Introduction to Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) isn’t any longer an idea of science fiction, but moderately a rapidly developing technology that’s changing the way in which we interact with the world. Driven by consumer and industry demand, researchers are working tirelessly to provide AR technology that may revolutionize various facets of our lives, including work, education, medicine, and commerce.
What is Augmented Reality?
Augmented reality is the mixing of digital information into the true world, enhancing our experience of reality in real-time. Unlike virtual reality (VR), which creates a synthetic environment, AR uses the prevailing environment and overlays recent information on top of it. This allows us to experience reality in a more engaging and interactive way. AR will be experienced through headsets, mobile devices, and other displays, making it accessible to a wide selection of users.
History of Augmented Reality
The concept of AR was first introduced within the early Nineteen Nineties, when virtual reality goggles were integrated into arcade machines. Later, AR became popular through consumer gaming headsets, which allowed gamers to have immersive experiences on their very own personal consoles. The term "augmented reality" was coined by Boeing researcher Tom Caudell in 1990. The launch of ARKit by Apple and ARCore by Google in 2017 further expanded the probabilities of AR, making it more accessible to developers and users.
Market Growth and Potential
The AR market is predicted to grow exponentially, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 151.93% between 2019 and 2025. According to Goldman Sachs, business spending for AR and VR will surpass consumer spending by 2020, reaching a projected $80-billion market by 2025. With a user base expected to grow beyond 1 billion by 2020, AR is poised to disrupt various industries and revolutionize the way in which we live and work.
Applications of Augmented Reality
AR is being increasingly utilized in various industries, including:
Education
AR helps students achieve enhanced learning results through visualization and full immersion in material. Instead of reading about theory in books, students can see and interact with concepts in real-time, making education more accessible, mobile, and fun.
Medicine
AR applications are getting used in medicine to reinforce patient care and improve surgical procedures. For instance, surgeons can use AR headsets to see key patient data and digital images superimposed over their field of view, allowing them to stay focused on the operative task.
Retailing
AR is changing the way in which we shop online, allowing consumers to see the scale and appearance of products in realistic ways before purchasing. For example, the Dulux Visualiser app allows consumers to check out a shade of paint for his or her room before buying it.
Professional Training
AR is getting used to assist employees master practical skills required for his or her jobs. This includes allowing professionals similar to teachers, soldiers, physicians, and law enforcement officials to practice and hone recent skills before applying them in real situations.
Auto Repair
AR apps are getting used to assist mechanics repair complex vehicles, providing superimposed imagery and data on their device, allowing defective parts to be situated quicker and repairs to be broken down into easy steps.
Augmented Reality for People with Disabilities
AR can be getting used to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities, including visual impairment. For instance, AR-powered headsets can provide directions and discover objects, helping blind individuals navigate unfamiliar places. Additionally, AR smart glasses can allow shoppers who cannot move their hands to pick and get detailed details about a product without having to the touch it.
Conclusion
The evolution and implementation of AR will proceed to refine the definition of "ability" for all of us, expanding our horizons while breaking down barriers to accessibility for disadvantaged populations. As AR technology continues to develop and improve, we will expect to see much more progressive applications and uses in various industries and facets of our lives. With its potential to revolutionize the way in which we live, work, and interact with the world, AR is an exciting and rapidly developing field that is bound to have a profound impact on our future.
