Augmented Reality And Tactile Virtual Objects

Augmented reality, as the term suggests, typically refers to “adding” elements into a live-view of a physical environment via computer-generated imagery. However, a PhD student from the University of Calabria in Rende, Italy, has found a way to delete obtrusive elements and make them transparent using augmented reality itself.

In researching visuo-haptic applications that add the ability to see and touch virtual objects in a real scene, Francesco Cosco proposes a “novel mixed reality paradigm” that introduces the possibility of touching and seeing virtual objects in combination with a real scene, but without visual obtrusion produced by the haptic device.

See the full article with video HERE

How Augmented Reality will rock your world

Sponsored: even better than the real thing

This demonstration from Microsoft Research shows virtual Post-It notes, which are only visible inside an Augmented Reality application

This is a sponsored article in association with Microsoft.

Reality's been around for an awfully long time, but it's still missing some key features. We can't travel through time, or read other people's minds, or see through other people's eyes. Wouldn't it be great if we could?

If you answered "yes", you're going to love Augmented Reality.

Augmented Reality, or AR for short, is a simple idea: you take the real world and stick data on top of it.

That could be useful data, such as where the nearest cash machine, tube station or decent coffee shop is, or it could be interesting data, such as people's photographs of a particular tourist trap or additional information about a local landmark. It promises the best of both worlds, Reality 2.0, and you can try it right now.

Read the full article HERE

Mobile Augmented Reality: Learn Anything About Anywhere?

SAN FRANCISCO—The summer travel season may be almost over, but there's always next year. And by the time 2011 rolls around, you may have all the information you need about anywhere you want to go within easy reach: your cell phone. At IDF 2010 here, Intel is demonstrating a technology called Mobile Augmented Reality that harnesses the power of the Internet and its users to put you in the know about anything, anywhere.

Read the full article HERE

Who Wants More Reality?

Sometimes when new technology is introduced, you get a glimpse of the future. The iPad was like that for me. Now Samsung is introducing the Galaxy Tab (tablet) on September 2. This time, the glimpse of the future comes from their marketing pitch not their product. The top item the Galaxy Tab offers those who want “more”? Augmented reality.

Samsung's Galaxy is an interesting and slick entrant in the tablet field. Size-wise, it's halfway between the size of a cell phone and an iPad with a screen big enough to see things without squinting. (I’ve heard the iPad called an iPhone for old people.) Personally, I really didn't expect to like the iPad as much as I do, but I carry it everywhere. It's pretty hard to be an Apple-killer these days, but Samsung got a couple of things right that Apple missed in the first generation: the camera/video function.

Read the full article HERE

TfL app adds augmented reality

by Dawinderpal Sahota | computing.co.uk

The official Transport for London London Tube app for the iPhone now has an integrated augmented reality function, which locates local points of interest on a map.

Users see a virtual street scene, similar to Google Street View, but with flags marking points of interest.

The new databases offer national information on places to buy food and drink, leisure facilities and attractions, and accommodation across the UK.

The augmented reality functionality is only available on the iOS4 operating system – which runs on iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4.

Each point-of-interest database is available as an in-app download costing 59 pence per category.

The app already directs users to tube stations and bus stops, but has now been updated to offer information on London Cycle Hire docking stations as well.