In this article will explain what’s augmented reality.But first let us differentiate between those two pictures.

In the Past :(

There were no interfaces of any kind of virtual environments

In the present and future isA :)

you can see all these information while standing in this place and determine which place you want to go! For example: you want to go TAXIS , you knew it's location and it's 58 m apart from where you're standing.

That is an application based on AR (augmented reality)

so before defining what's AR , we will start with Virtual reality (VR) .

Virtual reality technologies immerse the user inside an unreal environment, so that while immersed , the user can't see the real world around him as seen in the above two pictures. So, we can say that virtual reality replaces the real world with a simulated ones .

In contrast , Augmented reality supplements reality rather than completely replacing it. It creates the illusion that the virtual and real objects coexist in the same place. so that, AR could be thought that the middle ground between virtual environment (completely synthetic) and real environment (completely real).

So, the motivation to implement applications based on augmented reality is that:

1) It enhances the user's understanding of interaction with the real world.

2) Virtual objects display information that the user cannot detect with his own senses.

3) The information transferred by the virtual objects help

Now, we can take a look on some powerful applications based on AR that helped in many fields.

1) surgeon X_ray Vision:

As a part of the collaboration in the surgical planning laboratory of Birigham and women's hospital, tools are being developed to support image guided surgery. Such tools will enable surgeons to visulaize internal structures through an automated cover of 3D reconstructions of internal anatomy on top of live video views of a patient.

2)Real-time stereo HMD display with Ultrasound volume display of needle inserted into the breast.

It's an optical electromagnetic tracking system which allows tracking of the instruments, radiologist head position and the transparent display in order to verify needle advice position.

3) Head UP guidance system:

The Rockwell Collins Head-up Guidance System provides you with enhanced situational awareness and energy management during all phases of flight.

4) Night Vision

The ability to see in nighttime conditions allows military maneuvers and a potential advantage to the forces equipped with this technology.

5) Entertainment application

This screen shot from the movie "who framed Roger Rabbit?" blending the real character and background with computer generated cartoons.

6) Second surface application

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paOa8Q8PLP0

It was an introduction on what's augmented reality, and I'll be very grateful if you left your feedback. Thanks :) written by: Rojena Tarek Ahmed, level 3 CS