Practical Augmented Reality: A Guide to the Technologies, Applications, and Human Factors for AR and VR

by Steve Aukstakalnis

The most comprehensive and up-to-date guide to the technologies, applications and human factors considerations of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) systems and wearable computing devices.  Practical Augmented Reality is ideal for practitioners and students concerned with any application, from gaming to medicine. It brings together comprehensive coverage of both theory and practice, emphasizing leading-edge displays, sensors, and DIY tools that are already available commercially or will be soon. Beginning with a Foreword by NASA research scientist Victor Luo, this guide begins by explaining the mechanics of human sight, hearing and touch, showing how these perceptual mechanisms (and their performance ranges) directly dictate the design and use of wearable displays, 3-D audio systems, and tactile/force feedback devices.  Steve Aukstakalnis presents revealing case studies of real-world applications from gaming, entertainment, science, engineering, aeronautics and aerospace, defense, medicine, telerobotics, architecture, law enforcement, and geophysics. Readers will find clear, easy-to-understand explanations, photos, and illustrations of devices including the Atheer AiR, HTC Vive, DAQRI Smart Helmet, Oculus (Facebook) CV1, Sony PlayStation VR, Vuzix M300, Google Glass, and many more. Functional diagrams and photographs clearly explain how these devices operate, and link directly to relevant theoretical and practical content.  Practical Augmented Reality thoroughly considers the human factors of these systems, including sensory and motor physiology constraints, monocular and binocular depth cues, elements contributing to visually-induced motion sickness and nausea, and vergence–accommodation conflicts. It concludes by assessing both the legal and societal implications of new and emerging AR, VR, and wearable technologies as well as provides a look next generation systems.

Genres: Virtual Reality, Design

741 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2016

Reviews

[Mohd Rukhairy Abdul Rahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good kickstart read for anyone who would like to venture into VR/AR. Although I've played with nearly all the VR and AR toys for the past few years but there are still a lot to learn about the technology and its human factor consideration. As relatively new commercial technology offerings, augmented and virtual reality remain messy. Displays are large, cables are everywhere and people are still getting sick. But changes are rapidly approaching. This technology hold potential for so much more.

[Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

AR is a topic, I have started to explore, with some interest. Some of the applications, in the book, are relatively, unknown to me. That being said, much of this area has not been explored; some examples of nascent technologies, are mentioned.

[Mehmet · Rating 4 out of 5]

It summarizes the core concepts very clearly and depict elegantly the current state of vr and ar technologies. Every vr and ar developer should read.

[Paolo Capitelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for those that need to orient themselves in the AR/VR/MR space

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of what areas you need to understand in order to work in AR/VR fields.

[Geoffreyjen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful survey of current AR technology