Augmented Reality

What is Augmented Reality?

     Augmented reality, not to be confused with virtual reality, is a technology that layers computer-generated enhancements on top of  a preexisting reality. The technology allows users to interact with virtual objects in the real world while still being involved in their environment.

     This upcoming technology has many uses in today's world and tends to fall under three broad but main categories: 3D viewers, reality browsers, and gaming. Augmented reality in the category of 3D viewers is the use in which users may place 3D models in their environment. Reality browsers is used as an enrichment of the world around you by using your smart phone camera pointed at a building, painting, or other historical point to learn its importance, history or price value. Finally, Gaming in Augmented reality is done by using your surroundings to put you in the world of the video game while maintaining your everyday location.

     Augmented reality isn't only available for smartphones, the technology is compatible with mobile devices, computers and televisions with web cameras, head mounted displays, glasses, and lenses.

 

What are the uses for augmented reality?

The current uses in today's world for augmented reality include, video games, construction, interior as well as exterior design and it even used in newer car models GPS systems. Augmented reality is even being used in the military to make repairs in the field! This new technology even includes uses such as sightseeing, use in the medical field and of course, entertainment.

In the future we are unsure of what is to come, currently the world is just gradually scratching the surface of augmented reality. While we do know that the future is bright for this upcoming technology, there is always a risk of plans failing. There is anticipation that social interactions will become more natural in the world of AR; however, there is little to no proof that this improvement will be seen in the near future. Updates to current augmented realities will most likely take place before something new begins, due to that many are better suited to work out issues on older versions. Creators are preparing for the challenges they may encounter along the way of these new augmented realities by working out bugs in previous augmented realities.

 

 

 

 

 

Through augmented reality anyone can experience an exciting new world that is being explored! Smartphone apps that integrate augmented reality are the up and coming technology that many users enjoy the experience of. The simplicity of placing a virtual object in the palm of ones hand is easy enough for anyone to do!

Photo Citation: Smith, Brittany. "Augmented Reality Butterfly" 2017.

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Are there any benefits to augmented reality? 

Augmented reality in not all just for fun and games, the new technology can be beneficial in a multitude of ways. Some newer, high end vehicles implement the use of augmented reality in their navigational system. The new technology behind cars that are equipped with collision avoidance systems is indeed augmented realty. ¹

Gaming in augmented reality has the benefit of the ability to change gaming from being in one static posture to going outside and being active all while having the same enjoying experience of the game.

In a past time, before technology, everything was completed using paper and a pencil especially in the interior design world. With countless placement options for furniture and other aesthetic arrangements it could take anywhere form five to fifty drawings to please a customer; where as today's use of augmented reality, a simple drag and drop of the article being placed into a view enabled by the camera makes for an painless, smooth, and simple job for the interior designer!

Augmented reality even helps members in the military make repairs when away from base through augmented reality's reality browser. The simplicity of placing their mobile device over the machinery that needs repaired and an easy to follow guide with arrows to parts that need replaced all while visual aids assist in the repair!

 

¹. Eschenbach, Ralph, and Trimble Navigation Limited. "Patent US6064335 - GPS based augmented reality collision avoidance system." Google Books. N.p., 21 July 1997. Web. 09 Mar. 2017.

What are the concerns of augmented reality?

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows. Even the best technologies have features that are not perfect, and ideas that may be concerning.

Augmented reality may be beneficial in the medical field; however, there are major concerns. If the technology is being used in reference to learning or even in the operating room something may be identified incorrectly which could ultimately put lives at a major risk.  While human error is an honest mistake, technology adds an additional layer of risks. Previously, if something unexpected occurred in the healthcare field it was the doctors fault, while now it is the doctors as well as the producer of the application running through augmented reality's fault. Patients may be concerned about incorrect identification through the new technology.

The concerns for navigation before augmented realty was distracted driving, and with the technology the concerns become even more prevalent. Glancing down at the AR features of a GPS (typically a 4 second task) at a speed of 55 miles per hour is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field while blindfolded. Distractions at the wheel should remain to a minimum, but do to augmented reality the number of distractions are sky high.

The major concerns rest in the the gaming side of the augmented reality world. Popular AR games like Pokemon Go were posing major safety concerns. While our venturing new places hunting these virtual creatures many children and even adults where robbed or even abducted. One man, was robbed at gunpoint while playing the newly released game. The biggest concern from the perspective of gaming is safety.

A final major concern is because AR allows data from online into the actual reality risks the threat of it "taking over". "Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute included augmented reality as one of the up-and-coming technologies that could pose significant risks in the next 10 years."( Lemos)¹

¹Lemos, Robert. "Augmented Reality Poses Host of Security Issues as Popularity Rises." Eweek, 30 Oct. 2016, p. 1. EBSCOhost.

 

What are the possible solutions to correct these concerns?

The solution to every problem is not to fix the technology, the best solution to correct an issue on a topic that is ever changing is education. These stunning features having warnings for a reason, many users skip over them thinking that it does not apply to them, and this is part of the problem. When people ignore warnings not only are they putting them self at risk, but also endangering others.

In the medicine field the solution is as easy is do not rely on technology to do a job in a field that a human has training and qualifications for. The doctor should consult the augmented realty feature as before but do not rely on it, and if they are still unsure getting a second opinion is never a bad idea.

Due to that AR navigation can appear on the windshield the most feasible solution would be for creators to implement a simple command that would remove all information in case of a malfunction, as well as not be a distraction to the driver when there is no need for the information to be displayed. However, the creator isn't the only one correcting an issue, but the user should be aware of the risks of distracted driving, as well follow all guidelines of the AR navigation system, and finally be alert to the simple word that could be use to clear all information for the line of sight.

Risks of augmented reality gaming accidents are just as important to put an end to. If a child is experiencing the AR would parents need to be aware of where the child is, and the safety of the child. Education is important for the solutions of gaming. Both adults and children need to be aware and alert to their surroundings at all time to avoid any incident that may occur.

Finally, creators of augmented reality need to incorporate safety features into all applications to reduce the risk of digital compromise. Overall, Augmented reality is an upcoming technology that is going to become more common in our everyday world. To keep benefits outweighing concerns creators need to help maintain a safe environment within their application. Users of the new technology should always read warnings, be alert to their environment, and be education on the risks of using augmented reality.