AR a technology that allows us to experience and interact with virtual elements in real world situations. It encompasses 3D visual, auditory, and other sensory perceptions and adds them to real world environments in real time.
Developed by Louis Rosenberg with his “Virtual Fixtures” (Rosenberg, 1993) system in 1992, AR first came to the forefront through gaming. AR applications now exist in the commercial field through Retail, Training & Education, Medicine, Engineering, Museums and many more fields.
Nike developed and AR App for IOS and Android, Nike Fit, that lets you determine your shoe size before ordering your shoes online. (Wehner, 2019).
Other examples of AR are being produced by companies like INDE ( www.indestry.com) who are creating glasses free AR solutions for Product marketing, Museums and Entertainment.
Casa Battló Barcelona
In March of 2021, I visited Gaudi’s Casa Batlló in Barcelona and received a preview of their new AR and multimedia tour. Designed and built as an accommodation for the Batlló family, this historic building is now a museum. (Wikipedia, 2021). The curator wanted to make the building more interesting for younger audiences.
With the use of AR, the visual artist has incorporated and brought to life many of the famous dragons, amongst other elements, that are found in Gaudi’s masterpieces throughout the city.
These are just some real examples of AR and how it can enhance how people perceive existing experiences in new ways.
References
Rosenberg, L. (1993). Optical Tools for Manufacturing and Advanced Automation. Telemanipulator Technology and Space Telerobotics. Boston: DOI.org.
Wehner, M. (2019, May 11). Nike’s app will use augmented reality to determine your shoe size. Retrieved from Yahoo News: https://news.yahoo.com/nike-app-augmented-reality-determine-130148925.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHcn5Xld3I_joHseqDP_BysYMih0engH8SzpbzwJqRG3vzyAgrFaq-xr0Meh8ODXSM0w8iY0cqTgfa0MWuFJm4X73wLLByl-SzFx7m
Wikipedia. (2021, April 6). wikipedia.org. Retrieved from Casa Batllo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Batll%C3%B3
Larkin, D. (2018, July 30). Hunting for Dragons in Antoni Gaudí’s Barcelona Masterpieces. Retrieved from Hyperallergic.com: https://hyperallergic.com/442730/hunting-for-dragons-in-antoni-gaudis-barcelona-masterpieces/