Augmented Reality Today
So what is Augmented Reality (AR)?
Computer generated images overlaid onto the real world
Is implemented in 3D models, videos or textual information
Can be accessed via smartphone or iPad / Tablet device
…or via high end wearable headsets such as via Microsoft HoloLens
…or mid range headsets such as Vuzix Blades
…or lightweight AR Glasses using Focals by North
So what are the most common use cases for AR?
Education & Training
Medicine
Human Collaboration
Assistance in mental health and medical therapy
Product Design, Construction, Manufacturing, Retail & Product Marketing
Potential to be used in all industries
How does AR work?
AR can be consumed by either a Tablet or via a headset
The Tablet or Headset needs to scan the current environment with a camera so that the system is aware of physical objects in the area and the distance from each object
Tablets and Headsets contain accelerometers to detect movement and digital projectors to determine depth in a given space
Within headsets, leading edge display technology is used
AR applications interface with the Tablet or Headset via the mobile OS platform API (Apple use the ARKit SDK, Android uses ARCore SDK)
Newer tablets (such as the iPad Pro) support LiDAR sensors to rapidly detect depth and map the real world and view AR scenes instantly
