Stepping into Augmented Reality

Abstract

This paper surveys AR (Augmented Reality) technology from various perspectives and it contains all the researcher needs to know when he starts searching in that topic. We present the ideal characteristics which realize an ultimate AR system. Basic components of AR system containing output components (vision, audition, touch, smell and taste), input components (video camera, tracking, registration and interaction interfaces) and software (the most commonly used toolkits) are highlighted in a great detail. Applications involving medicine, learning, manufacturing, annotation and robot path planning are also discussed. Finally, registration problem which is the greatest impediment faces most of AR applications is showed with some previous solutions.