Imagine a world where augmented reality (AR) glasses replace smartphones in communication, entertainment, shopping, traveling, education, and professional work. What impact do you think it would have? It’s an intriguing thought, isn’t it?
Well, that future is what big tech companies are preparing for with their significant investment in AR hardware and software development services. Google’s withdrawal of its AR glasses and Apple’s recent introduction of its first AR headset give hints and insight into the prospect and future of this technology.
What is Augmented Reality (AR)?
You know when you have a dream that makes you talk and gesture as if it is real life? AR creates that kind of scenario. But unlike lucid dreams, it requires being awake and relying on technology to enhance our perception of reality. In augmented reality, technological sensory presentations are enabled through lenses, sensors, artificial intelligence, and AR software. These four key elements of AR help to overlay digital information or virtual objects onto the real world. It’s an attempt to bridge the gap between artificial and real environments.
With its potential to solve current business problems, AR has attracted significant research breakthroughs and financial investments. Industry giants like Microsoft, Apple, and Google have heavily invested in it, driving innovation and pushing for more “real” and accessible experiences. This concerted effort has created sophisticated software and hardware solutions like Microsoft HoloLens, Apple ARKit, and Google ARCore. These AR technologies are also transforming various industries and allowing businesses to create immersive AR applications for their customers.
Brief Overview of the AR Market
Statista’s projected calculations suggest that the global augmented reality market will experience a staggering increase from 3.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2017 to over 198 billion U.S. dollars in 2025.
The AR market is booming because small and big businesses are investing a lot in the technologies that make it happen. The latest is Apple, which introduced a new Vision Pro on June 5, 2023. Facebook rebranded Meta in 2022 and invested up to $10 billion in the same year to build its Metaverse division. Google, Snap, and Microsoft also stay strong in developing AR technology devices.
Major Trends in AR
According to experts, the future of AR is one in which AR glasses (despite being relatively expensive at present) will replace smartphones as the primary digital devices we all use. That is easy to believe, as powerful hardware and software manufacturers are making significant strides in that direction.
From social media to automated devices, the travel, entertainment, and healthcare industries, there’s a place for augmented reality to become the norm in the digital world. Let’s consider the current trends that prove these points.
1. Cross-Platform AR Gains Prominence
If you don’t require the full capabilities of native AR frameworks on Android and iOS and want to fast-track your product’s launch, opting for cross-platform AR development is the best choice.
Unity’s AR Foundation Framework, Meta’s AR engine, and 8th Wall are among the top cross-platform AR development tools. With an extensive suite of tools, all these frameworks enable developers to craft immersive AR experiences that adapt to the unique specifications of various devices. They support Apple’s ARKit and Google’s ARCore, two prominent AR platforms.
2. AR Glasses
AR glasses have shifted from clunky prototypes to discreet devices. Although they remain relatively expensive, competition is expected to drive innovation and affordability as the market becomes more crowded.
For the past seven years, Snap has been at the forefront of producing AR glasses. With the Spectacles 4, their latest model, wearers can also be connected to Snapchat for activities. In the future, AR glasses will rely on artificial intelligence. We expect that Meta’s AR glasses are scheduled to be launched in 2024.
3. AR in Marketing
AR will take a firm place in marketing. With tools like Mercedes digital owners manual that allows augmented reality customer support, AR in marketing offers interactive ways for businesses to engage with customers and present product information.
What about AR tools that facilitate virtual try-ons from home or in-store navigation of products? Perfect Corp has demonstrated this with their AR technologies and services, such as Face AI, Makeup AR, and Live 3D Face AR.
4. Indoor and Outdoor Navigation
AR-powered indoor and outdoor navigation tools merge real-time directions with the camera view on smartphones or tablets. This seamless combination enables navigation within physical spaces with or without a map. And it is more convenient because it provides intuitive visual cues directly in the physical space.
Most AR Indoor Navigation software incorporates advanced beacon or sensor technologies to ensure accurate positioning and intuitive user experiences. Warehouses now use these for fleet management.
AR proves valuable in outdoor navigation, particularly for guided tours. Notable examples of AR solutions in this area include Wintor, AR Interactive Tour Guide, and SketchFab.
5. Healthcare and Augmented Reality
Healthcare providers worldwide are leveraging AR software and hardware for various applications, including vein surgical imaging, vein mapping, disease detection, and educational purposes.
A popular device called AccuVein uses AR to help health workers visualize veins efficiently and quickly. Failure to accurately map veins during clinical procedures can adversely affect minors, seniors, and individuals with a high body mass index (BMI). Accuvein is built with radiological imaging and diagnostic techniques to avoid such situations.
AR is still in its infancy in healthcare, but the future holds transformative advancements for patient diagnosis, treatment, and health education.
Summary
With its immersive and interactive nature, AR has the potential to redefine the way we interact with the digital world. One of the most intriguing possibilities is its ability to replace smartphones as our primary devices. That will significantly change how we communicate, entertain ourselves, shop, travel, learn, and work. Learning about AR developments and exploring how to incorporate them into your marketing or your products is recommended for businesses that target Gen-Z.
