The First AR System
Ivan Sutherland, often referred to as the father of computer graphics, created the first AR system, known as the "Sword of Damocles." This head-mounted display system laid the groundwork for future AR development.
1968
1990
The Term "Augmented Reality" Coined
The term "Augmented Reality" was coined by Tom Caudell, a researcher at Boeing, to describe how the technology was used to help workers assemble aircraft wiring harnesses.
1992
Virtual Fixtures by Louis Rosenberg
Louis Rosenberg developed one of the first fully functional AR systems at the U.S. Air Force's Armstrong Laboratory, known as "Virtual Fixtures." This system was used to enhance human performance in complex tasks.
1998
AR in Sports Broadcasting
The first significant use of AR in sports broadcasting was seen when the NFL used the "1st & Ten" system by Sportvision to display the virtual yellow first down line during live football games.
2000
ARQuake
ARQuake, an AR version of the popular first-person shooter game Quake, was developed by Bruce H. Thomas and his team, showcasing AR's potential in gaming.
2008
Wikitude AR Travel Guide
Wikitude launched the first AR travel guide for mobile phones, allowing users to view information about their surroundings through their phone's camera.
2009
ARToolkit for Flash
The ARToolkit, originally developed by Hirokazu Kato, was ported to Adobe Flash, making AR more accessible to web developers and leading to a surge in web-based AR applications.
2012
Google Glass Announcement
Google announced Google Glass, an AR head-mounted display designed to provide hands-free access to information, marking a significant step towards consumer AR devices.
2013
Microsoft HoloLens Development
Microsoft began developing HoloLens, an AR headset that overlays digital content onto the real world, aimed at both consumer and enterprise markets.
2014
Magic Leap Funding
Magic Leap, a startup focused on AR technology, received significant funding from high-profile investors, drawing attention to the potential of AR in transforming various industries.
2015
Microsoft HoloLens Unveiled
Microsoft unveiled the HoloLens, showcasing its capabilities in enhancing productivity, gaming, and education through AR.
2016
Pokémon GO Release
Niantic released Pokémon GO, a mobile AR game that became a global phenomenon, demonstrating the mass appeal and potential of AR in gaming.
2017
ARKit and ARCore Launch
Apple and Google launched ARKit and ARCore, respectively, providing developers with tools to create AR applications for iOS and Android devices, significantly advancing mobile AR.
2018
Magic Leap One Release
Magic Leap released its first AR headset, the Magic Leap One, aimed at developers and early adopters, pushing the boundaries of AR hardware and applications.
2020
AR in Remote Assistance
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of AR for remote assistance, with companies using AR to provide remote support and training in various industries.
2023
Apple Vision Pro Announcement
Apple announced the Vision Pro, a high-end AR headset aimed at consumers and professionals, integrating advanced AR features and further solidifying AR's role in the tech ecosystem.
