8 Industries That Augmented Reality Will Change In The Future

When we hear the term “Augmented Reality” the first thing that comes to mind is the game “Pokemon Go!”. This gaming phenomenon was a watershed moment because it proved that there is a high demand for AR (Augmented Reality). In terms of the future of AR, it will be in our everyday lives and in the industries where we work or shop. In this article, we will take a look at where AR is headed and the future of augmented reality in our everyday life.

1. The Future Of Education

Augmented reality is a relatively young technology. It has been used in the educational field for years, but there is no doubt that its implementation is still scarce. There is still a long way to go to take advantage of this technology in the classroom.

One of the most common ways to integrate augmented reality in education is through bookmarks in textbooks. QR codes are usually used which, when focused on the mobile phone, offer hyperlinks to other complementary information.

For example, imagine creating a marker on a world map where, depending on the continent you focus on, extra information will be offered about that part of the planet. Geography classes would be much more enjoyable and productive!

Improving Classroom Experiences

Thanks to augmented reality, the teaching hours stop just sitting at the desk and listening to the teacher. They now offer an immersive experience that encourages interest and participation, for example by viewing and modelling 3D figures. This is the case of the HDM or Human Dissection Models project, which allows visualizing and studying parts of the human body through virtual 3D images.

This can be applied at any level. Nursery, preschool, primary, secondary, vocational training, university studies. All these levels can take advantage of the advantages offered by RA.

For Further reading on how AR benefits primary to higher university students and so much more click here.

2. HealthCare

One of the best usages of AR is in the field of healthcare due to its distinctive features. Instead of visualization, using displays and sensors one can see what goes inside the human body. AR can help in patient education where doctors can explain surgical procedures easily. Google glass that uses AR was first used in an operation by Dr. Rafael Grossman. Augmented reality will be a boon to medical professionals as well as for future research & education purposes.

Benefit for the Patient – Most of the time patients are unable to explain their symptoms properly to the doctor. They are unsure about their actual health condition in the present and the future. With augmented reality, patients are in a better position to address their concerns. They can use the AR app to check their symptoms and their real state of health. Also, the doctors will be able to show them the effects of the present lifestyle and persuade patients to bring in positive changes. The patients need not read the long list of drug descriptions of prescribed medicine. With the 3D AR technology, they can see how the drug works within their body.

Consultation using AR – Motherhood is a tiring and testing time for a new mother. During the initial day’s breastfeeding, mothers find it difficult to feed her child properly due to various reasons. A company based out of Melbourne conducted a Google glass test in association with the Australian breastfeeding association. The mothers were able to share their perspectives with experts and were able to find solutions to their problems while breastfeeding. This could happen only due to the AR-enabled technology of Google glass. The problem can be shared in real-time and the issues can be resolved at the earliest.

Life-saving information – Augmented reality helps to store crucial life-saving information on apps. For example, Radboud University of Netherlands created an AED4EU AR-driven app for the phone. One can easily download it and use it with the Layar browser. This app can tell you the exact location of automated external defibrillators. During an emergency, one can have access to such an extremely life-saving piece of information.

Benefits for nurses & surgeons – It is tough to find a vein to draw blood from the hand or to inject intravenous shots. With the usage of AR hand-held scanner technology, the nurse can see the vein and draw blood or give the shot. The patients are relieved to have found the vein in the first attempt itself. It saves time and ensures the elderly or children need not face undue duress while taking a shot.

Surgeons can depend upon 3D AR and can operate with precision. The success rates of many complex surgeries will increase. Unnecessary risks can be avoided. They can use image reconstruction technology to reconstruct any tumor. This will give an x-ray view to doctors in real-time and they will be able to locate the tumor in any part of the body to operate on. The level of difficulty and risk is lessened to a great extent using AR.

Further Reading – Augmented Reality to Revolutionize HealthCare

3. The Future Battlefield

The military sector is often at the forefront of the technology landscape. When it comes to defense and the armed forces, the government is happy to invest in new opportunities for growth. This includes exploring the benefits of augmented reality. Even before Snapchat and Facebook started releasing filters for your pictures, and augmented reality apps were everywhere, the army were already implementing their own versions of augmented reality to help train and guide their troops. As warfare continues to evolve, the military sector needs to continue its investment into new technology all the time.

One of the most obvious examples of the benefits of AR for military action comes in the form of Tactical Augmented Reality. This refers to the heads-up displays that troops can use in their headsets to get information about the battleground when they’re on the move. Crucial information can be superimposed onto visors for pilots to help them develop better situational awareness. Augmented, and virtual reality tools are opening the door to potential training opportunities for new recruits. Imagining a warfare scenario is nothing like being in actual combat. AR and VR offer a way for those who are preparing for the stress of the battle zone to really get ready for the experience.

Synthetic training environments help soldiers to build their training experiences in a more immersive way, placing them in more mentally stimulating environments, without putting them at risk. The right AR and VR technology can also work alongside sensors and artificial intelligence tools to help squad leaders to keep track of team performance, wellness, and more.

In March 2021, The U.S. Army announced that Microsoft has won a contract to build custom HoloLens augmented reality headsets. The contract for over 120,000 headsets could be worth up to $21.88 billion over 10 years. The standard-issue HoloLens, which costs $3,500, enables people to see holograms overlaid over their actual environments and interact using hand and voice gestures.

It follows a $480 million contract Microsoft received to give the Army prototypes of the Integrated Visual Augmented System, or IVAS, in 2018. One of the features of IVAS is the ability to display a map, a compass and had thermal imaging to reveal people in the dark. The system could also show the aim for a weapon.

Further Reading – Augmented Reality Will Change The Future Battlefield

4. Fashion and Retail

How many times have you walked by store window displays and seen an item that you instantly fell in love with? Most often than not, this item is an expensive purchase and deciding on whether to buy or not consists of several factors. First of all, it looks great on display, but how does it look like a real person?

Many brands will include an AR functionality inside their mobile that will allow you to point your camera at any item and not only obtain all necessary information about it, but you will also see AR images of models wearing the clothes. This way, you will have all of the information necessary to make a smart decision without even going inside the store.

The Concept of Virtual Try on

Due to the effects of COVID-19, With consumers not being able to go to the store for now and try on a pair of jeans or a pair of shoes, many companies are looking at ways to bring their virtual goods for a try on to them in the comfort of their own home. Brands are also seeing an uptick in consumers using augmented reality to virtually try on makeup or even clothes.

With businesses like SPATIALx, a company on a mission to reinvent physical spaces through Mixed Reality powered retail experiences, they holographically project products through your customer’s biometric data profile to find the perfect fit and see what a brand’s new fashion line will truly look like. And with return rates for online retail at least 20% higher compared to brick-and-mortar store returns, virtual try-ons are the perfect solution for brands and retailers struggling to get consumers into their stores until there is a cure for coronavirus.

Virtual try on and digital couture could lead to a world in which people no longer need to go to stores to try on clothes because they never plan to wear those clothes in the physical world.

A Digital Fashion Show / Ar Product Visualisation By Finch

While talking about truly groundbreaking work when it comes to merging AR with fashion, the first company that has to come to mind is FINCH, an Ukrainian brand created by Kateryna Biakova & Maksym Holub, who, as they state on their website, brought IT values to their brand, connecting their experiences in IT with a passion for design and creation. In February 2020, they decided to present their new collection using AR and 3D printing. First, they printed out sculptures of models wearing FINCH clothing and then prepared Instagram AR filters for each of the models/looks.

5. The Auto Industry

While Tesla has been dominating the headlines when it comes to technological advancement, many mass market brands are integrating augmented reality into the creation, sale, and functionality of their vehicles. Augmented reality is making it easier, safer, and more enjoyable to go for a drive.

Testing and Pre-Production

Traditionally, car manufacturers have conducted multiple phases of ideation, analysis, and prototype testing. Now, they’re able to recreate all of these steps digitally using virtual simulations and interactive design technology.

By using augmented reality to build responsive virtual testing environments, car companies can reduce spending on physical models, staffing, operational costs, and more. This also allows for a wider sample margin, providing more room innovation and development. Augmented reality also helps corporate planners build an infrastructure that meets all of their production needs. By simulating workspaces that support the necessary material flows and production processes, this method allows automotive brands to make the most out of every dollar spent on operational costs.

Using augmented reality simulations to create hypothetical (but realistic) scenarios, auto manufacturers can save even more money with airtight cost calculations based on space, work capacity, adn staffing requirements.

Driver Safety

Airlines have used AR for years to safely create digital testing scenarios and realistic testing programs. But, did you know auto manufacturers are also using the same technology to improve safety through the manufacturing, testing, and consumer driving process.

Instead of focusing on the car’s instrument panels or an external device, driver’s can use augmented reality to consume information without taking their eyes off the road. When it comes to proximity guides and rear-view cameras, augmented reality prepares the user for virtually every driving scenario. AR adds to the realism and provides a higher level of clarity and visibility for the driver with detailed, easy-to-view alerts and boundary guidelines.

Auxiliary benefits, including parking assistance and enhanced blindspot sensors, adds even more protection. If you’re heading out of state or down the street, you can rest assured that you’ll have a strong digital support system during the entire ride.

Enhanced Entertainment

What if you could have an entire library of music and interactive entertainment options at your fingertips, while you’re behind the wheel? Whether you have a co-pilot or are driving solo, using augmented reality to improve in-vehicle entertainment will make the trip easier and more enjoyable for everyone in the car.

Using AR-based navigation improves driver safety by projecting transparent visual elements over the driver’s standard view. Similarly, this is the safest way to switch radio stations, choose audio books, and more without causing a cumbersome distraction. Augmented reality providers use bluetooth, Android, Apple, and Microsoft technology to allow the vehicle to sync with the user’s mobile device. Cloud storage and file sharing capabilities add an extra layer of accessibility and cyber security by allowing all of the car’s digital aspects to communicate seamlessly without any external equipment.

Families with children can take advantage of segmented entertainment options that allow everyone to control their own media. Plus, you don’t have to deal with the stress of arguing over the music (or movies) until a consensus is reached.

Whether you’re planning on taking a 12-hour road trip or you just want to improve your daily commute, augmented reality can provide you with a safe and simplified immersive experience every time you turn your keys.

6. Augmented Reality at Live Events

Events, conferences, and meetings are a perfect conduit for experimentation with augmented reality. Events bring a unique opportunity to integrate the digital and physical worlds for attendees

At events AR can create a real-life experience and allow every user in the room to experience the same and see the similar images, making it perfect for boosting engagement. The event industry is embracing this advanced technology to shape and change the way we interact, attend, and market our businesses at events.

Augmented reality can bring a number of benefits to your live event.

Real-time information. AR apps supply users with relevant information in real time. Users can interact with the app to retrieve additional details as they are desired, or even be nudged in the right direction with related details they might not have thought of.

Easy visualization. Users can “see” a product or information in a personalized way. Whether in the home or at a venue, they can get an up close look at a celebrity, navigate a location, or be presented with new options that allow them to create custom experiences.

Unique user experiences. As already described above, AR can help users in a crowded location feel like they are uniquely interacting with an athlete, singer, or actor. AR makes for great social settings, so users can share what they’re experiencing. This works wonderfully for events.

Improve brand awareness. People love new gadgets and applications. And when you’re on their phone, your brand is right there in front of them the next time they’re curious about new events. You can also survey post-event feelings and reactions, or present attendees with new offerings at a later date.

Competitive differentiation. Augmented reality is one of many ways to stand out in a saturated and noisy marketplace. By being able to offer a personalized and customizable experience for the unique user, brands are telling customers that they are on their level.

7. The Gaming Industry

In the year 2016, Niantic’s “Pokemon Go!” game came into existence which represented the watershed moment that displays augmented reality which resulted worldwide into 800 million downloads. Users were left to fantasize with the capacity to interact with daily life in a form of bid to capture a number of “monsters” one could discover.

AR has reached the mark of sophistication to really engage its gamer. Manufacturers have introduced an innovation that is beyond imagination to offer smooth and engrossing experience with the right equipment to its users. It’s time to find out how AR and VR are going to redefine the gaming industry with its revolutionary actions:

The revival of 3D: The concept of 3D films is not new for the world. But, it has not found its appeal from the viewers because of its exorbitant costing. But, in few concerns, 3D has gained popularity such as the movie “Avatar” and the next concern is related to the gaming industry, where 3D effects provide the player an enthralling experience and act as the backbone of the game.

Captive experience: With the changing time, the gaming sector has come into demand and with this user’s demand has increased to captive experience. This experience does not allow its users to differentiate between the real and virtual environments which will act as a key feature for the success of any game in today’s time. To bring forth a successful gaming situation, developers need to establish an ideal gaming situation in which the gamer could play in the user’s avatar too.

Real-time interaction: AR technology is best known to bring together the real and virtual that causes the creation of dreamlike mid-path for the users. The capacity to add digital information and real-time in one will turn up to be the game-changer for game manufacturers. Real-time interaction will allow the enhancement of gamer’s perception all across the world and will even boost the creation of better engaging levels.

AR has brought a revolution in the world and especially in the gaming sector. These technologies help to create a realistic image along with sound and other sensations to offer an imaginary setting which stimulates a gamer’s physical presence in the environment. Users are going to discover a complete virtual world replacing the real world which would be controlled by their body movement. Gamers have a lot more to see with the advent of time.

8. The Future of Real Estate

Augmented Reality “AR” is a burgeoning industry with frequent advancements and a promising future. AR technologies have impacted nearly every industry, and real estate is no exception. The technology has gone from a futuristic way to a realistic way of showing a building in detail on a client’s smartphone. Many agencies have already incorporated AR technology into their everyday practices, introducing interactive demonstrations on-site and on the phone.

Augmented reality has valuable marketing implications that are only just being tapped into. AR is also a unique way of encouraging clients to make a profitable decision.

How is AR affecting Real Estate?

Most real estate agencies struggle with the presentation of their catalog at some point, facing roadblocks including unemotive text descriptions, lackluster photos, and lack of devoted time to visit each site with clients. AR tools and mobile apps can overcome most, if not all of these obstacles with the single touch of a button.

Clients can use an agency’s built-in AR capabilities to view a site from all angles, gaining a better, in-depth understanding of a property without ever leaving their homes. Agencies can set up their augmented reality applications to allow clients to browse different categories, compare various sites, and make informed decisions.

Unlike virtual reality, AR superimposes images or text over our view of the world. It blurs the line between reality and technology thereby creating a seamless experience for the viewer.

In real estate, AR lets potential buyers tour a property via their smartphones regardless of their location. AR also lets realtors tweak the room’s designs and styles either choosing a traditional or modern finish.

Benefits of Augmented Reality for Real Estate

Clearer Product Representation
Better Engagement
Saves Time and Resources
Reaches Customers Far and Wide
Direct ROI

Further Reading – How Augmented Reality Will Change the Real Estate Industry In the Future

CONCLUSION

It goes without saying – the future of AR is going to blow our minds. As more big brands adopt it, the tech develops and more data is collected, it is going to fundamentally change the way we consume media, buy products and interact with the world we live in.

Soon we are likely to be walking down the street in our smart glasses, swiping thin air and talking to someone only we can see. It is undoubtedly the operating system of the future.