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In the future, Augmented Reality will affect the way we perform a lot of operations. I’m saying this because many devices now have AR features…
Augmented Reality (AR) is unarguably one of the latest trends in the technology industry. No doubt, this technology has been around for several decades. However, it was in 1990 that Tim Codell, a Boeing researcher, coined the term “augmented reality.” Unlike in the past, a lot of industries worldwide now invest heavily in AR technology. In 2020, the global AR market size was USD 14.7 billion. By 2026, experts expect the value to increase at a CAGR of 31.5% and reach USD 88.4 billion.
The trend above shows that the future is bright for Augmented Reality. It also means this technology will offer us a lot of goodies in the future. That said, here’s a burning question, how exactly can Augmented Reality be put to work in the future? Read on to find everything you need to know about this frequently asked question and more.
How is AR currently affecting our lives?
Augmented Reality is a type of technology that offers people interactive 3D experiences of the real physical world. Furthermore, AR works by combining these three factors: real-time interaction, an accurate 3D registration of virtual and real objects, and a mix of real and virtual worlds.
As earlier mentioned, the concept of Augmented Reality has been around for several decades. The first known AR system is “The Sword of Damocles.” Created in 1986 by Ivan Sutherland, a Havard professor & computer scientist, this system displayed a computer program output in the stereoscopic display.
Ever since introducing the first AR technology, many people have also been able to work on their AR systems. Today, millions of devices make use of augmented reality. Also, several industries now use this technology to improve their day-to-day operations.
● AR in the education industry
The education sector is one of the many industries across the world that now take advantage of Augmented Reality. Today, AR is improving the way people learn. It also improves the way teachers deliver their teachings. Here’s what I’m trying to say; AR technology now offers teachers interaction and experimentation; these offerings help to enhance the traditional classroom experiences.
The Human Anatomy Atlas for Android and iOS devices is a good example of an AR use case in education. Although this application is slightly expensive, it provides anatomy students with a detailed rendering of the human body. Another example is the Big Bang AR app by CERN and Google Arts & Culture. It allows astronomy lovers to view the birth and development of the universe.
● AR in the gaming industry
The gaming industry is one of the industries that currently enjoy AR goodies. Organizations and industries in this sector use Augmented Reality technology to deliver interactive experiences.
Furthermore, AR now helps creators to design playing zones within the already existing artificial environment. A good example of how AR currently works in the gaming industry is Pokémon Go, a mobile game released in 2016.
● AR in the retail industry
As with the gaming sector, the retail industry also uses AR to enhance its business activities. One way Augmented Reality technology helps organizations in this field is by increasing online conversions and decreasing returns. Yes, AR generally improves the overall productivity of retailers.
That’s not all; AR now improves shopping experiences, making it more interactive for both business owners and customers. AR also works by increasing customers’ engagements, providing them with control over digital elements in their real world.
Furthermore, in the retail industry, Augmented Reality helps to empower advertisement campaigns and enhance brand recognition. You can check here to see one good example of how AR works.
Here’s how Augmented Reality can work in the future
The global AR market size will predictably increase by more than 30% by 2026. That means we are yet to see everything this immersive technology has to offer.
In the future, Augmented Reality will affect the way we perform a lot of operations. I’m saying this because many devices now have AR features incorporated into them.
1. Future of AR in everyday life
In the future, manufacturers will converge smartphones into glasses and headsets. Today, you make use of your phone to perform several tasks, such as using navigation systems, updating your social media status, and calling someone on social media apps, such as Skype. In the coming years, you’ll be able to perform all these activities through motion and gesture detection features on AR glasses.
Furthermore, next-gen AR devices will come with a wider view. Also, manufacturers will incorporate our senses (viewing, touching, and seeing) into these devices. With that, you’ll gIn access to more information within your peripheral vision.
2. The future of Augmented Reality in the retail industry
As you already know, the retail industry is one of the many sectors now enjoying AR. In the future, the retail industry will use this technology to improve engagement for customers.
Here’s what I’m trying to say; imagine walking by a store window display and seeing an item you love so much. The price tag is there but it’s slightly expensive. How do you convince yourself that you won’t regret buying such a product? This is one of the many things that AR will address in the retail sector.
Yes, in the future, many brands will have AR functionality for mobile devices. By downloading it on your smartphone, you can always point your camera at the item and get enough information about it. That’s not all; you’ll also see exactly how such a product fits on models. This way, you can always make a smart decision regarding whether to buy the item or not, without necessarily visiting the store.
3. The future of Augmented Reality in healthcare
The healthcare sector is one of the most important industries across the world. In the future, AR will certainly improve how health workers will perform certain operations. For instance, AR technology will serve as an assistant to doctors. Through serious games and simulations, doctors can always learn better and carry out more research.
4. The future of Augmented Reality in Education
With AR, the education industry will also see a lot of improvement in the future. Currently, most schools still use printed materials, such as textbooks, posters, and looseleaf papers. In the future, Augmented Reality technology will reduce the use of these materials.
Instead, schools will shift to using interactive and digital materials. Interestingly, they’ll be available for students at any time. This move will certainly improve the overall interaction of students.
Conclusion
As you already know, AR has become a part of our everyday lives. This technology simply offers interactive 3D experiences of the real world. In the future, Augmented Reality will certainly make a lot of operations easier to perform. It’ll also make these activities more interactive and engaging.
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