Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience where objects residing in the real-world are integrated in a user’s environment in real time. There are different types of AR. Markerless is location-based AR that uses a smart phones GPS, compass, gyroscope, and the accelerometer which precisely pin points a location which produces info data of maps, directions, and business information to the user. Projection-based AR will project a synthetic light to physical surfaces which could be made to allow interaction with certain holograms like seen in movies such as Star Wars. Superimposition-based AR will replace an original view as seen by a camera on a smartphone or tablet and replace it. Some current uses of this technology exist in the IKEA app that allows you to view selected furniture in your very own living room to see what you like best.
Virtual reality (VR) is computer technology that uses a head-mounted display (HMD) and creates an entire simulated environment in 3D that is intractable. This environment attempts to make one think it’s as real as possible by using as many human senses as possible, such as vision, hearing, and touch and in some cases even smell. The possibilities are endless depending on the amount of computer power availability. The major companies creating VR hardware are Oculus, HTC, and Sony that has teamed up with Oculus to develop a proprietary PlayStation 4 VR headset.
Both AR/VR technologies are everywhere and have become much more affordable, and made vast improvements over the last couple of years. There are now many applications uses in areas such as education, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. These real-world applications have become very versatile by allowing one to learn and train by immersing in a different world that MR is another lesser known term that is a mix of the two, but it is fairly new.
Education
Lifeliqe is an AR 3D science learning application that helps students learn hands-on and is interactive to demonstrate science concepts for an easier learning curve in K-12 classrooms. Unity Technologies is one of the biggest game developers that create more than half of the VR games that exist and about two thirds of the apps. They specialize in AR/VR for training students in the medical fields, along with history and simulations for STEM students. Microsoft Mixed Reality is one of the less common (MR) experiences focusing on team work and collaboration. They use the combination of physical and digital to add a totally new perspective to the workplace. Another popular MR experience is with the company called Labster which specializes in the abilities to zoom into the life of molecular cells and see how they work up close. A truly amazing device which could bring life into all the labs for an Arizona State University. It is the first University to launch a full online Biology degree using Labster.
Healthcare
I would have to say that good health is the most important part of my daily life. AR/VR technologies in healthcare are still in the early stages but are expected to have a significant contribution to areas such as surgical simulation and diagnostics imaging to the patients care and rehabilitations. Illustrations of high definition 3D organs or specific body parts will help plan procedures or show someone getting surgery exactly what the doctor is going to do to the patient. There is also a lot of research being done on the phycological potential of the technologies. Some of those items include pain relief to help with the addiction of opioids, and behavioral medicine. Each of the technologies have a role to plan in the healthcare industry and the current researchers have stated that the best solution in general would be a combination of the two-working side by side (MR). Goldman Sach’s research in the AR and VR healthcare technologies would be worth a whopping $5.1bn by the year 2025 and second to the video game market. That research clearly demonstrates the huge increase of usage of these technologies that will have many uses and improvement in public health.
Retail
Retail is an area where AR is much more useful than VR. It has been extremely effective in the furniture sales departments when ever it is used. Furniture sales increased by 60% and overall dropped the normal return rate to under 2%. This is because customers can try out the furniture and see how it looks and if it fits correctly in their homes. Retail store need this new change in this digital age to avoid their stores from closing such as Sears recently did last year. Immersive technologies are continuing to become a huge part of the future picture that will keep customers happier and sales soaring. AR is estimated to grow to a $122bn eCommerce market by the year 2022. These number are proof of how well AR works and how well VR will come and get a part of the retail market share.
Manufacturing
Plant facilities have been using the abilities of both VR and AR to increase the quality of training for their employees with a more real-time experience by using visual and oral instruction much more efficiently. In this industry every second matters. There are constant automated machines running 24 hours a day and any small mistake could cost millions before it is caught. Manufacturing plants can have very hazardous environments where an employee could be in danger while training. This omits those safety hazards completely with these technologies. Having a solid new employee that follows safety and procedures early on in their career can add a lot of value to the manufacturing company over time. This is a very important sector because it generated about $2.1 trillion in the year 2013. I would say it is much higher now. These technologies are highly used in the automotive industry because it enable engineers to visualize the shapes and designs before the first prototypes are ever built. This gives designers a huge edge on the product that they envision for their future customer.
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