Augmented reality apparatus and method

An apparatus for teaching, coaching or demonstrating a task or action to a student, the apparatus comprising:

• a display
• a camera for capturing a video of a live camera view of the student performing the task or action,
• a context identification processor for identifying a context captured in the live camera view by the camera,
• a virtual image retrieval processor for selecting and displaying a virtual image superimposed on the live camera view in the display, wherein the virtual image is a previously acquired video recording of a tutor performing a demonstration of the task or action, and a positioning processor for positioning the virtual image of the tutor in the display,
• wherein positioning the virtual image of the tutor in the display includes spatially anchoring the virtual image of the tutor to the context identified in the live camera view such that the virtual image of the tutor follows any apparent movement of the context identified in the live camera view, and further includes sizing the virtual image with respect to the context identified in the live camera view, thereby creatine an illusion that the tutor is present with the student in the live camera view captured in the video by the camera,
• wherein the apparatus is further configured to synchronise the video of the student with the virtual image of the tutor performing the task or action in the display, and perform a comparative analysis of the student and tutor in the display.