7 Augmented Reality Trends of 2022
In the past few years, we have witnessed amazing and effective advancement in many sectors of technology. Be it business, entertainment, or traveling, we can think and create beyond possibilities. Augmented Reality is one such marvelous innovation in the field of technology that has led everyone to look at the world in a different perspective.
Since the AR space is growing significantly, it is no longer just a concept. It has perquisite benefits in marketing for business as well as for entertainment purposes.
Though this technology is highly fruitful, it will take some time for it to become normal everywhere. Yet, a few AR trends are certainly blooming in the market and we will observe their further growth in the years to come.
Top AR Trends Of 2022
Previously immersive experiences or 3D experiences were limited to the entertainment industry, for instance, it was especially prevalent in movie marketing. However today, you can witness it anywhere from marketing to gaming, and even to education. There is huge potential for businesses to utilise immersive technologies to upscale their growth and to increase public perceptions around innovation.
Augmented Reality works efficiently in various industries, notably retail, gaming, healthcare, automobile, and many more. The simple and primary purpose of AR is to solve modern challenges that every industry faces and need modern solutions.
In the pursuit of this, some technological geniuses put their efforts towards improving the infrastructure and frameworks required to deliver better and more advanced AR products that provide truly amazing 3D experiences. Hence, there are a few trends of Augmented Reality that are essential for you to know since they will take the immersive experience in 2023 to the next level.
AR Shopping
Online shopping became far more prevalent as a result of the pandemic. Since COVID caused the closure of a myriad of businesses, it enabled us to feel the need for digitalization in several areas of life. Hence, a lot of businesses and retailers invested in Augmented Reality. Consequently, AR emerged in the form of in-store AR as well as Web-based Augmented Reality tools. These tools aim to uplift the customer’s engagement with a business.
One such example is the virtual try-on that many fashion brands have integrated with their website. The reoccurring problem for every online shopping enthusiast is the size and appearance of the product they want to order.
Hence, the virtual try-on feature enables you to digitally try jewelry, watches, clothing, shoes, and whatnot. This way, you get a personalized shopping experience through digital technologies. Also, it results in an increase of customer satisfaction, while simultaneously lowering the returns of your products.
Moreover, virtual fitting rooms or in-store Smart mirrors are becoming a new norm among certain shoppers. Without physically wearing the clothes and other accessories, customers can digitally select anything from the smart mirror to try out. It saves time and helps both customers and retailers.
AR And The Metaverse
The metaverse narrative has been the talk of the town in recent times due to its explosion during the last crypto bull run and Facebook’s rebranding to Meta. The definition or underlying principal of the Metaverse has grown to imply connecting or bridging the real world into a limitless digital world. Hence, Metaverse and Augmented Reality share a common goal and will most certainly interact and overlap.
A good example of AR can be seen with social AR filters like the ones on SnapChat or Instagram where users can change and enhance their appearance or surroundings through an Augmented Reality lens, bringing the virtual or digital elements into a real world environment.
How this will begin to apply to the Metaverse will be through the incorporation of 3D avatars that can be operated through motion capture and can be viewed in the real world through AR technology.
For instance, Geenee AR in partnership with Ready Player Me created an avatar or digital character. The creation takes place on Geenee Web-based AR framework. Using your phone’s camera, you can wear and customize the character with NFTs in Ready Player Me.
Simply put, this merger between AR and Metaverse has the potential to positively influence the digital world within the physical environment.
WebAR With Enhanced Accessibility
WebAR denotes the Web-based Augmented Reality that works independently on web browsers. It implies that a user does not necessarily need to download any extra software or application to view the AR experience. It is the best way to boost the accessibility of Augmented Reality.
However, the pitfall to WebAR is that it only supports more basic AR experiences and lacks advanced features that you can get with standalone apps. The basic and fundamental experiences include virtual try-on features like face filters, coloring hairs, outfit try-on, real world objects, immersive AR portals and many more.
Though these experiences may be viewed as basic, many businesses and brands still use them as they are a lot more accessible for their customers. You may think that WebAR is less potent, but it is a handy technology for many businesses, especially within the fashion industry.
Augmented Reality Trends In Marketing
AR marketing is no longer in its early stages, it has already been used by major brands to create unique and engaging customer experiences. It can greatly influence and help to grow interaction and engagement by customers. There are many ways where you can use AR for marketing in your business. Anything from AR business cards to printed OOH media to packaging and in-store POS. Moreover, the AR Manual for your product or instructional or educational supplemental content.
Furthermore, AR advertising is a lot more interactive. Since these ads could be virtual try-ons or mini-games, they enhance the level of interaction enhancing recall. This in turn is more likely to boost conversions more than if you had just used a traditional or more conventional advertisement. At the end of the day Augmented Reality is just far more exciting for the consumer.
Augmented Reality Trends In Healthcare
We have already seen the application of Artificial Intelligence in the diagnosis and treatment of health issues. Augmented Reality is another technology that’s a beneficial inclusion in the healthcare sector and is set to enhance existing medical systems and procedures.
One such example of this is the Hololens 2 from Microsoft with its hands-free services for the surgeon. It informs the surgeon about every detail during the surgery for a smooth and fast operation. Also, AR applications help medical students better visualize the human body, its organs and other microorganisms for easier and in-depth understanding.
Not just that, AR mental health applications are widely spreading and gaining popularity. AR can be used as a tool for mental health treatment by providing an immersive and interactive experience that can help people to better understand their thoughts and feelings. It can also be used to provide exposure therapy for phobias, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Furthermore, the AR microscope from Google in association with the Department of Defense (DoD) has helped doctors to precisely diagnose and cure cancer. This microscope analyzes the real-time photos to detect problems and health issues efficiently. This procedure is swift and effortless and ultimately helps the patient to find out about cancer and other diseases at their earliest stages.
Augmented Reality Trends In Manufacturing
In manufacturing, AR can be used to provide employees with instructions or feedback on their tasks, as well as to identify and track objects in the production process. For example, if an employee is having difficulty locating a part in the assembly line, they could use AR to see an overlay of the location of all parts on the screen. This would allow them to find and fix the problem more quickly. Additionally, by using AR to track objects in the production process, companies can improve efficiency and reduce waste.
Another example of AR in manufacturing is remote troubleshooting. A few factories have remote support that helps the technicians on-call to solve major problems. Augmented Reality can be useful in the form of virtual markers. These markers show the auto parts on a big screen, making it easier for a team of experts to instruct its fixture. Hence, the technicians on the other side can watch, follow, and troubleshoot the problem.
Even something as simple as being able to highlight certain parts of a machine during a maintenance procedure could increase efficiency tenfold. For instance, a worker can use their mobile device with AR tool to observe and analyze a machine and its parts in more detail.
AR Smart Glasses
Augmented reality (AR) smart glasses are the next big thing in technology, and they have the potential to change the way we live our lives.
Smart glasses are basically regular eyeglasses with a small computer display attached to one of the lenses. This display can show information such as text messages, directions, or even pictures and videos.
But where AR smart glasses really shine is in their ability to overlay digital information onto the real world. For example, you could be looking at a building and see an arrow pointing you in the direction of the nearest coffee shop. Or you could be walking down a street and see virtual signs telling you which way to turn. The possibilities are endless, and we can only imagine what new applications will be developed over time.
Role Of AR In Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is about using technology to change the way your business works. It’s about making your company more agile, more efficient, and more customer-focused. It’s also about preparing for the future, where technology will play an even bigger role in our lives.
One of the most important aspects of digital transformation is using technology to create a better customer experience. And one of the most powerful tools you have for that is augmented reality (AR).
It is used in digital transformation to help businesses bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds. AR allows customers to interact with digital content that is integrated into the real world. This helps businesses create a more immersive experience for their customers, which can lead to increased engagement and conversions. Additionally, AR can be used to improve employee productivity by providing them with contextual information and instructions directly within their line of sight. Overall, AR can be a powerful tool for businesses looking to improve their digital transformation strategy.
Summing Up
AR is entering its growth stage. It will soon become an irreplaceable technology interwoven into our futures. The Augmented Reality Trends are definitely exciting and will take over many conventional working models in 2022. Businesses should look for ways to get in early on this influential new technology.
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