...

/

Evolution in AR and Its Use Cases

Evolution in AR and Its Use Cases

Learn about the evolution of augmented reality technology and its real-world use cases.

History of AR

Thomas Caudell and David Mizell coined “augmented reality” as a term in 1992. They did so to describe the see-through headset they had developed, allowing airplane engineers to comprehend intricate wiring schematics better. As per their researchT. P. Caudell and D. W. Mizell, "Augmented reality: An application of heads-up display technology to manual manufacturing processes." , augmented reality (AR) could enhance cost-effectiveness and efficiency in the various human-centered tasks involved in aircraft manufacturing.

Press + to interact
AR timeline
AR timeline

AR has been a long-standing subject of fascination, with a history that goes back even before the term was coined. Virtual reality’s technical counterpart can trace back to The Sword of Damocles, an early display prototype. In 1968, computer scientist and researcher Ivan Sutherland created The Sword of Damocles to develop an ideal display to augment and elevate the real world.

Due to its weight, the prototype had to be hung from the ceiling using a mechanical arm. Despite its limitations, it was able to render basic wireframe rooms. It represented one of humanity’s earliest endeavors to substitute physical reality with a digital one. For almost half a century, many individuals have endeavored to bring Sutherland’s vision to life—a display that can create a space where computers can manipulate matter. The following timeline shows the evolution of AR headsets over the past century:

...