Augmented reality is heading our way, and this new generation of software has the potential to change our lives and how we view the world around us.
Computer graphics have become much more sophisticated since Pong entered the arcades and our homes in the early 1970's. Since then, computer graphics have steadily improved and have become very realistic and soon they will become very real.
Imagine computer generated graphics being integrated and applied to the real world as you are walking down the street.
For instance, you might be on vacation in Halifax, Nova Scotia and while on a walking tour you stop in front of Government House. You want to know more about it, such as what it is used for and it's history.
Today we would use our guide book that we picked up at a local tourist information center. With augmented reality applications you wouldn't need these soon to be relics.
Instead, you would use your cell phone. By focusing your camera phone on Government House you would see all of this information on screen, clicking on links for more information, or quickly accessing a map.
The idea isn't new, but with the latest generation of mobile phones, many of which have a compass and GPS, 3G mobile internet access and a growing range of mobile applications, there is nothing to stop augmented reality from entering the mainstream.
Google’s Android phones can already use some of the best augmented reality applications. One of those now available is Wikitude, which overlays what you are looking at with information about points of interest based on where the user points the phone’s camera. Simply by activating the phone’s camera mode and then panning it across buildings and locations, Wikitude pulls in information based on where you are located.
Tech Discovery
Augmented Reality
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The technology even works with people. A Swedish company is working on an application called Augmented ID, which puts facial recognition and photo tagging together to provide personal information. You could use your phone’s camera to frame someone’s face in order to bring up details of their social networking profiles, their business card, or even a criminal record such as a sex offender reports the
Telegraph.
Augmented reality displays, one of which is a cell phone will eventually look like a normal pair of glasses,or even contact lenses, where informative graphics will appear in your field of view, and audio will coincide with whatever you see. Graphics, audio and other sense enhancements would, in fact be superimposed over what you are looking at in the real world, in real time reports
HowStuffWorks.
Toymakers are also getting in on the action. Mattel is building the technology into a line of action figures to tie in with
Avatar, the upcoming 3D film directed by James Cameron. Each toy will come with an iTag; a small plastic card that children can hold up to their web cam. When the computer recognizes the card, a three-dimensional image is superimposed over the card on the computer screen, giving the child information about their action figure’s character and even the ability to “manipulate” the character or vehicle on-screen by pushing virtual “buttons”.
Other applications now available are Twittaround, Traffic Views, Layar and Nearest Tube.
