Introduction to Augmented Reality’s New Status
Augmented reality (AR) has been a subject of interest within the tech industry for years. Recently, it was announced that AR is officially out of Gartner’s Hype Cycle. This news got here as a surprise to many, as AR had been steadily climbing the curve 12 months by 12 months. In 2018, it took a steep dive right down to the trough of disillusionment, with specialists estimating it will take one other 5-10 years to achieve maturity.
Augmented Reality’s Journey within the Cycle
The Gartner Hype Cycle is a technique utilized by executives to navigate the fast-moving innovation world. It signals upcoming technology hypes and indicates their maturity, helping leaders assess risks and early adoption advantages. Since 2005, enthusiasts have been following AR’s journey up and down the curve. With Google, Apple, and other tech giants heavily investing within the space, industry insiders debated whether 2020 can be the 12 months things would finally enter the slope of enlightenment. However, analysts kept their predictions, stating that the technology still had a decade or so ahead until it reaches mass adoption.
Why Was AR Removed from the Hype Cycle?
So, why has AR been swiped off the map? Does that mean it switched to the fast lane overnight? Did it reach maturity throughout the last couple of years? Or worse: Has AR lost its potential? According to Gartner, augmented reality has matured so rapidly that it isn’t any longer considered an "emerging technology" anymore. In a recent statement, Gartner’s team explained that this framework intends to be dynamic as a result of the big variety of technologies tracked. Instead of following each step of each innovation’s maturation process, it opens up space for upcoming hypes that appear in every latest cycle.
From Pilot to Productivity
By graduating from the Hype Cycle, augmented reality evolves from "a technology to observe" to 1 to make use of. This means AR has reached maturity and have become an industry-proofed technology that executives can safely spend money on to enhance and innovate their business. Gartner’s latest report predicts that multi-experience platforms, including augmented reality, might be deployed no less than in one-third of all enterprises by 2021. Furthermore, Gartner explains that mature technologies are inclined to live right in the center of many other, still emerging, technology trends.
The Future of Augmented Reality
Observing each 2019 and 2020 Hype Cycles, it’s clear that AR might be a vital piece of the puzzle for firms heavily investing in augmented intelligence, immersive workspaces, AI-augmented development, social distancing technologies, and other trends. And while some executives might only now get the boldness to speculate, AR has been proving its value within the enterprise space for years, demonstrating a robust return on investment (ROI) for firms like Boeing, Walmart, Lockheed Martin, and lots of more. Key learning from these early business deployments is the role of AR in complex business solutions: it thrives when used together with other technologies, quite than a stand-alone feature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, augmented reality’s removal from the Gartner Hype Cycle is a positive sign of its maturity and potential for widespread adoption. As the technology continues to evolve and improve, we are able to expect to see more businesses investing in AR to reinforce their operations and customer experiences. With its ability to mix the digital and physical worlds, AR is poised to develop into a vital tool for firms trying to innovate and stay ahead of the curve. As Martin Herdina, a successful technology entrepreneur and augmented reality leader, notes, AR has been proving its value within the enterprise space for years, and its future looks brighter than ever.
About the Author
Martin Herdina
Martin is a successful technology entrepreneur and augmented reality leader since 2008. Prior to joining Wikitude, Martin had successfully built-up and sold fatfoogoo, a number one provider of payment systems for online games, to Digital River (DRIV). Previously, Martin held strategic management positions in Europe and the US with Qpass Inc., UCP, and T‑Mobile.
