Alper Gondiken
Aug 23, 2017 · 1 min read

Every example I read about AR/VR seems like hype. Nothing groundbreaking. I clicked this article hoping that there will be some convincing cases that show AR/VR solves a problem. Alas, literally all of this can be done with current technology or the improvement in other technologies.

Example 1) The improvement in the call center comes from a changed customer service, not from actually seeing the object. The same agent that refused to see the problem would still not cooperate if the company is just not consumer-friendly. Plus, people are more and more preferring chatting customer representatives rather than phone. What makes you think that this preference will change and there will be more demand to see the representatives?

Example 2) The improvement in contractor surveillance again just comes from an approach of “wanting to be aware and control everything”. I don’t even think there is such a market that’s somehow freakishly interested in watching literally every move of the contractor. But if there is, a computer screen with split view of 2–3 cameras will do the same job as AR/VR.

Example 3) In restaurants, already now you can install cameras and machine learning algorithms that detect the empty glass, unhappy facial expressions, etc. In fact, in this case, AR/VR would be a less efficient solution than an automated solution.

Example 4) The improvement comes from better algorithms and automation, hence better translation; not from AR/VR.

I’m not saying AR/VR won’t be used. Of course it will be used, but I don’t see any groundbreaking solution in any of those scenarios.

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    Alper Gondiken

    Written by

    Data strategist. Business/AI Consultant at Exponea