Augmented reality

In augmented reality ( also English augmented reality [ ɔ ː ɡmɛntɪd ɹiælɪti ], short AR [ eɪɑ ː ] ) is the computer-based extension of reality perception. This information may appeal to all human sensory modalities. Frequently, however, understood augmented reality only the visual representation of information, ie the addition of pictures or video with computer-generated virtual objects by means of additional information or Insertion / Overlay. In football broadcasts augmented reality, for example, the blending of distances from free-kicks using a circle or a line.

• 3.1 technology
• 3.2 Social Aspects

Definition and delimitation

In "reality - virtuality continuum ty, " (after Paul Milgram et al., 1994) are the augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) and advanced virtual reality (augmented virtuality ) part of the so-called mixed reality ( mixed reality ). While the term Augmented Virtuality is hardly used by the experts are Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality, rarely Enhanced Reality, usually used interchangeably. In contrast to virtual reality, in which the user is completely immersed in a virtual world in augmented reality is the presentation of additional information in the foreground. For the visual modality, this leads to more severe requirements on the position determination (tracking), and calibration.

At an AR system ( ARS short ) refers to the system of engineering components that are needed to build an augmented reality application: camera, tracking devices, support software, etc.

The literature often uses the definition of augmented reality Azuma:

• Virtual reality and the reality are combined ( partially obscured ).
• In real-time interactivity
• Real and virtual objects are 3- dimensional relative to each other.

This definition has two disadvantages:

• It relies solely on technical features
• It is limited to only one aspect of AR.

Other works define AR as an extension of the sense-perception of man by sensors of ambient characteristics that man himself can not perceive: Radar, Infrared, distance images, etc.

From trend research in addition the term was introduced Outernet.

Applications

General

Augmented reality could be used in virtually all areas of everyday life. Fitters could be the next step directly into their show field of view; Soldiers or aid workers could be targets and danger zones display in the terrain and designers could work with real and virtual present colleagues on the same three-dimensional model. With advancing technology can be exploited futuristic application scenarios: electronic devices that exist only virtually, but will respond to real touch artificial sense extensions such as the " X-ray vision " and computer games in an open area.

An example of an AR application, the on-screen in real-time virtual brands in sports broadcasting: Different distances of competitors in ski jumping, throwing, etc. (Note that this example is often no augmented reality application according to the above definition, as sometimes the interactive element is missing. )

Google preparing a product that has already been presented under the name Glass Google. This is a pair of glasses with micro-display and camera that can be operated by voice input. Among the features of the device belongs for example, that the wearer of the glasses transmits information from its environment to the Internet and, in turn, appropriate evidence, including in the form of navigation instructions from the internet gets. Furthermore there are also the known capabilities of smartphones and video conferences.

Assistance in complex tasks esp. in construction, maintenance and Medicine

Can be done with complex tasks an aid By displaying additional information. For example, for a mechanic, the parts of a device " labeled ", and he gets work instructions. In medicine, augmented reality can be used to allow the display of non-visible elements. for example, intraoperatively in medicine, as " X-ray vision " for the surgeon, based on prior tomography or current image data of ultrasonic devices or open MRI scanners.

Industrial Applications

With Augmented Reality digital planning data can be efficiently compared with available real geometries. The technology also enables the widespread use of digital protection methods for the combination of digital data with real prototypes or designs.

Navigation

Augmented reality can basically navigating in the building ( in the maintenance of industrial equipment ), outdoor ( for military or disaster management ) in the car ( projection of navigation instructions to the windshield, so that, for example, turn by turn on the roadway appear ) or air ( Head - up displays in fighter aircraft are one of the earliest AR applications ever be used ).

Military and Disaster Management

In the area of ​​military and disaster management portable systems can be used that show about friends and enemies or fires.

Hydrology, Ecology, Geology

Systems can be used for prospecting, for the presentation and the interactive analysis of maps and terrain features, for example to exploit mineral resources.

Architecture

Augmented reality is also suitable for the visualization of architecture. So destroyed historic buildings or future architectural projects can be represented

Simulation

Also for flight and driving simulators can be used augmented reality.

Collaboration of distributed teams

The collaboration of geographically distributed teams can be facilitated. For example, through video - conferences with real and virtual participants. But the joint work on simulated 3D models is supported.

Entertainment

An extension to museums and exhibitions by Virtual objects allows visitors access to more information. Also available is the augmented reality in the entertainment industry, such as in games ( ARQuake, EyePet ( PS3 ) ). A popular example is the game Ingress, developed since 2012 by Google and runs on Android devices.

Advertising

Increasingly, companies in their advertising on AR components to provide the customer with added value. So, for example, published the furniture chain IKEA in 2013 a catalog, scanned in the selected furniture pieces by smartphone app and could be projected to any place in the home virtually.

Future Applications

For future applications, some examples are listed here. Firstly, can happen in the real environment is an extension of the PC operating system surfaces. Program windows and icons are then displayed as virtual devices in real space and operated by looks or pointing with the finger. This may generally to replace conventional screens (replacement of mobile phone and navigator screens and display the information on the roadway, as well as extensions such as " X-ray vision " directly to the representation of hidden targets directly into the environment, such as guidelines ) completely, equipment control panels, or new types of devices perform. In addition, augmented reality for multimedia applications such as pseudo- holographic virtual screens, virtual " holodeck ", virtual surround cinema be used. But also to beautify the everyday environment, such as etc., by the presentation of virtual plants, wallpaper, views, art, decorations, lighting, applications would be possible. In general circulation of AR systems one could also use virtual shop windows, billboards or road signs.

Problems

Technology

One problem is the technical burden on augmented reality, particularly the tracking of the images during movement. Also, the sensors are affected by the movement. So there is noise, drift, and shading of the tracking system (for example, GPS, INS). A combination of, for example GPS with inertial and visual navigation is therefore common in advanced systems.

Another problem is the power supply represents the currently available batteries are not yet sufficient to provide mobile augmented reality systems a long time. The availability of data, authoring and the high complexity of data can lead to problems. In order to make the embedding of the virtual scene as convincingly as possible to the real scene data are necessary to describe the environment in their geometry. Can be calculated Based on this then virtual sections drawn by real objects and the occlusion of virtual objects by real objects. However, this geometry data is not always available or current. The full integration of virtual objects into real scenes requires the hiding of background parts, so that the objects do not appear transparent. Systems that replace the direct line of sight completely by camera images ( EyeTap ) do not have this problem, but are unsuitable for many applications.

Social Aspects

Since apart buildings, monuments and other static objects with ever-improving hardware and software also people by face recognition, speech recognition or software identified the clothes could be recognized and integrated into applications for augmented reality is to be expected with far-reaching effects on society.

Research in German-speaking

• AVILUS (2008-2011)
• ImRoNet (2007-2009)
• DiFac (2006-2009)
• BayTOU (2004-2006)
• ForLog, ForLog (2004-2007)
• Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, Section of the Society for computer science
• ARVIKA and ARTESAS, BMBF projects (1999-2003 and 2004-2006)
• Augmented Reality in Medicine, Technical University of Berlin (English)
• Enhanced Reality, University of Koblenz -Landau
• Augmented Reality in Medicine and Industry, Technical University of Munich (English)
• Augmented Reality in Surgery, University of Karlsruhe ( TH)
• Augmented Reality in vehicle development, Heinz Nixdorf Institute Paderborn
• Mixed and Augmented Reality Solutions, Fraunhofer FIT, St. Augustin
• Spatial Augmented Reality, Bauhaus - University Weimar ( English)
• Collaborative Augmented Reality, TU Graz ( English)