AR and VR: The Future is Here

http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/21/7868251/microsoft
-hololens-hologram-hands-on-experience

Introduction

Initially, early man was left in this world to fend for himself. In the mission of survival, many changes and innovations were brought about. Over the years the factors which lead to change kept on changing but the rate of innovation only accelerated. In the 20th century people could only dream about having a TV, Radio, Calculator, etc.. in their pocket. This was made a reality in the beginning of the 21th century with the introduction of smartphones. Smartphones have changed our lives in many aspects. It is estimated that a major innovation is brought about within every 20 years. This leads us to an important question: What is the next big thing?

Smartphones have changed the way we communicate and get information. Many people believe that the next big thing will change what we perceive as reality. It should be able to let us go into a digital world where we can not only get spontaneous information but also experience various situations. Seeing potential in this world, many people started working on it. Their result: Virtual Reality(VR) and Augmented reality(AR).

Virtual Reality(VR)

Virtual reality refers to immersive multimedia which can expose the user to the virtual world and make him/her believe that that is the real environment.

It is made interactive by engaging all the senses of the user. So you could basically be the real-life Marvel hero, Tony Stark.

Picture this, a world with rockets, books, icecreams or even a choco land. Mouth watering isn't it? Well you could experience it right now. Just get yourself a google cardboard for ₹650 and you’ll be on your way.

http://www.popsci.com/google-cardboard

VR Headsets give us an experience of virtual reality. A lot of them are available in the market. As a beginner, you could get yourself a google cardboard for a very cheap price. For better performance you can consider Oculus rift, HTC Vive and Samsung Gear VR.

Uses of VR

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1523379957/
oculus-rift-step-into-the-game/posts/872324

Virtual reality lets you experience various things before we actually do it in the real world. Imagine playing a first person shooting game like call of duty directly on the battle ground. Imagine paying a visit to Paris while sitting at home. Imagine experiencing various emergency situations before they actually happen in reality. Intriguing isn’t it? Well, VR has turned all these dreams into a reality.

Virtual Reality takes you away from the real world and lets you interact with the virtual world. A few other people thought differently. They started working on what we call today, Augmented Reality(AR).

Augmented Reality(AR)

Augmented reality refers to the integration of digital information with the environment that we live in. It can be used to satisfy the ever growing thirst for information that we as humans have.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2416488,00.asp

http://www.newstatesman.com/sci-tech/2015/06/how-
microsofts-breakthrough-portable-
holographic-technology-could-make-science

Google glass and Microsoft Hololens are the best examples for augmented reality. Google glass provides a lot of information on the go. The Microsoft Hololens works a bit differently, It combines the elements of VR and AR. It displays the elements of the virtual world in our environment.

For more information on Microsoft Hololens, check out, http://kumaranhmd.blogspot.in/2015/02/the-microsoft-hololens.html

Future of AR

AR has a lot of potential as it can mobilise information easily to masses.

It can be used to make interactive user manuals with real time instructions, improve sightseeing by displaying information on just viewing the object, provide navigation by overlaying routes on the user’s plane of sight, play immersive games and help consumers to visualise products as a part of their environment.

Conclusion

The pace of technological evolution is high and it will only increase in the future. AR and VR are just one of the many technological innovations out there. But one thing is for certain, they are here to stay. We might one day live in a desired virtual world where all of us can live virtually anywhere in complete freedom. It also has the potential to make every object, surface and environment a portal to the digital world, full of information. That day is not far away. So let the virtual era begin!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09vxKN1zLNI