FREMONT, CA: There has always been a lot of anticipation surrounding Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, awaiting their entry into the mainstream application. After long periods of gestation, incubation and experimental adoption, 2019 seems to be the year when AR and VR will be up for a broader range of uses. It is safe to say that many industries will adopt AR and VR and experience a powerful transformation towards immersive experiences and interactions. With better devices and upcoming advancements in the network, industries and individuals are now all set to foray into the new zestful dimensions of AR and VR. Here are some of the popular AR and VR trends characterizing the era.

• VR and AR as Collaborative Tools

AR and VR transform the way people interact over the internet. By using AR technologies, platforms are going to enable augmented video conferencing, which will prove to be an immersive experience even while the participants of the conference are actually at remote locations. Board room communications will also change as AR will overlay real-life objects replacing the older way where documents and media could only be projected onto a screen during meetings

• The togetherness of AR, VR and AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) can act as the enabler that AR and VR technologies always needed. AI-driven technologies like computer vision, which allows computer s and devices to use their cameras to see can aid in the application of AR. Machine learning algorithms can improve this by making identification better over time as more data goes into the system. AI can make VR smarter by incorporating increasing amounts of intelligence into the virtual environments created by VR technology. Tools like natural language processing reduce the dependence on icons, thereby making VR more immersive and life-like.

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• AR and VR in Marketing

Early adopters of AR and VR into marketing have given good results. The trend of using AR and VR by companies to market their products and services is here to stay. AR and VR make marketing much more potent than any other technology has done till date. These technologies can attract and retain clients through content-driven campaigns. The extent of visualization and engagement that AR and VR allow makes them powerful tools. AR and VR are going to make marketing more about ‘experiencing’ the products rather than just listening or reading about them.

• AR and VR-Driven Training and Education

A virtual environment is an excellent place to put to use the new skills that one acquires through education. There is a lot of scope in applying AR and VR in teaching and training, and it is all set to gain significance now.  Students can practice any activity they want to learn, and teachers can conduct training through tools which make information passing much more convenient and productive. The use cases of AR and VR have been few till date but successful enough and many proposals are on the cards.

• VR for Entertainment

The trend of VR for entertainment is all set to pick up the pace. Although the use of VR through headsets has been here for a couple of years, it has not been able to gain popularity owing to some challenges. Significant developments to equipment in recent times is about to reduce the limitations and improve the experience through better graphics and simulations. Powerful and upgraded standalone headsets are soon going to be available in the market. Entertainment is sure to be nourished by extensive VR innovations.

• Applications of AR to Vehicles

The automobile market is teeming with possibilities at the moment. The driverless cars are in advanced stages of development, but many other futuristic features driven by AR are already here and are going to make an appearance soon. Vehicle manufacturers have created machine learning backed powerful dashboard displays with the help of AR. These dashboards are going to change the way we look at driving. By overlaying graphics on the collected camera footage, users can experience a new range of features. Interfaces that can project data directly onto the windshields are going to make an appearance making navigation and hazard detection truly convenient for drivers.

• Manufacturing to Gain from AR

AR will make inroads into the manufacturing industry. The manufacturing industry will get assistance from AR in helping industrial employees visualize data sets. AR will overlay content on machinery that needs repairs so that workers know how to proceed with repairing.  AR software which enables all of the above features is going to play an instrumental role in helping manufacturing industry transition. Similarly, VR is going to make it easier for the management to train workers, who function in hazardous environments.

• AR and VR as New Healthcare Entrants

The convergence of technologies has proved to be of considerable significance to the medical sector. AR and VR are going to touch the healthcare sector in numerous way of which telemedicine is going to be one of the significant developments. Telemedicine refers to healthcare and offers clinical assistance to patients from remote locations. This was a farfetched idea till recently because of the sensitive nature of the health industry, but the increase in the sophistication of technologies like AR and VR and emerging devices are now going to make it possible. Doctors can have a look at patients and assess their wellbeing employing AR tools and prescribe medicines. AR and VR are going to make healthcare fully accessible.

• AR, VR and Cybersecurity

As AR and VR make their presence felt in various realms, the need to make them safe for the user arises instantly. Till date, one has not seen a uniform set of rules or legislation to regulate these new technologies as they had not made it to the mainstream. Now the predictions suggest that there is going to be a large scale deployment of AR and VR which will set off an urgent requirement of a standard set of rules. Right now, the technologies have free reins, but it is going to change at the earliest.  

AR cloud is poised to change that soon. One can look forward to the evolution of an AR ecosystem that will be interconnected and meaningful. AR cloud is more like a three-dimensional digital replica of the real world that enables shared AR experiences to one and all. This aspect of AR is going to undergo rapid development this year and play a role in helping AR technology permeate into real life.

AR and VR are miraculously changing the world, turning science fiction into reality. The trends point to their increasing potential and highlight the fact that these technologies are going to be a part of daily life soon. New and exciting developments are on the cards over the coming years, which found a scenario where the real and the virtual meet. One will see the rise of start-ups and an increase in funding towards further development of both AR and VR as the demand for these technologies is at an all-time high.