Augmented reality (or AR) is a modern interactive XR technology that adds virtual elements to the real world. Typically, this is achieved using a mobile device with a camera (e.g., a smartphone, AR smart glasses…) and a specialized AR app. The AR app utilizes the camera to capture a user’s surroundings and data from the device’s sensors. Then, it adds virtual elements to the displayed image.
Nowadays, AR technology has plenty of applications – e.g., AR based remote assistance, maintenance, shopping, mobile gaming, and even social media.
Sometimes, people confuse AR with a similar technology, assisted reality (aR). Assisted reality, however, only shows user important information on a display located in his field of vision. Augmented reality, on the other hand, actually combines real world with virtual elements (by digital overlays, etc.).
Need more info? Read about the differences between AR, aR, VR, and MR.