Augmented Reality is NOT Virtual Reality

Salam All,

How is it, with the title? Mengancam sikit kan. Now is 1318, Msian time. It means, lunch time. I had a late breakfast which I don't think I can eat anything now.

Tired with reading an article on Augmented Reality - I think I need a break. So, that is the reason why the title sound soooooo .... academic.

What is AR (AR is the acronym used to represent Augmented Reality)? Literally, augment means .. (taken from Merriam Webster Online Dictionary):

AUGMENT

1. to make greater, more numerous, or more intense augmented by its timing
2. to add an augment

AR is not VR. AR is a supplement to a real environment. A web definition of AR from Wikipedia gives ...

Augmented reality (AR) is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input, such as sound or graphics. 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 AR, the computer will detect a marker created by human and the computer will then augment the environment with either sound or graphics. An example of an AR application done by a student under the supervision of Dr Fakhrul recently was a storybook that embeds the AR technique. In this application, the element in the story will act as a marker. A camera will detect the marker an augment the environment with additional 3D graphics on screen. It was an immature project as this is a first attempt. As this area is relatively new (begin in 1990s), many more things can be ventured into. I am also currently looking into this area for my storytelling project.

Glad to share ...