Augmented Reality and Geolocation Module Overview

Augmented Reality and Geolocation Intro Image

Introduction

Computing power continues to grow, as do the various types of data that are collected. For speed, how about this:

"The Apollo guidance computer that took early astronauts to the moon, for instance, has the processing power of 2 Nintendo Entertainment Systems, while the Cray-2 supercomputer from 1985—the fastest machine in the world for its time—roughly measures up to an iPhone 4."

The fastest computer in the world in 1985 is equivalent to the iPhone 4! And we talk about GPS all of the time, but those satellites didn't go up until 1978, and they were only made accessible to the public in 1996!

Because we have faster computers that so many people carry around, there is more opportunity to use sensors in these devices, detecting location, proximity, temperature, heart rate and so much more! This has created whole new ways to connect people to information. The most effective connection is the camera on smartphones, allowing people to "see" things based on other sensed information. This module is all about a concept called augmented reality, using sensory information to create a layer on top of reality. Enjoy learning about this cutting-edge technology!

Essential Questions

What is Augmented Reality (AR)?
What is Virtual Reality (VR)?
What situations are ideal for augmented reality?
What are some examples of augmented reality today?
How does a device sense things like location, direction, or images?
What are the key steps in developing an AR experience?
How do you create objects that can be used in AR?

Key Terms

Geolocation: The process or technique of identifying the geographical location of a person or device by means of digital information processed via the Internet.
Geofencing: A feature in a software program that uses the global positioning system (GPS) or other identification to define geographical boundaries.
Location-Based Services (LBS): Services offered through a mobile phone that take into account the device's geographical location. LBS typically provide information or entertainment.
Augment: Make something greater by adding to it.
Augmented Reality (AR): A technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user's view of the real world, thus providing a composite view.
Virtual Reality (VR): The computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors.
Gyro Sensor: Also known as angular rate sensors or angular velocity sensors, are devices that sense angular velocity. Frequently used in combination with GPS to determine direction.
GPS: GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System, is a radio navigation system that allows land, sea, and airborne users to determine their exact location, velocity, and time 24 hours a day, in all weather conditions, anywhere in the world.
Visual Input: Any type of image that can be seen, either by the human eye or by a device such as a camera.
Target Image: an image used in augmented reality to initiate the augmentation, or virtual images, to appear in front of the real world image via a device.

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