Augmented reality (AR), in case you have not heard, is a technology that allows you to overlay your physical surroundings with a graphical adornment. Games like Pokemon GO come to mind. Nonetheless, AR has many applications today and the use cases seem to be growing as the software becomes more sophisticated and the hardware becomes less expensive. In this article we will take a look at the scope of augmented reality today and projections for it beyond.
Scope of augmented reality today
AR is still in its early stages of development, but it has already found a number of applications in the real world. For example, AR is used by surgeons to guide them during surgery, by warehouse workers to track inventory, and by students to learn about anatomy.
One of the most popular uses of AR today is in gaming. AR games like Pokémon Go and Ingress have millions of players worldwide. These games allow players to interact with virtual objects in the real world, which makes them more immersive and engaging than traditional video games.
Scope of augmented reality beyond today
As AR technology continues to develop, it is likely to find even more applications in the real world. For example, AR could be used to provide real-time information to drivers, to help people with disabilities navigate their surroundings, and to create more realistic and immersive experiences for entertainment purposes.
Here are some specific examples of how AR could be used in the future:
- Manufacturing: AR could be used to help factory workers assemble products. For example, AR could provide workers with step-by-step instructions and real-time feedback as they work. This could help to improve efficiency and reduce errors.
- Healthcare: AR could be used to help doctors and surgeons perform surgeries. For example, AR could provide doctors with real-time information about the patient’s anatomy and help them to visualize complex procedures. This could lead to better outcomes for patients.
- Education: AR could be used to make learning more engaging and interactive. For example, AR could be used to create virtual field trips or to provide students with 3D models of objects that they are studying. This could help students to better understand complex concepts.
- Entertainment: AR could be used to create new and immersive entertainment experiences. For example, AR could be used to create virtual worlds that people can explore or to provide real-time information about the environment around them. This could lead to new forms of gaming, tourism, and other forms of entertainment.
The potential applications of AR are vast and still being explored. As the technology continues to develop, it is likely to have a major impact on many industries and on the way we live our lives.
Challenges facing augmented reality
While AR has the potential to revolutionize many industries, it is still facing a number of challenges. One challenge is the cost of AR hardware. AR headsets and glasses are still relatively expensive, which limits their availability to businesses and consumers.
Another challenge is the lack of standards for AR content. This makes it difficult for developers to create AR applications that work on multiple devices.
Finally, AR can be distracting and can interfere with the user’s ability to focus on the real world. This is a challenge that developers are working to overcome.
Conclusion
Despite the challenges, AR is a promising technology with the potential to change the way we live and work. As the technology continues to develop, it is likely to become more affordable, accessible, and user-friendly. This will lead to even more widespread adoption of AR, and we can expect to see it used in a wide range of applications in the future.
I remain as excited as you are to see how things develop. We will try to cover as many products as we can here at Brownstone Labs, so check us out and stay tuned.
All the best out there, TJ