Future of Augmented Reality #2 - Defining Subsystems of AR

In our previous article we learned that the purpose of Augmented Reality is augmenting the human capabilities, with the best of technologies, in the context of our business operations. We also learned that AR will take us beyond our human limitations, enhancing us to go above what mankind has ever been capable of. This knowledge leads us to the natural question of how AR achieves that:

What are the ingredients of Augmented Reality?

Augmented Reality is composed of four fundamental technology areas. Combinations of these areas are present in any AR capable device such as wearable smart-glasses, mixed reality headsets or even a standard handheld mobile devices. These fundamental technology areas are combined in all of the above mentioned device types (albeit in varying configurations) to achieve the purpose of AR in augmenting human capabilities.

The four technological areas are:

• Display Devices (e.g. Vuzix M400 & RealWear HMT1 smart-displays, Epson Moverio & MagicLeap ML2 smart-glasses, Samsung Galaxy & Huawei P50 mobile devices, Varjo XR3 & Oculus Quest2 XR headsets…)
• Tracking Systems (e.g. Google ARCore, Apple ARKit, Valve SteamVR, or any combination of technologies such as LIDAR, image recognition, inertial measurement, GPS, eye tracking…)
• Interaction Metaphors (e.g. RealWear HMT1 & Vuzix M4000 voice commands, Microsoft Hololens2 & MagicLeap ML2 gesture controls, Samsung Galaxy & Xiaomi Pad5 touch screen...)
• Augmented Solutions (e.g. DCL Pointr industrial AR collaboration, Adobe Aero content viewer, Niantic PokemonGo game, Snap LensStudio camera filters…)

These four areas are combined in different configurations to create an capable AR system.

The ingredients of AR are display devices, tracking systems, interaction metaphors and augmented solutions as we know. This grouping is important for our next steps in learning about the differences and nuances between various type of commercially available AR systems. Most importantly this division guides us on how to select AR systems that serve our business needs. For this purpose we need to go through these technological realms individually and separately.

After we have investigated the ingredients, we will be able to calibrate our expectations for each of those technological groups versus reality. Only this way we can focus the value we can create by adopting the advantages of different technology group and their sub-types. We can then avoid the pitfalls of technicalities by not falling in love with specs but rather the purpose we want to serve.

In the next episode of this series we will be going through the first ingredient of Augmented Reality, the display devices. With the understanding of purpose and ingredients of AR under our belt, we can start diving deeper into each of the technical areas and see what is really important and what is just good-to-know. We will then be able to make knowledgeable decisions when adopting smart-glasses and standard mobile devices with AR capabilities for our business needs.

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