AUGMENTED REALITY Guide -what you need to know- PART I
WHAT IS AR?
The first blog post of this AR article series is about the definition of Augmented Reality, as well as its differences to Virtual or Mixed Reality.
So, first of all- What is „Augmented Reality“? – Augmented Reality (or Enhanced Reality) is a technology that lays computer-generated images over a user’s view of the real world . In simple terms:
digital elements are added to your common point of view OR
virtual objects are anchored in real space
So AR „upgrades“ the existing reality through a computer based extension and modifies your cognition of reality, as well. The most typical or „most-known/used“ extensions of AR -so far- are little information boards, virtual signposts, videos or 3D objects –like the Pokémons of 2016 hyped game Pokémon Go!
Well, the next question is- What are the differences between „Augmented“, „Mixed“ and „Virtual Reality“? – Usually the poeple think that AR distinguishes from MR but as we see, Augmented Reality is kind of a „Mixed Reality“. In contrast to AR or MR, „Virtual Reality“ leaves out the dependance to actual reality – it is a fully computer generated simulation of new environments and worlds. Furthermore, the aspect of interacting with the animated objects or worlds is completely omitted.
So, let’s summarise:
VR – Virtual Reality – is a fully immersive experience // a computer generated simulation of new surroundings without interaction of the physical world around you
MR / AR – Mixed / Augmented Reality – is the integration of three-dimensional virtual objects, you can interact with, in real space
I just found a new vvvv made artwork, a virtual reality experience in the sense of contemporary dance, called DUST. It is working on a construction of movable 3D recordings reflecting dance moves or ballet performances.
They say this special experience of contemporary dance is not only building a deep emotional connection to humans’ origin, it sways the sense of time, space and movement, too. I think the following words of the two DUST-creators Mária Júdova and Andrej Boleslavsky express the potential and enrichment of this new „medium for contemporary dance“: