Augmented Reality
The article by Todd
Haselton provided the current and future uses of augmented reality in society.
Haselton’s article used physical locations and places to showcase how augmented
reality can be used to display the digital side of our environmental
surroundings. Smart device users can take a virtual tour of their surroundings
and interact with their environment through navigational applications to
heighten the digital experience. However, an associate professor at Georgia Tech
named Blair McIntyre, PhD explained that for the augment reality to truly be
effective, the “virtual content has to align with the right parts of the
physical world”. (Haselton, 2009) Even with ensuring the content aligns
correctly, it also must be interactive to fully embrace the digital world.
The implications of
augmented reality now are still being explored. For example, smart phone users
can download navigational apps that allow the user to place their camera over a
section of town to virtually locate the nearest subway terminals. However,
currently the virtual navigation app is not very precise to the exact location
of the subway terminals. It will get you close enough to the area but fails to
provide alternate entrances into the subway terminals. Other augmented reality
apps that can be found in the app store of the smart phone are apps to locate
the nearest eatery places, landmark buildings, and trending tweets. All these
applications require the user to use their camera and GPS to actively see the
nearest places to eat or pinpoint historical buildings. These apps give the
traveler a sneak peak of what to expect inside those buildings. Regarding the
trending tweets, the user can take their phone and scan for tweets to read the
comments regarding the area. These apps enable the user to have that
interaction with their environment in 3D format.
Additionally, the
implications of Augmented Reality in the future is uncertain. Because it takes
so much data to process these programs, bandwidth is a major concern for smart
phone users. The invention of stronger processors and available data are the
hurdles to overcome to fully evolve augmented reality. Another concern is
making precise models that will truly replicate the natural structure precisely
to interact efficiently and effectively. However, augment reality can be
meaningful in the business and gaming industry. The reason these areas can be
resourceful is because it can be designed to be confined to one location
without the need of expansion. For example, in the medical field, doctors can
view the human body in 3D to show how to correct an alignment with preplanning
applications. Can show the injured area and provide accurate feedback on the
procedure needed to fix the issue. This allows the medical team to show the
patient on screen in real time the area that is being corrected and the medical
staff can manipulate the image to show the best possible procedure to initiate.
In regards to the gaming industry, there is talk of a console that can project
the game into an interactive play room. Gamers can physically interact with the
virtual world through 3D animated items to conquer their fictional quest.
Overall, technical issues leave the fate of augment reality in limbo.
In conclusion, augment
reality is still in the trial phases and the future of this technology is still
a mystery. Currently most augmented reality apps are on smart phones and have
limited range on interactive features. Even though the GPS and navigational
components are not precise, the apps provide a close enough proximity for
travelers to enjoy the interaction. Once all the bugs can be sorted out, the
future of augment reality can be endless. The medical and gaming industries can
utilize augment reality to advance the outlook of how to view medical
procedures and virtual gaming systems.
References
Haselton, T. (2009, 11 19). Augmented Reality:
What It Is, how we Use It, & What It Will Become. Retrieved 01 19, 2017,
from
www.laptopmag.com/articles/augmented-reality-what-it-is-how-we-use-it-what--it-will-become
Link to article:
Excellent points made!
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