Emerging Technologies
Augmented Reality (AR)
Definition
Augmented Reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information, sometimes across multiple sensory modalities.
Why It Matters
AR overlays digital information onto the real world, providing a new way to interact with data and our surroundings. It has applications in gaming, retail, education, and industrial maintenance.
Contextual Example
The game Pokémon GO is a popular example of AR. It uses your phone's camera to display Pokémon in the real world as you see it on your screen. Another example is using an app to see how a new piece of furniture would look in your living room.
Common Misunderstandings
- AR enhances the real world; it does not replace it. This is the key difference from Virtual Reality (VR).
- AR can be experienced through smartphones, tablets, or specialized AR glasses.