Augmented Reality (AR) may not be as exciting as a virtual reality roller coaster ride, but the technology is proving itself as a very useful tool in our everyday lives.
From social media filters, to surgical procedures, AR is rapidly growing in popularity because it brings elements of the virtual world, into our real world, thus enhancing the things we see, hear, and feel. When compared to other reality technologies, augmented reality lies in the middle of the mixed reality spectrum; between the real world and the virtual world.
What is Augmented Reality (AR)?
When someone talks about AR, they are referring to technology that overlays information and virtual objects on real-world scenes in real-time. It uses the existing environment and adds information to it to make a new artificial environment. Many developers are creating augmented reality apps, and this has opened up the technology to many applications and a broader audience.
Augmented Reality vs Virtual Reality
Unlike virtual reality, which requires you to inhabit an entirely virtual environment, augmented reality uses your existing natural environment and simply overlays virtual information on top of it. 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.
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. They can highlight certain features, enhance understandings, and provide accessible and timely data. Cell phones apps and business applications by companies using augmented reality are a few of the many applications driving augmented reality application development. The key point is that the information provided is highly topical and relevant to what you want you are doing.
Augmented Reality vs Virtual Reality
Unlike virtual reality, which requires you to inhabit an entirely virtual environment, augmented reality uses your existing natural environment and simply overlays virtual information on top of it. 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.
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. They can highlight certain features, enhance understandings, and provide accessible and timely data. Cell phones apps and business applications by companies using augmented reality are a few of the many applications driving augmented reality application development. The key point is that the information provided is highly topical and relevant to what you want you are doing.
Types of Augmented Reality
Several categories of augmented reality technology exist, each with varying differences in their objectives and applicational use cases. Below, we explore the various types of technologies that make up augmented reality:
1.Marker Based Augmented Reality
Marker-based augmented reality (also called Image Recognition) uses a camera and some type of visual marker, such as a QR/2D code, to produce a result only when the marker is sensed by a reader. Marker based applications use a camera on the device to distinguish a marker from any other real world object. Distinct, but simple patterns (such as a QR code) are used as the markers, because they can be easily recognized and do not require a lot of processing power to read. The position and orientation is also calculated, in which some type of content and/or information is then overlaid the marker.
2.Markerless Augmented Reality
As one of the most widely implemented applications of augmented reality, markerless (also called location-based, position-based, or GPS) augmented reality, uses a GPS, digital compass, velocity meter, or accelerometer which is embedded in the device to provide data based on your location. A strong force behind markerless augmented reality technology is the wide availability of smartphones and location detection features they provide. It is most commonly used for mapping directions, finding nearby businesses, and other location-centric mobile applications.
3.Projection Based Augmented Reality
Projection based augmented reality works by projecting artificial light onto real world surfaces. Projection based augmented reality applications allow for human interaction by sending light onto a real world surface and then sensing the human interaction (i.e. touch) of that projected light. Detecting the user’s interaction is done by differentiating between an expected (or known) projection and the altered projection (caused by the user’s interaction). Another interesting application of projection based augmented reality utilizes laser plasma technology to project a three-dimensional (3D) interactive holograminto mid-air.
4.Superimposition Based Augmented Reality
Superimposition based augmented reality either partially or fully replaces the original view of an object with a newly augmented view of that same object. In superimposition based augmented reality, object recognition plays a vital role because the application cannot replace the original view with an augmented one if it cannot determine what the object is. A strong consumer-facing example of superimposition based augmented reality could be found in the Ikea augmented reality furniture catalogue. By downloading an app and scanning selected pages in their printed or digital catalogue, users can place virtual ikea furniture in their own home with the help of augmented reality.
How Does Augmented Reality Technology Work?
In order to understand how augmented reality technology works, one must first understand its objective: to bring computer generated objects into the real world, which only the user can see.
In most augmented reality applications, a user will see both synthetic and natural light. This is done by overlaying projected images on top of a pair of see-through goggles or glasses, which allow the images and interactive virtual objects to layer on top of the user’s view of the real world. Augmented Reality devices are often self-contained, meaning that unlike the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive VR headsets, they are completely untethered and do not need a cable or desktop computer to function.
In most augmented reality applications, a user will see both synthetic and natural light. This is done by overlaying projected images on top of a pair of see-through goggles or glasses, which allow the images and interactive virtual objects to layer on top of the user’s view of the real world. Augmented Reality devices are often self-contained, meaning that unlike the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive VR headsets, they are completely untethered and do not need a cable or desktop computer to function.
How Do Augmented Reality Devices Work (Inside)?
Augmented realities can be displayed on a wide variety of displays, from screens and monitors, to handheld devices or glasses. Google Glass and other head-up displays (HUD) put augmented reality directly onto your face, usually in the form of glasses. Handheld devices employ small displays that fit in users hands, including smartphones and tablets. As reality technologies continue to advance, augmented reality devices will gradually require less hardware and start being applied to things like contact lenses and virtual retinal displays.
Augmented realities can be displayed on a wide variety of displays, from screens and monitors, to handheld devices or glasses. Google Glass and other head-up displays (HUD) put augmented reality directly onto your face, usually in the form of glasses. Handheld devices employ small displays that fit in users hands, including smartphones and tablets. As reality technologies continue to advance, augmented reality devices will gradually require less hardware and start being applied to things like contact lenses and virtual retinal displays.
How are reality technologies being used in the real world?
Reality applications are practically limitless in terms of applicability and have the ability to play a vital role in all aspects of life. These reality technologies will change the way we consume information and entertainment, communicate, express and share creativity, and conduct business. Below, we explore many of the countless applications and use cases where this revolutionary technology is currently being applied to.
Key Components to Augmented Reality Devices
1. Sensors and Cameras Reality applications are practically limitless in terms of applicability and have the ability to play a vital role in all aspects of life. These reality technologies will change the way we consume information and entertainment, communicate, express and share creativity, and conduct business. Below, we explore many of the countless applications and use cases where this revolutionary technology is currently being applied to.
Key Components to Augmented Reality Devices
Sensors are usually on the outside of the augmented reality device, and gather a user’s real world interactions and communicate them to be processed and interpreted. Cameras are also located on the outside of the device, and visually scan to collect data about the surrounding area. The devices take this information, which often determines where surrounding physical objects are located, and then formulates a digital model to determine appropriate output. In the case of Microsoft Hololens, specific cameras perform specific duties, such as depth sensing. Depth sensing cameras work in tandem with two “environment understanding cameras” on each side of the device. Another common type of camera is a standard several megapixel camera (similar to the ones used in smartphones) to record pictures, videos, and sometimes information to assist with augmentation.
2. Projection
While “Projection Based Augmented Reality” is a category in-itself, we are specifically referring to a miniature projector often found in a forward and outward-facing position on wearable augmented reality headsets. The projector can essentially turn any surface into an interactive environment. As mentioned above, the information taken in by the cameras used to examine the surrounding world, is processed and then projected onto a surface in front of the user; which could be a wrist, a wall, or even another person. The use of projection in augmented reality devices means that screen real estate will eventually become a lesser important component. In the future, you may not need an iPad to play an online game of chess because you will be able to play it on the tabletop in front of you.
3. Processing 
Augmented reality devices are basically mini-supercomputers packed into tiny wearable devices. These devices require significant computer processing power and utilize many of the same components that our smartphones do. These components include a CPU, a GPU, flash memory, RAM, Bluetooth/Wifi microchip, global positioning system (GPS) microchip, and more. Advanced augmented reality devices, such as the Microsoft Hololens utilize an accelerometer (to measure the speed in which your head is moving), a gyroscope (to measure the tilt and orientation of your head), and a magnetometer (to function as a compass and figure out which direction your head is pointing) to provide for truly immersive experience.
4. Reflection 
Mirrors are used in augmented reality devices to assist with the way your eye views the virtual image. Some augmented reality devices may have “an array of many small curved mirrors” (as with the Magic Leap augmented reality device) and others may have a simple double-sided mirror with one surface reflecting incoming light to a side-mounted camera and the other surface reflecting light from a side-mounted display to the user’s eye. In the Microsoft Hololens, the use of “mirrors” involves see-through holographic lenses (Microsoft refers to them as waveguides) that use an optical projection system to beam holograms into your eyes. A so-called light engine, emits the light towards two separate lenses (one for each eye), which consists of three layers of glass of three different primary colors (blue, green, red). The light hits those layers and then enters the eye at specific angles, intensities and colors, producing a final holistic image on the eye’s retina. Regardless of method, all of these reflection paths have the same objective, which is to assist with image alignment to the user’s eye.
How Augmented Reality is Controlled
Augmented reality devices are often controlled either by touch a pad or voice commands. The touch pads are often somewhere on the device that is easily reachable. They work by sensing the pressure changes that occur when a user taps or swipes a specific spot. Voice commands work very similar to the way they do on our smartphones. A tiny microphone on the device will pick up your voice and then a microprocessor will interpret the commands. Voice commands, such as those on the Google Glass augmented reality device, are pre-programmed from a list of commands that you can use. On the Google Glass, nearly all of them start with “OK, Glass,” which alerts your glasses that a command is soon to follow. For example, “OK, Glass, take a picture” will send a command to the microprocessor to snap a photo of whatever you’re looking at.
How are AR technologies being used in the real world?
Mirrors are used in augmented reality devices to assist with the way your eye views the virtual image. Some augmented reality devices may have “an array of many small curved mirrors” (as with the Magic Leap augmented reality device) and others may have a simple double-sided mirror with one surface reflecting incoming light to a side-mounted camera and the other surface reflecting light from a side-mounted display to the user’s eye. In the Microsoft Hololens, the use of “mirrors” involves see-through holographic lenses (Microsoft refers to them as waveguides) that use an optical projection system to beam holograms into your eyes. A so-called light engine, emits the light towards two separate lenses (one for each eye), which consists of three layers of glass of three different primary colors (blue, green, red). The light hits those layers and then enters the eye at specific angles, intensities and colors, producing a final holistic image on the eye’s retina. Regardless of method, all of these reflection paths have the same objective, which is to assist with image alignment to the user’s eye.
How Augmented Reality is Controlled
Augmented reality devices are often controlled either by touch a pad or voice commands. The touch pads are often somewhere on the device that is easily reachable. They work by sensing the pressure changes that occur when a user taps or swipes a specific spot. Voice commands work very similar to the way they do on our smartphones. A tiny microphone on the device will pick up your voice and then a microprocessor will interpret the commands. Voice commands, such as those on the Google Glass augmented reality device, are pre-programmed from a list of commands that you can use. On the Google Glass, nearly all of them start with “OK, Glass,” which alerts your glasses that a command is soon to follow. For example, “OK, Glass, take a picture” will send a command to the microprocessor to snap a photo of whatever you’re looking at.
How are AR technologies being used in the real world?
Healthcare
Many of the top augmented reality companies are seeing great success by helping seasoned industries adopt and apply this new technology for their unique business needs. A strong example of augmented reality in use is in the field of healthcare. From a routine checkup, to a complex surgical procedure, augmented reality can provide immense benefits and efficiencies to both patient and healthcare professional.
Physical Exams
Imagine that you walk into your scheduled doctor (or dentist) appointment, only to find your doctor (or dentist) wearing an augmented reality headset (e.g. Google Glass). Although it may look strange, this technology allows him (or her) to access past records, pictures, and other historical data in real-time to discuss with you. Instantly accessing this digital information without have to log into a computer or check a records room, proves to be a major benefit to healthcare professionals.
Integration of augmented reality assisted systems with patient record management technologies is already highly desirable utility. Data integrity and accessibility is a major benefit to this type of system, where record access becomes instantaneous and consistent across all professionals to the most current records, instructions, and policies.
Microsoft Hololens
Surgical Procedures
Let’s take this example one step further and imagine that we are going in for a surgical procedure. Before the anesthesia takes effect, we notice that the doctor is wearing an augmented reality headset. The doctor will use this throughout the procedure for things such as display of surgical checklists and display of patient vital signs in a dashboard fashion. Augmented reality assisted surgical technologies assist professionals by providing things such as interfaces to operating room medical devices, graphical overlay-based guidance, recording & archiving of procedures, live feeds to remote users, and instant access to patient records. They can also allow for computer generated images to be projected onto any part of the body for treatment or can be combined with scanned real time images. The benefits of using augmented reality include a reduced risk of delays in surgery due to lack of familiarity with new or old conditions, reduced risk of errors in performing surgical procedures, and reduced risk for contamination if the device allows surgeons to access information without having to remove gloves (i.e. hands-free) to check instruments and data.
Aviation Applications
The ultimate guide to aviation applications of virtual, augmented and mixed reality. We examine how applications such as virtual reality flight training and augmented reality pilot assistance.
Business Applications
AR can erase the barriers when it comes to international business. It can help with translation, if you meet a colleague overseas, and create a common space even if you are thousands miles away from each other. You’ll be able to record the whole meeting to return to it later, and save everything written on the virtual whiteboards.
The possibilities of AR are nearly endless. They will enter almost every sphere of our life beginning with social media and ending with e-commerce. However, it will go far beyond that, and soon we’ll see many amazing AR apps. If you want to become one of those entrepreneurs and you have some augmented reality startup ideas about the way we educate students, sell products or meet new people, contact a development team that will be able to make your ideas come to life.
Construction Applications
The ultimate guide to construction applications of virtual, augmented and mixed reality. We examine how applications such as virtual reality plan reviews and augmented reality construction worker assistants.
Design Applications
The ultimate guide to design applications of virtual, augmented and mixed reality. We examine applications such as AR and VR in architecture and interior home design.
Education Applications
Imagine, how interesting the lessons would get, if teachers used AR technologies to explain some historic events. How exciting would any boring subjects became with an ability to see them live.
Schools are already going digital, using computers and mobile apps at their lessons. Think about what they could do with AR. For example, students could wander around a human cell or see a 3D galaxy on the screens of their smartphones or tablets.
Design Applications
The ultimate guide to design applications of virtual, augmented and mixed reality. We examine applications such as AR and VR in architecture and interior home design.
Education Applications
Imagine, how interesting the lessons would get, if teachers used AR technologies to explain some historic events. How exciting would any boring subjects became with an ability to see them live.
Schools are already going digital, using computers and mobile apps at their lessons. Think about what they could do with AR. For example, students could wander around a human cell or see a 3D galaxy on the screens of their smartphones or tablets.
Science, history, biology – everything can lighten up with the help of AR.
Gaming Applications
The ultimate guide to gaming applications of virtual, augmented and mixed reality. We examine applications augmented reality gaming and tabletop virtual reality gaming.
Marketing Applications
Augmented reality opens lots of possibilities for marketing, and if used creatively, it can bring more engagement and loyalty for brands and their products. Imagine walking around the shop with a smartphone in your hands, and seeing the price and characteristics of the products, along with special offers and discounts for them. With AR marketing can become more effective and fun for customers.
AR marketing for kids has even more interesting options, turning the mall into an amusement park where they’ll be able to complete tasks to win something and interact with virtual characters.
Manufacturing Applications
The ultimate guide to manufacturing applications of virtual, augmented and mixed reality. We examine applications such as AR inventory management, safety training, maintenance inspection, and more.
Shopping Applications
The biggest problem with buying furniture is that you have almost no idea how it will actually fit into your interior. This is why people hire visual designers who can show the whole picture.
With an AR app you’ll be able to place any piece of furniture into your apartment without needing to bring it there physically. IKEA has already made one of the augmented reality ideas come to life when they released their augmented reality application that allows you to do that. It can even scale the furniture and change colors, so you can choose that perfect sofa for your living room.
Sports Applications
The ultimate guide to sports applications of virtual, augmented and mixed reality. We examine how applications such as virtual reality plan reviews and augmented reality construction worker assistants.
Sports fans are probably the most passionate and dedicated people when it comes to their hobby. Some of them like to enjoy the game in person, supporting their favorite team at the stadium, while others prefer to watch the game from the screen, when the best moments are replayed and commented. With AR fans will be able to get statistics and see the ball trajectory and its speed right at the stadium.
Travel Applications
AR can give more information on all places you want to visit, and maps combined with an AR guide can bring you a great experience in city exploration. Museums can also put this technology to their advantage, by telling their visitors more about the items they see and bringing them to life.
With the release of iOS 12 and its ARKit, augmented reality became even closer to a common smartphone user. ARCore from Google made augmented reality available for Android users as well.
The projected growth of this market is impressive – by 2021 it is expected to grow up to $215B.
However, it is difficult to make any predictions, as nobody knows for sure, how the augmented reality will look like in five or ten years. However, the potential it shows now is great, and big tech companies seem to believe that this technology will stay and evolve in the future. Facebook, Apple, Google and other tech giants are releasing and improving their AR kits to make the development easier and cheaper.
AR can become a great tool for any industry, however, gaming is the industry where it will be used more often.
Predictions for the Future of Augmented Reality
Augmented reality captures our imagination like no other technology can. AR advancements in gaming and entertainment have given a lot of steam to the industry and other market are taking notice. Virtual and augmented reality technology has a lot to offer other industries, not just entertainment.
By 2025 AR will be big in the video game market, accounting for an estimated $11.6 billion out of what will probably be a trillion-dollar business by that time. And there are plenty of other industries where AR (and virtual reality) will contribute to revenue by 2025. Healthcare at $5.1 billion (imagine devices that can find veins faster than a phlebotomist), engineering at $4.7 billion, live events at $4.1 billion, the military at $1.6 billion, and the list goes on. Even at the low end, the education market will make $7 million using AR products.
Looking at some specific industries, the infographic indicates that in real estate and home improvement, for example, $2.6 billion in 2025 will be driven by features such as interactive 3D walkthroughs using VR headsets and using AR to drive by a home and instantly get information on it using your mobile device.
Retailers have a heady AR future, since 71 percent of respondents to a survey said they'd shop even more at stores that offer AR features to customers. 40 percent would pay for more a product that was part of such an experience. Invisible stores that have already popped up in New York and Los Angeles used AR to push sneakers on people using a GPS and special app—expect that to become a hipster trend. Of course, shopping in a print catalog using an app pointed at a page has been around since the bar code and QR codes were invented—it'll get more interactive with AR.
Travel is another area of AR/VR dominance to come. The travel world expects to have AR contribute to $4.1 billion in revenue in 7 years. 84 percent of consumers want the tech to inform their travel experiences. It'll power city guides, expeditions without leaving home (or the classroom), and bring major enhancements to museums and amusement parks. That sounds fun—but it's also big business.
Augmented reality captures our imagination like no other technology can. AR advancements in gaming and entertainment have given a lot of steam to the industry and other market are taking notice. Virtual and augmented reality technology has a lot to offer other industries, not just entertainment.
By 2025 AR will be big in the video game market, accounting for an estimated $11.6 billion out of what will probably be a trillion-dollar business by that time. And there are plenty of other industries where AR (and virtual reality) will contribute to revenue by 2025. Healthcare at $5.1 billion (imagine devices that can find veins faster than a phlebotomist), engineering at $4.7 billion, live events at $4.1 billion, the military at $1.6 billion, and the list goes on. Even at the low end, the education market will make $7 million using AR products.
Looking at some specific industries, the infographic indicates that in real estate and home improvement, for example, $2.6 billion in 2025 will be driven by features such as interactive 3D walkthroughs using VR headsets and using AR to drive by a home and instantly get information on it using your mobile device.
Retailers have a heady AR future, since 71 percent of respondents to a survey said they'd shop even more at stores that offer AR features to customers. 40 percent would pay for more a product that was part of such an experience. Invisible stores that have already popped up in New York and Los Angeles used AR to push sneakers on people using a GPS and special app—expect that to become a hipster trend. Of course, shopping in a print catalog using an app pointed at a page has been around since the bar code and QR codes were invented—it'll get more interactive with AR.
Travel is another area of AR/VR dominance to come. The travel world expects to have AR contribute to $4.1 billion in revenue in 7 years. 84 percent of consumers want the tech to inform their travel experiences. It'll power city guides, expeditions without leaving home (or the classroom), and bring major enhancements to museums and amusement parks. That sounds fun—but it's also big business.
References
https://thinkmobiles.com/blog/best-augmented-reality-games/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality
https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/augmented-reality-AR
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/augmented-reality.asp
https://computer.howstuffworks.com/augmented-reality.htm
https://www.blippar.com/blog/2018/05/18/3-benefits-of-augmented-reality-in-healthcare
https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/resources/augmented-reality-healthcare/
https://appreal-vr.com/blog/augmented-reality-for-healthcare/
Good post... Virtual reality is going to be used at many business industries and companies in the coming years.
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