What is augmented reality and what is its impact on Industry 4.0?

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that combines virtual elements in a real environment. This is accomplished through screens and projections that form a wide range set.

Both augmented reality and virtual reality are technologies that are here to stay and are getting closer to us. They also tend to be responsible for improving customer experiences.

Are you interested in discovering the mysteries of this world? So, come with us and learn the subject through the following topics:

• What is augmented reality?
• Augmented Reality Experiences;
• Increased Reality in Industry 4.0;
• What is Virtual Reality?
• What to expect for the future?

What is augmented reality?

Augmented reality is a technology that allows the combination or the insertion of virtual elements in the physical environment.

This insertion is done in real-time through small screens arranged close to the user's eye. It is responsible for providing an experience of digital content in the physical world.

One of the great examples of augmented reality is Google Glass, a type of glasses that projects images into a prism.

This image is reflected in our retina and overlaps the environment. This creates a mixture between the two worlds, overlaying digital and real content.

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Augmented Reality Experiences

You may think that augmented reality is a new technology, but it is not.

Augmented Reality (AR) experiences began in 1968 with Ivan Sutherland's software development called Head Mounted Display (HMD). This device had a small screen on the front and was used as a helmet.

However, the concept of augmented reality started to be used only in the 90s.

Nowadays, augmented reality technology has evolved widely and spread in several areas. Its applications are unlimited and can be used in all areas, limiting the imagination.

The most common AR applications are seen in games such as Pokémon Go, available in app stores. In these AR apps, the gamer uses the phone to go hunting for pokémons (monsters) through the streets of the city.

Augmented Reality in Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 is based on the Internet Of Things (IoT), Big Data and cyber security. These processes are connected allowing instant data acquisition and real-time decision making.

In augmented reality, it is possible to do three dimensional (3D) simulations of a process before its actual execution. This enables team training and early detection of failures, turning on heads up display and correcting them even before they happen.

Augmented reality is also used in the area of ​​maintenance and inspection. The tutorials arise in an interactive way helping the user in the steps to perform the maintenance of the machines.

What is virtual reality?

Virtual reality is an isolated environment created by a computer, where the user interacts with this new dimension. This one is totally digital and does not mix with the real world.

One example is the Oculus Rift, a virtual reality device for electronic games. The user is immersed in a dimension generated by computers. Some games that use it are Project Cars, Adr1ft, Chronos and The Climb.

It is also mentioned in several movies, such as Player number 1, Tron: Legacy and Matrix.

What happens when I combine these two realities?

Mixed reality happens when the virtual universe blends the real one. Therefore, the user can interact with the elements of the two dimensions.

This technology is still in development and maturation, but it has great potential and is likely to lead to breakthroughs.

One device that has this technology today is the HoloLens. The person uses glasses with cameras and integrated sensors to scan the place and project virtual objects in the real world.

What to expect for the future?

We have high expectations for the future of augmented reality. However, it is seen as a combination with virtual reality: mixed reality.

Currently, the costs are not very attractive. Meanwhile, the price tends to decrease, with the passage of time and the progress of research. Similar to what happened with mobile devices.

To imagine how mixed reality can come in the future, we have the movie Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale. It presents a device called Augma.

The Augma is a device with a headphone format that fits around one of the user's ears. A part is equipped with a lens that allows projecting images directly into the retina of the users. Another one is equipped with a matrix that establishes a connection with the user's brain, in the back of the head.

This device communicates with drones that fly over the city, which are equipped with sensors that scan the location. Therefore, they allow the device to visually alter the designof the environment, as well as insert other digital characters.

What's up? Ready to enter this new reality?

Increasingly, augmented reality and virtual reality are mingling with our real environment. This tends to become more common over the years. Likely, physical objects like mice and keyboards will no longer exist.

So it's good to be up to date! So, you do not fall behind in this new technological age that is already knocking at our door.

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