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What Is Augmented Reality?

We've heard of virtual reality, but many of us are now wondering what is augmented reality?

By Bill ShaffirPublished 7 years ago 4 min read
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What is augmented reality? In its simplest explanation, augmented reality or AR, is technology that superimposes a computer generated image on a user's view of the real world -- creating a composite image. Now, you may be thinking, that doesn't sound simple at all. Well, you'd be mostly right, but in and attempt to better understand it, there are a few fundamental things you should know.

It implements digital information into the user's real life environment in real time -- overlaying the natural environment. In theory, this will enhance the experience of whatever the user is doing. It blurs the line between what is real and what isn't, and it can be used on all senses, even what we touch and smell. If this all sounds like one giant mushroom trip, read on for a bit more context, and hopefully answer the big question: What is augmented reality?

Augmented Reality vs Virtual Reality

These two things are often confusing, and that's mostly because there can be some overlaps. Virtual reality is an artificial, digital recreation of a real life event or situation—a computer-generated simulation, basically. It can be exciting, as the user feels in-on-the-action firsthand. It's like they just scored the touchdown that won the Super Bowl in overtime—to an extent. Virtual reality only stimulates vision and hearing, and we all know there is more to truly being alive than just those two things. This is where virtual reality falls flat, and in some sense wakes the user up from the dream.

Virtual is a recreation, while augmented reality operates in the real world, and delivers virtual elements as a sort of supplementation -- hoping to enhance the world we already live in through a mobile device or other information systems. Creating this particular digital world can have an overwhelming effect on the user, causing them to feel as if they're living in a world that is somehow more real. All important to think about when trying to figure out just what is augmented reality?

What is all this for? Why are we asking what is augmented reality? For most of us, the easy answer is entertainment. As of now, that's where the most money is to be made, and where most people are coming in contact with augmented reality. New worlds can come to life for the gamers, deepening the user experience by means that are virtually impossible to measure. One thing most gamers constantly want, is an increasingly real user experience -- something that augmented reality hopes to bring.

As the user gets more experience, and more comfortable using the technology, it expands an ever-widening field for tech giants to make huge sums of money. Traditional games are played mainly through a controller or head device (virtual reality), but as this technology further develops, the gamer and his real, waking life will continue to merge, until it's hard to tell one from the other—an all consuming entertainment experience.

Augmented reality is being developed and used to help medical professionals better, and sometimes more remotely, interact with their patients. What is augmented reality doing for science and medicine? Currently it's in the beta stage, but augmented reality is aiming to make certain patient experiences more pleasurable. For example, their is a device that finds a person's vein, so people who have tricky veins won't need to be poked and prodded like an animal.

This type of advancement is not without its critics, and many argue it will take away the personal feeling a good doctors visit should come with. Who wants their surgeon staring at tiny, interactive screens when he or she is about to cut or drill into your body? Testing still needs to be done to further advance the efficacy of such technology, and who wants to be a test subject when it comes to their health?

Dangers

Are there any potential risks or dangers? It's an important thing to consider when asking yourself: what is augmented reality? For one, it seems like it can make life a little less personal, and if we aren't careful, it can erode our humanity and make our lives feel like one big game. This can end up becoming a massive distraction, especially if we aren't careful of how we apply it day-to-day.

Worse yet, the more of our lives go digital and interactive, the more it becomes increasingly difficult to have any privacy. Your data will be everywhere, and certain people's will be worth a ton of money in the hands of somebody who wishes to cause chaos. Not to be an alarmist, but if we don't set up the proper security measure—things only one individual can access—we aren't all that far away from micro-chipping ourselves.

Augmented reality has the potential to make our everyday experiences more enjoyable, as it's simply using our everyday world as a jumping off point. Where it takes us can be infinite. However, it's worth monitoring closely, and we should all be aware of: what is augmented reality? If not, we may risk losing a large part of ourselves.

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About the Creator

Bill Shaffir

Lover of gangster films and worried about the future of artificial intelligence.

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