Augmented Reality Architecture App by the NAI

Developed by Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAI) in partnership with IN10 Communicatie and Layar, Sara is the world’s first augmented reality architecture application. Users of the technology simply hold up their smartphone to see photos, video, 3D models, scale models and other details about buildings currently in situ as well as those from the past and any planned for the future. Although it’s still under construction, those with the app can view a 3D model of how the finished building will look.

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Augmented (hyper)Reality: Domestic Robocop

Great student project showing possibilities in Augmented Reality. The author writes “The latter half of the 20th century saw the built environment merged with media space, and architecture taking on new roles related to branding, image and consumerism. Augmented reality may recontextualise the functions of consumerism and architecture, and change in the way in which we operate within it. A film produced for my final year Masters in Architecture, part of a larger project about the social and architectural consequences of new media and augmented reality.” I think this is a great example of what is possible and why it is so critical that we design how this media is integrated with architecture.

ProFORMA: Probabilistic Feature-based On-line Rapid Model Acquisition by Qi Pan

The generation of 3D models is very useful for many computer vision applications. This video introduces ProFORMA, a system designed to enable on-line reconstruction of textured 3D objects rotated by a user’s hand. Partial models are created very rapidly and displayed to the user to aid view planning, as well as used by the system to robustly track the object pose. The system works by calculating the Delaunay tetrahedralisation of a point cloud obtained from on-line structure from motion estimation which is then carved using a recursive and probabilistic algorithm to rapidly obtain the surface mesh.

Augmented Reality Glasses Concept by Nokia

Really interesting augmented reality glasses concept by Nokia. Nokia is experimenting with new types of interactions involving near-to-eye displays, gaze direction tracking, 3D audio, 3D video, gesture and touch.  A number of different vendors are coming to the table with similar concepts, most of which involve augmenting interfaces over space. After the first wave of glasses has hit the market users can expect interfaces to become even more integrated. More information about this project can be found here.

Yelp Augmented Reality App

http://www.vimeo.com/6316471

Shaking your phone a few times unlocks a hidden augmented reality mode called Monocle, that shows reviews for anything you point your camera at. Called “Monocle,” it’s an Easter egg within Yelp. As in, Yelp 3.0, the one that’s currently available on the App Store. When I first read a tweet about it, I was disbelieving. But all you have to do is shake your phone three times like in some fairy tale to trigger the Monocle button, which suddenly appears on the top of the screen. For more information click here

TAT augmented ID

Augmented ID is a TAT concept that visualizes the digital identities of people you meet in real life. With a mobile device and face recognition software from Polar Rose, Augmented ID enables you to discover selected information about people around you. All users control their own augmented appearance, by selecting the content and social network links they want show to others. Modifying your augmented ID is easier than fixing your hair in real life and, of course, TAT Cascades will make sure you look great!

Augmented Reality Virtual Sightseeing Viewer

Virtual Sightseeing scenic viewer for the Environmental Interpretation Center at Ponta do Sal (in São João do Estoril on the outskirts of Lisbon) to offer the public the chance to explore unique details about Cascais coastal biodiversity and man-made landmarks. Virtual Sightseeing uses innovative Augmented Reality technology to explore the areas natural heritage. The systems intuitive tactile interface pinpoints notable geo-referenced points in the landscape ranging from coastal fauna (with special focus on Avencas Beach a special bio-physical interest zone), and the nearby town citadel to Bugio Tower and the Bay of Cascais. Users aim the scenic viewer at the landscape and touch the points on the screen that interest them to access contextualized information in the form of text, images and video.

iLiving by Metaio

Interesting new iPhone application lets users plan their spaces in real-time. The new application makes it possible to integrate 3D-furniture within a picture of your home on the iPhone. Combining the Augmented Reality software from metaio and the iPhone’s features, it is made possible to place virtual furniture models within a picture. After having added the furniture models, you can move, scale and rotate them. Shake the iPhone to shuffle the selected furniture pieces within the picture. Take a screenshot of your created look and share it with friends and family.