Definition:
Augmented reality, abbreviated as AR, is a technology that adds digital information or elements to the perception of a physical environment. Content can be displayed through a phone’s camera and screen, glasses or other devices capable of recognising position, space or particular objects.
Unlike virtual reality, AR does not completely replace the real environment. It adds text, images, three-dimensional models, sound or interactive directions to it. The accuracy of the experience depends on the device, sensors, software and environmental conditions.
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Augmented reality applications
The ability to connect digital content with a physical space or object allows augmented reality to be used in different fields:
- Entertainment: Games and applications can integrate virtual characters, effects or activities into the user’s environment.
- Digital marketing: Brands can display products in context, create virtual try-ons or add interactive experiences to campaigns and stores.
- Military training: Simulations and overlaid directions can support exercises and practice in controlled environments.
- Engineering design: Models and prototypes can be viewed at scale within the space in which they will be used.
- Robotics: Data overlays can help interpret a machine’s status or guide interaction between people and robots.
- Medicine, education and tourism: AR can represent anatomy, explain learning material or provide contextual information about places and objects.
Examples of augmented reality
These services and devices illustrate different ways of connecting digital content with the environment:
- Google Maps: Its walking navigation can display directions and visual references over the camera image in supported locations.
- Pokémon GO: The game places virtual creatures and elements in physical locations and can display them over the camera image.
- IKEA: Its tools allow selected furniture to be represented at scale inside a room before purchase.
- Google Lens: It combines image analysis with features that identify objects, translate text and overlay information in the camera view.
- Snapchat: Its lenses apply digital effects and objects to a face, body or space detected by the camera.
- Assemblr: It allows users to create three-dimensional content and view it in augmented reality on compatible devices.
- Microsoft HoloLens: It is a mixed-reality device that places spatial digital content in the user’s field of view and supports interaction with it.
Advantages of augmented reality
When an implementation addresses a specific need, augmented reality can provide several advantages:
- User experience: It can support visual interactions situated in the context in which a decision is made.
- Contextual information: It can display instructions or data associated with a place, object or task.
- Training and education: It can represent processes and provide guided practice without relying solely on abstract explanations.
- Operational efficiency: In certain environments, visual instructions can reduce lookups and help people complete tasks.
- Interactive marketing: Virtual try-ons and demonstrations can help people understand a product before purchasing it.
- Accessibility: Some applications can add visual, audio or spatial directions, although their usefulness depends on accessible design and each person’s needs.