Augmented Reality

Augmented reality is the integration of reality with computer generated environment to enhance or extend that final environment which the users percept. Augmented Reality is usually generated by combining Video of the “real world” with computer imaging.

Desktop computing is using a computer, which fits on a desktop, to aid a user to complete tasks such as word processing, Web surfing or the use of simple applications. Desktop computers have been relatively easily available for the last 12-15 years and the technology used has been developed immensely in the areas, which were used at the beginning. Very few new technologies have been integrated into the technologies used in the Desktop computer however. It has always revolved around the idea of a box unit containing all the components of the computer with the peripheral monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers.

Augmented Reality computing is an area which is showing the Computing Industry is trying to “think outside the box” and develop into new areas of technology.

Although, most Augmented Computing research is undertaken by academic facilities such as Universities in the world. The Wearable Computing Project is one example of this. This project is being undertaken by the Department of Computer Science at Darmstadt University.

The Wearable Computing Project is an example of Augmented Computing. It is an “intelligent” assistant, which is reported to assist the user in every day tasks. It takes the form of a pair of sunglasses, which “sees” and analyses the world from the first person perspective and recognises objects in the users view. It can then display other objects, which the user associates with the first object identified by the Wearable Computing Project.

This project underlines the adances which are being researched now. The Wearable Computing Project is a computational device which is completely wearable and therefore totally personal to the user/wearer. This is a huge step from traditional Desktop Computers.

Bibliography

Jog, N and Withrow, G (2003) Definitions, The Encyclopaedia of Virtual Environments [online] available from: http://www.hitl.washington.edu/scivw/EVE/index.html (4th May 2007)

Metromemetics (2005) The Lexicon of New Media Terms [online] available from: http://www.metromemetics.com/thelexicon/d.asp (4th May 2007)

Multimodal Interactive Systems Group (2005) Wearable Computing Project [online] Available from: http://www.mis.informatik.tu-darmstadt.de/Research/Projects/wearable (4th May 2007)

Wearable Computing (2003) What’s a wearable? [online] Available from: http://www.media.mit.edu/wearables/ (4^th May 2007)

Mobile Augmented Reality systems (2004)MARS [online] Available from: http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/graphics/projects/mars/ (4^th May 2007)

By Laurence Garton