A historical overview of AR-VR development and key milestones
Introduction
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have transformed our interaction with digital content, offering engaging experiences that merge the real and virtual realms. The advancement of AR-VR technology has been marked by several key achievements that have shaped the industry into what it is today.
Origins
The idea of virtual reality can be traced back to the mid-20th century. In the 1950s, Morton Heilig, a film director, imagined a theatre experience that engaged multiple senses, which resulted in the Sensorama in 1962. This device introduced a 3D experience through vibrations, scents, and stereo sound, setting the stage for further advancements in VR technology.
In 1968, computer scientist Ivan Sutherland, with his student Bob Sproull, introduced the first head-mounted display, called the “Sword of Damocles.” Although simple and heavy, this invention was a crucial step in the evolution of immersive VR technology.
The birth of Augmented Reality
Virtual reality (VR) completely envelops users in a digital world, while augmented reality (AR) projects digital content into the actual world. The phrase “augmented reality” was first used by Tom Caudell, a researcher at Boeing, in 1990. He defined AR as a technology that adds digital content to a real-world setting.
The initial practical application of AR was in 1992 when Louis Rosenberg at the U.S. Air Force’s Armstrong Laboratory introduced the Virtual Fixtures system. This system utilized robots to project digital information onto a person’s view of the real world, thereby improving their ability to perform tasks.
The 1990s and early 2000s were marked by significant progress in both AR and VR technologies. In 1992, the first commercially available VR device, the Virtuality, was launched by W Industries. This device provided a 3D gaming experience and was made available in arcades, thereby making VR more accessible to the general public.
During this time, the progress of AR technology was also notable. In 1999, Hirokazu Kato developed the ARToolKit, an open-source software library that facilitated the creation of AR applications. This toolkit made it possible to place virtual objects over real-world scenes using computer vision methods, thereby reducing the difficulty of developing AR applications.
The Mobile Revolution
The introduction of smartphones in the late 2000s triggered a major transformation in the development of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). With their advanced processors, high-definition screens, and in-built sensors, smartphones emerged as the perfect platforms for AR and VR applications.
In 2008, Wikitude introduced the initial AR application for mobile devices, utilizing the device’s camera and GPS to provide information based on the user’s location. This event signified the start of AR’s incorporation into daily mobile activities.
The introduction of Google Cardboard in 2014 opened up virtual reality (VR) to a broader group of people. This cost-effective VR gadget utilized a smartphone for its display and provided a simple entry point into the VR realm.
Conclusion
The development of AR and VR has advanced greatly since the initial phases of the Sensorama and the Sword of Damocles. With ongoing technological advancements and growing accessibility, AR and VR are set to play a crucial role in the future of digital interactions. As AR-VR Solutions become more embedded in our daily routines, the distinction between the physical and virtual worlds will become increasingly indistinct, opening up endless opportunities for engaging experiences.