AIExplainer
Machine Learning Intermediate 2 min read

What is augmented reality?

A technology that combines digital information with the real world

Augmented reality is a way to add digital information, like images, videos, or sounds, to the real world using a device like a smartphone or special glasses. It makes it seem like the digital information is really there in front of you.

Imagine you're looking at a map, but instead of just seeing streets and buildings, you also see the names of restaurants, shops, and other points of interest floating above them. That's kind of like what augmented reality does, but instead of just looking at a map, you're looking at the real world.

A popular example of augmented reality is the game Pokémon Go, where players use their smartphones to catch virtual Pokémon that appear in the real world.

Augmented reality is used in things like video games, education, and even shopping. For example, you can use a smartphone app to see how a piece of furniture would look in your living room before you buy it.

Some people think that augmented reality is the same as virtual reality, but it's not. Virtual reality creates a completely digital world, while augmented reality adds digital information to the real world.

The concept of augmented reality has been around since the 1960s, but it wasn't until the 2010s that it started to become popular with the development of smartphones and other mobile devices.

mixed reality hybrid reality enhanced reality

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