How to Leverage AR in Your Industry
AR is now in the hands of millions of consumers and being used across industries. But companies face strategic questions about where and how to leverage the technology.
AR can present 2-D and 3-D digital information in ways that are easy to absorb and act on. But creating effective AR experiences requires new kinds of skills, including user experience and interface design.
1. Augmented reality is a technology that integrates digital information with the real world.
It’s hard to think of a single industry that doesn’t stand to benefit from the emergence of augmented reality (AR). Unlike virtual reality, which immerses users into an entirely digital world, AR overlays computer-generated elements onto the real-world environment. This integration opens up new possibilities for a wide range of creative and practical applications.
For example, Newport News Shipbuilding uses AR to inspect aircraft carriers. This process eliminates the need to manually compare the actual vessel with complex 2-D blueprints, and cuts inspection time by 96%. AR also enables teams to create and work with remote models, which can then be used in training and other operations. These efficiencies can significantly reduce the cost of training, service, assembly and design.
AR is a powerful technology for businesses, but it’s not without its limitations. To make the most of it, organizations must have a clear understanding of how and where to apply it. This is often a challenge, but it is getting easier as the technology becomes more widely available.
One of the most compelling use cases for AR is providing immersive and interactive product demonstrations. Examples include Warby Parker’s AR app that allows customers to virtually try on glasses, and Sephora’s makeup “virtual artist” feature. These applications enable customers to feel confident in their purchases, which leads to higher customer satisfaction and fewer returns.
2. Augmented reality is a technology that integrates digital information with the real world.
AR’s ability to blend digital information with the real world opens up new possibilities for ar industry product differentiation. Whether it’s companion experiences that enhance products’ capabilities, or interfaces that improve support and service, AR creates opportunities for companies to build stronger brand loyalty and customer retention.
AR also creates new opportunities for reducing costs through increased productivity and improved efficiency. For example, an AR app that provides step-by-step visual instructions for a job allows workers to avoid costly mistakes and save time. When the Lee Company implemented AR to help its field technicians with installation and repairs, it saved over $500 per technician per month by reducing the need for repeat visits.
Another area where AR can reduce costs is in optimizing warehouse management and workflow. For example, an AR application that gives employees step-by-step visual instruction for assembling a machine or filling orders allows workers to work more efficiently and reduces the need for training.
A major challenge for AR is the need to develop user-friendly and intuitive interfaces. In addition, a lack of standards and interoperability between different systems can create barriers to adoption. Another challenge is preventing users from over-relying on AR and missing important cues in their environment. However, new tools are emerging that allow low- or no-code users to create their own AR applications with drag-and-drop ease.
3. Augmented reality is a technology that integrates digital information with the real world.
Augmented reality (AR) uses a combination of processor, sensors, and a display augmented reality glasses for manufacturing unit to blend digital information on the physical world via simulated graphics. AR technology can be used for a variety of applications including navigation, education, entertainment, and work productivity. AR is a key component of Industry 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution that’s changing business in ways we never imagined.
AR technology enables workers to access the information they need at their fingertips, eliminating the need for manuals or paper instructions. It allows them to see the physical layout of a machine or product in a virtual 3D model, while providing remote assistance from a coworker. AR can also help reduce risk by allowing workers to practice tasks virtually before performing them in real life. This improves worker safety, inspection, and training.
Whether it’s to visualize product data, deliver remote instruction, or support service, AR is becoming an indispensable tool in the manufacturing industry. Companies that want to succeed with this emerging technology will need teams dedicated to building and managing AR applications. This will include skills like user experience and interface design, as well as digital modeling capabilities.
Using AR, companies can offer customers immersive and interactive experiences that will transform the way they engage with their products. For example, retailers can use AR to help customers navigate their stores and find the right products.
4. Augmented reality is a technology that integrates digital information with the real world.
Most AR experiences start with existing digital content. Using computer vision software, devices like smartphones and tablets can detect the environment and place 3D models in it with correct perspective and scale. More advanced systems can automatically track the real-world location of a user, called spatial mapping or simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). This technology allows users to view digital information while maintaining a natural sense of direction and movement in the world.
For example, retailers like Target are using AR to give customers a hands-free, heads-up way to shop by superimposing product information and virtual shopping carts on their surroundings. This type of AR experience can help companies make more accurate sales predictions and increase customer satisfaction. It can also replace the need for showrooms and in-store product demonstrations.
In addition, AR can enable new types of human-machine interfaces. These systems capture data from automation and control systems, secondary sensors, and asset management systems and display it to workers in the context of their workspace. This can help reduce machine downtime and improve productivity by enabling technicians to see diagnostic information in the field.
As with any emerging technology, there are challenges associated with AR. Some of the most significant are technical limitations, user experience, and content creation. Content creation is time consuming and requires specialized expertise. Additionally, the hardware and software involved in AR can be expensive to develop and maintain.
