The idea of augmented reality was first mooted as far back as in 1965, with Ivan Sutherland's now famous essay Augmented Reality: The Ultimate Display. In it, he said that "with appropriate programming… a display could literally be the Wonderland into which Alice walked," stating that digital handcuffs would be able to actually restrain users, and those shot by digital characters would be killed in real life ... His vision bears an uncanny resemblance to the Matrix!
Could this be used a means for data collection?
Could this be used as a means for data representation?
I've always been fascinated by computers and the shear complexity of what they do, produce and create. Its mind boggling how far computational technology has come along in the past 10 years opening avenues for BIM, social networking, a global community, the list is endless.
The likes of facebook, twitter and myspace have probably been the most touted recent advances within the computational world, generating platforms of interaction on a scale never before seen. But these technologies are as old now as they are new: what is going to be the next significant technological advancement? Could it be Augmented Reality?
It is defined as the following:
Augmented reality (AR) is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented bycomputer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is modified (possibly even diminished rather than augmented) by a computer. As a result, the technology functions by enhancing one’s current perception of reality. By contrast, virtual reality replaces the real world with a simulated one.
In simple terms its the overlaying of computer generated data into a real-world environment. Here are some videos showing its various uses...
Above: A video showing simple augmented reality with 'place recognition' for smartphones.
Above: Here the AR app uses the camera to recognize a pattern and superimposes a 3D object into the virtual / actual space (on the screen).
Above: AR used to advertise products.
The investigation into a virtual / real cross over could be a pretty interesting subject. What is real? What quantifies something as being real? How does one measure this? Is 'real' what we can sense, i.e. see, touch, hear, taste, smell? If a virtual world can produce and stimulate these sense's then the gap between the real and the virtual blurs. ARGHHGH it boggles my mind, but in conclusion I think I've worked out how to theoretically invent the Matrix...
my main experience of (good) AR is a friend of a friends diploma work at the Bartlett: http://www.keiichimatsuda.com/augmented.php
ReplyDeletehttp://www.keiichimatsuda.com/augmentedcity.php
Firstly, thanks for the comment, this chaps stuff is absolutely awesome! A great take on representing AR and what could be glimpses into a future world! I'm assuming the film is and I apologize for the use of the word, but sort of 'faking' AR? It is class... just interested in how he actually produced the film and the Augmented Reality effects.. After Effects? Really interested in his theory and position regarding synthetic spaces & digital information processing in the city. Will probably have to do a review of some sort on his masters work in the near future and pop it on this blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the comment!