The two most talked about concept and buzzwords today, Virtual Reality(VR) and Augmented Reality(AR) are driving the technology world while changing the way organizations work.
On one hand, we have VR that portrays a completely computerized, digital parallel world to the human mind whereas, on the other hand, AR technology generates computer graphics that can be viewed in the normal environment. By doing so, these technologies are changing our everyday work and tasks in a more digital and fun way.
Due to techniques and machine learning aspects being carried over by these two technologies, they are majorly used and adapted at the industry level for a number of uses that include Solving traffic woes, offering great Entertainment along with bringing the shopping experience, etc.
This can be very well explained through the global augmented reality market which was valued at around $3.33 billion in 2015 . and the numbers are expected to reach approximately $133.78 billion in 2021 with promising huge opportunities for growth. When talking about VR, it is estimated that the VR is expected to generate $150 Million in revenue by 2020.
Also, as per analysts, they have predicted that both AR and VR will cause a disruption in the world economies while driving a great new change into digital transformation. In short, it is quite apt if we say that Virtual Reality lets one escapes the real world and Augmented Reality improves it.
With it, let us check out Top Trends for Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) to get started with.
Top Augmented Reality Trends
Enhanced shopping experience
According to the report by Gartner, around 100 million users are expected to employ AR-enabled shopping technologies in 2019. The boom in the AR-enabled mobile devices implies that the sector is now occupied by robust, mature and advanced technologies. Seeing such the impact of AR, mobile app developers, customers, retailers are now using them as part of their daily experience.
Furthermore, another report by BRP is indicating that 48% of consumers are more likely to buy from a retailer that provides AR experiences. Mapping according to the situation and demand, around 15% of retailers currently using AR in their operations. Moving to the rest of the 32% of retailers are planning to deploy virtual or augmented reality applications over the next three years.
Indoor navigation solutions
It was already highlighted that 2019 is going to be the year of AR technologies. This is the reason, with all the advancements, AR technologies for indoor navigation is the next entry.
Earlier, people used to rely more on maps services offered by Google and Apple to get around outside, but with the help of indoor navigation, the passage towards the paths is now easy.
Smart solutions for enterprise
Smart glasses are not rocket science now, as military, medical and enterprise solutions are proving the value of combining AR with smart glasses and headsets.
There are many well-known tech giants and companies that are using the concept of offering the best services to users. Microsoft’s Microsoft HoloLens 2, is one of the biggest examples of accepting the concept of AR wholeheartedly.
Furthermore, based on a Forrester report, around 14 million American workers by 2025 are expected to use smart glasses on their jobs. Meanwhile, many companies including Walmart and Tyson, are planning to streamline processes like training while providing self-help to workers in the field with AR overlays that will deliver information from manuals.
The practice will help in the improvements in prototyping, testing, quality control, and troubleshooting. Also, jobs that call for workers’ hands to be free are also going to benefit significantly from AR headsets and glasses.
An amalgamation of AR and AI
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning go hand in hand. And bringing both of these technologies with Augmented and Mixed Reality systems is perfectly going to compliment each other. Together, these technologies will create human-machine processes that will handle problems like diagnosing diseases while improving the outcomes.
Taking the example of Amazon, the company drives 35% of its sales from its recommendation engine. By pairing consumer profiles and usage patterns of certain products and services with AR and Ml, it becomes easy for the retailer to identify customer needs in order to provide them recommendations.
Not to forget, the tiny little bots that are capable of answering through natural language processing (NLP) technologies are also part of AI. In short, robust AI and ML solutions can be extended to the boundary of AR and MR to provide value to everyday users of mobile devices.
For the automotive industry
Seeing the gradual growth of AR, the automotive industry is also seeing a major transformation in its operations using AR.
Taking the example of Genesis G80, the company utilizes a number of features for ensuring accuracy that includes tracking the driver’s line of sight that the holographic overlays are always in the right spot. The practice of AR is not limited to there, the motorist can also be alerted to hazards while providing them directions and warnings about traffic.
Like Genesis G80, there are many other companies like WayRay, a Switzerland based company is the biggest player in this domain, whereas, Hyundai, is known to be the leader in the AR research. In addition, Hyundai has apps that allow users to point their phones at their cars to get information.
Industrial based AR- apps
AR is also revamping the industrial domain more positively. The year 2018 has witnessed a large number of AR industrial prototypes while continuously demonstrating its functionality as a commercial application.
The use brings in advantages like generating new sources of income while reducing the costs and growing the existing income growth.
AR for mobile
Today, everyone has smartphones, it means they are all set to welcome AR-based technology integrated into the mobile phones also. And great support from tech giants like Google and Apple in AR technology will give new dimensions to the whole concept.
For instance, ARKit and ARCore have made it very easy for developers to develop and launch applications that are AR ready.
AR in marketing and Advertising
There are many companies and organizations that have utilized AR for their advertising campaigns. AR can offer a personalized experience to the consumer while facilitating an increase in both user engagement and brand recognition.
For instance, the IKEA AR app enables users to visualize what a piece of furniture will look like. Hence, businesses can use the opportunity to market the products in a whole new way, by letting consumers visualize how a product can fit into their daily lives.
AR for healthcare
No doubt, AR has shown a positive impact on the healthcare domain in an unexpected way and i.e.—telemedicine.
The concept is all about receiving a medical consultation without physically being in the same room as a doctor. AR software lets doctors map the necessary motions needed for physical therapy straight to their patient’s body. Hence, it seems AR is leaving no stone unturned for a better future.
While this was all about the AR trends and there are more on the list, making everyday lives way better, smoother and easier than ever before. With better techniques and more advancement in the existing trends, AR will remain on the list of “most sensational topic”.
Ending the topic, let us now indulge ourselves in the top Virtual Reality trends that are also lining up in the cue to provide users the best in class experience.
Virtual Reality top Trends
VR and AI
There is no denying, Virtual Reality is not complete without the mention of Artificial Intelligence. The duo carries great potential to change the world.
Filters on Instagram, Snapchat is the best examples to show the creation of VR and AI. Another tool called the Machine Learning Microscope of Google is capable of highlighting cancerous tissues.
The duo is capable of changing the day to day operations with ease, that too, flawlessly.
Training and Education
Training and Education are the most important yet risky exercises to follow be it in the workplace or in the educational domain. But with VR based technology, an organization can provide the best training to its employees while cutting the costs and not letting them exposed to risk.
For example, Walmart has used 17,000 Oculus Go headsets for training its employees in the customer service department. Whereas, the U.S. Army has been using Microsoft HoloLens technology to offer soldiers real-time updates on their environment.
Tours and travel
What is better than trying before buying? To make this situation a reality, VR technology is here along with giving a new experience to the users. The immersive video allows you to experience your chosen destinations before even packing.
Exploring the destination is not the final destination, with VR technology, you can check out your room while getting a street view, checking the venues and nearby restaurants. Offering such ease can let users decide whether the chosen destination you have packed yourself for is good or not.
Furthermore, through VR based travel applications you can relive your vacation after returning back. And the advancement in technology is offering great opportunities to mobile app development companies also.
Consumer entertainment
You might have enjoyed the latest cinemas in a fully-decked movie theatre. And also must have amused by the D-Box, IMAX or 3D visual magnificence. Well, giving more experience than this, VR will go one step beyond all that.
Through it, users will feel more connected to the movie and whatever they are watching. Proving this, Amsterdam is leading the race to become the first city with a VR theatre.
Quality and supply
To prove this point, there is a YouTube channel called YouTube’s 360 channel that has got more than three million subscribers. The channel is known for showcasing virtual reality content and due to the growing demand for such content, the number of videos is only increasing with every passing day.
Furthermore, there are virtual reality cameras that enable vloggers and influencers to create virtual reality content. And no wonder, seeing the growth and acceptance of VR, In the coming days, more and more equipment will become capable of creating virtual reality content by opening the floodgates of VR content.
So, this was all about VR trends, the trends that are giving birth to another trend. Though, there are numerous trends lying under the shadow of both AR and VR while being accepted by the users. It seems the future of AR/VR is bright and more technical with a dose of fun.
As the trend of AR/VR technology-based applications is also leading the way, hence, it will be wiser to invest in AR/VR based mobile app development.