Practical Augmented Reality ─ A Guide to the Technologies, Applications, and Human Factors for AR and VR

A comprehensive exploration of the state-of-the-art enabling technologies and applications of wearable computing systems. The mechanics of sight, hearing and touch are explained along with how their range of performance directly relates to the design and application of wearable displays, 3-D audio and tactile/force feedback devices. Emphasis is placed the latest commercially available displays, sensors and DIY trends driving the broad increase in awareness and interest in the field.

"Augmented Reality" refers to see-through computer displays that overlay graphics and information onto your real-world view. Some of these displays look like regular glasses. "Virtual Reality" refers to new computer displays that cover the user's eyes and provide the visual sensation of actual presence inside of a computer-generated, 3-D world. The user is able to look left, right, up, down and to move

through the computer-generated world in a manner similar the real world.

These new technologies are extremely important and growing in popularity as they make computer games far more realistic, solve visualization problems in fields ranging from aerospace to medicine, and as well as increase data understanding in science and engineering applications.

This book is in-depth guide to understanding the technologies and applications of augmented and virtual reality systems and wearable computing devices. The mechanics of sight, hearing and touch are explained, as well as how their mechanisms and range of performance directly dictates the design and use of these revolutionary man-machine interfaces.

Numerous case studies of real-world applications are provided from such fields as gaming and

entertainment, engineering and design, aerospace and defense, medicine, and architecture.

This book covers:

• The mechanics of our senses of sight, hearing and touch.
• Head-mounted diplays, 3-D audio solutions and tactile/force feedback devices.
• Human factors considerations, legal implications of the new technologies as well as a look at potential
• societal impact.

Steve Aukstakalnis is a former research scientist and Director of the Virtual Environment and Interactive Systems Program at the National Science Foundation's Engineering Research Center for Computational Field Simulation. There, his work focused on the application of advanced visual displays and interactive techniques in such areas as architecture, engineering, scientific visualization and national defense. He has served on the research staff at the University of Washington as well as the faculty of Mississippi State University. Steve has served an invited lecturer, instructor and researcher on the topic of virtual reality and advanced visual simulation for such organizations as the Dept. of Defense, U.S. Army, Naval Oceanographic Office, Nat'l Reconnaissance Office, University of Michigan, Pepperdine University, Purdue, Dartmouth, Nat'l Taiwan University, the Smithsonian Institution and a host of other universities, corporations and government agencies across N. America and around the world.