The IoT Academy Blog

What is Augmented Reality (AR) – Its Applications and Future

  • Written By The IoT Academy 

  • Published on December 25th, 2023

  • Updated on December 26, 2023

Welcome to Augmented Reality (AR), where digital and real things mix for cool experiences. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR) which puts you in digital worlds, AR adds digital coolness to your everyday places. In this article, we’ll talk about what AR is, how it works, and how it’s used in education, healthcare, shopping, games, and more. Big companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft make AR better for learning and fun. From surgeries to smart cities, AR can do a lot. Let’s explore with examples like Pokémon GO and imagine the cool future of AR together!

What is Augmented Reality (AR)?

Augmented Reality is a technology that blends digital content with the real world in real-time. It enhances the user’s perception of their physical environment by overlaying computer-generated information, such as images, videos, 3D models, or text, onto the real-world environment. While Virtual Reality (VR), immerses users in a completely virtual environment, AR supplements the real world with additional digital elements.

Augmented Reality Meaning

Augmented Reality (AR) adds computer stuff to the real world, making it cooler. It’s not like VR, which creates fake worlds. AR works on devices like phones and glasses, using sensors to make digital things blend with the real world, improving games, learning, and healthcare.

What is Augmented Reality Technology?

AR technology typically involves the use of devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart glasses, or headsets to deliver the augmented experience. These devices use cameras, sensors, and other technologies to capture and interpret the surrounding environment. The AR system then processes this information and overlays relevant digital content onto the user’s view.

Augmented Reality Uses

AR’s versatility extends across various sectors, revolutionizing the way we work, learn, and entertain ourselves.

  • Education: AR makes learning fun. Students can explore history, look at virtual bugs, and use simulations to understand things better.
  • Healthcare: In hospitals, AR helps plan surgeries, trains medical students safely, and lets surgeons see important details during operations.
  • Retail: In stores, AR lets customers virtually try on items and see products in a fun way, making shopping better and decision-making easier.
  • Gaming: Games use AR to make playing super fun and interactive. They mix made-up stuff with the real world for a blast exploring.

Augmented Reality Future

The future of AR holds immense promise, with ongoing developments poised to redefine the way we interact with technology.

  • Enhanced User Interfaces: In the future, AR will get even better, making things feel more natural without needing regular screens or gadgets. You can use hand movements, talk to it, and feel feedback, making it cooler to use.
  • Smart Cities: AR might make cities really smart. It could give live updates about traffic, public stuff, and cool places, making city life easier and better for everyone.
  • Remote Collaboration: In the future, AR companies can help people work together from far away by making it feel like they’re in the same place. This is super important for big companies that do stuff all over the world.

Best Augmented Reality Example

To better understand the impact of AR, let’s explore some noteworthy examples that highlight its diverse applications.

  • Pokémon GO: This super popular mobile game made augmented reality famous. It lets players catch virtual Pokémon in real-world places.
  • IKEA Place: The IKEA Place app helps you see furniture in your home before buying, using AR to make online shopping better.
  • Microsoft HoloLens: HoloLens is a cool headset that mixes augmented and virtual reality. It’s used in jobs like making things, designing, and healthcare.
  • Snapchat Filters: Snapchat’s augmented reality filters, or “Lenses,” allow users to add digital elements to their selfies and videos. It includes animated masks, effects, and 3D objects, transforming the way people share images.
  • BMW’s AR Experience: BMW uses AR in its showrooms to provide customers with an interactive and immersive experience. Users can use AR to explore different car models, customize features, and visualize how the car would look in various environments.

Top Augmented Reality Companies

Several companies are at the forefront of the AR revolution, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and driving innovation in this rapidly evolving field.

  • Apple: Apple’s ARKit lets developers make fun AR stuff for iPhones and iPads, making lots of people use it.
  • Google: Google’s ARCore helps developers make cool AR apps for Android, making AR tech available to more people.
  • Microsoft: Microsoft is really into AR tech for work, not just HoloLens, showing they want to improve workplaces.

How to Build a Career in AR?

Anyone can start a career in the field of AR. But for that, they should acquire a combination of technical skills, design knowledge, and practical experience. Mastery of programming languages such as C# or C++, along with familiarity with AR development frameworks like ARKit and ARCore, forms the foundation. Proficiency in 3D modeling, animation, UI/UX design, and computer vision is equally crucial for creating immersive and user-friendly AR applications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Augmented Reality (AR) is changing how we experience the world by mixing digital and real things. It helps in education, healthcare, retail, and games. Big companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft are making AR cool. Looking ahead, AR could make interactions better and create smart cities. Examples like Pokémon GO and IKEA Place show how AR is real and makes life fun. The future of AR looks super exciting, with more cool things coming our way. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which is more expensive, VR or AR?

Ans. Virtual Reality (VR) can be pricier because it needs special equipment for a full experience. AR is often cheaper as it uses regular devices like phones.

Q. Why is AR more popular than VR?

Ans. More people like AR than Virtual Reality (VR) because AR mixes digital stuff with what’s around you, making it useful for everyday things like finding places and shopping.

About The Author:

The IoT Academy as a reputed ed-tech training institute is imparting online / Offline training in emerging technologies such as Data Science, Machine Learning, IoT, Deep Learning, and more. We believe in making revolutionary attempt in changing the course of making online education accessible and dynamic.

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