Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information—such as images, sounds, text, or other data—onto the real-world environment, enhancing one's perception of reality. Unlike virtual reality, which creates a fully artificial environment, AR integrates and superimposes new information on top of the existing environment, allowing users to interact with both the real world and the virtual augmentations seamlessly.
AR can be experienced through devices such as smartphones, tablets, AR glasses, and head-mounted displays. In the context of AI/ML, AR systems often leverage machine learning algorithms for tasks such as image recognition, object tracking, and spatial mapping to accurately integrate virtual content with the physical world in real-time.
In retail, AR can be used to create virtual fitting rooms where customers can "try on" clothes without physically wearing them. Using a smartphone or AR mirror, customers can see themselves with the virtual clothes superimposed on their real image, helping them make purchasing decisions without the need for physical fitting rooms.
Another example is in education and training, where AR can superimpose detailed 3D models and information onto physical objects. For instance, medical students can use AR to visualize anatomical structures superimposed on a real human body, providing a more interactive and immersive learning experience. Similarly, in maintenance and repair tasks, technicians can use AR glasses to see step-by-step instructions and diagrams overlaid on the equipment they are fixing, allowing for hands-free operation and reducing errors.
These applications demonstrate how AR, combined with AI/ML, can enhance our interaction with the real world by providing contextual, relevant, and interactive digital information.