Augmented Reality: More Real than Virtual. More Real than Ever?

This session will highlight the current state of the art of Augmented Reality (AR) for DoD and military applications.  Successful and unsuccessful examples will be discussed and answers to critical questions sought.

AR overlays virtual information on top of the real world, inserting textual data and graphical representation of objects, events, directions etc. in a geo-reference location.
AR adds information into the field of vision instead of outside.  The eyes need not be take off the real world.
AR spatially filters information, freeing the user from this task.
AR allows gradual introduction of the reality into training by presenting variable degrees of augmentation to the trainee.

What is the reality that we would like to augment?

• outdoors
• sandbox
• training environment vs. life ops/mission
• a paper map on a desk
• inventory in a warehouse
• equipment during maintenance and repair, e.g. a complicated machine
• on-the-job training

1. Are technological roadblocks the main reason for unavailability of AR systems?
   
2. How can non-technological roadblocks be overcome?
   
3. Which technological aspect is most critical for progress?

If necessary to stimulate discussion, we might present results from our augmented-reality add-on to the virtual at sea trainer (AR-VAST).  This project expands the VAST suite with a component that permits training with virtual rounds in real environments.  Sailors at sea and Forward Observers on land can call for fire on actual targets.  Simulated rounds are fired and their trajectory and impact simulated on computer systems.  These simulations are visualized and seamlessly embedded into the real environment on displays such as regular monitors or instrumented binoculars.  Trainees see realistic-looking targets at geo-referenced locations, from stationary buildings to quickly moving vehicles, and the fired rounds including their impact on the real and virtual environment.  This serves a largely orthogonal training objective, including a sense of realism and increased involvement for the spotter, including learning of heading and range judgments, and it allows for more frequent repetitions without the cost/damage penalty.