In recent years augmented reality has seen itself become one of the most significant innovations, with industries jumping on the prospect of delivering it within their business. In particular, the mobile app industry has become completely transformed by the new technology, and it has become a revolution that is a must in order for mobile apps to stand out from their competition. Here’s a look into the further detail of how it’s done so.
What is augmented reality?
Augmented reality uses artificial technology to create an environment that combines the elements of the natural world with a contrived world, all through a mobile device. It positions the user in a way that blurs their perception of reality as it mixes both the physical environment with computer-generated images together. According to Statista, augmented reality apps generated revenue of just over 884 million in 2017, and this statistic is likely to rise rapidly over the coming years.
Examples of augmented reality apps
Augmented reality has already been incorporated into mobile apps, which have received immense exposure and popularity. Many significant industries are using augmented reality to design their apps and make a unique experience for the user:
Audi (Automotive Industry): Audi is the leader in making the most of the technology and how they’ve incorporated it into their AR app. Using your device, you’ll be provided with extra information about a particular car part you may be looking to use. So, for example, say you broke down at the side of the road and dashboard lights appear that you’re unfamiliar with. Opening up the app and pointing it to the particular light, it’ll provide you with manual type information about the light, which you can read further about. This would save you a significant amount of time of flicking through endless pages of your car manual.
IKEA (Retail): IKEA decided to create the app to produce a virtual showroom for users looking to make a purchase. It’s essentially a digital catalog that combines your existing home with items you can find in their store and allows you to preview how the furniture would look in your living space rather than using your imagination to do so.
Ray Bans (E-Commerce): When it comes to purchasing clothes and fashion accessories online, it can be a real pain when it finally arrives in the post and it doesn’t fit correctly. Optical brand Ray-Ban has looked to provide a resolution to this by producing an app which allows customers to try on their sunglasses virtually. The app merges a live video/photo of the customer with a computer-generated version of their own brand sunglasses so customers can see what it looks like before they decide whether to purchase it.
What does the future hold for AR mobile apps?
The examples provided above are just a few ways in which augmented reality has wholly revolutionized how both consumers and businesses can benefit from the technology. The possibility of the technology is almost endless, and other major companies, such as Epson, are adopting the technology to produce headsets for use in other industries.
However, there are still technical challenges being faced by AR. For example, Microsoft managed to create a standalone headset called the HoloLens which didn’t require the use of a phone or computer in order to work, but AR viewing restricted it to only a few inches wide.
With the release of Apple’s ARkit, though, there is sure to be a massive growth within the mobile apps for iPhone and iPad and AR mobile apps in general. The toolkit allows app developers to make AR apps that connect with the device’s cameras and sensors more efficiently, providing an opportunity for modern business growth and a whole new way for businesses to interact with their consumers like never before.