Future of AR

What are the possibilities for the future of augmented reality? There are many possibilities of augmented reality since it can be an invaluable tool.

Where I see augmented reality making sense is to integrate it with social networking. As an example, what if you could point your smart phone camera at someone in order for an augmented reality application to overlay digital personal information on top of that person. The information would display data on whether or not they have a Facebook account or have recently posted to a blog. The application could allow a person to rate them or provide feedback. The user-generated data would then build additional information on that particular person. This will allow other people to find this same person, to point a mobile device at them, and to gain updated, user-generated information on that person. The augmented reality application could also show nearby friends by identifying their whereabouts and how to locate them by providing directions. The potential for such an application is not far-fetched and could be how we learn about people in the future by pointing a device at them in order to socialize with them.

As for augmented reality devices, the head-mounted device is cumbersome and certainly not something you would walk out the door with. So naturally it should get better and smaller in the future. Already they have made advancements in eyewear or sunglasses that have portable electronics so the wearer can be mobile and use augmented reality to display information on the lens which is similar to a heads up display (HUD).

Source: http://extras.mnginteractive.com

Another great device is the bionic contact lens which could make augmented reality an everyday part of life. The lens surface is pitted with electronic circuitry which will allow the wearer to see digital data without being a hindrance to natural sight. The advantage of such a device would make it hard for anyone to notice the device. This device could be used in many areas like the medical field to diagnose patients by rendering x-rays of bones on the arm of the patient in order for the doctor to provide medical aid.

Souce: IEEE.org

What are some other potential for augmented reality in the future. Augmented reality can be used in the tourist industry with mobile devices similar to an iPad. The device would allow the user to hold up the device to see cityscapes, streets, and sites viewed on a screen which would be overlaid with digital data to provide a virtual reality tour guide. Not only in the tourist industry but also the retail industry could provide augmented reality eyewear that could superimpose products with digital price tags, advertisements, or product details such as history or fun facts as the person shops around. Certainly where augmented reality continues to be an importance is in the military. Augmented reality can be used by soldiers to provide battlefield information or to train soldiers. For example, the video shows how augmented reality could train the military to repair a sophisticated and technical vehicle.

Augmented reality can change how we perceive the world by overlaying digital information on top of reality to provide an enhancement to our vision. There are many possibilities for augmented reality in the future such as the bionic contact lens, a virtual tour guide system, or an invaluable tool for the medical field and military. Augmented reality has created some hype in mobile devices and it will continue to generate buzz.