Introduction
Augmented
reality, as defined by Collins English
Dictionary, is “an artificial environment created through the combination
of real-world and computer-generated data” (Collins, 2012). Essentially, it is
the technological ability to overlay important and relevant information on a
real time image via advanced image recognition. Augmented reality is the future
of information technology, and so naturally is very up and coming in today’s
world. It is featured on applications such as “Aurasma” and “Google Goggles,” and
has been featured and demoed on popular websites and lectures such as “Ted
Talks” (Mills, Lecture, 2012). In this document, augmented reality will be
analyzed from social, legal, and ethical standpoints, and will also be viewed
and scrutinized for any security concerns.
Background
This
section is dedicated to further explanation of augmented reality, including appropriate
examples and everyday use. The most overlooked and comprehensible examples of
augmented reality occur during NFL games. In real time, the announcers are able
to draw circles and lines around players or mark how far a given team needs to
progress in order to achieve a first down. It is, by definition, augmented
reality. The drawings are overlapped with the broadcasted real image. The
graphics are not actually present on the field, and are only shown on the
television broadcast. This basic example of augmented reality was introduced to
the NFL in 1998, and so is relatively new. As technological advances occurred,
augmented reality followed suit. Two
recent smartphone applications are taking the world by storm.
“Google Goggles” is an augmented reality based
search engine with advanced image recognition technology. Fundamentally, the
application functions when the user points the device camera at an object. The
image is cross-referenced with data on the internet. In turn, the application
provides the user with similar images, related links, and information on the
object captured in the image. “Aurasma” is an augmented reality application
that functions based on the creation of “auras” (Mills, Lecture 2012). Auras
can be created by “Aurasma” users, but the most effective auras have been
pre-uploaded by the company. The most effective and efficient way to explain
auras is by example. There is a pre-uploaded aura called “NBA Logo.” When a
device running the application is pointed at the classic NBA logo, nothing
happens to the actual logo. However, on the device’s screen, the player present
in the logo begins to dribble the ball around and court and crowd noises are
audible. After the short animation, the most recent “NBA Top 5 Plays” highlight
clips are shown on the devices screen. Note that the only space affected on the
device’s screen is the area in which the NBA logo is present. Anything other
than the logo will remain exactly as it is.
Social Implications
As
should be obvious, augmented reality is a futuristic technology with boundless
potential. In the premiere demo of the augmented reality application “Aurasma,”
a device is directed at a newspaper article regarding a recent tennis match
(Mills, Lecture, 2012). Instantly, highlights from that specific match began to
play over the photo in the newspaper and all the text remained so that the
viewer could read about the match while viewing clips from the same match. If
augmented reality applications become fully functional and are integrated in to
pop-culture, information could be shared and accessed at leisure.
In recent times,
any sort of information can be found through search engines. But there are
restrictions on search engine research. For example, if one does not know what
to search for, information cannot be accessed. Imagine, however, a scenario in
which a beautiful building is visible in the distance. When the device is
pointed at that unknown building, the application could tell the user the
coordinates of the building, the date it was built, the architectural style,
the name of the building, its function, and how many of the user’s peers have
visited or seen the building. Furthermore, users can create auras for that
specific building or its respective city that may contain graphics or animation
other than specific information. For instance, a user could point his device at
any building in Times Square and see Spider-Man swinging around the skyscrapers
from building to building. As a technology with legitimately powerful practical
use and staggering entertainment value, augmented reality will soon be used by
everyone.
Legal
Issues
According to Brian D. Wassom (2012), a commercial
litigator, there are some potential legal issues that augmented reality companies
could struggle with. Because augmented reality technology is still relatively
new, legal disputes can only be predicted based on the current level of the
technology. One rather important issue is even present today with text
messaging. It is feared that augmented reality applications may become so
relevant in people’s lives that it could prove to be a fatal distraction while
driving, running, or doing other activities. Another prediction is the arrival
of patent discrepancies (Wassom, 2012). Cases like the current “Apple vs. Samsung”
could serve as a means for larger companies to monopolize on the upcoming
technology. The sample Wassom provides concerns augmented reality eyewear. Such
eyewear would allow the user to view their entire world through an augmented
reality lens. Like the smartphone, it is almost certain that patent issues will
arise. Additionally, if augmented reality technology were to become heavily
user based, there is always the risk of inappropriate material to be displayed
against the users will. As is true with all widespread technology, there are
ethical issues that cannot be overlooked.
Ethical
Complications
As noted, ethics can never be ignored when a new
technology is growing. The biggest fear is that the pornography industry will
be heavily involved with the rise of augmented reality. Wassom (2012) records
that, “You can always count on the military and the porn industry to push
technology forward.” He continues to cite a law enforcement officer’s
prediction that “wherever society finds pornography, child pornography is not
too far behind” (as cited in Wassom, 2012). Along the same lines, augmented reality could
certainly give the average person easy access to far too much information.
Perhaps augmented reality will allow the user to view information and qualifications
on a potential employee through eyewear (Day, 2005). Or, it could allow more
savvy users to view a person’s address, place of work, likes, dislikes, date of
birth, and even more personal information. It is possible that augmented reality
will evolve to be the most dangerous and manipulative technology to date.
Security
Concerns
The majority of the security concerns regarding augmented
reality technology have been covered in the ethical and legal issue sections.
However, there are some relevant examples that provide a good basic knowledge
of a few ways augmented reality could entirely circumvent current security
technology. It is not unconceivable to envision advanced technology in the
augmented reality area that could give the handler access to formerly
classified files and information. Nor is it impossible to conjure a scenario in
which the user could view encrypted data using some sort of augmented reality
eyewear. Understandably, there is some hesitance in the progression of such a daring
and advanced technology (Aurasma, 2012).
Conclusion
Although augmented reality technology exists, it has a
long way to go before it is seen in everyday use by a large population. There
are numerous hurdles to overcome from the legal standpoint, but augmented
reality companies also must take in to account the plethora of possible
security and ethical snags. Augmented reality opens new doors into an entirely
new world of possible crime, but it is also regarded as one of the most
innovative and important technologies in existence. It is even possible that
augmented reality could evolve in to the technology of the future and be the
biggest development since the World Wide Web. It is an amalgamation of the most
powerful search engines, social networking, and business applications. Much
like the smartphone, once augmented reality is widespread; to live without it
will be unimaginable. Augmented reality is the way of the future.
References
5
Predictions for Augmented Reality Law in 2012 | Law of Social & Emerging
Media | Wassom.com. (n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2012, from http://www.wassom.com/5-predictions-for-augmented-reality-law-in-2012.html
This upload on legal issues of augmented
reality by Brian D. Wassom provided the base for the “Legal Issues” section of
the document. Wassom provides justification for all of his predictions, and is
very experienced in his field.
Augmented
reality | Define Augmented reality at Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Retrieved October
1, 2012, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/augmented+reality
The only purpose of this source was to
have the official definition of the term “augmented reality.” It allows the
reader to understand that the subsequent writing will be credible.
“Aurasma’s” news website provides
information on the progression of the “Aurasma” application. As is obvious,
there is are not very many news articles, nor are the news articles that are
present very groundbreaking. It goes to show that this technology is a huge
step forward and will take very long to successfully master.
Day,
P. N., Ferguson, G., Holt, P. O., Hogg, S., & Gibson, D. (2005). Wearable
augmented virtual reality for enhancing information delivery in high precision
defence assembly: an engineering case study. Virtual Reality, 8(3),
177–184. doi:http://dx.doi.org.mutex.gmu.edu/10.1007/s10055-004-0147-8
In this journal entry, virtual reality
eyewear is discussed by the author. Augmented reality is sort of a hybrid
between the virtual world and the real world. Much can be learned from studying
similar technology that acts as a stepping stone toward something better.
furmanski-ismar02.pdf.
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://graphics.cs.columbia.edu/courses/mobwear/resources/furmanski-ismar02.pdf
This reference proved
extraordinarily enlightening. It is based on augmented reality visions guided
by cognition. The technology allows obscured objects to be viewed among other
things. Although not explicitly cited within this document, this journal entry
provided much information needed to better understand the concept of augmented
reality.
Mastrion,
G. (2010). Augmented Reality: The New, New Media. Pharmaceutical Executive,
30(7), 82–83.
In an article in “Pharmaceutical
Executive,” augmented reality is discussed from a medical standpoint. It
provides numerous examples of beneficial results from the use of augmented
reality to assist in health practice.
Matt
Mills: Image recognition that triggers augmented reality | Video on TED.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_mills_image_recognition_that_triggers_augmented_reality.html
This lecture by Matt Mills on “Ted
Talks” was the source that got me interested in the augmented reality topic and
field. The entire lecture is informative, funny, and jaw-dropping. It is certainly recommended, and it is only
eight minutes long. The lecture is a demo of an application called “Aurasma.”
