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Augmented reality

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TL;DR. Augmented reality (AR) enhances the real world by overlaying digital information, like images or sounds.

Technical Definition

Augmented reality (AR) enhances the real world by overlaying digital information, like images or sounds.

How it works

Augmented reality is a technology that overlays digital information—such as graphics, sounds, or other sensory stimuli—onto a user's view of the real world. Unlike virtual reality, which replaces the real world entirely, AR integrates digital content into the existing physical environment, creating an interactive and enhanced experience.

Related Concepts

  • Computer vision — Computer vision enables computers to interpret and understand information from digital images and videos, automating tasks typically done by human sight.
  • AR — AR is an abbreviation for augmented reality, which overlays digital information onto the real world.

Further Reading

  • Google ML Glossary