Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information, sometimes across multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, hap-tic  and olfactory.

Augmented reality overlays digital content and information onto the physical world — as if they’re actually there with you, in your own space. AR opens up new ways for your devices to be helpful throughout your day by letting you experience digital content in the same way you experience the world. It lets you search things visually, simply by pointing your camera at them. It can put answers right where your questions are by overlaying visual, immersive content on top of your real world.

How Augmented Reality Works?

Augmented reality is the blending of interactive digital elements – like dazzling visual overlays, buzzy haptic feedback, or other sensory projections – into our real-world environments. If you experienced the hubbub of Pokemon Go, you witnessed augmented reality in action. This (once incredibly popular) mobile game allowed users to view the world around them through their smartphone cameras while projecting game items, including onscreen icons, score, and ever-elusive Pokemon creatures, as overlays that made them seem as if those items were right in your real-life neighborhood. The game’s design was so immersive that it sent millions of kids and adults alike walking (and absentmindedly stumbling) through their real-world backyards in search of virtual prizes.

The basic idea of augmented reality is to superimpose graphics, audio and other sensory enhancements over a real-world environment in real time. Sounds pretty simple. Besides, haven’t television networks been doing that with graphics for decades? However, augmented reality is more advanced than any technology you’ve seen in television broadcasts, although some new TV effects come close, such as RACEf/x and the super-imposed first down line on televised U.S. football games, both created by Sportvision. But these systems display graphics for only one point of view. Next-generation augmented-reality systems will display graphics for each viewer’s perspective.

Limitations of Augmented reality

Augmented reality still has some challenges to overcome. For instance, people may not want to rely on their smartphones, which often have small screens on which to superimpose information. For that reason, wearable devices like augmented-reality capable contact lenses and glasses will provide users with more convenient, expansive views of the world around them. Screen real estate will no longer be an issue. In the near future, you may be able to play a real-time strategy game on your computer, or you can invite a friend over, put on your AR glasses, and play on the tabletop in front of you.

The future of augmented reality

This doesn’t mean that phones and tablets will be the only venue for AR. Research continues apace on including AR functionality in contact lenses, and other wearable devices. The ultimate goal of augmented reality is to create a convenient and natural immersion, so there’s a sense that phones and tablets will get replaced, though it isn’t clear what those replacements will be. Even glasses might take on a new form, as “smart glasses” are developed for blind people.

Examples for Augmented Reality

1. US Army

The United States Army is giving soldiers improved situational awareness with the use of AR technology. The tech, called “Tactical Augmented Reality” (TAR), is essentially an eyepiece that helps soldiers precisely locate their positions as well as the locations of others—both friend and foe.

2. L’Oréal

L’Oréal partnered with Perfect Corp. to integrate the brand’s makeup collections into the YouCam Makeup app, a move that is challenging the way consumers have traditionally discovered, tried and bought beauty products.

What Is The Scope Of Augmented Reality In 2020?

If you are thinking about what is augmented reality’s role in the future, then it is simply radical improvements in augmented reality software and technology. So, how is it possible? Well, it is by the introduction of the gestural interface accompanied by sensory feedback which can simply fuse the physical word with a lot of digital information.

Some of the major technology trends augmented reality can bring in 2020 are:

1. 3-D visualization and mapping capabilities. This is in conjunction with the augmented reality software and technology which can assist in navigating places using situational awareness.
2. Screen-less future will easily become a reality. Since any wearable s will be ubiquitous, so any future surface will double up the screen.
3. Gestural interfaces are something that humans can use with their body language and actions to control technology. It will redefine the human-technology relationship which ultimately ushers into an omnipresent ‘sixth sense’.
4. Visualization of the data will end by becoming seamless. Since users can easily access the centralized data which is present on the go through wearable technologies. This will result in finding applications in law enforcement, human services, and emergency response.

What is augmented reality future? Well, it is really big and will easily be useful for various start-ups and technological giants. So, no doubt augmented reality is going to rule the tech world in the near future.