Current applications
Traditional e-commerce systems have reached a limitation that needs to be overcome, because they do not provide enough direct information for online shoppers, especially when they are shopping for products like furniture, clothing, shoes, jewellery and other decorative e-products. Therefore, I believe that AR would be the latest break through for a new era of e-commerce.
E-shopping
Online shopping has been in the trend for quite some time. But, problems such as items seen on the screen were not as expected. Therefore, with the use of AR, these problems can be solved. This technology has been used by some companies and is gaining quite a bit of positive response. Imagine you are shopping for clothes, what colors would suit you more? Try on the clothes while E-shopping was impossible in the past. But now, with AR applications, anyone can tryout the clothes without the real thing with you. The size and color would be the same. The only thing you can’t feel would be the texture of the cloth itself.
Advertising
In commerce, advertising is a point of decision of the success of a business. A successful advertising is more powerful than words, it’s a presentation of you product to the world. Therefore, a company can build up their strong brand name by promoting their products or introduce their products to the public that can create awareness to the public for their products. For example, The Wellington Zoo is a successful example of AR advertising. The advertising campaign led to a 32% increase in visitors to thee “Close Encounter” exhibit. The advertising has earned numerous awards and honors as well.
Future applications
The world is moving towards a new revolution. In no time, the age of computers would be over and comes a new era, the dawn of holograms, Augmented Reality. Computer screens would no longer be needed as the screen is brought into real life environment. Windows and icons would appear as virtual devices in real spaces by eye or gesture operated. The naked eye with an addition of camera device would show the person the world with a whole new prospective, the prospective of an augmented reality world.
The traditional screens would no longer be needed, along with the platforms of the computer. Only small pieces of devices which are compatible to be carried around in devices such as mobile phones would be needed. Such devices may one day be replaced by AR contact lenses as well to be fashion wise, yet compatibility and convenience. The view would no longer be what they were, but so much more add-ons with it. A historical monument would be tagged with the history of it in a dialogue box. All data would be without boundaries. The appearance of anyplace could be changed or replaced with a whole new panoramic view. Imagine, your bedroom usual wallpaper would no longer be dull, but with scenery of hilltops or in desert or just anywhere you please. With AR application, much more things such as virtual window dressing, posters, traffic sign, and advertisement towers can be improved.
All this will one day lead to virtual thingamajig. Any physical device currently produced to assist in data-oriented tasks such as the clock, radio, PC, PDA, PMP, informational posters, billboards, in-car navigation systems and so on could be replaced by virtual devices that cost nothing bits of devices such as a spectacle-like eyewear. The simplest example would be a virtual wall clock or a to-do list for the day beside your bed for you to look at first thing in the morning.
References:
http://books.google.com.my/books?id=N8deh8UXcGEC&pg=PA932&dq=human+computer+interaction:+interation+platform+and+technique&hl=en&ei=UWKxTIqOHomgvgPck5CABw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
http://books.google.com.my/books?id=2P91gPYr5KkC&printsec=frontcover&dq=developing+virtual+reality+applications&hl=en&ei=yWKxTLawHY7-vQPt1q2mBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
http://spectrum.ieee.org/
http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/17/solar-powered-augmented-contact-lenses-cover-your-eye-with-100s-of-leds/
Augmented reality has been a fascinating and exciting topic to discuss in the last few posts. Certainly the technology has come a long ways from its roots in virtual reality.
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