Augmentality

In my ongoing research regarding augmented reality at Columbia University I found the following video.  It is an application and technology called “opportunistic controls”.  This technology uses gesture-based inputs and allows users to physically interact with the immediate environment while also receiving feedback from the augmented reality system.   Although the visuals are fairly rudimentary it is easy to see how the system can be applied.

One such application is with mechanics.  For example, during an inspection of an engine the mechanic has to check multiple point within the engine.  After each point the mechanic has to document his or her findings in a computer.  This can take a long time, especially when the inspection includes 20 or even 100 checkpoints.

With an augmented reality system the mechanic can simply look at the checkpoint, then record his or her findings with the system.  This is precisely what you see in the video above.

Imagine the possibilities!  Now any task can not only be worked through, but also documented without ever leaving the immediate environment.  And, this is exactly what the  research group has found:

“Opportunistic Controls allowed participants to complete their tasks significantly faster and were preferred over the baseline technique.”