The development of Augmented Reality has experienced different phases in the last decade. This technology offers the possibility to “augment” the real world by adding virtual elements to it. Although AR has been in public consciousness for more than a decade, the massive embracement of smartphones was a turning point for it.
In the smartphone field, two platforms stood above the rest: ARCore, developed by Google; and ARKit, developed by Apple. As the following chart shows, the search trends provided by Google reveal that Augmented Reality gained popularity with the release of both platforms.
These platforms have served as the first real touch with Augmented Reality for millions of people and mobile apps like Pokemon Go (whose effect on AR popularity can easily be appreciated in the chart) and Snapchat quickly became examples of viral apps using AR. It is true that these apps made Augmented Reality a worldwide trend, but it is also true that these examples do not represent the real potential of AR.
Automotive, retail, healthcare, and education are some of the industries already benefitting from Augmented Reality. It gives companies the possibility to offer more immersive customer experiences, it enhances the learning process, providing motivation and personalized learning, and it is also a great tool for professional skills training, reducing risks and allowing numberless repetitions.
In this field, Soldamatic Augmented Training is the first turn key welding training solution powered with AR, you can take a look at how the Augmented Reality technology enhances welding training here.
Augmented Reality won’t stop evolving anytime soon, it is far from reaching its full potential, but every step forward counts.
Sources:
https://greenlightinsights.com/consumer-attitude-towards-ar/
http://www.businessinsider.com/ars-potential-in-the-enterprise-2017-4
https://www.enginecreative.co.uk/blog/unlocking-potential-augmented-reality/
