ABC Chicago tip-toes toward augmented reality

As NewscastStudio reported in February, WLS-TV, the ABC O&O in Chicago has implemented augmented reality — albeit in a rather simplistic form.

The augmented reality started popping up on weather briefs created for the station’s social media streams.

For example, in this clip, ex-Dallas forecaster Larry Mowry stands to one side with a map superimposed over most of the left side of the screen, with the area where Lake Michigan is and the upper portion of Indiana cut out — with neighboring states completely cut off.

Behind Mowry was the station’s interview area with Chicago skyline photography on the video panels.

The segment appears to be a tentative step toward what NewscastStudio’s sources say will be a more widespread use of augmented reality at the station.

The forecast segment doesn’t, for example, allow for Mowry to walk in front of the map — or really interact with it at all. In reality, it’s a fairly simple trick that could be accomplished without high tech augmented reality systems.

Here’s the full clip: