USPS Priority Mail virtual box simulator

Augmented reality (AR) is a field of computer research which deals with the combination of real-world and computer-generated data (virtual reality), where computer graphics objects are blended into real footage in real time.

At present, most AR research is concerned with the use of live video imagery which is digitally processed and “augmented” by the addition of computer-generated graphics. Advanced research includes the use of motion-tracking data, fiducial markers recognition using machine vision, and the construction of controlled environments containing any number of sensors and actuators.

source: wikipedia

MINI has produced a spectacular advertisement with augmented reality last year and was one of the first of it’s kind. The car company created a print ad that when viewed though a web cam produces a virtual 3D model of their MINI Cabrio convertible on screen. The ad was featured in German automotive magazines but you can also download a PDF here if you want to try it yourself go to this  website (German).

Maybe the MINI ad is just a novelty but is not using the full power of augmented reality. Below the latest example, made by AKQA for United States Postal Service:
Use a webcam and the Virtual Box Simulator of USPS Priority Mail to project box holograms onto the image from your camera.

Then, compare the size of the real stuff you want to ship to size of the virtual box on the screen and you know which box you need to use and how much it will cost.

It’s just an excellent way to demonstrate augmented reality which is very functional

Want to try it yourself? Go to the website