Digitally modifying the physical world sounds like sci-fi, but such technologies have been steadily tiptoeing into our world.
3D projection on a building
Interactive projection at the London Aquarium
AR (Augmented Reality)
AR is a term for a "live direct or indirect view of a real-world environment where the "physical" real-wold elements are modified by computer-generated input," overlapping the physical with virtual elements. Fancy as it sounds, AR is already commonplace in sports telecasting (ex: the yellow "firstdown" line in football broadcasts). AR tech is already in use and available on iPhone apps, and webcam-interactive greeting cards and magazines.
The ARToolKit program uses a black square emblem as a tracking cue:
Virtual furniture?
Mini tanks!
Of course, current AR visuals can only be seen on the digital screen, but it might not be long before new technology will enable people to directly see and interact with AR in physical space without the aid of a digital screen, adding a new dynamic plane to daily life (ex: virtual public displays instead of physical signs, interactive advertisement, "real-life" subtitles and translation).
No comments:
Post a Comment