Understanding Components of Augmented Reality Devices

Do you want to add a touch of your imagination to the real world? Augmented Reality (AR) technology was developed to do exactly that. 

AR is nothing but an enhanced version of reality where the physical real-world environment is augmented with superimposed computer-generated images, thus enhancing the perception of reality. 

Increasing number of business sectors are adopting AR for purposes of marketing, advertising, and simply enhancing the user experience. 

You probably are already aware of a few AR apps such as Pokemon Go, which employ location-based AR. 

You can also come across devices that enable projections in the real world as well as e-commerce sites that incorporate superimposition tactics of AR.

However, the most basic understanding of AR comes from an understanding of the key components of its devices. 

So, we’re just about to simplify this understanding for you.

4 Key Components of AR Devices

1. Sensors and Cameras

Every AR device is made up of sensors and cameras, which help sense the environment around and either project or superimpose its augmentation. 

Depth camera, color video camera, 4 gray-scale cameras, and short- and long-throw IR illuminators form the major components here.

An AR device, takes in information of its surrounding from the sensors present on the outside of the device. It scans to determine where the surrounding physical objects are located, and then formulates a digital model to determine an appropriate output.

2. Projection

As mentioned earlier, Projection-based Augmented Reality is a category in itself. 

However, here we are referring to a miniature piece of projector as projection. You can most certainly find in a forward and outward-facing position on wearable augmented reality headsets. 

The projector enables projections, meaning that it can turn any surface into an interactive environment. 

All the information that the cameras capture is further used to examine the surrounding environment, which is further processed and projected onto a surface in front of the user. 

The projection could be on a person’s body, a wall, or floor. Projection will change the face of AR, as the future will not require you to use an iPad to play an online game of chess, as you will be able to do so on the tabletop in front of you.

3. Processing 

AR devices are nothing but mini-supercomputers packed into tiny wearable devices. 

Thus, it makes it very obvious that for these devices to function, a high processing power is required. 

It includes components such as a CPU, GPU, flash memory, RAM, Bluetooth/Wifi microchip, and global positioning system (GPS) microchip, among other components. 

There are also a few advanced augmented reality devices like the Microsoft Hololens, which utilize an accelerometer to measure the speed of head movement, a gyroscope to measure orientation, and a magnetometer that measures the direction of the head. 

All these components are put together to provide a realistic experience to the user. 

4. Reflection

AR devices make use of mirrors to assist with the way we view virtual images. Some devices have a simple double-sided mirror while others have several. 

The mirrors used in the Microsoft Hololens involve see-through holographic lenses, which are the very components that use an optical projection system to beam holograms into your eyes. 

Reflection paths within an AR device have the same objective irrespective of the method used. 

Here are the basic functionalities and components of augmented reality devices. If you haven’t explored the scope of AR yet, then you’re missing out on a lot and you should take our word on it.