CHAPTER 5
AUGMENTED REALITY
By HABTAMU W.
Introduction to AR
Augmented reality (AR) is a form of emerging technology that allows
users to overlay computer generated virtual graphical content in the real
world.
AR refers to a live view of a physical real-world environment whose
elements are merged with augmented computer-generated images creating
a mixed reality.
Introduction to AR
Through augmented vision, the information about the surrounding real
world helps the user can digitally interact with and adjust information
about their surrounding environment.
Augmented reality is the integration of digital information with the user's
environment in real time.
And what is VR?
VR is a general term for immersive experiences and content via a VR
headset or HMD (head-mounted display).
It refers to computer technologies using reality headsets to generate
realistic sounds, images and other sensations that replicate a real
environment or create an imaginary world.
The content is 100% digital and computer-generated. It is also called It is
also called a computer-simulated reality.
And what is VR?
Advanced VR environment engage all five senses (taste, sight, smell,
touch, sound), but it is important to say that this is not always possible
Most VR Devices tethered which are connected to a computer and some
of them are standalone devices like Google Cardboard is among the most
popular) and the remaining's are Smartphone VR.
Using VR devices such as HTC Vive, Oculus Rift or Google Cardboard,
users can be transported into a number of real-world and imagined
environments
And what is VR?
VR technology creates an environment in which the user feels and
seems to be moving inside a computer-created virtual world in the
same way people move inside the natural environment.
VR devices
Standalone smartphone
tethered
Mixed Reality
Mixed Reality (MR), referred to as hybrid reality, is the merging of real
and virtual worlds to produce new environments and visualizations where
physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real-time.
It allows for digital content to integrate, enrich and interact with the
user’s real-world environment.
MR lenses or headsets present an overlay of digital content that interacts
with objects in the real world in real-time.
Mixed Reality
The key characteristic of MR is that the synthetic content and the real-world
content are able to react to each other in real-time.
The products are, in most cases, in the research and development phase, but
MR is viewed through transparent wearable glasses.
Mixed Reality removes the boundaries between real and virtual worlds using
occlusion: the computer-generated objects can be visibly obscured by
objects in the physical environment from the user’s point of view.
Mixed Reality Examples
AR Vs VR Vs MR
Virtual Reality: VR is content which is 100% digital and can be enjoyed
in a fully immersive environment.
Augmented Reality: AR overlays digital content on top of the real-
world.
Mixed Reality: MR is a digital overlay that allows interactive virtual
elements to integrate and interact with the real-world environment.
Architecture of AR systems
The first Augmented Reality Systems (ARS) were usually designed with
a basis on three main blocks.
Infrastructure Tracker Unit
Processing Unit
Visual Unit
Architecture of AR systems
Architecture of AR systems
Infrastructure Tracker Unit: is responsible for collecting data from the
real world, sending them to the Processing Unit.
Processing Unit: which mix the virtual content with the real content and
sent the result to the Video Out module of the Visual Unit.
Visual Unit: the Visual Unit can be classified into two types of system,
depending on the followed visualization technology:
Architecture of AR systems
1. Video see-through: It uses a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) that employs
a video-mixing and displays the merged images on a closed-view HMD.
Architecture of AR systems
2. Optical see-through: It uses an HMD that employs optical combiners to
merge the images within an open-view HMD.
Applications of AR systems
1. Educational Purpose: AR supplements educational sector the following
benefits:
Affordable learning materials
Interactive lessons
Higher engagement
Higher retention
Boost intellectual curiosity
Applications of AR systems
2. Medical Purpose: AR provides Health and medical sector the following
benefits:
Describing symptoms
Nursing care
Surgery
Ultrasounds
Diabetes management
Navigation
Applications of AR systems
3. AR in Entertainment: AR could be used in various entertainment activities.
Games
Music
Tv
esports
theater
