Augmented reality

Draft

Definition

Augmented reality ('AR) systems

• combine the virtual and the real (or the opposite)
• are interactive in real time
• render in 3D

“Augmented reality (AR) is a field of computer research which deals with the combination of real world and computer generated data.” (Augmented reality)

“"The internet smeared all over everything." An "enchanted window" that turns contextual information hidden all around us inside out. A platform that will be bigger than the Web. Those are the kinds of phrases being used to describe the future of what's called Augmented Reality (AR), by specialists developing the technology to enable” (Augmented Reality: 5 Barriers to a Web That's Everywhere, ReadWriteWeb, Aug 24 2009.)

See virtual reality for related subjects.

Systems

Software libraries

• ARToolKit. ARToolKit was originally developed by Dr. Hirokazu Kato, and its ongoing development is being supported by the Human Interface Technology Laboratory (HIT Lab) at the University of Washington, HIT Lab NZ at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and ARToolworks, Inc, Seattle.

On mobile phones

Light-weight augmented Reality systems start appearing on mobile phones.

Mobile phone AR technology does not seem to be standardized. Do we have to expect an AR browser war over the next few years ? (Daniel K. Schneider 12:58, 7 September 2009 (UTC))

Technology examples:

• Layar Reality Browser from GoWeb3D, available for Android, e.g. the Google Phone, Samsung Galaxy
• Wikitude, an AR wiki that displays collaboratively edited information about locations when you point your phone's camera at a place. (Android)
• Acrossair
• iPhone ARKit a version ofARToolKit.
• PresseLite
• robotvision

Examples

• Nearest Tube (iPhone)
• Nearest Subway App
• Métro Paris (iPhone/iPod)
• Yelp is a social computing application to collect ratings about services. On the iPhone it is available as Yelp app.

Links

• ReadWrite has some entries about Augmented Reality, e.g.
  • Augmented Reality: 5 Barriers to a Web That's Everywhere, ReadWriteWeb, Written by Marshall Kirkpatrick / August 24, 2009
  • New Version of Layar Makes Augmented Reality Social, Written by Marshall Kirkpatrick / August 30, 2009
  • Brings First US Augmented Reality App to iPhone Store ReadWriteWeb, Aug 27 2009.
  • Wikitude Launches User-Generated Augmented Reality Browser for Android Users, iPhone Soon, Written by Marshall Kirkpatrick / August 26, 2009