Brief History of Augmented Reality and Its Application

 Augmented Reality (AR) could be a term used to identify a group of technologies that permits the view of the real-world environment to be "augmented" by computer-generated elements or objects. More specifically, AR describes a mediated reality, where the perception of the physical real-world environment is heightened by means of computing devices. Compared to virtual reality (VR), is a set of technologies that allow the user to interact with a computer in an exceedingly simulated environment (either a simulation of the real world or an imaginary world), where AR does not aim to interchange the real world with a simulated one and is consequently often classified as a Mixed Reality (MR) system. MR could be a mixture of reality and VR, incorporating both AR and augmented virtuality through immersive technology (Bottani & Vignali, 2018).

Over the last 50 years, augmented reality technology has reshaped the way people consume content in the real world. This technology was invented in 1968 by the development of Ivan Sutherland regarding the first head-mounted display system. However, the term we know as 'augmented reality' was not popularized until 1990 by Tim Caudell, a Boeing researcher (Poetker, 2020). 

AR technology historical timeline

The development of augmented reality (AR) applications lately can be credited to solutions that allow consumers to envision products and imagine what it may feel like to own the product or experience the service before really buying it. As augmented technology turns out to be more modern and the cost-sparing and business application expand, the demand and investment in AR will increment (Marr, 2018). In 2017, ARKit was launched by Apple and Google released ARCore for Android. Both powerful tools for developers to create AR apps. It is anticipated that there will be 1 billion augmented reality users by 2020. 

Augmented reality will develop in line with mobile technologies, for example, more phone apps that provide additional information to enhance what is already there. Another popular area where augmented reality is marking its mark would be computer games, including mobile games. Currently, there is various selection of games for Mac, PC, and various consoles such as Sony and PlayStation. 

According to the Virtual Reality Society, there would be a more vast application where this technology could be used:

• Medicine, e.g. anatomy training for medical students
• Fine Art, e.g. as part of a mixed media artwork
• Military, e.g. provide locations of enemy positions
• Sales and marketing, e.g. used to promote a new product
• Industry, e.g. help with prototyping (engineering)
• Teaching, e.g. explore aspects of an ancient civilisation as part of a history lesson
• Safety, e.g. used as part of a road safety campaign.

References

Bottani, E., & Vignali, G. (2018). Augmented reality technology in the manufacturing industry: A review of the last decade. Retrieved 23 September 2020, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24725854.2018.1493244

Marr, B. (2018). 9 Powerful Real-World Applications Of Augmented Reality (AR) Today. Retrieved 23 September 2020, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2018/07/30/9-powerful-real-world-applications-of-augmented-reality-ar-today/#26275f482fe9

Poetker, B. (2020). A Brief History of Augmented Reality (+Future Trends & Impact). Retrieved 23 September 2020, from https://learn.g2.com/history-of-augmented-reality