technology extends far beyond just spotting booby traps.
AR technology can be implemented into a soldier’s helmet, allowing them to see through smoke, have enemy data shown on screen, show friendlies, neutral, and enemies in the dark, and a plethora of other capabilities that will allow them to operate safer and more effectively.
Improved Sports Science Technology
Education Technology
Technology is already being used extensively throughout education, but AR has the ability to offer far more options than we once thought. As mentioned already, having instant access to mathematical formulas is only one tiny aspect of how AR can improve education.
In science, it can be used to do AR-based experiments using unsafe elements, which will allow students to gain “hands-on” knowledge of what they do and how they interact with each other.
If you are learning about the solar system, you can have access to an entire galaxy where you can move and analyze and see crucial data about specific stars, for example. AR and education technology go hand-in-hand to create a richer and more holistic learning experience and atmosphere.
