What is augmented reality?

Unlike virtual reality, which replaces your surroundings entirely, augmented reality adds digital elements to what you already see. Devices use cameras, motion sensors and software to track surfaces and position virtual objects so they appear anchored in the real scene. Popular examples include Snapchat filters, furniture apps that preview a sofa in your living room and the game Pokemon Go, which drew hundreds of millions of downloads after its 2016 launch. The term augmented reality is credited to Boeing researcher Thomas Caudell in 1990. AR is also used in surgery, aircraft maintenance and car head-up displays.