Learn about augmented reality and its applications, as well as about Meta's new Orion AR glasses and their potential for immersive experiences.
Even though we live in a rich, three-dimensional (3D) world full of data and information, most of the devices we use daily rely on a two-dimensional (2D) screen. As technology advances, however, this is slowly changing with the introduction of innovations like augmented reality (AR). AR is used to blend digital content, such as images, sounds, and data, with our real-world environment, making it more interactive and engaging.
Artificial intelligence (AI), especially computer vision, is a major driving force behind augmented reality. Vision AI makes it possible for AR devices to analyze and interpret their environment by detecting objects, tracking motion, and recognizing spatial features. In this article, we’ll explore how augmented reality works and its applications in fields like education, healthcare, and entertainment. We’ll also discuss recent breakthroughs like Meta’s new Orion augmented reality glasses that are making AR more accessible. Let’s get started!
Augmented reality adds digital elements, like images, videos, or 3D models, to the real world through devices such as smartphones, tablets, or AR glasses. For example, if you point your phone’s camera at an empty table, AR can make it look like there's a virtual coffee cup sitting on it. AR can enhance how we see our surroundings by blending computer-generated elements with what we see in real life.
In 1968, Ivan Sutherland, known as the "father of computer graphics," created the first AR head-mounted display at Harvard. Initially, AR was used in areas like aviation, the military, and industrial training. The first commercial use of AR appeared in 2008 with an interactive BMW Mini advertisement. By holding a printed magazine ad in front of a computer's camera, users could see a digital model of the car on their screen and control its movements, making it feel as if they were interacting with the car in real life. This opened the door for AR to enter industries like marketing, tourism, fashion, and entertainment. With popular gaming apps like Pokémon Go in 2016, the adoption of AR increased. The global augmented reality market is projected to reach around a staggering $2,804.82 billion by 2034.
Various technologies, including computer vision, sensors, and machine learning, work together to create immersive augmented reality experiences. Computer vision, in particular, forms the foundation of how digital content is easily integrated into real-world environments through AR. Here’s a closer look at the different ways computer vision contributes to AR:
For example, let’s say you’re using an AR app to view a digital sculpture in your living room. As you move your phone or AR headset, the computer vision system starts to recognize objects around the room, such as your sofa or coffee table, using object detection.
Simultaneously, SLAM technology maps the room's layout and tracks your device's position to make sure the sculpture stays fixed in one spot. As you walk closer, depth estimation helps the app adjust the sculpture's size, making it appear realistically positioned. If you wave your hand, gesture recognition can allow you to rotate or resize the sculpture. The app might also adapt the sculpture's lighting and shadows to match the room's lighting conditions, making it blend seamlessly into your living room.
AR is rapidly advancing and Meta recently announced its Orion AR glasses on September 25, 2024, at the Meta Connect 2024 event. According to Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, Orion is the most advanced AR glasses ever made, combining many cutting-edge features. They look like a regular pair of glasses but come with immersive AR capabilities, offering the largest field of view seen in AR glasses so far.
The glasses are lightweight, with a frame made from magnesium, similar to what’s used in F1 cars, and an advanced cooling system inspired by NASA satellites for comfort. They use a next-generation display made from custom silicon carbide, with tiny projectors that can create holograms of different depths and sizes right in front of you.
The Orion AR glasses come with options for voice controls, hand tracking, eye tracking, and a wristband interface that picks up electrical impulses from your muscles to control AR elements with subtle movements. The wristband acts as a neural interface, letting you interact with the glasses using simple gestures, making it a key part of the overall experience. The glasses also come with a small, pocket-sized processing puck that provides the computing power you need on the go.
What makes Orion stand out is its integration with Meta AI, a smart assistant that can recognize real-world objects and provide helpful insights. For example, if you look at a set of ingredients, Meta AI can suggest recipes. You can also turn any wall into a screen for watching videos, join holographic video calls, or play interactive games, making Orion an exciting step in AR experiences.
Wearable AR technology, like the Orion AR glasses or headsets, lets you experience augmented reality without needing to hold a device, unlike using a phone or tablet. Let’s walk through different applications where wearable AR is making a difference.
Many students are hands-on or visual learners, and augmented reality can help teachers create more interactive lessons. With wearable AR technology like headsets or smart glasses, teachers and students can engage with educational content in a more dynamic way that lets them learn anytime, anywhere.
These wearable devices are especially useful in remote areas because many AR applications can run offline or with minimal connectivity once the necessary data is downloaded. Developing countries are using wearable AR to provide quality education to students in need. In countries like Rwanda, Nigeria, and South Africa, wearable AR is helping educate students in remote areas, reaching over 500,000 students in Rwanda alone.
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The most popular application of AR is in gaming. The gaming industry is starting to recognize how AR glasses can make games more immersive and interactive. Players can see virtual elements in the real world through AR, making them feel like they're truly part of the game. For instance, players can explore and interact with their surroundings hands-free, making the experience feel more natural.
While AR gaming first became popular on mobile devices, like with Pokémon Go, where players used their phone cameras to catch Pokémon, the move to AR glasses is expected to make gaming even more engaging. Pokémon Go marks an important milestone because it showcased the potential of AR by reaching over 20 million active players in just 7 days.
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Thanks to augmented reality, doctors and medical professionals can access and study medical images in 3D. In fact, AR-enabled medical imaging tools can assist doctors in visualizing patient anatomy in a 3D environment. A more clear visualization can lead to more accurate diagnoses, improved surgical outcomes, and safer procedures.
AR can also help healthcare professionals offer more personalized and effective care by identifying the location and extent of diseases, planning surgical procedures, and providing patients with a better understanding of their conditions. For example, using AR headsets, surgeons can review a patient's vitals during a medical procedure without juggling multiple devices and display screens. By doing so, they are less likely to misread or misinterpret data.
Augmented reality is set to change how we interact with the digital world. By combining virtual elements with the real world, AR creates a more immersive experience than traditional screens. Meta's Orion AR glasses, with its advanced features, comfortable design, and AI capabilities, is a big step forward in AR technology. As AR becomes more common in our daily lives, we can expect the line between the physical and digital worlds to blur, leading to new possibilities for innovation and creativity.
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