Just recently during an interesting conversation, the discussion turned to Augmented Reality and whether it actually has a valid place in interactive media or is it just another gimmick.
I have done a fair amount of work in this area, using both the ARToolKit and also with the Flash AS3 libraries that track fiducial markers and render 3D AR. However throughout all my demonstrations and applications, I've struggled to find any real application beyond the obvious "WOW" factor that comes with demonstrating this technology.
Over recent months I've seen a marked increase in the number of projects that have undertaken using AR, and although some really cool stuff….how practical is it really for end users?
Home Depot interactive 3D gift card
The main barrier to entry for technology such as this, is the way that we expect our customers to interact with us. They must have a webcam, which although becoming increasingly commonplace in newer laptops, we can't assume this for all home users. They must also have a printer to print the marker, which besides from the usual not so environmentally friendly message, is another assumption we have to make if we want to get a product in front of a customer.
James Cameron’s Avatar Toys Augmented Reality Demo
The Avatar demo above, is what I feel the current best use is for the technology at the moment, through an immersive and interactive experience, that clients can interact with live in a controlled environment, where the technology and quality expectations can be raised significantly higher than for the home user.
So is it just another marketing gimmick? Or are we looking at the next evolution in how we interact with our clients and customers?
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