Augmented Reality definition and use cases with examples

Augmented Reality definition- Ah, it is so easy! On the contrary when I talked to my friend- the reality hit me differently.

I was talking to a friend who is currently pursuing engineering, we talked about million things and had our own perspective. I put a question on Augmented Reality and how college students are looking forward to it? My friend’s reply surprised me! He said- undoubtedly AR is doing great in revolutionizing different industries and proliferating by leaps and bounds in terms of numbers but at the college level, many students are still unaware of Augmented Reality. On the day itself while going through the newspaper I saw a wonderful use case of AR. We will discuss it later.

  So, today I will put light on the Augmented Reality definition and use cases with examples.

A detailed Augmented Reality definition:

Augmented Reality is a disruptive technology that overlays the virtual elements in the real world and gives a real-like feel. This is the Augmented Reality simple definition. The virtual elements are computer-generated graphics and other stimuli.

As per Wikipedia, “ Augmented Reality is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information, sometimes across multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory”.

Augmented Reality application:

Augmented Reality definition indicates the use of technology in real-like training, immersive user-experience, highlighting and increasing understanding of physical features, simplifying the workload and improving the consumer experience. On the basis of these outputs, the Augmented Reality technology has, diversified and multiple use cases in different industries. Have a look here:

·         Advertisement and Marketing:

A majority part of 2020 and the current year is all about the online world. We were proceeding towards digitalization but the pandemic brought storm in the digital space. Technology and digital space worked as a blessing. This concept aligns with online advertisement and marketing. People are inclining toward digital advertisement and marketing. The digital space is crowded and the Augmented Reality technology gives the room to implement creativity and make the advertisement stand out.

The biggies like Google and Snapchat are leaving no stone unturned to mark a footprint and establish an AR marketplace. Augmented Reality filters are used to engage with customers and promote the brands. The creative touch available due to Augmented Reality make marketing campaigns a lot more interesting.

Read: How spark AR for Instagram is helping in Advertisement and Marketing.

·         Workforce training:

According to the Augmented Reality definition, workforce training has improved a lot with the help of AR technology. Augmented Reality gears such as headsets and smart glasses are effective in training the workforce in different industries such as defence, oil and gas, home appliances, healthcare, etc. Medical students get to interact with a virtual body and experiment with it. Military people get a real-like experience in a virtually created war zone and so on. Augmented Reality overlays the virtual elements and enhances the workforce training.

·         More satisfied purchase:

 AR technology has immense use cases in the retail industry. Until the commercial introduction of Augmented Reality, shoppers had to go for online products just on the basis of instincts and imagination. But, now you can virtually try on the products before clicking on the order icon. This has at a vast range reduced the uncertainty of purchase and decreased the return rate. Most of the clothing, Makeup, jewellery, furniture, footwear companies allow customers to virtually try the product be sure about the colour, look, etc and then go for the final purchase.

·         Remote assistance:

 Pandemic has spiked the need for remote assistance. With the help of AR remote assistance, an expert can direct the newbies or customers from the comfort of their couch. Many a time in the automotive, defence, oil and gas or food industry when a professional with skills and experience retire or is at a distant place it creates a vacancy and decreases the quality of work. With the help of AR remote assistance professionals can guide the on-field work by offering real-time assistance. It is also helpful in case of minor mishaps at the consumer’s place. Instead of waiting for professionals to arrive, the consumer can fix it themselves with the help of real-time guidance from the company. Just the way Rachel did!

·         Assisting healthcare professionals:

The new-age digital technology such as Augmented Reality is taking healthcare treatment to a whole new level. It eliminates the location limitation and enables the medical professional to assist the treatment by giving a real-like experience.

Here is what I read in The Times of India, “For complex cancer surgery, London-based surgeon Dr Shafi Ahmed – renowned for performing the world’s first virtual reality operation and live-streaming- sought help from Dr Shailesh Shrikhande, deputy director of Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. They used Microsoft Hololens to get connected remotely. Here is the real-like experience of the doctor, “ Dr Shrikhande says his virtual avatar entered the London operating room. He accessed the test reports and scans of the patient and was standing and speaking to other doctors as if they were together in the room. The doctors looked at 3D holograms of the scan of the tumour hovering in front of them, they get specialists to virtually draw on the image to aid discussion. And all this while the patient was on the operating table”.

Hey, readers! How would like to review this transformational change in the healthcare sector due to the power of AR technology? I am utterly amazed. The technology has not only simplified the life of doctors, improved the treatment facility but also helps to train medical students. Medical students can leverage the benefit of Augmented Reality to get real-time interaction with the human body again and again.

Augmented Reality examples:

Here are a few examples of use cases of this technology in different industries:

·         AccuVein has made it easier to trace the veins. No, need to fear blood testing anymore!

·         HoloAnatomy powered by Microsoft helps medical professional to get a 3D view of human anatomy.

·         Magnolia collaborated with Shopify’s AR team to improve the digital shopping experience.

I hope you had a great read on Augmented Reality definition and use cases.