Augmented Reality and a new future for traveling

In the past century we have seen technology change the world around us. Growing up in the 90’s I have been fortunate enough to experience the most exciting period of technological growth ever.

No we don’t have flying cars as predicted and fortunately we are not all dating computers (yet), however it is clear to say that the innovation technology has provided and truly reshaped or at least reimagined our world.

One area that fascinates me and I’m sure all of you have heard of is augmented reality; an area that has attracted attention of all the big fish, with Microsoft’s HoloLens due to be realised to be this year along with HTC’s Vive VR headset, and the Oculus Rift.

Everyone knows the application these devices will have of the gaming industry, however I wonder how many of us have stopped to think about the extent these devices will affect us in other areas and their usefulness. (If you haven’t done so yet, go to YouTube and watch a video on the HoloLens, It’s worth it)

Professor Dimitios Buhalis, director of e-tourism lab at Bournemouth University in an interview with the Guardian said that “Augmented reality is where the real future lies,” Going on to talk about how virtual reality in tourism “will allow you to customise your experiences based on your needs”. So what does that mean for me and you?

Some of the examples given are how it can help those traveling with a disabled person to find step-free routes through a town.Another aspect is the gamification of traveling and ability to interact with your surroundings.

We don’t have to wait until these devices are released and are cheap enough to experience augmented reality on tourism.

In Paris for example, they have created a “Then and Now” app that you simply download to your mobile, and it allows visitors to essentially see into the past when pointed at surrounding.

In terms of gamification, Strayboots (https://www.strayboots.com/) app turns the world into a giant treasure hunt, releasing facts about places as they are discovered, essentially make traveling one a giant game.

This is just the tip of the iceberg and I for one am excited to see where this will take us, of course there will be some criticism when introducing new things but we are not cavemen and this is hardly fire.