The Future of Technology: How Augmented Reality is Transforming Industries

image source @iphtechnologies.com

What is Augmented Reality (AR):

Digital content is superimposed over the real world in augmented reality (AR), resulting in a mixed reality. AR technology uses the device’s camera to capture the real world and displays the digital content on top of it. The digital material may consist of text, movies, animations, and 3D objects.

Augmented Reality can be emerged in many applications, including gaming, education, healthcare, retail, and advertising. It can be used to enhance user experiences by providing additional information, entertainment, and engagement.

How AR is changing UX Design:

image source @netsolutions.com

Since it offers designers new opportunities and challenges, augmented reality is altering the way we think about user experience design. AR allows designers to create more immersive and engaging experiences that can enhance user satisfaction and loyalty. Here are some of the ways AR is changing UX design:

1. Enhanced Interaction: Users of augmented reality can engage more naturally and in real-time with digital items. For instance, users of a retail app can utilize augmented reality to visually try on clothing, allowing them to see how the items might fit them without having to visit an actual store.

2. Contextual Information: Users may receive information about their environment that is contextually pertinent. For instance, users of a museum app can utilize augmented reality to scan an exhibit and obtain further details about the piece.

3. Immersive Experiences: Designers may develop immersive experiences using augmented reality that can take consumers to various settings. Users of a travel app, for instance, can utilize augmented reality to visually visit a location and experience what it’s like to be there.

4. Brand Awareness: The usage of augmented reality can increase consumer engagement and brand exposure. Users can engage in exciting and interesting interactions with a brand’s products using augmented reality, for instance, in an advertising app.

Designing for AR:

image source @dribbble.com

Designing for AR requires a different approach than traditional UX design. These are some important factors to take into account while designing for AR:

User Interface (UI), Interaction Design, Information Architecture, and Performance.

A crucial component of AR design is the creation of the User Interface (UI). Because UI design in AR must smoothly supplement the user’s experience while integrating with their physical environment, it takes on a special shape. AR UI design must take into account elements like illumination, distance, and user mobility in addition to being aesthetically pleasing and practical.

When creating the UI for AR, keep the following points in mind:

1. Placement: Users should be able to interact with augmented reality UI elements naturally and intuitively. This entails creating UI components that are compatible with actual, tangible objects, such as placing a virtual button on a table.

2. Size and Scale: The size and scale of augmented reality user interface elements should be acceptable, taking into account the user’s proximity to the element. To make sure that it is always visible and simple to interact with, the size of the UI element should adjust in accordance with how far the user is from it.

3. Contrast: High contrast UI elements for augmented reality should be simple to view in a variety of lighting situations. To ensure that the UI piece stands out, there should be enough contrast between it and the outside world.

4. Animation: A potent design tool for augmented reality user interfaces is animation. It can aid in highlighting significant UI components and offer feedback on user activities. Smooth and organic animations will improve the user experience overall.

5. Depth Perception: Depth perception should be taken into account when designing augmented reality user interfaces since it is essential to producing a convincing augmented reality experience. The UI elements ought to have depth and dimensionality, and they ought to look like they belong in the real environment.

6. User Movement: Augmented Reality User interface design must take into account how users navigate through and engage with their surroundings. For instance, UI elements should change position and orientation in response to the user.

Application Of Augmented Reality:

1)AR in Gaming:

image source @alamy.com

AR is used in gaming to create an immersive gaming experience. AR-based games like Pokemon Go and Ingress use location-based services to provide a unique gaming experience. With the help of AR technology, these games overlay virtual objects on real-world locations, allowing players to interact with them. This creates a new level of engagement and a more realistic gaming experience for the users.

2)AR in Ecommerce:

image source @thewrap.com

AR allows ecommerce customers to preview products or experience services in their own environment and on their own time, before electing to make a purchase. Using AR, customers can preview products and be more likely to pick the right product the first time.AR is used in the retail industry to enhance the shopping experience. Customers can use AR technology to try on clothes virtually or see how furniture would look in their home. AR technology allows customers to experience products in a more interactive and engaging way, which can lead to more sales for retailers.

3) AR in Education:

image source @elearningindustry.com

The AR experience is thriving as a significant trend, and it is estimated that by 2023 there will be 2.4 billion Augmented Reality mobile users worldwide. However, there were only 200 million users in 2015. It is an excellent influx in numbers that can’t be ignored. However, my interest in this article is looming around the usage of Augmented Reality in education and eLearning applications. Many of us are only aware of Augmented Reality being used in mobile games like Pokémon Go and social media platforms like Snapchat.

With AR, classroom education can be extraordinary and more interactive, as AR can enable teachers to show virtual examples of concepts and add gaming elements to provide textbook material support. This will enable students to learn faster and memorize information.

However, education is another significant space where this technology can blow up the candles.AR is used in the field of education to create interactive learning experiences. Students can use AR to learn about scientific concepts or explore historical locations. AR technology can also be used to create virtual field trips, allowing students to visit locations they might not be able to visit in person.

4) AR in Healthcare:

image source @fletchcreative.com

Technology and Healthcare have developed considerably, and one of the most prominent contributing roles in healthcare mobile apps trends is augmented reality and Virtual Reality development services. The healthcare-based AR and VR business is poised to become a $5.1 Billion market by the time it reaches 2025. While the time is still too notably off, the importance of AR/VR in the Healthcare domain is already seen in multiple arenas.

The result that AR/VR has shown in Healthcare and the potential that it carries together makes Healthcare the most extensive use case of the AR/VR industry.

On the one hand, the technology helps doctors make more precise surgeries; the patients, on the other hand, profit from the virtual reality scenes that help them succeed trauma with greater ease while being in a safe environment.

Both the reasons collectively make AR/VR one of the most critical trends in Healthcare App Development. AR/VR is known to improve it upon all the four main healthcare areas — Diagnostic, Training, Treatment, and Rehabilitation

AR is used in the healthcare industry to improve patient outcomes. Surgeons can use AR technology to create a virtual representation of a patient’s anatomy, allowing them to plan surgeries more accurately. AR technology can also be used to provide patients with more engaging and interactive educational resources, which can lead to better health outcomes.

5) AR in Tourism:

image source @shutterstock.com

AR is used in the tourism industry to create immersive travel experiences. Tourists can use AR technology to explore historical locations or learn about cultural traditions. This creates a more engaging and interactive experience for tourists, which can lead to increased tourism revenue for destinations.

AR technology has numerous uses in various industries. From gaming to education, retail to healthcare, AR has the potential to revolutionize how we interact with the world around us. As AR technology continues to improve, we can expect to see more innovative uses of this technology in the future.

--

--