It might be interesting to know that augmented reality technology dates back to the 60s! In this article, we will discuss the history of Augmented Reality from the beginning of its formation to what we see from Augmented Reality today.
Augmented reality has come a long way, about 50 years, to become what we see today. A path that has created a revolution in the world of content and the way content is presented and consumed.
When was augmented reality invented?
Augmented Reality technology or abbreviated Ar was invented in 1968 by Ivan Sutherland with the design and development of the first head-mounted display system.
Of course, it should be noted that this technology called “augmented reality” was recognized in 1990 by Tim Caudell, a researcher at Boeing.
1968: The Sword of Damocles is invented by Ivan Sutherland
Harvard University professor Evan Sutherland, one of the most influential people in computer graphics history, created the first head-mounted display called The Sword of Damocles.
Through this system, in addition to experiencing and seeing the real objects of the surrounding environment, the user understands and feels a series of graphics produced by the computer as an added layer to the real images.
This event is not only the starting point of AR technology but also the starting point of VR technology.
1974: Video Place invented by Myron Kruger
Mr. Myron Kruger, a computer researcher and artist at the University of Connecticut created a laboratory called VideoPlace.
The Video Place device uses artificial reality in an amazing way.
This device, by using Projection and image processing and the exclusive imaging technology that was used in its construction, allowed the user to interact with digital content directly.
1990: Recognition of augmented reality
In 1990, Tome Caudell, one of the researchers of the Boeing company, turned this technology from a series of academic laboratory research into a respected technology.
In that year, he introduced this technology to the world under the name of Augmented Reality (abbreviated as Ar) and provided frameworks on how this technology works.
From this date onwards, the name of this augmented reality technology was practically recognized as a high-level and amazing technology.
1992: Creation of Virtual Fixtures by Louis Rosenburg
Louis Rosenberg, a US Air Force researcher at Armstrong Research Lab, developed Virtual Fixtures, which was actually one of the first augmented reality systems that actually worked!
This system allowed military personnel to virtually control military devices and machines and to do things like training American Air Force pilots for safer training.
This was the first place where the digital world was connected with the real world and we could control the virtual world from the real world.
1994: The entry of augmented reality into the entertainment industry
Writer and director Julie Martin brought augmented reality technology to the entertainment industry for the first time as a tool to make the stage more engaging and used it in CyberSpace Theater.
In this show, actors and acrobats danced next to completely virtual objects created with special lighting and displays, as if virtual objects were next to real actors.
1998: The use of the yellow line in the live broadcast of NFL games
sportsvision broadcasting company unveiled the first augmented graphics system in live sports broadcasts. Their technology displays a yellow line on the live image of the match, which indicates in real time where the football teams should move to get the first kick.
This system is still being used in various television networks, in football, volleyball, basketball, tennis and many other sports matches that are broadcasted on TV, they have become an integral part of the live broadcast of the matches for a better understanding of the viewers.
Followers of sports matches on TV are almost used to this additional information, and at the same time, many of them do not know that this is an example of augmented reality technology!
1999: NASA equips its spacecraft vision system with Ar
On this date, NASA developed an improved vision system for the X-38 spacecraft. This system provides vital and important information such as coordinates and maps to the spacecraft’s viewports in real time to increase the productivity of the astronauts.
NASA used augmented reality in this system to help create better transportation and navigation during its test and training flights.
2000: Creation of ARToolKit by Hirokazu Kato
The first augmented reality library for use by programmers and the creation of dedicated augmented reality applications was made publicly available as an open-source library by Hirokazu Kato in 2000.
This library allows other developers and programmers to design and implement their own customized augmented reality applications.
In ArToolKit, image and video processing technology is used to place digital content on different parts of the real world.
2009: The use of augmented reality in Esquire magazine
For the first time in the world, Esquire magazine used augmented reality technology in printing its products, to bring the pages of the magazine to life.
When the readers scanned the front page of the magazine through their mobile phones, famous actor Robert Downey appeared on the front page of the magazine and started talking to the readers.
2013: Creation of MARTA software by Volkswagen
For the first time, Volkswagen unveiled a software called MARTA. MARTA stands for Mobile Augmented Reality Technical Assistance, which means mobile augmented reality technical assistance.
This software provided technicians with training and step-by-step solutions for repairs and services in an interactive manner.
This use of Ar technology made a lot of noise because it showed that this technology can be used in many other industries to simplify the processes of assistance and after-sales services.
2014: Unveiling of Google Glass
Google unveiled its new product called Google Glass. An augmented reality glasses that the user could easily wear and create an attractive experience.
By wearing these glasses and voice commands, users controlled this device and could access software such as Google Maps, Gmail, etc.
This project is currently considered as one of Google’s failed projects, and there are several reasons for it, the most important of which is the excessive magnification that Google created in the advertisements for this product, in a situation where it is still only a test model for It was presented to the market.
2016: Microsoft's Hololens glasses
This year, Microsoft unveiled its augmented reality glasses called HoloLens.
This Microsoft product performs more advanced tasks than Google’s Eye and can be purchased from major online stores in the world right now.
The only problem with this product is its heavy price, which has caused many people to not have access to this product.
This glasses runs on Windows 10 and is basically a computer that is worn! These glasses allow users to scan the real environment around them and create their own AR experiences.
2016: Pokemon Go took the world by storm
2017: Ikea released its own augmented reality app
Ikea, which is one of the most prominent home appliance stores in the world, released its augmented reality application called Ikea Place in 2017 and completely changed the retail industry!
This application allows users to view a 3D model of that product close to reality in their space (for example, in the corner of the room, or in the middle of the reception area) using augmented reality before buying any product from Ikea and in a way Better decide to buy!
This action of Ikea caused many other online stores to start working and use augmented reality in the process of building trust and online sales.
Today: Augmented reality has become available to everyone
In today’s technology environment, augmented reality is easily accessible to everyone through mobile phones. It doesn’t matter if you have an Android or IOS mobile phone, you have definitely had the experience of using filters and effects of social networks such as Instagram and Snapchat.
Augmented reality has become an integral part of social networks today. In addition to these conditions, any website can also upload its own augmented reality web software, and any company can provide its own augmented reality software to its customers and audiences.
Ar technology is advancing at a significant speed towards becoming more advanced and floating us more and more in the digital world, and it should be expected that in the coming years, the augmented reality glasses of giant technology companies will be distributed and made available to everyone.