Description: Interactive reality is a concept that combines elements of the real and digital worlds, allowing users to interact with both seamlessly. Often facilitated by augmented reality (AR), this technology overlays digital information, such as images, sounds, and data, onto the user’s physical environment. This creates an immersive experience that not only enriches the perception of the surroundings but also allows for active interaction with digital elements. The main features of interactive reality include real-time responsiveness, user experience personalization, and the integration of multiple senses, such as sight and hearing. Its relevance lies in its potential to transform various industries, from education to entertainment, by offering innovative ways to learn, play, and communicate. Interactive reality not only enhances understanding and information retention but also fosters creativity and collaboration among users, making interaction with digital content more intuitive and accessible.
History: Augmented reality, which is the foundation of interactive reality, began to develop in the 1960s. One of the earliest AR systems was the ‘Sensorama’, created by Morton Heilig in 1962, which offered multisensory experiences. However, the term ‘augmented reality’ was coined by Tom Caudell in 1990 while working at Boeing. Over the years, the technology has evolved significantly, especially with the advancement of mobile devices and AR applications in the 2010s, such as Pokémon GO, which popularized the use of augmented reality in everyday life.
Uses: Interactive reality is used in various applications, including education, where it allows students to interact with educational content more dynamically. In the entertainment sector, it is employed in video games and immersive experiences. It also has applications in medicine, where professionals can visualize medical data in real-time during surgical procedures. Additionally, it is used in marketing and advertising to create more engaging and memorable campaigns.
Examples: A notable example of interactive reality is the Pokémon GO app, which allows players to catch virtual creatures in the real world using their mobile phones. Another example is various AR applications that allow users to visualize products in their environment before purchasing them, enhancing the shopping experience. In the educational field, applications like Google Expeditions enable students to explore historical and scientific locations through AR experiences.
