If you have not yet read about Google Glasses and the advances in augmented reality technology, it seems like the future is here. The technological capabilities of augmented reality are the blending of human senses with digital elements. Today we will explore the advances of augmented reality in both the digital, social media, and medical fields and see how the most famous version device to date of augmented reality, Google Glass, has advanced the field. When you learn about all of the capabilities of augmented reality, it seems like something right out of a futuristic sci-fi movie or book!
The definition from Wikipedia: “Augmented reality (AR) is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is modified (possibly even diminished rather than augmented), by a computer. As a result, the technology functions by enhancing one’s current perception of reality.”
Wikipedia’s description of Google Glass is: “is a wearable computer with a head-mounted display (HMD) that is being developed by Google in the Project Glass research and development project, with the mission of producing a mass-market ubiquitous computer. Google Glass displays information in a smartphone-like hands-free format that can interact with the Internet via natural language voice commands.”
Of course, Google Glasses are just one product and one brand of augmented reality. The reviews are out of this new product, so you can read for yourself what people who have been lucky to be the first testers of it. The reviews range from the negative, to objective, to a life changing necessity. One tool replaces the need for a smartphone, tablet, camera, and headphones.
Now that we have the definitions explained, we can proceed with showing how virtual reality will encompass advances in many fields, both digital and non-digital. Augmented reality devices, like Google Glass, augment the reality of the user with digital enhancements, access to Google’s search database, camera, small projector, smartphone, and a mirror. These gadgets enhance the user’s view of the world around them in real time. Here are more details on exactly how virtual reality works and how the world looks through Google Glasses. The best description of augmented reality devices is that they give the wearer a digital sixth sense through the information and experience provided with the technology. They allow the wearer to update social media, take pictures, and learn about the environment around them in ways like never before. One of the most important advances in the technology is health monitoring of those who are using it. Many health monitoring gadgets are making their way onto the market and will help augmented reality users be aware of and monitor their own vitals and levels.
As time goes on, new applications and advancements will become available, such as face recognition technology and voice recognition as well. Think of the implications that this combined technology has for future search, advertising, gaming, and law enforcement capabilities. Any discussions about augmented reality also go hand in hand with mapping new privacy laws for both users of the technology and everyone else. This topic is definitely one to watch for the future and will be interesting to see how this technology grows and becomes more integrated with our everyday lives.