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The world of virtual and augmented reality is growing. And it is transforming the way we live, work and play. But who is using it? And just how useful is it?
You can’t beat practical experience; it’s by far the best way to learn. But for wannabee pilots or heart surgeons, real-life practices are a risky business, not with AR and VR. Virtual environments allow students to practice without the risks. And augmented environments enable them to receive vital information in real-time on objectives, hazards or best practices. Not only is this an engaging way to learn, but users can go at their own pace and try out a whole range of scenarios or locations.
AR/VR-based training apps ensure consistency and can be easily rolled out to multiple sites worldwide. Importantly, they can also be updated instantly and simultaneously. This improves the efficiency of training programs, which in turn will make employees more efficient. The result? Businesses that are able to deliver a better service.
Who’s doing it? Walmart are now using 17,000 Oculus Go headsets to train its employees in skills ranging from compliance to customer service. Microsoft announced a $480 million initiative to begin training U.S. military troops with augmented reality training scenarios to mimic complex and dangerous real-world situations.
The demand for AR apps is growing rapidly. Consumers want to be able to see and feel what it would be like to own a product or use a service before they buy. In fact, it is estimated that there were ≈ 1.7 billion active mobile AR users worldwide by 2024, with projections suggesting the number could exceed 2 billion by 2025.
Who’s doing it? Ikea Place app allows you to scan your room and design the space by placing Ikea objects in the digital image of your room. Far easier than spending a day fighting with flatpacks to find out they don’t fit. Similarly, Dulux Visualiser enables you to use your smartphone camera to scan your room and virtually paint it any colour. At Rolex, you can now try out different styles and models. And cosmetic company Sephora uses AR technology to allow customers to try out different looks on their own digital face.
Getting lost is stressful. It usually leads to us being late, arguing with our travel companions and ruining what could have been a pleasant journey. AR could be the answer to ease our pain.
Who’s doing it? Most car manufacturers are now installing voice assistants as the norm, but the likes of Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Toyota, and Volvo are going a step further with Nvidia’s DriveAR, a dashboard-mounted display overlaying graphics on camera footage from around the car, highlighting hazards and even historic landmarks.
Other projects include WayRay, which projects the AR data directly onto the windscreen, potentially improving safety by keeping our eyes on the road. For airline passengers, help comes in the form of the award-winning Gatwick Airport passenger app, which enables passengers to use the AR maps from their mobile phone to navigate through the airport.
Training the next generation of health care professionals using VR and AR will enable students to practice in risk-free environments, with up-to-date information at their fingertips. For doctors and surgeons in real-life situations, AR also has great potential; AR apps can deliver real-time information, including relevant imaging data and patient information.
For patients, it is likely to become a game-changer too. For those in pain or suffering from traumatic thoughts or fears, VR has proved to be the perfect distraction. Immersed in a calm activity like a walk on the beach, deep sea diving, watching a beautiful sunset or touring an art gallery can redirect attention from pain or negative and distressing thoughts.
VR also enables patients to get a better understanding of diagnoses and treatments through an immersive, 3D environment that lets them tour the body and better visualise medical findings. Plus, Children’s hospitals are using VR headsets to ease pre-surgery anxiety. VR can also be used effectively for rehabilitation by creating games and making treatment fun or competitive.
Whether it’s a car motor or an MRI machine, repair and maintenance staff are beginning to use AR headsets to provide them with useful information, including step-by-step instructions, potential fixes and hazards. With the help of AR and VR, construction workers can view proposed projects or examine underlying specifications and technicians can repair or replace equipment at various locations while staying in touch every step of the way. The world of maintenance, repair and operations is becoming more efficient, faster and safer.
VR has been about to hit the mainstream for some time – or so we have been told. This year, both Vive and Oculus are releasing headsets that could change that. The new headsets are unrestricted by cables or low-powered displays and include features such as eyeball-tracking and increased field-of-view. They promise to create more realistic and accurate simulations of our real world within their virtual worlds.
With AR, entertainment brands are connecting their audiences to their favourite characters. Look out for the makers of the AR sensation Pokémon Go, who are about to release a Harry Potter-themed AR game.
It seems like AR is taking over the most popular social networks – Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. But AR’s popularity is mainly due to Snapchat. There, users can bring life to their updates with AR, play AR selfie games with Snappables, or create 3D Bitmojis. And recently they have released Shoppable AR, which allows brands to promote their websites and sign-up pages, to share a video and to get people to install their apps. Facebook are not being left behind; they have already invested heavily in AR and have just announced the introduction of AR ads, plus AR Camera effects are also available in Messenger. AR will continue to grow in the world of social media, and it won’t be long before AR virtual stores, AR events and interactive AR videos are the norm.
Whether you’re looking to create immersive product demos, elevate virtual events, or craft cutting-edge promotional content that sets you apart, Bombora is here to bring your ideas to life. Our expert production team can help you merge video with AR/VR to create highly engaging, future-ready campaigns. From interactive webinars to high-quality live streams, we’ll guide you from concept to execution. Let’s build the future of content; get in touch today.