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

Virtual reality and what its future?

Virtual reality is a technology that allows a user to interact in a simulated environment. This could be a real environment such as flying a plane or an imagined one such as a fantasy role.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality

Usability within these environments can vary from natural environment to anything the designer sees fit. For example when pilots use simulators they are presented with standard technology that would be identical to the real aircraft, if this were to differ this would not make it a reliable simulation environment.

I found a variety of information on the Internet relating the usability of virtual reality systems but they tend to ask for payment to read the publication. Such as: http://www.resna.org/ProfResources/Publications/ATJournal/Volume19/Volume19.1/VRDriving.php?quiz=quiz

What i find interesting about virtual reality is what could be done, the film the 'Matrix' depicts a world where everyone is strapped into a virtual reality, with the twist they believe its real and the users can feel pain, download information to their brain and break rules. Obviously the matrix is only a science fiction but science fiction can quite often shape the future.
The website - http://www.technovelgy.com/ looks at how science fiction has become reality.

The idea of 'plugging' out bodies into a computer to allow interaction with computers does sound very interesting but how viable actually is this? If it were possible could this be the ultimate Human computer interaction think pick up the apple and the application to accessibility could be extremely powerful.
An interview carried out with Dr Michio Kaku (http://www.mkaku.org/) professor of theoretical physics discusses the possible technologies used in the matrix and looks at where we are an how long it may take us to get there.

http://www.g4tv.com/screensavers/features/43489/The_Matrix_vs_Reality.html
Interestingly when discussing virtual reality and the possibility of reaching something like the matrix Dr Kaku, M introduces how complex the human anatomy is and the possibilities of interfacing with it.

"There are huge problems. It's extremely difficult to hook a computer into the brain. The wiring of the spinal cord is basically unknown. At best, on cats, we've been able to hook into their optic nerves, to see what a cat can see. And in blind people, we can stimulate a handful of pixels in their brain, but that's about it. The brain is still a black box. At best, scientists have, in stroke victims who are paralyzed, placed an electrode in their brain and connected it to a laptop so the paralyzed can move the cursor on the screen by sheer thought."

Kaku, M 2003

There are some very interesting prospects from the use of virtual reality especially if we extend this usage to incorporate using our own anatomy.

What do others think about the prospect of interacting with a n environment, 'matrix' style?

Gavin

More on ARQUAKE!!!!! and augmented reality

While I was delving deeper on ARQUAKE I came across the following article that speaks about the usability problems like the field of view only being 24º along with other issues like the illumination of the display
http://www.tinmith.net/papers/thomas-iwec-2002.pdf

I personally feel that augmented reality is the way ahead esp with the clip that you posted up gavs! I really liked the video…… shows a lot of info
Augmented reality is definitely going places with AR attempting to be implemented onto Phones and hand held devices like the source below shows
http://studierstube.icg.tu-graz.ac.at/handheld_ar/

Some potential future uses for AR can be seen from the following extract:

• Virtual conferences in 'holodeck' style
• Replacement of cellphone and car navigator screens: eye-dialing, insertion of information directly into the environment, e.g. guiding lines directly on the road, as well as enhancements like 'X-ray'-views
• Virtual plants, wallpapers, panoramic views, artwork, decorations, illumination etc., enhancing everyday life. For example, a virtual window could be displayed on a regular wall showing a live feed of a camera placed on the exterior of the building, thus allowing the user to effectually toggle a wall's transparency
Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality

I think that further possible uses in education will go along the lines as the following AR encyclopedia for schools

Taken from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHkUOpYNhoM

If your still wondering how far augmented reality has travelled over the last few years then take a look at the total immersion demo for 2007 below:

Taken from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Eycccww6k

Also if you have some time take a look at augmented reality in work in the following video

Taken from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKzZWxw7oJA

Post by Mustafa


p.s the post made on the 2nd May was also made by myself

So how will augmented reality work?

Augmented reality which takes the real world and adds information to it such as textual , imagery and graphics.
Presently technologies already exist for augmented reality systems, which include medical technologies, aviation head-up displays and gps systems plus many more.

From internet research it has been found their are several types of augmented being researched and designed. The first type is us head-mounted displays which are designed to be like standard glass but have the added benefit of averlaying visual information throug the unit. Another design is to have a system that overlays holographic imagery into reality.
Another example is to have mixture of the both which can currently be done as seen in the video below which explores the use of books which come to life. (Which I notice Neetan has used but does visualise how the concepts of augmented reality are becoming reality)


Lot of research does seem to be going into headset system which could have their benefit although it would seem more beneficial when the technology is much more ubiquitous such as being built into sun glasses or car windscreens.
A very practical use of the technology does look to be in books especially for children, with the use of augmented reality images can come alive and they can see how something work e.g. the water cycle or other complex processes that are better visualised.

Many important uses of augmented reality are just starting to develop and come to light and when holgraphic system and miniturised computing become much more available these types of systems can become reality.



Bonsor, K.,How Augmented Reality will really work, at http://www.howstuffworks.com/augmented-reality2.htm, [Accessed on 2nd May 2007]

EDUCAUSE, 2005, 7 things you should know about augmented reality, at http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7007.pdf, [Accessed on 3rd May 2007]

Gavin Lee

Augmented reality

what is Augmented reality??

well in simple terms, it is a research area which is growing. it is aimed to bring together both the real world and computer generated world together as shown in the video below



within this video shows on how could Augmented reality, can be used in the near future (according to them 2008).




here an example how it cam be used now on your mobile phone today



I personal like the thought of the last video on how it could be used, but then it will cause a problem that people who work in the Tour guide industy could be forced out of a job. But my worry for the use of this augmented reality is that will there be a different version lagnague for each tour?? i highly doubt!!!



Well i like the thought of how augmented reality could work in the future but i have a few questions such as accessiabiliy?

well what i mean by this is thati wear glasses due to my eye sight not being perfect with this vr glasses or helemts allow me to wear my glasses with comfort? or maybe it it might auto adjust itself (well i hope).

And another question here how old should be to start using this type of technology , well this might not b a 100% a hci thing but i am consred that young kids could be using this,i feel that if young childern are using this that they will find it hard to distinguish between the real world and VR world.


useful links to read
http://www.se.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/introduction.html#Section1.2

Neetan

Augmented Reality in Military

Military organizations have always been well donated and could spend big money on technology researches. Many of their ‘inventions’ were later adopted in everyday life. Best example is of course an Internet. Military was interested in use of augmenter reality for years. Many concepts have been already introduced in the air crafts and the vehicles. Those are using vision systems embedded in the windscreens or headgears which are providing information about surrounding. Starting with navigation systems, position of the friendly and enemy units up to enhancing view with infrared vision ore online image processing that allows to spot more details than human eye is able to.

As new technology enable building smaller and more portable devices Hughes Aerospace came up with idea of creating Augmented Reality based system for infantry troops. Land Warrior system was initiated in mid-1990s in USA. Nevertheless similar programs are being conveyed in other countries as well :IdZ (Germany), FIST (UK), Félin (France), Land 125 (Australia), MARKUS (Sweden), IMESS (Switzerland) and ACMS (Singapore).

Land Warrior programs has been cancelled in the 2007 and all the technology achievements are moved to the new Future Force Warrior program.
More about this programs may be found here:
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/land-warrior.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Force_Warrior

Here is the video from Discovery Channel presenting what this system is capable of at the moment:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mE3nPPpTOHw


Capabilities

The goal of the program was to equip soldier with a system connected to a high speed network enabling him to communicate with other team members as well as command center. This way every soldier is working as a sensor and updates data from battlefield for all the others. By now soldiers are being to access the data through the headgear providing him with maps, navigation system, vision and hearing enhancement, sharing view with other team members. Vision may be improved by using night vision or infrared thermal vision as well as image processing which allows to spot enemy units quicker. Soldiers are equipped with a cameras installed on their rifles so they are able to observe battlefield without exposing themselves.

Limitations

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find some pretty interesting facts about user interface solutions in the situations were both hands are engaged with operating rifle. Weather it uses eye tracking or voice commands. The other aspect is how long the system may operate using batteries some sources says that battery last for up to 12 hours [http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/4215725.html].
Another important issue is weight of the system. In one of the sources I’ve found that overall weight is 86 pounds (including all equipment). Which is suppose to be equivalent of weight of average soldiers equipment. Was not able to find weight of system itself.
Soldiers may communicate between themselves in some range, nevertheless it is almost impossible to provide internet access on the battlefield right now.

To sum up this part:
"It's just a bunch of stuff we don't use, taking the place of useful stuff like guns," says Sgt. James Young, who leads a team of four M-240 machine-gunners perched on a balcony during this training exercise at Fort Lewis, Wash. "It makes you a slower, heavier target."
['The Army's New Land Warrior Gear: Why Soldiers Don't Like It': http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/4215715.html]

Disadvantages of the system are still bigger than advantages.

What may be transferred to civil use

There is still long way before this technology become usable in the army. The same applies to the civil use. Nobody is willing to carry extra kilograms on his back. Other aspects like user interface need to be resolved. However there are some projects of devices for tourists providing them with navigation systems. The other are some digital organizers which will be able to provide users with contacts, their schedule etc. even recognition of faces to remind who are the people they are meeting on the street (you will always remember a name :-)

Bibliography

http://radio.weblogs.com/0114726/2003/01/28.html
http://www.se.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/introduction.html#Section1.2.3
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/augmented-reality5.htm
http://www.ait.nrl.navy.mil/3dvmel/papers/cp_IITSEC02.pdf

Posted by
Tomasz Pakula

Where are we going with 3D Interaction?

3D Interaction (Virtual Reality / Augmented reality)

Definitions:

Augmented reality (AR) is a field of computer research which deals with the combination of real world and computer generated data. At present, most AR research is concerned with the use of live video imagery which is digitally processed and "augmented" by the addition of computer generated graphics. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality

Virtual reality (abbreviated VR) describes an environment that is simulated by a computer. Most virtual reality environments are primarily visual experiences, displayed either on a computer screen or through special stereoscopic goggles, but some simulations include additional sensory information, such as sound through speakers.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality

Research:

Right the link below is showing the latest technology developments that had occurred in the 2007 exhibition the clip has been taken from CNET news:

http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9682732-2.html?tag=blog

As you can tell this type of technology has a lot of possibilities one of the uses that this type of technology has been used for is by the students at the university of Harvard whereby they implemented augmented reality to teach students math and literacy skills.

“The project involves teams of students gathering data on handheld computers to explain why aliens have landed, and in the process students "interview" virtual characters they encounter at certain GPS hot spots”

Source: http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStory.cfm?ArticleID=6817

Virtual reality has been around for a while so this technology has time to develop, not develop to the extent that it cannot be improved no more, but a lot of sectors in the industry have started to make use of them like architecture, tourism, flight and medical industry. This technology could be made use of for any number of possible reasons like to train a pilot to fly, to teach a medical student on how to perform life saving surgery or even creating a virtual demonstration of possible architecture projects like those shown in the following link: http://www.cs.unc.edu/~walk/.

In personal opinion one of the most exciting development for quake and 3D environments has been made by the group ARQUAKE over at http://wearables.unisa.edu.au/projects/ARQuake/www/index.html

This group has implemented the idea of augmented reality and a popular gaming environment into one to create a real life immersion experience for the participants.

There is a lot occurring in the field of 3d development for different reasons among the numerous fields that are implementing or attempting to make use of this technology.

Please feel free to express further opinions or shed further light on these areas if you want to.

Bibliography:

Experiencing 3D Interactions in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality [online] available from:

http://homepages.cwi.nl/~robertl/papers/2004/eusai/paper.pdf