Augmented reality (AR) is a rapidly growing technology that is being adopted by businesses across various industries. AR refers to the superimposition of digital objects onto the real world, creating an interactive and immersive experience for users.

The Benefits of Augmented Reality for Businesses

1. Improved Customer Experience

AR provides businesses with a unique opportunity to offer an enhanced customer experience. By overlapping digital objects onto the real world, AR enables companies to provide customers with a more interactive and immersive experience.

This can be seen in various industries, such as retail, where AR is being used to help customers visualize products in their homes before making a purchase.

One example of this is IKEA’s AR app, which allows customers to see how furniture would look in their home before buying it. The app uses AR to superimpose the furniture onto the customer’s real-world environment, enabling them to see how it would fit and complement their existing decor.

Another example is the automotive industry, where AR is being used to help customers visualize car customization options. For instance, BMW’s AR app allows customers to see how different paint colors, rims, and other customization options would look on their car before making a purchase.

2. Increased Efficiency

AR is also being used to increase efficiency in business operations. For instance, in the manufacturing industry, AR is being used to improve production lines and reduce errors.

One example of this is GE’s AR app, which allows workers in the aerospace industry to visualize complex assembly instructions in real-time. The app uses AR to overlay digital objects onto the worker’s field of view, enabling them to see exactly where they need to place components and how they should be assembled.

3. Enhanced Training and Education

AR is also being used to enhance training and education in various industries. By providing an interactive and immersive learning experience, AR enables learners to visualize complex concepts and apply them in real-world scenarios.

One example of this is the MedRealities app, which allows doctors and nurses to practice surgical procedures in a virtual environment before performing them on actual patients. The app uses AR to overlay digital objects onto the user’s field of view, enabling them to see exactly how they should be positioning their instruments and other tools during surgery.

The Future of Augmented Reality in Business

As AR technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative uses of AR in business operations. Some potential future applications of AR in business include:

1. Remote Assistance and Collaboration

AR technology is already being used for remote assistance and collaboration in various industries, such as construction and manufacturing. By allowing workers to visualize complex instructions in real-time, AR enables them to work together more efficiently, even if they are located in different parts of the world.

One example of this is ABB’s AR app, which allows remote maintenance technicians to see exactly what they need to do to repair a machine without having to physically visit the site. The app uses AR to overlay digital objects onto the technician’s field of view, enabling them to visualize the machine’s internal components and see exactly where they need to make repairs.