Augmented Reality

According to Dr. Pence, the term Augmented Reality is a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are improved by virtual computer-generated imagery. Augmented reality research explores this as a way to expand the real world. Professor Greenberg’s iPhone application showing the distance between our location and the mountainous areas close to us, and Dr. Pence’s illustration of the NFL’s “1st and 10” line are excellent examples of Augmented Reality. Mainstream media has taken to this new trend, and we are seeing Augmented Reality everywhere. Advertisers are using it to their advantage, artists are using it to evolve their work and take their art to the next level, surveyors and engineers are using it to simulate planned construction projects, and even educators are using it to keep their students engaged and interested in their studies. There is also free software that we can download to contribute to this trend. Dr. Pence’s discussion did not just end at technological advancements in GPS and cell phones though. Now our military has HUD technology that allows us to see miles ahead. He also pointed out that we are working on having an HUD planted on our eye just like a contact lens. Overall, Augmented Reality is already implemented in out everyday lives and over time, I believe that we continue to technologically advance and change the world that we live in.