AppShaker/National Geographic’s “Real-Time” Augmented Reality Hoax?!!

Here AppShaker and Nat’l Geographic seem to be faking the real-time aspects of their Augmented Reality demonstration. In previous videos, since removed, the shenanigans were more readily apparent. Some evidence still remains, however.

The most telling bit of fakery can be seen at https://youtu.be/0oOIhtHq5Qc?t=55s. The facilitator is angling the “image target” at the imaginary creature rather than the computer’s camera. AR does not work that way! Neither the creature (it doesn’t have eyes) nor the computer (it is not angled towards the camera) are able to see the image target. Again, this was more readily apparent in the previous videos since removed. At other times the CGI creations “interact” independent of the use of image targets.

Conclusion: The demo purports to be real-time but isn’t. The CGI is pre-rendered and the audience is interacting with it rather than the other way around!

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