Introduction to Pokémon GO and Augmented Reality
Pokémon GO, the brand new augmented reality (AR) app from Niantic Labs, has taken the world by storm, dominating conversations, social media, and headlines globally. The GPS-enabled game for Android and Apple smartphones is predicated on the Nintendo Pokémon characters, where players seek for Pokémon in semi-random physical locations. When a Pokémon is found, the phone’s camera is activated, showing the Pokémon in the actual world.
What is Augmented Reality?
Augmented reality (AR) is a computer-aided technique to enhance the physical world by inserting computer-generated information right into a real scene. This is finished by streaming video of the world right into a device after which inserting computer-synthesized imagery into those channels in real-time for interactive viewing. AR is utilized in various applications, including museum exhibits, automatic sign translation, interactive games, mapping, defect evaluation, artistic tools, and see-through displays on cars.
How Does Augmented Reality Work?
The fundamental technology needed for AR is the power to acknowledge a user’s movement and the position and direction of the camera. This information comes from accelerometers and position sensors, that are also utilized in fitness applications to trace distance and speed. Image processing, computer vision, and AR are used to acknowledge objects or basic geometry within the incoming video stream. Then, computer graphics generate synthetic images, comparable to signs or Pokémon characters, and mix them into the video stream before it appears on the viewer’s screen.
The Rise of Pokémon GO
Augmented reality apps have been around for several years, but Pokémon GO has suddenly turn out to be incredibly popular. This is resulting from a mixture of nostalgic characters, easy graphics, a comparatively low need for accuracy, mobility, and community. The popularity of Pokémon GO is predicted to be good for AR overall, because it introduces people to the concept and showcases its potential.
Serious Uses for Augmented Reality
While Pokémon GO is an entertainment app, AR has many serious uses. For example, BMW’s Mini augmented glasses use AR to supply drivers with essential information. Austere AR applications are being developed for defect evaluation in cars or boats and for 3D/AR training. Companies like NGrain are working on AR solutions for various industries.
Augmented Reality Research at U of T
Researchers on the University of Toronto, comparable to Karan Singh and Steve Mann, are working on AR and virtual reality (VR) projects. Steve Mann, considered one in all the pioneers of AR, has been working on mobile, portable, and wearable AR for 42 years. His work has focused on helping people see and understand their world through AR.
The Future of Augmented Reality
The success of Pokémon GO is predicted to extend awareness of AR and its potential. However, the present state of AR development goes beyond what’s implemented in games like Pokémon GO. The way forward for AR lies in technologies like Digital Eye Glass, comparable to EyeTap or Metavision, which represent a more advanced and integrated type of AR.
Conclusion
Pokémon GO has brought augmented reality into the mainstream, introducing people to the concept and its potential. While AR has many serious uses, its popularity is predicted to steer to further development and innovation in the sector. As technology continues to advance, we will expect to see more integrated and advanced types of AR, comparable to Digital Eye Glass, which is able to change the best way we interact with the world. The way forward for AR is exciting, and it would be interesting to see the way it develops and becomes a component of our every day lives.
